UNGA Disarmament Index 2011
This is an index of all references made to issues of disarmament, peace, and security, made in the 66th General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly from 21–30 September 2011. Included in this index are all references made to arms control, disarmament, multilateralism, nuclear energy, security, proliferation, the arms trade, and nuclear and conventional weapons.
Secretary-General of the United Nations
H.E. Ban Ki-moon
21 September 2011
Nuclear energy: “As we learned in Fukushima and elsewhere, nuclear accidents do not respect national borders. We need global action. We need strong international safety standards to prevent future disasters.”
Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: “Let us keep pushing on disarmament and non-proliferation. Let us fulfil the dream—a world free of nuclear weapons.”
President of the 66th Session of the UNGA (closing remarks)
H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser
27 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament: "Many delegations reaffirmed that international peace and security can be best served through the realization of a nuclear-weapon-free world."
Nuclear safety and security: "The maintenance of the highest nuclear safety and security standards was also highlighted as a requirement for this stability."
Disarmament machinery: "I encourage Member States to advance their efforts to revitalize the UN disarmament machinery and, in particular, to initiate negotiations on new disarmament instruments in the Conference on Disarmament."
Afghanistan
H.E. Mr. Zalmai Rassoul, Minister of Foreign Affairs
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Albania
H.E. Mr. Sali Berisha, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Algeria
H.E. Mr. Mourad Medelci, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Andorra
H.E. Mr. Gilbert Saboya Sunyé, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Angola
H.E. Mr. Georges Rebelo Chikoti, Minister of External Relations
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Antigua and Barbuda
H.E. Mr. Winston Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons: "Many of today's conflicts are fueled by the illegal trade in small arms and light weapons. These small weapons of mass destruction have wrought devastating impact on the countries of our region over the last decade, are have been directly implicated in the associated rise in crime and violence, involving the use of firearms. Needless to say, these weapons have had a significant adverse impact on the socio-economic and human development and security of our countries."
Small arms and light weapons, arms trade treaty: "In the 2007 UNODC and World Bank reports our region was identified as having higher murder rates than any other region in the world, and that small arms and light weapons are used in the commission of more than 70% of those murders. This dubious designation we never sought and it is neither welcome nor desired. This is why, Mr. President, at our most recent Summit in July 2011, my fellow CARICOM Heads adopted a Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons in which, inter alia, we agreed to 'to accord the highest national and regional priority to matters related to combating and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition' and to 'intensify and sustain engagement in the United Nations effort for the conclusion of a legally binding Arms Trade Treaty.' I call on all member States of our organization to join our region in this worthy endeavour."
Argentina
H.E. Ms. Cristina Fernández, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Armenia
H.E. Mr. Serzh Sargsyan, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Australia
H.E. Mr. Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs
22 September 2011
Nuclear weapons: "And while rarely making the front pages, the continuing, and, alarmingly, the almost silent advance of those other great, global challenges that have been with us now for too many years - challenges of grinding poverty, environmental degradation and the continued proliferation of nuclear weapons, the enhancement of human rights - ail of which compete for attention on an already crowded international agenda."
Military spending: "Asian economic growth has been overwhelmingly good for the global economy. But Asia has also seen an exponential increase in military expenditure. Over the last 20 years, East Asian military expenditure grew by nearly 150%. During the same period of time, US military expenditure grew by 36%. Asia, with its many unresolved territorial disputes and military tensions, has become the new global arms bazaar."
DPRK nuclear programme: "North Korea's recent behaviour and its continuing development of nuclear and missile technology in defiance of UN Security Counell resolutions 1718 and 1874 has direct implications for the security of our region. North Korea's nuclear weapons program, and its long range missile program, represents a direct threat to our region's security, including Australia."
Iran nuclear programme: "An Israeli and Palestinian state, living side by side, would result in diplomatic recognition across the Arab world.... And diplomatically and strategically, it would bring the focus to bear exclusively on the primary threat to regional security - namely Iran, its nuclear program and its support for terrorist organisations."
Nuclear proliferation, disarmament: "While terrorism threatens thousands, nuclear proliferation threatens millions. Australia remains vitally committed to the goal of a nuclearweapon-free world. That's why we have established wlth Jilpan the Non-proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI) to take forward the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference agenda."
Conference on Disarmament, FMCT: "Progress is slow - sometimes painfully 50. Last year I said the state of the Conference on Disarmament was scandalous. Now it is beyond scandalous. Nothing has changed. A full fifteen years have now passed without progress on a treaty to hait production of fissile material for nuclear weapons. We need progress on an FMCT, and if the CD cannot achieve it in the year ahead, another bodyshould, and the NPDI has resolved to support this. Australia and the NPDI will remain active on this and the rest of the non-proliferation and disarmament agenda in the lead-up to the 2012 NPT Preparatory Committee."
Austria
H.E. Mr. Michael Spindelegger, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Nuclear safety, nuclear power: "This year has once again confirmed the importance of the United Nations as the truly indispensable multilateral forum to address today's global problems: ... ecological disasters such as Fukushima ... require concerted action by the UN and its Member States."
"The Fukushima nuclear catastrophe should become a turning point in our approach to nuclear safety. We owe it to future generations that safety concerns come first when using nuclear power. Austria decided in 1978 to forego the use of nuclear energy. Some countries have recently adopted a similar course, which we welcome."
Disarmament: "The UN Headquarters in Vienna serve as a dynamic hub for the promotion of peace, security and sustainable development. 1am proud to announce that a liaison office of the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will be opening in Vienna soon. Over the last year, the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA) set up its headquarters near Vienna and the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation as weil as an office of the International Peace Institute (IPI) were established."
Disarmament, WMDFZ in the Middle East: "We salute the delermined leadership of the Secretary General wilh his five Point Plan on Disarmament. We look forward to continue our work under this positive spirit at the first NPT Preparatory Committee in Vienna in May next year and hope for progress with regard to a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in the Middle East."
Disarmament machinery: "Nevertheless, despite our collective efforts, we have not been able 10 move forward on new disarmament and arms control issues. The multilaleral machinery, and in particular the Conference on Disarmament, remains in deadlock. Unfortunately the momentum that we had hoped to generate over the past year has not materialized. Thus, in Austria's view, the Conference on Disarmament has not only lost its credibility, but is also risking its legitimacy. Austria will therefore encourage a resolution at the next session of the First Committee on how to move forward multilateral disarmament negotiations."
Azerbaijan
H.E. Mr. Elmar Mammadyarov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Bahamas (The)
H.E. Mr. Theodore Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons: "As an archipelago spanning more than 100,000 square miles, the porous borders of The Bahamas have, for many years, posed a challenge to national security and the rule of law. We are presently confronted by high levels of crime, too many of which involve the use of small arms and light weapons. We are not manufacturers of such weapons. We are keenly aware of the global threats posed by the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons, which is linked to other aspects of transnational organized crime, including illicit trafficking in drugs."
"Internationally, The Bahamas is committed to the implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects and to engaging fully in its ongoing processes. We look forward to the 2012 Review Conference on the Programme of Action and to a comprehensive discussion of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in all its aspects."
"What is clearly evident is the need for an integrated, global response to supplement actions at the national, regional and sub-regional levels if we are to effectively prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and reduce the escalating violence and crime in our societies."
Arms trade treaty, small arms and light weapons: "The need to regulate the import, export and transfer of conventional arms is critical if we are to achieve some measure of peace and stability and reduce conflicts. The Bahamas is supportive of a strong, effective and non-discriminatory Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and welcomes the inclusion of the category of small arms and light weapons and ammunition within the scope of a future ATT and we express the hope that the instrument would also provide for an effective implementation regime."
Bahrain
H.M. King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa, King
22 September 2011
Disarmament and non-proliferation: “We are convinced that it is imperative for all Member States to cooperate on a number of issues such as addressing climate change, international health, drought, poverty alleviation, disarmament, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and combating terrorism. This is needed in order to address the important challenges and problems facing humanity and create a new world under the auspices of security, peace and progress.”
Bangladesh
H.E. Ms. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Barbados
H.E. Mr. Freundel Stuart, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons, arms trade treaty: "We have experienced first-hand the deleterious effects on our societies of the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. At their Summit in July 2011, CARICOM Heads of Government committed themselves 'to accord the highest national and regional priority to combatting and eradicating the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition'. We have a vested interest, therefore, in the success of the United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty (UNCATT) in 2012. We will continue to work with other Member States to achieve the ultimate objective of a legally binding, robust and comprehensive Arms Trade Treaty which imposes the highest possible standards for the transfer of conventional arms, including small arms, light weapons and ammunitions."
WMD: "Some of the global challenges we face today like the pandemics of HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases, climate change, the growth of the illicit drug trade, transnational crime, and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction are new."
Belarus
H.E. Mr. Sergei Martynov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Belgium
H.E. Mr. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs
24 September 2011
Cluster munitions, nuclear proliferation, Iran, DPRK: "Many have said it before: the global challenges we face are multiple: ... From banning cluster munitions to curbing nuclear proliferation, notably in North Korea and Iran."
Belize
H.E. Mr. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
27 September 2011
Militarism: "We in Belize fully subscribe to the view that mediation is a much more sensible means of bringing an end to disputes than the use of force and threats of force especially in the case of neighbouring states whose people have to live side by side and who are interdependent upon each other for their survival and security."
Arms trade treaty, small arms and light weapons, ammunition: "Over the last decade crime and violence in Belize and the rest of Central America have escalated drastically resulting in some 18,167 homicides. However, none of the arms used in these murders are produced in Central America. They are the product of the illicit trafficking in guns and drugs between South and North America. The transnational nature of these crimes is exacerbated by the cross border collaboration of criminals. This type of criminal activity clearly requires the collaboration and cooperation of the international community if it is to be combated successfully. We in Belize have stepped up our efforts nationally and in conjunction with our neighbours in Central America, the Caribbean and the United States to combat the activity of these criminals, but the going is difficult and progress is slow. We need more help from the international community. Specifically we need a universally applicable normative framework to regulate the trade in arms such as an Arms Trade Treaty that is legally binding, robust, and comprehensive. One which establishes the highest possible standards for the transfer of conventional arms, especially small arms, light weapons and ammunities."
Benin
H.E. Mr. Nassirou Bako Arifari, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Bhutan
H.E. Mr. Lyonchoen Jigmi Yoezer Thinley, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Militarism: "Lacking political will and indeed, clarity of vision, we deny with clever arguments what we know to be the cause of our predicaments. So we go on - doing what is irrational. We continue acquiring arms to prevent war; answering climate change with more harmful emissions; racing to extract, produce and consume more in the face of depleting resources; fuelling faltering economies with debt and greed; enabling the wealthy to widen the deep crevasses that separate the rich from the poor; idealizing individualism as family and community crumble amid rising social dislocation, crime, mental illness, loneliness and suicide."
Bolivia
H.E. Mr. Evo Morales Ayma, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
H.E. Mr. Željko Komšić, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Botswana
H.E. Lieutenant General Mompati S. Merafhe, Vice President
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Brazil
H.E. Ms. Dilma Roussef, President
21 September 2011
Nuclear energy: “Through a constitutional provision, we have renounced the use of nuclear energy for non-peaceful purposes.”
Brunei Darussalam
H.R.H. Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, Crown Prince
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Bulgaria
H.E. Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, Minister of Foreign Affairs
23 September 2011
Nuclear safety and security: "Bulgaria also particularly welcomes the High Level Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security. The effects of nuclear accidents have no respect for national borders. To adequately safeguard our people, we must have firm international consensus and action, as well as agree on stringent international safety standards."
Nuclear energy: "As many other IAEA member states Bulgaria considers nuclear power as a viable option to meet our energy needs. Nuclear energy has a key role for providing base load power to our economy with a share of 35% of the total energy mix."
Nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation: "It is high time for bold and decisive actions in the field of disarmament and nonproliferation as well. It is the legal and moral obligation of all of us to honor the commitments undertaken with the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Outcome document of the 2010 Review Conference."
WMD terrorism: "A strengthened and robust NPT regime is in the interest of all States, especially with the growing risk of non-state actors getting access to weapons of mass destruction."
DPRK's nuclear programme: "All States Parties, including DPRK, are bound by the NPT regime. Leaving the NPT should not be without consequences."
Iran's nuclear programme: "Cooperation with IAEA is also essential. As long as Iran continues to not provide greater transparency of its nuclear activities, the concerns of the international community will remain valid. Full compliance with the Security Council resolutions
and with the provisions of the IAEA safeguards agreement is paramount for the diplomatic solution of this case."
Burkina Faso
H.E. Mr. Djibrill Ypènè Bassolé, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Burundi
H.E. Mr. Pierre Nkurunziza, President
23 September 2011
Disarmament, small arms, explosives: "We cannot forget that Burundi is a post-conflict country. But we look forward to the voluntary return of more than eighty thousand (80 000) arms and explosives. In addition, the establishment of a Disarmament Commission and the work of excavation search made by the National Police are in support of disarming criminals."
Cambodia
H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
WMD: "We live in an interconnected world where global challenges such as economic and financial crisis, climate change, energy and food security, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) etc... are increasingly complex and continue to haunt the whole world."
START, nuclear disarmament: "The advances made last year by the international community in the areas of arms control and disarmament were significant. Cambodia welcomes the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty between the United States and Russia, which marks an important contribution to the elimination of weapons of mass destruction. However, the existing reserves of nuclear weapons in today's world is a serious threat to humanity."
CTBT: "Cambodia calls on states that have not yet signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to do so as soon as possible, because we all have the responsibility to ensure a safer world for all."
NWFZ: "With this in mind, the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN) signed on 15 December 1995 the Bangkok Treaty on a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in Southeast Asia. ASEAN has negotiated with the nuclear powers so that these countrie accede to the Treaty. ASEAN welcomed the willingness of China to sign the protocol of accession to the Treaty. We hope that the other nuclear powers do the same."
Cameroon
H.E. Mr. Henri Eyebe Ayissi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Canada
H.E. Mr. John Baird, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
DPRK nuclear programme, disarmament machinery: "And so, Canada would not "go along" to support the farce of a major proliferator of
nuclear arms presiding over the Conference on Disarmament. When North Korea relinquished the presidency, we resumed our engagement in the Conference. Canada's tough economic sanctions against this rogue regime remain in place and we continue to advocate reform in how the chair of this important body is selected."
"The U. N.'s relevance and effectiveness are imperilled when the Founding Principles are observed in word but not in deed. So it is when the presidency of the disarmament conference passes to a regime involved in the illicit transfers of weapons, material and technology."
Cape Verde
H.E. Mr. José Maria Pereira Neves, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Central African Republic
H.E. Mr. Antoine Gambi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament: "Non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and disarmament reamin a priority. My country, the Central African Republic, welcomes the renewed interest in disarmament by the international community. Strongly concerned about the nuclear peril that threatens all humanity, non-nuclear weapon states are entitled to ask the nuclear powers to assume full responsibility in implementing concrete measures for real nuclear disarmament. The Central African Republic will for its part spare no effort to support any UN initiative in this direction."
Chad
H.E. Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President
22 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Militarism: "We say that the virtues of dialogue must prevail everywhere and that the use of weapons is only possible if all avenues of negoitation have been exhausted."
Chile
H.E. Mr. Sebastián Piñera Echeñique, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
China
H.E. Mr. YANG Jiechi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
DPRK nuclear programme: "China welcomes the positive developments on the Korean Peninsula. We believe that dialogue and consultation are the only effective way to address the issues of the Korean Peninsula and the Six Party Talks are an effective mechanism to advance the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and uphold peace and stability both on the Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.
China has been working hard to promote peace through dialogue and has played a unique role in easing tension and maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. China welcomes the recent resumption of dialogue between the DPRK and the ROK and between the DPRK and the US. We hope that the parties concerned will seize the opportunity, remain engaged in dialogue and work for an early resumption of the Six Party Talks."
Colombia
H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos Calderón, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Comoros
H.E. Mr. Ikililou Dhoinine, President
23 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Arms: "Terrorism, piracy and other transnational organized crime, including drug trafficking and small arms are now many direct threats against human security and national security of many countries."
Congo (The)
H.E. Mr. Basile Ikouebe, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Costa Rica
H.E. Ms. Laura Chinchilla Miranda, President
22 September 2011
Militarism: "Disrespect of those values, together with social exclusion, the outrages of militarism and the deadly echo of the Cold War, plunged much of Central America into intense conflicts for almost four decades. After tens of thousands of deaths, thanks to dialogue and mediation, our region overcame the worst outcome of political violence."
Arms trade treaty: "Preventive diplomacy requires political will. We have approached another junctnre in which it will be put to the test. I am referring to the next conference to achieve an Arrns Trade Treaty, which Costa Rica has actively supported along with other states. We need it to produce a robust, comprehensive and demanding instrument, capable of successfully controlling the flow of the machines of death that provoke ail types of conflicts."
Disarmament, militarism: "Costa Rica knows it weIl. Since we abolished the military, in 1949, our only lines of defense have been the deep conviction of the citizens of our country, our strong institutions and social compact, and the instruments offered by the multilateral system. The security of the 26 other disarmed democracies in the world depend on these defenses as weIl. We deserve to be heard and attended to."
Militarism: "The international community carmot condition its preventive action to actual armed violence between brothers. lt should react, not as a function of the quantity and maguitude of the detonations, but rather to the severity and persistence of the violations. Otherwise, the message to the world would be disastrous. It would imply that, in order to mobilize diplomacy, the shortest route is that of blood. As a country and as a people, we emphatical!y reject this idea."
Côte d'Ivoire
H.E. Mr. Alassane Ouattara, President
22 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Nuclear weapons: "Peace and security remains a big concern for our Organization, given the proliferaiton of armed conflicts, nuclear threats, terrorist activities, cross-border crime, human and drug trafficking, and pandemics."
Croatia
H.E. Mr. Ivo Josipović, President
22 September 2011
Nuclear non-proliferation: "The current challenges - be it the fall of autocratic regimes, nuclear non-proliferation and terrorism, continuing global financial and economic crisis or climate change and underdevelopment - require all of us here in the United Nations to firmly stand together and offer common solutions on the basis of solidarity, responsibility, and the respect for the rights and dignity ofevery person on the globe."
Non-proliferation, WMD: "Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction remains at the top of Croatia's priorities. Substantial efforts are being invested in order to control the transit or transfer of weapons or goods that could be used for its production. Particular attention is given to the control of exports of dual-use goods and technologies, and strengthening of the inter-agency and international cooperation in order to prevent such goods and technology being used for the terrorist or other criminal purposes."
DPRK and Iran's nuclear programmes: "In this regard, we are concerned with ongoing cases of non-compliance with international nonproliferation obligations by Iran and DPR Korea."
Nuclear safety and security: "Croatia welcomes the holding of High-level Meeting on Nuclear Safety and Security, and is committed to continually seek progress and improvement of standards in the field of nuclear safety. Croatia has aligned its legislation on the issue of nuclear safety with international best practices and institutional framework."
Small arms, arms trade treaty: "It is also fundamental for the international community to seriously address the problem of illegal trafficking and misuse of small arms, which results in alarming number of causalities each year, particularly among women and children, and has harmful and destabilizing effects on societies. Croatia supports the process leading to adoption of an Arms Trade Treaty at the 2012 Conference."
Landmines: "Croatia also has vast experience in humanitarian demining and is ready to assist others with its knowledge and expertise."
Cuba
H.E. Mr. Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Cyprus
H.E. Mr. Demetris Christofias, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Czech Republic
H.E. Mr. Václav Klaus, President
23 September 2011
Nuclear power, nuclear safety and security: "I would also like to mention another issue I see crucial, that of nuclear energy. I welcome the fact that the UN Secretary General called for a special meeting on this topic. The Czech Republic pays the highest possible attention to nuclear safety and security, and supports the further development of nuclear energy. What happened in Japan in March this year was a serious natural catastrophe and there are certainIy lessons to be learned from it. The main lesson is obvious. Even coastal locations which are seen as seismically stable for urban planning can be affected by earthquakes far away under the sea and the nuclear power plants should be built in the locations which are the least prone to be damaged by natural disasters.
"Yet, after the tsunami wave hit the Fukushima power plant, some govemments decided not to build new nuclear power plants and some even to abandon nuclear energy as such. Speaking for the Czech Republic, we consider that what happened in Fukushima did not - by any means - question the arguments for nuclear energy. These arguments are strong, economically rational and convincing. Nuclear power is a stable, legitimate, and - in some countries - irreplaceable source of energy today."
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "The Czech Republic also supports the non-proliferation and disannament agenda."
Democratic People's Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Pak Kil Yon, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Militarism: "Despite unanimous aspirations and desires of all the people at home and abroad who want peace and stability, arms build-up and nuclear war exercises continue to be staged one after another against the DPRK in and around the Korean peninsula. Due to this factor, there is a recycling of dangerous situation on the Korean peninsula which is often driven to a brink of war."
DPRK nuclear programme: "Had it not been for the Songun politics unfolded by the great leader of our people General KIM JONG IL and our powerful war deterrent, the Korean peninsula would have been turned into a theatre of war scores of times and our peaceful economic construction unimaginable.
"The DPRK government remains consistent in its stand to secure peace and stability and move towards denuclearization of the Korean peninsula through dialogues and negotiations."
"As long as the hostility exists between the DPRK and the US as the parties to the armistice agreement leveling guns at each other, the mistrust and confrontation will not dissipate and the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula will find no way to its satisfactory solution."
"Denuclearization of the whole Korean peninsula is the last instruction of the great leader of the Korean people President KIM IL SUNG.
The denuclearization of the Korean peninsula specified in September 19 Joint Statement of 2005 is a process of turning the whole Korean peninsula into a nuclear free zone based on complete removal in a verifiable manner of the actual nuclear threat to the Korean peninsula from the outside.
"The issue of denuclearizing the Korean peninsula, to all intents and purposes, had originated from the hostile policy and nuclear war threat of the US against the DPRK. Such being the case, the US is the main party that is responsible for and capable of removing the root cause of the problem. The nuclear issue would have never been raised at all if the US refrained from deploying nuclear weapons in the Korean peninsula and threatening the DPRK with nuclear arms.
"Under the present circumstances where the Korean peninsula stands at the crossroad of either relaxation of tension or the vicious cycle of aggravation of tension, the US should boldly abandon the hostile policy against the DPRK and move towards full-fledged dialogue, proceeding from its long-term strategic vision.
"The DPRK will in the future, too, make strenuous efforts to establish a durable and lasting peace mechanism on the Korean peninsula and will continue to cooperate with all the parties concerned for unconditional resumption of the six-party talks."
Democratic Republic of the Congo
H.E. Mr. Joseph Kabila Kabange, President
22 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, WMD: "[A spirit of compromise and solidarity for the best interest of all countries is needed] for disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, which remain hostage to the policy of double-standards, like discriminatory practices and non-compliance with commitments, in particular, by some nuclear powers."
Denmark
H.E. Mr. Carsten Staur, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Djibouti
H.E. Mr. Ismaël Omar Guelleh, President and Head of Government
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Dominica
H.E. Mr. Vince Henderson, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
Arms trade treaty, small arms and light weapons: "Mr. President, there is no denying the importance of national security to a society, thus the unregulated, non-standardized and highly dangerous arms and ammunition trade poses great threats to law and order in our societies. The Caribbean region is nota manufacturer of arms or ammunition, yet, numerous illegal firearms and ammunition often associated to the illegal drug trade are transferred across our borders, infiltrating our society and causing deaths and mayhem, overburdening our health system and contributing to destabilization of economic progress and wellbeing. The region has lost some of its most productive members to this unregulated transfer of arms. This is an unsustainable situation for any country, but more so for small island states.
"Mr. President, negotiations on an Arms Trade Treaty are welcomed, and as stated in CARlCOM's Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons Dominica is committed to full and active participation in all efforts related to the issue of small arms. Of particular importance is the 2012 Review of the 2001 Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects, and the 2012 United Nations Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty."
Dominican Republic
H.E. Mr. Leonel Fernández Reyna, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Ecuador
H.E. Mr. Francisco Carrión-Mena, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Disarmament, WMD: "Ecuador is a land of peace, which proclaims universal disarmament and condemns development and use of weapons of mass destruction. Therefore it attaches great importance to disarmament and international security, and notes with concern
the shrinking space that exists for reaching agreements in these areas."
Nuclear weapons, NSAs, Conference on Disarmament: "The international community has not seen any instrument by which to ensure that nuclear states will refrain from using weapons against the nuclear non-nuclear states, while the process directed toward the goal of total destruction of such weapons [also lingers]. It seems that inside the CD interest and concern only progress on issues that fall within the sphere of nuclear proliferation, subordinate, or worse yet, setting aside any possibility of progress in field of nuclear disarmament. That is why my country supports the initiation of negotiations within the Conference on Disarmament, which include all outstanding issues."
NWFZ: "Ecuador, promoter of peace and universal disarmament, as well as sustainable development in harmony with nature, and as a contracting party to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which established the first region free of nuclear weapons, hopes that outstanding issues are defined to establish a Nuclear Free Zone in the Middle East."
Coventional weapons, small arms and light weapons, landmines, cluster munitions: "My country expresses its full support to efforts to create transparency in the field of conventional weapons and combat illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons and the use of mines and cluster munitions. It also supports the work carried out under the Programme of Action to prevent, combat and eradicate the illicit trade in SALW in all its aspects and looks forward with anticipation to the completion of the Conference of the UN Arms Trade Treaty, the result of which should be objective, predictable and non discriminatory, and includes respect for the basic principles recognized by the United Nations Charter."
Egypt
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Kemal Ali Amr, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2011
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "The issue of disarmament and non-proliferation remains of great importance to Egypt. We will continue, in cooperation with our international partners, to push for nuclear states to carry out their responsibilities as stipulated in the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty, in order to safeguard the credibility of this legal instrument and its ensuing indivisible principles."
NWFZ in the Middle East: "Furthermore, Egypt will not spare any effort in pursuing the goal of realizing the universality of the Non Proliferation Treaty, especially in the Middle East region where all countries have acceded to the treaty, with the exception of Israel, thereby delaying the creation of a nuclear weapons free zone in the region. That is why Egypt attaches great importance to the implementation of the four action plans adopted by the 2010 NPT Review Conference, especially the one relating to the Middle East which endorsed the holding of a conference on the Middle East next year. In reality, we are concerned by the fact that a facilitator has not yet been nominated and that a host country for the conference has not yet been selected even though more than sixteen months have elapsed since the Review Conference ended."
Nuclear energy, Iran's nuclear programme: "It's in that context that I reiterate Egypt's firm position that the right to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy must be linked to the full compliance with the international commitments under the treaty. This entails the full cooperation of all member states, including Iran, with the International Atomic Energy Agency and avoiding any escalation in order to promote non-proliferation efforts in the region."
El Salvador
H.E. Mr. Carlos Mauricio Funes Cartagena, President
23 September 2011
Disarmament: "We have, of course, been subject to extremely difficult challenges, some of which have already been pointed out by the President of Mexico: combating money laundering, disarmament, prevention, efficacy of justice...."
Arms: "There are 100 billion dollars [in naro-trafficking] that cross our geographic lands accompanied by a verifiable arsenal of arms that protect them."
Equitorial Guinea
H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Eritrea
H.E. Mr. Isaias Afwerki, President
23 September 2011
Militarism: "Despite the end of the cold war and the premature declaration of the emergence of a new world order, wars and military interventions continue, and almost invariably fail to resolve, and further complicate, the problems they set out to solve."
Estonia
H.E. Mr. Toomas Hendrik Ilves, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Ethiopia
H.E. Mr. Hailemariam Desalegn, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
European Union
H.E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council
22 September 2011
Nuclear power, nuclear proliferation, DPRK, Iran: "Of course, there are other worries too: • Worry about the famine in Somalia, where thousands of children have died and many more are at risk -- and where we must act decisively;• Worry about on-going wars and conflicts; • About the safety' of nuclear reactors; • About nuclear proliferation and the behaviour of the Iranian and North-Korean leadership; • And worry about climate change."
Fiji
H.E. Commodore Josaia V. Bainimarama, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Arms trade treaty: "In 2006, Fiji voted in favour of the preparation of a robust Arms Trade Treaty and we commend all those who have shown commitment to preparing this Treaty for signature in 2012."
Finland
H.E. Ms. Tarja Halonen, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
France
H.E. Mr. Nicolas Sarkozy, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Gabon
H.E. Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Gambia (The)
H.E. Ms. Aja Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President
26 September 2011
Arms: "The evils of drug trafficking, piracy, trafficking of illicit goods and arms trafficking have reared their ugly heads across the sub-region."
Georgia
H.E. Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili, President
22 September 2011
Militarism: "Georgia is responding to military build-ups with programs to lift children out of poverty through access to modern technologies, with new hotels and new bicycling roads."
Germany
H.E. Mr. Guido Westerwelle, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "Just like disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as the protection of human rights, the fight against climate change is an integral element of preventive diplomacy. It is part of a farsighted peace policy."
Ghana
H.E. Mr. John Evans Atta Mills, President
23 September 2011
Arms trade treaty, small arms and light weapons: "Mr. President, another issue that we continue to follow with keen interest is the proposed Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). Ghana fully supports the attainment of an Arms Trade Treaty [ATT], hence our satisfaction, thus far, with the outcomes of the ATT Preparatory Committee meetings held in New York in July, 2010 and February-March, 2011. As a nation, we consider a strong and effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) an indispensable step in preventing the flow of conventional arms to destinations where they are likely to wreak havoc and mayhem by either fueling conflict and undermining both national and regional peace, security and development or exacerbating tensions that in many instances could likely create the conditions that necessitate the deployment of international peacekeepers in the first place. For developing countries such as Ghana, the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and other conventional weaponry continues to pose a threat to our national security and socio-economic and political stability, given the former's close linkage to terrorism, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking, among others. It is, therefore, im
perative that the remaining ATT PrepComm meetings come out with proposals towards a future arms trade treaty that closes any loopholes that allow conventional weapons to flow from legitimate to illicit markets."
Greece
H.E. Mr. Stavros Lambrinidis, Minister for Foreign Affairs
23 September 2011
Nuclear security: "The UN's perhaps most overarching responsibilities lie in the area of peace and security, for without peace and security, it is much more difficult, if not impossible, to pursue the myriad other goals of our Organization. This means ensuring nuclear security, combating terrorism, combating piracy."
Grenada
H.E. Mr. Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Cluster munitions, disarmament: "In support of the role of the United Nations, this year, the Government of Grenada signed three global conventions, including the Convention on Cluster Munitions, helping to bring about disarmament."
Nuclear non-proliferation: "We are ail obliged to work selflessly to preserve our planet for future generations. The avoidance of nuclear confrontation is one sure way. We therefore, congratulate ail governments which have expended much time and effort into nuclear non-proliferation."
Guatelama
H.E. Mr. Álvaro Colom Caballeros, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Guinea
H.E. Mr. Alpha Condé , President
23 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Small arms and light weapons: "Having adhered to universal values and principles that underlie our commitment to peace, Guinea denounces and condemns the terrorist acts that continue to cast a pall on innocent families, trafficking in drugs, and the illicit circulation of small arms and light weapons, which are ruining our economies and tearing the social fabric."
Guinea-Bissau
H.E. Mr. Carlos Gomes Júnior, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Guyana
H.E. Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Haiti
H.E. Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Holy See
H.E. Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States
27 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Arms trade treaty: "This strategy can only benefit from the UN Conference on the Treaty on the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), in 2012. The arms trade is not regulated nor transparent, and has a significant negative impact. It impedes human development, increasing the risk of conflicts, especially internal and instability, and promotes a culture of violence and impunity, often linked to criminal activities including drug trafficking, trafficking in human beings and piracy, which are increasingly serious international problems. The results of the current process [for an ATT] will be a test of the real will of States to assume their moral and legal responsibility in this area. The international community must address to achieve an Arms Trade Treaty that is effective and applicable, recognizing the large number of those affected by the illegal trade of arms and ammunition and their suffering. Indeed, the main goal of treatment should not only be that of regulating trade in conventional arms and to obstruct the black market, but especially that of protecting human life and to build a world more respectful of human dignity."
Honduras
H.E. Mr. Porfirio Lobo Sosa
21 September 2011
Arms: "The organized transnational violence and delinquency manifested itself principally by the commission of narco-trafficking crimes, kidnapping, murder, money laundering activities, arms trafficking, the sexual exploitation of women and minors among others, which constitute a grave threat to the people as much as for governments. It compromises our possibilities of promoting well-being."
Iceland
H.E. Mr. Össur Skarphéðinsson, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
India
H.E. Mr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Nuclear proliferation, disarmament: "Nuclear proliferation continues to remain a threat to international security. The Action Plan put forward by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for a Nuclear-Weapon Free and Non-Violent World provides a concrete road map for achieving nuclear disarmament in a time-bound, universal, non-discriminatory, phased and verifiable manner."
Nuclear safety: "I commend the United Nations for its efforts in focusing world attention on nuclear safety. Our plans for utilizing nuclear ower to meet our energy needs hinge upon full satisfaction about the safety of nuclear energy. We have undertaken a thorough review of the safety of our nuclear plants. We support international efforts under the aegis of the International Atomic Energy Agency to enhance levels of safety and security."
Indonesia
H.E. R.M. Mr. Marty M. Natalegawa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Nuclear weapons: "Our world continues to be replete with challenges: of political and military tensions and conflicts, as well as the threats of nuclear weapons."
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President
22 September 2011
Nuclear weapons: “Who used nuclear bomb against defenseless people, and stockpiled thousands of warheads in their arsenals?”
Chemical weapons: “Who provoked and encouraged Saddam Hussein to invade and impose an eight-year war on Iran, and who assisted and equipped him to deploy chemical weapons against our cities and our people?”
Militarism: “Whose economies rely on waging wars and selling arms?”
“Which governments are always ready to drop thousands of bombs on other countries, but ponder and hesitate to provide aid to famine-stricken people in Somalia or in other places?”
“Is it acceptable that they call themselves the sole defender of freedom, democracy, and human rights, while they militarily attack and occupy other countries?”
“What is the justification for the presence of hundreds of US military and intelligence bases in different parts of the world, including 268 bases in Germany, 124 in Japan, 87 in South Korea, 83 in Italy, 45 in the United Kingdom, and 21 in Portugal? Does this mean anything other than military occupation? Don't the bombs deployed in the said bases undermine the security of other nations?”
‘They weaken countries through military intervention, and destroy their infrastructures, in order to plunder their resources by making them all the more dependent.”
‘Real freedom, justice, dignity, well being, and lasting security are the rights of all nations. These values can neither be achieved by reliance on the current inefficient system of world governance, nor through the invasion of the world by arrogant powers and the gun barrels of NATO forces.”
Military spending: “Which country’s military spending exceeds annually a thousand billion dollars, more than the military budgets of all countries of the world combined?”
“If only half of military expenditures of the United States and its allies in NATO was shifted to help solve the economic problems in their own countries, would they be witnessing any symptom of the economic crisis? What would happen, if the same amount was allocated to poor nations?”
Iraq
H.E. Mr. Jalal Talabani, President
23 September 2011
Disarmament, non-proliferation, WMD, nuclear power: "When it comes to our obligations to disarmament and non proliferation, the Constitution of Iraq was clear in determing the position of Iraq concerning this issue, Article (9 E) of the Iraqi Constitution provided that the Iraqi Government shall respect and implement Iraq's international obligations regarding the non-proliferation, nondevelopment, non-production, and non-use of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and shall prohibit associated equipment, materiel, technologies, and delivery systems for use in the development, manufacture, production, and use of such weapons. On this clear position and commitment of Iraq with the international Charters concerning disarmament, the Security Council adopted on 15 December 2010 Resolution 1957 which lifted all restrictions that were imposed on Iraq in this concern. In this context, we would like to confirm the legitimate right of States to peaceful use of nuclear power and its technologies according to the rules of the relevant International conventions. This right constitute one of the foundations for the disarmament system and non- proliferation."
Iran's nuclear programme: "Within this approach, when it comes to the nuclear file of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq believes in the legitimate right of states in using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This right is guaranteed by the international Charters; at the forefront of those charters is the non-proliferation treaty. We affirm the importance of reaching a peaceful solution in dealing with this issue; dialogue and calm diplomatic work are the best ways to achieve this goal. On the other hand any escalation will harm the interests of all parties and will put the security of the region at a great risk."
Ireland
H.E. Mr. Eamon Gilmore, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
Disarmament machinery, NPT, arms trade treaty, cluster munitions: "We will continue to push for the UN's disarmament machinery to become more responsive to 21st century imperatives. Key challenges for the year ahead include implementation of the agreements reached at last year's Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, as well as negotiation of a robust Arms Trade Treaty. We will maintain a strong focus on implementation and universalisation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions, adopted in Dublin three years ago."
Israel
H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Iran's nuclear programme: "I believe that the greatest danger facing our world is that this fanaticism will arm itself with nuclear weapons. And this is precisely what Iran is trying to do. Can you imagine that man who ranted here yesterday -- can you imagine him armed with nuclear weapons? The international community must stop Iran before it's too late."
Italy
H.E. Mr. Franco Frattini, Minister for Foreign Affairs
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Jamaica
H.E. Mr. Kenneth Baugh, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, CTBT: "The total elimination of nuclear weapons remains an important goal for the international community. While we have taken significant steps toward achieving this goal, significant challenges remain: a number of key players remain outside the NPT; and the CTBT has still not yet entered into force. As we look towards the start of the Preparatory process for the 2015 Review Conference, there must be the unquestionable political will to address these lingering deficiencies towards achieving a world free of nuclear weapons."
Small arms and light weapons: "Mr. President, we must continue to build on the momentum gained from last year's Special High Level Meeting on Transnational Organised Crime, which addressed measures to counter the growing problem, including narco-trafficking and the illicit trade in small arms and ammunition. Jamaica, like its CARICOM partners, continues to face severe threats to our long-term socio-economic development from the illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs, small arms and light weapons and ammunition. We will remain resolute in our fight against this menace both locally and abroad. We have achieved marked reductions in crime and criminal activities over the past year, with our multi-faceted strategy to stem the problems, as well as through the implementation of social intervention and social transformation initiatives to stem the problem of crime and violence. We continue to strengthen the capacity of our security forces and improve our justice system to ensure that criminals are caught and prosecuted in a court of law."
Small arms and light weapons, ATT: "We firmly believe, however, that we will not see the full impact of these efforts without an international regime that regulates the sale and transfer of conventional weapons, in particular, small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. To this end, Jamaica is committed to ensuring that the 2012 Diplomatic Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty results in a legally binding, comprehensive, objective and transparent Treaty."
Japan
H.E. Mr. Yoshihiko Noda, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Nuclear safety: "We are making steady progress towards securing stable control of the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Stations of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Currently, we are focusing our efforts on moving up the existing target period to achieve cold shutdown status by the end of this year. A number of other challenges remain to be addressed, including removal of debris and rebuilding of the livelihoods of the people in the affected areas. We will continue to be fully engaged in the efforts for
restoration and reconstruction, as our highest priority task, so that Japan's renewal can be realized without delay."
"Japan hopes to share its acquired knowledge and experience in the field of nuclear safety. l welcome the holding yesterday of the high-level meeting on this issue under the initiative of the Secretary-General. Following the nuclear accident, Japan has implemented emergency safety measures and has further strengthened its nuclear energy regulation regime. In yesterday's meeting, l expressed my resolve to contribute positively to the reinforcement of global nuclear power safety, drawing on our experiences in the accident. Next year, Japan will co-host an international conference with the IAEA to share the results of the overall assessment of the accident in comprehensive detail, and to contribute to the various measures taken by the international community to raise the standards for nuclear safety. Although some countries, regrettably, are still imposing undue restrictions on imports from Japan, our government will continue to provide prompt and accurate information on this matter, with transparency. l would request that all countries make sound judgments based upon scientific evidence."
Nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation: "...we will do our best to achieve the ideal of "a World without Nuclear Weapons" through such efforts as the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Initiative (NPDI)."
DPRK nuclear programme: "The DPRK's nuclear and missile issues pose a threat to the entire international community, and Japan continues to urge the DPRK to take concrete actions toward their resolution."
Jordan
H.M. King Abdullah II Bin Al Hussein, Head of State
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Kazakhstan
H.E. Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev, President
21 September 2011
Nuclear weapons, disarmament, nuclear testing: “First, we have shut down the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site and have become one of the world’s first newly independent non-nuclear States. That represents an important contribution by my country to global peace and stability.”
WMD: “This year, Kazakhstan has assumed an important mission - the Chairmanship of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). We have focused our Chairmanship on international and regional security, a dialogue between the Islamic world and the West and the efforts to counter Islamophobia and enhance the regimes of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.”
Military spending: “It is quite significant that today the world's total military spending grows twice as fast as during the Cold War - by 6 per cent a year, reaching 1.5 trillion U.S. dollars. In this regard, my initiative to establish a United Nations Peacekeeping Fund, which I put forward for the first time nineteen years ago, has become even more relevant. We are talking here about each United Nations Member State allotting 1 percent of its military budget.”
Kenya
H.E. Mr. Mwai Kibaki, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Kiribati
H.E. Mr. Anote Tong, President and Head of Government
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Kuwait
H.H. Sheikh Naser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Prime Minister
22 September 2011
Iran's nuclear programme: "The State of Kuwait attaches great importance on consolidating and developing its relations with its neighbours on firm and solid grounds, based upon mutual respect and common interests, as well as promoting these relations to the level that meets the aspirations of the peoples of the region. In this context, the State of Kuwait calis upon the Islamic Republic of Iran to take serious and real confidence-building measures, represented in adhering to the resolutions of international legitimacy as well as cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency, to dispel the fears and doubts that surround its nuclear programs, in addition to its positive cooperation to resolve the dispute over the occupied Emirati islands according to the principles and rules of international law."
Kyrgyzstan
H.E. Ms. Rosa Otunbaeva, President
22 September 2011
Nuclear waste, radiation: "The issues of re-cultivating uranium tailings remain to be an extremely acute problem. The International High-Level Meeting on Uranium Tailings in Central Asia held under the auspices of the UNDP in September 2009 in Geneva showed the willingness of the countries in the region to jointly resolve this sensitive issue. In this context the Kyrgyz delegation is ready to introduce to the UN GA a draft resolution on the role of the international community in preventing the radiation threat in Central Asia."
NWFZ, CTBT, NPT: "Kyrgyzstan as one of the initiators of creating a Nuclear Weapon Free Zone in Central Asia and as the depositary of this treaty, which entered into force on 21 March 2009, considers important the promptest entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and strengthening of the universality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty."
Lao People's Democratic Republic
H.E. Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
Cluster munitions, explosive weapons: "Socio-economic development in a country which has suffered from the consequnces and legacy of war has never been easy. One of the main obstacles and hindrances in our effort to advance socio-economic development is Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), which continues to extensively and seriously cause negative impact both direcdy and indirecdy on the livelihood of the Lao people. The Lao Government has deployed all its efforts and mobilized financial means to clear the contaminated areas particularly the agricultural and inhabitable land across the country as weIl as to raise public awareness and help victims in order for them to reintegrate into the society. In discharging its duty as President of the Oslo Convention, throughout the past year the Lao PDR has received invaluable support and assistance from the international cornmunity including both states parties and non-state parties as weIl as international organizations in particular UNDP, civil society organizations, and INGOs, all of which has contributed to the early implementation of this humanitarian Convention. On this note, I would like to express, on behalf of the Lao Government and people as well as on my own behalf, my most sincere appreciation to all countries and international organizations for the support and assistance rendered. This has clearly reflected in the broad participation in the First Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which was hosted by the Lao PDR in Vientiane in November 2010. Furthermore, I would like to congratulate those countries, which have ratified or acceded to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The number of states parties to this Convention has now increased to 63 states. I do hope that other countries that are not yet States Parties to this Convention would cons ider acceding to it in the near future."
Latvia
H.E. Mr. Adris Bērziņš, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Lebanon
H.E. Mr. Michel Sleiman, President
21 September 2011
Cluster munitions: “A few days ago, Lebanon hosted the Second Meeting of States Parties to the Convention on cluster bombs that concluded with «the Beirut Declaration», which constituted a defining moment in the course of implementing this Convention. And although addressing this issue stems from humanitarian considerations, this meeting has highlighted the terrible fallout of these weapons which have been heavily used by Israel during the aggression of July 2006. These weapons still threaten civilians on their farmlands and the innocent children in the open fields of their games in South Lebanon, which warrant condemning Israel and requesting that it appropriately compensate for the harm and extensive damage it has caused Lebanon through these weapons as well as the overall damage of its repeated aggressions against Lebanon, including those caused by the oil slick resulting from the Israeli bombardment of the Jiyeh power plant in the sununer of 2006.”
Lesotho
H.E. Mr. Pakalitha Bethuel Mosisili, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
WMD terrorism, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation: "The biggest challenge that we face in the post cold war era is to ensure that terrorists do not lay their hands on weapons of mass destruction. It is in this regard that we reiterate our call for the total elimination of all nuclear weapons. We are convinced that the only assurance that terrorists will never have access to nuclear weapons is their total elimination. We urge the Nuclear Weapon States to remain faithful to their commitments under the Treaty on the Non Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). We further call on the Member States who have not joined the NPT, to do so without any further delay. But it will be illogical to demand of non-nuclear states to shun proliferation of nuclear weapons, while states that possess nuclear weapons continue to perfect new generations of these weapons, and to threaten their use at the slightest opportunity."
Militarism: "Strangely, and despite having mediation at its disposal, the Security Council has at times preferred military intervention. I may also add that, at times, some Members of the International Community have unilaterally engaged in military interventions. Whenever military intervention has been preferred, it has not enjoyed the support ofthe general membership of the UN. Needless to mention that the cost of military intervention in conflicts is catastrophic on the innocent civilians, and destroys infrastructure and economies of countries."
Liberia
H.E. Mr. Joseph N. Boakai, Vice-President
26 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons: "ECOWAS Member States are contributing tangibly to peacebuilding in Liberia by strengthening capacity especially in technical areas. We are also collaborating as a subregion in addressing common problems of transitional organized crime, human and drug trafficking, and illicit trade of small arms and light weapons."
Libya
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Jibreel, Chairman, Transitional Council Executive Office
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Liechtenstein
H.E. Ms. Aurelia Frick, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Lithuania
H.E. Ms. Dalia Grybauskaitė, President
22 September 2011
Nuclear power: "I especially appreciate and would like to stress the importance ofthe UN Secretary General's strong engagement in nuclear safety and his call to build a stronger connection bet\veen nuclear safety and nuclear security. Knowing the world's energy needs today, nuclear energy can be an essential element of global sustainable development, provided it is used with the necessary responsibility. I would like to draw your special attention to the word "responsibility". Chernobyl and Fukushima are tragic examples, but they teach us very important lessons. It is not enough to rely on recommendations, proposals and encouragement for cooperation when we deal with nuclear safety issues. I do believe that our responsibility is to create strict legal international imperatives. We cannot allow any compromises on satety and security.
"In this respect, the efforts of the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the European Union, and other organizations to ensure nuclear safety throughout the world are most needed. Lithuania emphasizes the key role of the International Atomic Energy Agency in this area. We call for an ambitious nuclear safety action plan to be approved at the ongoing general conference in Vienna. Lithuania believes that strict adherence to uniform nuclear safety standards must be obligatory. Specialized Agency missions for the entire nuclear cycle, including site evaluation and follow-up missions, should also become an inseparable part of any nuclear power plant development. Each and every nuclear power plant, its site, nuclear technology, and even the ability of the personnel to ensure safety maintenance should be subjected to stress tests. Last but not least, information about all existing and planned nuclear projects must be absolutely transparent and open to public access. We believe that the nuclear security summit in Korea next year will provide an excellent platform for discussing nuclear safety and security issues. With a view to this forthcoming summit, Lithuania is ready to contribute to the practical measures set forth in the 2010 Nuclear Security Summit Work Plan."
Luxembourg
H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Macedonia (The former Yugoslav Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Nikola Gruevski, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Madagascar
H.E. Mr. Andry Nirina Rajoelina, President
23 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Militarism: "History teaches us that even after the use of force, war and conflict always end around a table. It clearly shows that mediation can be chosen as an alternative to guns."
Malawi
H.E. Mr. Arthur Peter Mutharika, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Malaysia
H.E. Dato Sri Anifah Aman, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Nucear disarmament: "Nuclear disarmament occupies a central role in the work of the United Nations. This is reflected by the fact that the very first resolution adopted by the General Assembly spoke, among others, of 'the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all major weapons adaptable to mass destruction'. Yet sixty-five years on, it remains a distant dream. All States need to do their part in order to achieve more substantive progress in this area. Malaysia is committed to working with other member states to realize the goal of a nuclear-weapon free world. We will continue to advocate for the total elimination of nuclear weapons through a Nuclear Weapons Convention. To progress further on this issue, we require consensus on commencing the multilateral negotiations process. This in turn, requires good faith on the part of the states possessing nuclear weapons. I call on these states to demonstrate this good faith."
Maldives
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Waheed, Vice-President
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Mali
H.E. Ms. Cissé Mariam Kaïdama Sidibé, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Militarism: "Now more than ever, it is high time that the logic of weapons and deadly clashes gave way to the imperative of dialogue and national reconciliation, the gateway to the establishment of lasting peace, the consolidation of the national unity and preservation of territorial integrity."
Small arms and light weapons: "Peace and security continue to be threatened by other phenomena such as international terrorism, transnational organized crime, arms trafficking, drugs, and human beings."
"Our sub-region is facing these days, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, trafficking in drugs and human beings led by organized crime networks in collusion with terrorist groups. The events in Libya and their side effects may further exacerbate the already serious situation."
Malta
H.E. Mr. Lawrence Gonzi, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Marshall Islands (The)
H.E. Mr. John M. Silk, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Nuclear testing: "Fifty-seven years ago, the United Nations held in its trust the Marshallese people, at the dawn of the Cold War. Our Marshallese leaders petitioned the United Nations to put a halt to the testing of nuclear weapons; the United Nations responded with UN Trusteeship Resolutions 1082 (passed in 1954) and 1493 (passed in 1956). Acting with assurances of our protection, the United Nations, and its Administering Authority, the United States, detonated 67 large-scale nuclear explosions in the Marshall Islands. For decades, Marshallese leaders have returned to the United Nations to speak of the continuing impacts - cancer, fear, and continued exile from our homelands - and of a science where goalposts are always moving.
"Three weeks ago, the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum, in their Communique, recognized not only the special responsibility by the United States of America, but also agreed to support the Marshall Islands at the United Nations, including in addressing the Secretary-General's report. There is a clear responsibility of the United Nations to acknowledge and address the consequences of nuclear testing undertaken during it's watch.
"Last year the General Assembly requested that the Secretary-General report on the effects of atomic radiation in the Marshall Islands. This report represents the potential for the Marshall Islands, the United States, and the United Nations to take a very positive step forward in understanding our past, bringing closure to this sad chapter in our history, and to understand how the international community can assist us in addressing future remediation challenges. The involvement of the UN is key.
"Sadly, I am concerned that the Secretary-General has, thus far, neglected this critical opportunity. The UN Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation, which was invited to contribute to the Secretary-General's efforts to assemble this report, has termed the General Assembly's deliberate mandate to be - I quote - 'not appropriate' and "an apparent error' in need of formal correction.
"This is not only insensitive, but reveals that perhaps the UN itself has yet to come to terms, or even to merely acknowledge, its decisions on nuclear safety taken sixty years ago. This negative approach could preclude efforts to bring to the attention of this body important scientific work that has been done in assessing the consequences of the nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands. It is our hope that UN will have the courage and will to rise above the past and make a difference, rather than to allow itself to remain controlled by history, and make excuses. As I have said earlier, for decades, Marshallese leaders have returned to the UN to repeatedly speak of the legacy of the nuclear testing in our country. It is my hope that one day, a new generation of Marshallese leaders will come to this august body to speak no more of this sad legacy, rather to proclaim that the work is done - that all is well."
Unexploded weapons: "Unexploded ordnance from World War II, and oil leakage, is a persistent issue with our outer island communities, and poses threats to our human security, public health and environmental safety. We welcome the attention of the Pacific Island Forum leaders and join the call for assistance from international bodies and development partners."
Nuclear weapons: "The message is the same for nuclear weapons, global security and climate change - international law is not an empty promise."
Mauritania
H.E. Mr. Hamady Ould Hamady, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Arms: [from UN summary] Organized crime, such as kidnapping, terrorism and drug, weapon and human trafficking, had been expanding for many years in the Sahara region. That was a threat to peace and stability in the region, and Mauritania’s security operations had responded firmly to threats of terrorist groups, succeeding in guaranteeing peace within and along its borders. In cooperation with neighbouring countries, it had put a stop to the activities of those terrorist groups and made it impossible for them to move freely.
Mauritius
H.E. Mr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Disarmament, WMD: "Disarmament is a major component of the international security strategy. The threat to humanity posed by the continued existence of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction is of universal concern."
Disarmament and development: "Our failure to resolve the issue of disarmament continues to undermine global development and security."
Conventional weapons, nuclear disarmament: "A significant reduction in the production of conventional weapons and eventually a
world free of nuclear weapons is a goal that will only be achieved over time and that will require patience and perseverance. As a matter of fact, the international political environment is probably more conducive to the realisation of these goals now than it has ever been in the past."
Mexico
H.E. Mr. Felipe Calderón Hinojosa, President
21 September 2011
Arms trade treaty: "With respect to arms, it is necessary to find efficient international mechanisms that permit a regular manner of arms sales and movement. It is urgent, for example, to establish the best controls of the highest power in producer and consumer states, in order that there is not a continued increase in criminal arsenals. It is unjust and inhuman that the profit from the arms industry causes the death of thousands of people. In the United Nations we must forcefully continue the negotiations for an Arms Trade Treaty with the goal of avoiding the diversion of arms to prohibited activities through international norms."
Micronesia (Federated States of)
H.E. Mr. Emanuel Mori, President and Head of Government
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Moldova (Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Alexandru Cujba, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
Nuclear safety: "We have also learned that natural calamities hit nations without discretion and in order to overcome the results of ecological disasters such as East Japan Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear accident, great flooding in Pakistan or severe drought and hunger in the Hom of Africa - common efforts are required, of both developed and developing states, the international community having a high task to strengthen its humanitarian and disaster response capabilities."
Monaco
H.E. Mr. José Badia, Government Counsellor, Foreign and Economic Affairs
26 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Nuclear energy, nuclear safety: "While we strive to develop renewable energy sources, more respectful of our environment and our health, we cannot immediately renounce nuclear energy and oil. However, recently as we have seen with horror the disaster of Fukushima, we do not know if it will ever be possible to control all the risks that nuclear power causes, and we continue, moreover, burning hydrocarbons and ejecting their waste into the atmosphere. And these dangers are greatly endangering our collective security."
Mongolia
H.E. Mr. Elbegdorj Tsakhia, President
21 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, nuclear energy: “We need to re-invigorate our resolve for a world free of nuclear weapons and exploit nuclear power solely for peaceful purposes.”
Nuclear energy: “The urgency and importance of strengthening safety and security of nuclear reactors was reminded by the tragic accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant last March. We commend the Secretary-General’s initiative to organize tomorrow a high level meeting to strengthen international measures on nuclear safety and security around the world.”
Nuclear weapon free zones: “The 2010 Non-proliferation treaty review conference gave a renewed impetus for expanding nuclear weapon free zones around the world. The proposed nuclear weapon free zone in the Middle East will contribute to the promotion of world peace.”
“Mongolia continues to work on further strengthening its internationally recognized nuclear weapon-free status. To this end, we are holding consultations with nuclear powers.”
Nuclear waste: “From this highly esteemed rostrum of the General Assembly I would like to underscore that there should be no doubt that Mongolia would in no way yield to dumping nuclear wastes on its territory. It should go without saying that in today's world any attempt to enforce such decisions will undoubtedly fail.”
Montenegro
H.E. Mr. Igor Lukšić, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament, CTBT: "Montenegro supports nuclear non-proliferation and objects further expansion in the number of countries that possess nuclear weapons. Moreover, we support all agreements of the nuclear powers on mutual reduction in the nuclear capacities, thus creating a safer word for the existing and future generations. To that end, I wish to thank the Secretary-General for the appeal he sent late last month, requesting all countries that have nuclear technology to adhere to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty."
Cluster munitions: "I wish to emphasize that Montenegro has ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions and that a bit less than one year since it came into effect, it destroyed all reserves of this type of weapons, thus confirming again its commitment to the principles of non-proliferation."
Morocco
H.E. Mr. Taïb Fassi Fihri, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
26 September 2011
Nuclear safety: "The world is also challenged by recurrent natural disasters and nuclear accidents."
Mozambique
H.E. Mr. Armando Emilio Guebuza, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Myanmar
H.E. Mr. Wunna Maung Lwin, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, non-proliferaton, nuclear energy: "The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the cornerstone of international efforts to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons, nuclear disarmament and to promote cooperation and ensure access to nuclear energy. As a signatory to the NPT, Myanmar remains committed to the three pillars of the treaty. Being a strong advocate to nuclear disarmament, Myanmar has been tabling the resolution on nuclear disarmament every year since 1995 which enjoys wide support of the member states. Myanmar firmly opposes the proliferation and production of nuclear weapons and strongly supports any effort for the realization of the world free fiom threats of nuclear weapons and its byproducts."
Namibia
H.E. Mr. Hifikepunye Pohamba, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Nauru
H.E. Mr. Marcus Stephen, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Nepal
H.E. Mr. Baburam Bhattarai, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Military spending: "How can we have sustainable peace in the world when there is so much of inequity, deprivation and marginalization around us? We have to deal With their root causes. How can one justify the spending of 1.5 trillion US dollars on war weapons every year while more than two billion people across the globe lack basic necessities of food, medicine, etc?"
Disarmament, WMD: "Nepal reiterates its call for general and complete disarmament of all weapons of mass destruction in a time bound manner."
Disarmament: "Nepal strongly believes that regional mechanisms complement efforts to promote the global disarmament agenda. The Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific (RCPD) located in Kathmandu would be instrumental in revitalizing the "Kathmandu Process" to facilitate dialogues and deliberations for confidence building in the region."
Netherlands (The)
H.E. Mr. Uri Rosenthal, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
New Zealand
H.E. Mr. Jim McLay, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
Disarmament: "We work to protect the health of people and their environment; but we must also enhance collective security by progressing the disarmament agenda."
NPT, nuclear disarmament: "Over the coming year, we must focus on full implementation of the Action Plan agreed at the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference. As coordinator for the New Agenda Coalition, a group of non-nuclear-weapon states committed to a nuclear-weapon-free world, New Zealand will shortly present a resolution highlighting work required to achieve that implementation during the coming NPT review cycle. We commend that resolution to you."
Conventional weapons, arms trade treaty: "There have been gains over the past year in respect of conventional disarmament; but we're yet to realise on these achievements. There's been pleasing progress towards an Arms Trade Treaty; but hard work remains. Next year's Diplomatic Conference must deliver a treaty establishing the highest possible common international standards for conventional arms transfers."
Small arms and light weapons: "We must also maintain a focus on small arms and light weapons, which, for many regions, are their 'weapons of mass destruction'. 2011 marks the 10th Anniversary of the UN Programme of Action on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons. There's been much to celebrate, including the first Open-Ended Meeting of Government Experts, which I had the honour of chairing. But, next year's Review Conference must work to ensure the Programme delivers on its potential for keeping our communities safe."
Nicaragua
H.E. Mr. Samuel Santos López, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Militarism: "At present, as before, we affirm that we do not accept the language of war between peoples; that we reject war as a means for the solution of the conflicts between States."
Nuclear safety: "Among these [threats to the planet], the Fukushima disaster in Japan has had the effect of bringing to the fore the hair-raising world risk of nuclear radiation. The Japanese crisis has rightly been described as 'a warless nuclear war'. Outstanding sc-ientists have recongized that its present and future repercussions, which as yet have not been fully determined, are more serious than those of the Chernobyl disaster. While expressing our solidarity with the government and the heroic people of Japan, with the victims of the earthquake that leveled their territory and with those affected by the Fukushima accident, we vehemently call on States with nuclear reactor installations to take all measures to avoid similar accidents which would gravely endanger people's health and the environment."
Disarmament: "We renew our commitment to the cause of general and complete disarmament."
Military spending, small arms and light weapons: "It is unjustifiable and unacceptable that the preseut world continues to increase its spending for the development and testing of all types of arms and to decrease spending for promotion of the life and development of human beings. While millions of persons suffer the effects of the economic and financial crisis, military spending in the world continues to skyrocket. During the last ten years, these expenditures have increased by 50 percent, rising to 1.5 trillion dollars. More than eight million small arms and more than 16 billion munitions are produced every year; this is equivalent to 2.5 munitions for every person on this planet. This arms proliferation causes irreparable direct and indirect harm to the populace and their economy. We can end this proliferation if we are determined. It is not true that the arms sector is of vital importance to the world economy. In fact, despite what small arms producers would have us believe, their trade and trade in munitions and other components represents less than 0.01 percent of the world's industrial transactions."
Arms: "The factors termed as the new threats to security have become a true assault to most of our countries. Drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal arms trafficking, and the trafficking of immigrants, among others, constitute an ethical, political and economic challenge for Central America which is presently stigmatized by international reports as one ofthe most violent areas on Earth."
Niger
H.E. Mr. Mahamadou Issoufou, President
23 September 2011
[unofficial transcript]
Arms: "This threat as we know, the criminal organizations trafficking in arms, drugs, humans, etc... All these threats are compounded by the Libyan crisis. Indeed, arms depots were looted in Libya. These weapons are now scattered throughout the Sahel-Saharan Africa with the risk of falling into the hands terrorists. Taking into account the regional threats, Niger is committed to pool its efforts with other countries, particularly in the sub-region to deal with the situation."
Nigeria
H.E. Mr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
21 September 2011
Militarism: “For too long, the international community has focused too little attention on mediation and preventive diplomacy and far too much effort and resources on military aspects of peace and security. Yet, measures to address the root cause of conflict, including dialogue and mediation, can be far more effective as means to achieving sustainable peace and stability.”
“As I see it, our goal should always be to present the peaceful alternative as a less costly and effective way of achieving political and social objectives. I also believe that in addition to other traditional tools of preventive diplomacy, democracy and good governance can be particularly important in building a just, equitable and inclusive society. By focusing on mediation as a tool for conflict prevention, we are able to address the real triggers of conflict, without which we cannot achieve sustainable solutions.”
Small arms and light weapons: “Mr. President, if your idea of resolving conflicts through mediation is to succeed, then the problem of trafficking in small arms and light weapons must be frontally tackled. The proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons is particularly worrisome, due to their easy accessibility and availability to unauthorized persons and groups, who in turn have used these arms to create instability and insecurity in much of the countries in the developing world. Even worse, the proliferation of these weapons has proved handy in the hands of terrorists.”
Arms trade treaty, small arms and light weapons: “This explains our commitment to, and preoccupation with, the actualization of an Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) that robustly addresses the illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons which, as we all know, are among the major causes of destabilization and conflict in West Africa. The danger of proliferation of, and illicit trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons informed Nigeria’s decision to co-sponsor Resolution 61/89 of 2006, the principal objective being to provide a legally binding international instrument for the trade in conventional arms. We will continue to support all initiatives towards the realization of an Arms Trade Treaty in 2012. I call on all Member States of the UN to join in this endeavour.”
Norway
H.E. Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Oman
H.E. Mr. Yousef Bin Al-Alawi Bin Abdulla, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation: "A series of High-Level Meetings and international conferences were held for over three decades in an effort to achieve progress in the talks on nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. As we emphasize our position to support the non-proliferation, we hope to translate what has been reached at the Review Conference held in New York in May 2010 to a practical reality."
NWFZ, nucear energy, Israel's nuclear programme: "My country hopes that the Conference of 2012 would declare the region of the Middle East as a region free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction and it should take into consideration the legitimate right of states to use the nuclear technology for peaceful purposes in accordance with the NPT and the auspices of the International Atornic Energy Agency (IAEA). In this context, my country calls upon Israel to respond to international demands to ratify the NPT and to allow the IAEA to inspect all its nuclear facilities and to present its reports."
Iran's nuclear programme: "Concerning the Iranian nuclear file, the Sultanate of Oman urges all parties to continue negotiations and dialogue to find a peaceful way to preserve the security and the stability in this important region of the world."
Pakistan
H.E. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Nuclear weapons: "The reality of a nuclearised South Asia, imposes on both Pakistan and India, the onerous responsibility to work together for creating mutual confidence, avoiding an arms race, and enhancing strategic stability. We look forward to moving in this direction in the dialogue process."
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "We also attach importance to the United Nations work in the field of disarmament and non proliferation. Our collective endeavours in these fields could best be effective if we could enhance security, for all, and pursue approaches that are not selective or discriminatory. Normative work must be premised on principles."
Palau
H.E. Mr. Johnson Toribiong, President
22 September 2011
Nuclear radiation: "I was involved in writing Palau's Constitution, which bans the presence of any nuclear material in our territory. We are proud to be the first in the world to make such a prohibition. But the supreme law of our land cannot protect us from potential radiation coming from outside our borders. We fear the possibility that some day our fish may be unsafe to eat and that our water may be unsafe to drink. And so we ask the world to redouble its efforts to eliminate the threat of nuclear radiation."
Explosive weapons: "Once again, I bring it to the world's attention that fierce battles fought by foreign armies on Palau's islands during World War II left explosives scattered across our land and in our waters. Some of these explosives are still live. I continue to appeal to the conscience of the world to help us remove this danger from our midst."
Palestine
H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the Palestinan Authority
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Panama
H.E. Mr. Francisco Alvarez de Soto, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Papua New Guinea
H.E. Mr. Peter O’Neill, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
NWFZ: "The Pacific remains a nuclear weapons free zone. We call upon other member states, those who are not signatories to sign and ratify the Rarotonga Treaty."
Small arms and light weapons: "The illegal use, abuse and the dangerous proliferation of small arms and light weapons continue to hamper the development aspirations of many developing countries. We therefore call upon the international community to seriously deal with outstanding issues such as the illegal supply and trade of small arms. Our Government will do all it can to accelerate the implementation ofthe recommendations of our Gun Summit Report."
Paraguay
H.E. Mr. Fernando Lugo Méndez, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Peru
H.E. Mr. Ollanta Humala Tasso, President
22 September 2011
[unofficial translation]
Arms: "We need greater financial and intelligence capabilities to detect money laundering and more effective controls on inputs and precursors, and in the level of security, we need control of the supply of weapons to cartels and gangs that daily threaten public safety."
Philippines (The)
H.E. Mr. Libran N. Cabactulan, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, conventional weapons, small arms and light weapons: "We must continue our work in eliminating nuclear weapons and curtailing the illicit trade in conventional weapons and small and light arms, to preserve peace and our very existence."
Nuclear disarmament: "The Philippines believes in the importance of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty for the success of our work, as the only legally binding instrument that calls for the elimination of nuclear weapons. The successful 2010 NPT Review Conference showed the collective resolve of States Parties to move further forward in ridding the world of these weapons."
NWFZ: "We have already agreed to convene a conference by 2012 on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. The holding of this conference will take us closer to our goal."
Poland
H.E. Mr. Bronislaw Komorowski, President
22 September 2011
Arms control: "The progress, which the world has experienced after the Cold War in the fields of human rights, international security and arms control, environmental protection, sustainable development and many other areas, is in its major part due to the initiatives and the involvement of the European Union."
WMD terrorism: "The challenges facing the international community are considerable. The last decade in the international life has been turbulent and difficult. Its beginning was marked by the tragic terrorist attacks here in New York, on September 11th, 2001. A shadow of global terrorism that one day may result in the use of a weapon of mass destruction has hung over the world. Fortunately, our worst fears have not materialized. It was possible to significantly reduce the terrorist threat."
Militarism: "At the same time, the atmosphere of the war on terror did not help in fostering trust and strengthening the international stability as well as solving other important problems. In the last decade we have had to deal with increasing tensions between richer and poorer, between more and less developed countries and regions of the world."
Disarmament, nuclear weapons, conventional weapons, arms race, Conference on Disarmament: "Poland has a living interest in the progress of reduction of nuclear and conventional armaments. We are concerned about the prospect of returning to the arms race, as well as the increase of spending on armaments on a global scale. More attention should be paid to the categories of weapons which kill most people in the world, which cause conflicts, mostly internal, and which are the main factors of instability in various regions of the world. The United Nations Conference on Disarmament should be reformed in this respect. We provide full support for the efforts of the Secretary General going in that direction."
Portugal
H.E. Mr. Pedro Passos Coelho, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Qatar
H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Republic of Korea
H.E. Mr. Lee Myung-bak, President
21 September 2011
WMD: “Today, while still struggling with conventional security threats, the international community faces new types of security threat such as the spread of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the threat of terrorism.”
Nuclear terrorism: “The greatest threat of all perhaps emanates from nuclear terrorism. International cooperation is now needed more than ever to prevent nuclear terrorism. Following the First Nuclear Security Summit in Washington last year, the Second Nuclear Security Summit will be held in Seoul in March next year. The Republic of Korea is making every effort to ensure that the summit will constitute a valuable opportunity for the international community to build a more solid system of international cooperation necessary to prevent nuclear terrorism.”
Non-proliferation, WMD, nuclear weapons, missiles: “The international community must strengthen its non-proliferation regime in order to prevent the proliferation ofnuclear, biological and chemical weapons and long range missiles.”
Nuclear energy: “To protect our environment and promote growth at the same time, we must use less fossil fuel and more renewable energy, while promoting the use of safer nuclear energy.”
DPRK nuclear programme: “The North Korean nuclear threat poses significant challenges to peace on the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and beyond. The Republic of Korea has consistently exerted diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the international community for the last twenty years to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and will continue to do so.”
Romania
H.E. Mr. Romulus Doru Costea, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
WMD, conventional weapons, nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation: "We reaffirm our will to act in cooperation with partners for a global and coherent approach on the multilateral risks and threats to the international peace and security, particularly those arising from the proliferation of mass destruction and conventional weapons. The best way to reduce the risks of the use of nuclear arms and materials, in particular by the non-state actors, is to irreversibly eliminate the nuclear arsenals and to apply a strict framework for non-proliferation. We support and we call all States to consider long-term responsible implication on this matter and to consider the global security interest above any others."
Disarmament, non-proliferation, arms control: "We are all familiar with the current multilateral framework that governs non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control. All treaties and conventions have proved their use so far. Yet, more is needed to increase the efficiency of their implementation and observance. We stand ready to work with others in order to achieve this key goal for the global security architecture."
Russian Federation
H.E. Mr. Sergey V. Lavrov, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, New START: "Like in economics, the logic of joint consolidated actions should prevail on matters of security and elimination of surplus weapons worldwide. Russia and the US made another important step towards nuclear disarmament when they signed the START Treaty and began its implementation. Its practical realization will allow us to make sure that the Treaty is effective and viable and to see how its fundamental principles are implemented. We call on all States with nuclear weapons capability to join the US-Russian efforts. We believe that further progress in nuclear arms reductions is possible only on a multilateral basis."
Missile defence, conventional weapons, PAROS: "Moreover, the progress in this area [nuclear disarmament] is inseparable from coordinated efforts to move forward on all aspects of strengthening international security and strategic stability. This includes the development of universally acceptable approaches to the missile defense issues, accounting of the impact of strategic conventional arms, prevention of weaponization of space, and elimination of qualitative and quantitative imbalances of conventional arms."
Missile defence: "Deployment of strategic missile defense elements in various parts of the world alters the overall configuration of international security. It is not enough to make statements that the increase in global missile defense capabilities would not undermine the basics of strategic stability. The issue is way too serious. We need solid legal guarantees that missile defense potential will actually be adequate to the declared objectives and will not disrupt global and regional balances. This equally holds true both for Europe, and for the Asia-Pacific region, where ballistic missile defense is becoming a factor that affects the strategic environment."
Non-proliferation, NPT, CTBT, IAEA Safeguards: "It is of primary importance for us to prevent the undermining of the non-proliferation regime. We call for universalization of the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, strengthening of the IAEA safeguards system, and entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty."
NWFZ: "Russia has been one of the main initiators of the proposal to convene in 2012 a conference on establishing a zone free of weapons of mass destruction and means of its delivery in the Middle East, and is now intensively working together with its partners on the preparation of this important forum."
DPRK and Iran's nuclear programmes: "The early resolution to the nuclear problems of Iran and the Korean Peninsula would contribute to the strengthening of the non-proliferation regime. We see no alternative to their political and diplomatic settlement and take concrete steps to create conditions for the resumption of negotiations. We call on all the partners to address these tasks with utmost responsibility."
Nuclear safety: "The situation around Japan's Fukushima-1 Nuclear Power Plant has highlighted the need to improve the international legal framework in order to ensure safety of nuclear power facilities. The Russian Federation has made proposals to enhance the mechanisms of Conventions on Nuclear Safety and the Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident, as well as to strengthen the relevant IAEA norms. We urge support for these initiatives."
Missile defence, arms control: "Priority should be given to equal and indivisible security, predictability, transparency, and mutual respect, taking into account each other's interests. This is exactly the aim of President D.Medvedev's initiative to sign a treaty on European security – its practical implementation would allow to finally draw the line under the post-Cold War period, to establish a universal and clear framework for a reliable solution to such issues, as the NMD and arms control, and to create a common space of security and development without dividing lines."
Rwanda
H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Saint Lucia
H.E. Mr. Donatus Keith St. Aimee, Permanent Representative to the United Nations
27 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons: "Saint Lucia, like all of the other CARICOM member states is grappling with security threats engendered by the illicit trade in firearms and narcotics. The associated rise in crime and violence, involving the use of firearms, has had a significant adverse impact on the socioeconomic and human development of our countries."
Arms trade treaty: "Saint Lucia will spare no effort in working towards an Arms Trade Treaty which is legally binding, robust and comprehensive, and contains the highest possible standard for the transfer of conventional arms – including small arms, light weapons and ammunition, that is effective in regulating the arms trade –particularly in preventing diversion, and universal in subscription."
Saint Kitts and Nevis
H.E. Mr. Sam Terrence Condor, Deputy Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Small arms and light weapons, ATT: "The challenge of Youth Violence, Mr. President, is also linked to some extent, to the proliferation of small anus and light weapons. While my country acknowledges the strides made in our Region with respect to small arms and light weapons, through the recent adoption of the CARICOM Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons, there is still a long way to go. It is imperative therefore Mr. President, that we work together to bring a solution-focused approach, to this problem of easy access to small arms and light weapons in our countries. CARICOM here calls for an Arms Trade Treaty."
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
H.E. Mr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Militarism: "Too often, the difficult work of mediation, negotiation and peaceful dispute resolution is prematurely abandoned in the search for a 'quick fix' of militarism, brinksmanship or ill-advised unilateral action. The very drafters of hard-fought Security Council resolutions often cast aside the letter and spirit of these documents before their ink has dried; and the frenzied pursuit of a military solution to every dispute is sometimes sickeningly palpable. All too frequently, the loudest champions of expensive and unnecessary military action are those leaders of military powers who seek to shore up sagging local political fortunes with bullets, bombs and the bodies of faceless foreigners in far away lands. History has never been kind to such nakedly political crusades, and they who have sowed the wind have invariably reaped the whirlwind of their bloody campaigns long after the triumphalist glow has faded. Neocolonialist and imperialist adventures, however disguised, will never triumph before the bar of history over a people's right to self-determination and the inalienable embrace of their sovereignty.
"More than a theme, "the role of mediation in the settlement of disputes" should become a firm resolution of this year's General Assembly, embodying an international commitment to exhaust peaceful methods of dispute resolution, to narrowly define military interventions, and to strictly adhere to Security Council mandates for such action. Such a resolution will mark the beginning of a break with the vicious, yet oft-repeated cycle of unilateral interventionism and its unfortunate long-term consequences to the local victims and the international community. Historic errors ought never to be repeated; tragedy ought not to become clothed anew as farce. This is the honest perspective of a small nation which holds no brief for any protagonist. Our interest lies solely in humanity's quest for peace, justice and the dignity of people everywhere."
Samoa
H.E. Mr. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
San Marino
H.E. Ms. Antonella Mularoni, Minister for Foreign and Political Affairs
27 September 2011
Disarmament and non-proliferation: "The destinies of our peoples depend on global threats in an increasingly direct way: climate change and biodiversity, economic, financial and employment crises, food security, public health, disarmament and non proliferation of weapons, fight against terrorism. Today, these threats are recognised as interdependent and a new form of international cooperation and multilateralism should be based on this recognition in order to coordinate our policies, internationally, nationally and regionally."
Sao Tome and Principe
H.E. Mr. Manuel Salvador Dos Ramos, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communities
26 September 2011
Arms: "Our global security is vital to the sustainable development of our countries. The risks that we see today in the world, particularly transnational crirne, piracy, trafficking and sale of weapons and drugs are, for S. Tome and Principe, which is a country with a vast expanse of sea borders, located in the Gulf of Guinea, a strong reason for concern."
Senegal
H.E. Mr. Abdoulaye Wade, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Serbia
H.E. Mr. Boris Tadić , President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Sierra Leone
H.E. Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President
23 September 2011
Disarmament, non-proliferation, small arms and light weapons: "We are proud of the distinctive contributions we have made to the United
Nations over the past half a century in areas such as decolonization; training and research; the international civil service; disarmament and non-proliferation including small arms and light weapons; peace-making and peacekeeping; the development of international law and currently reform of the Security Council."
Small arms and light weapons: "At the same time, we are concerned about the continued threats posed to peace and stability by the illicit flow of small arms and light weapons across our sub-region. International cooperation and assistance are necessary to eradicate this menace. Sierra Leone for its parts recently launched a 5-year (2011-2015) Action Plan to expand the scope of its activities concerning small arms and light weapons."
Nuclear weapons: "I would like to emphasize that international cooperation in the peaceful settlement of disputes is the life blood of our Organization. In all our deliberations, from global warming to human trafficking, from the threats of nuclear weapons and the scourge of abject poverty ... we should always remember that we need each other."
Singapore
H.E. Mr. K. Shanmugam, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Slovakia
H.E. Ms. Iveta Radičová, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Slovenia
H.E. Mr. Danilo Türk, President
21 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Solomon Islands
H.E. Mr. Danny Philip, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Militarism: "Multilateral diplomatic and political capitals need to take center stage over military solutions that may lead to long and protracted Conflicts."
Somalia
H.E. Mr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
South Africa
H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President
21 September 2011
Militarism: “With regard to the situation in Libya, the AU played a crucial role in seeking a peaceful solution to the crisis, in line with its mandate of working for peace and stability in the continent. However, it is a matter of record now that the AU efforts were never given a chance. Military actions were preferred over peaceful means.”
Proliferation: “The proliferation of arms in Libya is major concern. The transitional government will need to be supported in addressing this security issue. It may pose a serious challenge which will affect the entire sub-reqion if it is not attended to.”
South Sudan
H.E. Mr. Salva Kiir, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Spain
H.E. Ms. Trinidad Jiménez, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Sri Lanka
H.E. Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Sudan
H.E. Mr. Ali Ahmed Karti,Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Suriname
H.E. Mr. Desiré Delano Bouterse, President
22 September 2011
WMD, small arms and light weapons: "...threats related to terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, illicit trade and use of small arms and light weapons, and illicit drug trade ... All these perils call upon us to deepen our cooperation and strengthen our international institutions."
Small arms and light weapons: "Armed conflicts, interference in domestic affairs of states, terrorism, and transnational crime - including drug related crime, illegal trafficking and use of small arms and light weapons - only derail our efforts to address the challenges we are faced with today."
Miltarism: "...we increasingly bear witness to acts of war and intervention in many parts of the world. Such armed conflicts are sometimes preceded by a mandate of our very own Security Council, with disregard to the consequences of destruction, loss of lives and human suffering."
Swaziland
H.E. Mr. Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Sweden
H.E. Mr. Fredrik Reinfeldt, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
Disarmament, non-proliferation: "We also want to help revitalise the UN's work on disarmament and non-proliferation."
CTBT: "Together with Mexico we will as chairs work hard on advancing the entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty."
Switzerland
H.E. Ms. Micheline Calmy-Rey, President
21 September 2011
Militarism: “Preventing future wars was the reason for the founding of the United Nations and is still today among the noble objectives of this Organization. The past two decades have shown that it is very much in the interest of the international community to find ways to strengthen UN efforts in the area of mediation. Indeed for the majority of conflicts the most sustainable solution is a negotiated one rather than a military victory. And for the international community it makes more sense and is more cost effective to invest in the mediation and prevention of conflicts rather than in expensive and difficult peacekeeping operations.”
Syrian Arab Republic
H.E. Mr. Walid Al-Moualem, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
NWFZ, Israel's nuclear programme: "Our position on declaring the Middle East a nuclear weapon free zone is established and known. We continue to call for exercising pressure on Israel to implement international resolutions that have called on it to accede to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and submit its nuclear facilities to the IAEA's safeguard regime. This measure is of extreme importance to the security and stability of our region."
Nuclear energy: "We at the same time stress that all states have the right to acquire nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes. This right is guaranteed by the NPT."
Tajikistan
H.E. Mr. Hamrokhon Zarifi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Landmines: "Tajikistan reiterates its commitment to a full and efficient implementation of the Ottawa Convention on prohibition of use, stockpiling, production and transfer of antipersonnel mines and on their destruction in cooperation with all the parties concerned. My country firmly supports a mine free zone in the Central Asian region. We stand for adoption of practical measures on removing mines form the mined areas of the region and for resolution of other problems related to the consequences of mining."
Tanzania (United Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Thailand
H.E. Mr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Timor-Leste
H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Togo
H.E. Mr. Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Tonga
H.E. Mr. Lord Tu’Ivakano of Nukunuku, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Trinidad and Tobago
H.E. Mr. Surujrattan Rambachan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Communications
26 September 2011
Women and disarmament: "During her contribution to the general debate last year, the Honourable Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, took the political initiative to call on the General Assembly to adopt a resolution on, 'Women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control'. That resolution was eventually adopted by the General Assembly and it calls on States
to 'promote the equitable representation of women in all decision-making processes with regard to matters related to disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control'. One year later, the United Nations continues to make strides in placing women at the centre of all of its activities. This is demonstrated, for example, with the establishment of UN Women. Consistent with this action, Trinidad and Tobago applauds the decision taken by Member States, in resolution 65/283 which recognizes 'the importance of full and effective participation of women at all levels, at all stages, and in all aspects of peaceful settlement of disputes, conflict prevention and resolution, as well as the need to address the lack of women as Chief or Lead peace mediators'."
Small arms and light weapons, conventional weapons: "The escalation of armed conflict and armed violence is fuelled by several factors. One component is the illegal proliferation of conventional arms, including small arms and light weapons which have been diverted from the legal market to the illicit trade. The United Nations in keeping with obligations under the Charter to promote and maintain international peace and security, has recognized the impact of the illegal trade in conventional arms on the peace and security of countries and regions and has adopted several resolutions, and implemented different programmes to address this matter."
Arms trade treaty: "For us, the most ambitious measure undertaken so far is the decision to convene a conference in July next year to negotiate the text of an Arms Trade Treaty ("ATT"). Trinidad and Tobago and its CARICOM partners have been very active in the deliberations of meetings of the Preparatory Committee examining possible elements for inclusion in the A TT. As we approach the 2012 conference, and begin to reflect on items to be included in the agreement, considerable care must also be taken to ensure that there are adequate provisions for the settlement of disputes which may arise among future States Parties on the interpretation and application of the provisions of the ATT."
Tunisia
H.E. Mr. Mohamed Mouldi Kefi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Turkey
H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister
22 September 2011
Militarism: "Sovereignty does not allow any leader or any regime to repress its own people or kill innocent civilians. A regime pointing guns to its own people can have no sovereignty or legitimacy."
Turkmenistan
H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, President
23 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Tuvalu
H.E. Mr. Willy Telavi, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Uganda
H.E. Mr. Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, Vice-President
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Ukraine
H.E. Mr. Viktor Yanukovych
21 September 2011
Nuclear weapons, fissile materials: “I am sincerely proud of the significant contribution of Ukraine to the peaceful coexistence of mankind. I mean not only the examples of voluntarily abandoning nuclear arms and large stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.”
Nuclear energy: “The awareness of the global scale of the Chernobyl disaster effects had be en the impetus for my initiative to convene the Kyiv Summit on safe and innovative use of nuclear energy this April. The summit allowed us to boost international cooperation in strengthening nuclear safety and properly responding to accidents and emergencies. We also welcome holding of the High Level Meeting on nuclear safety and security scheduled for tomorrow. Our country has unique experience in rehabilitation of the area and population victimized by the Chernobyl disaster. We are ready to share this experience.”
Nuclear disarmament, negative security assurnaces, non-proliferation: “Ukraine consistently supports ensuring gradual and irreversible nuclear disarmament for the purpose of complete elimination of nuclear weapons in the world. We continue to insist that the security assurances for non-nuclear and non-aligned states should be enshrined in a legally binding international instrument. I urge the leaders of other states to consciously follow the example of Ukraine and its real actions to promote disarmament and nonproliferation.”
United Arab Emirates
H.H. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
26 September 2011
Nuclear non-proliferation: "The UAE is committed to a long established policy on preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and to work with the international community to avert the risk of nuclear proliferation. This stand by the UAE is reflected and proven by its signing the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1995, and its signing of a comprehensive safeguards agreement in 2003, in addition to its ratification of the additional Protocol of 2010."
"The UAE is working closely with the IAEA and its international partners to improve the global participation of non-proliferation, and is an active member in many international initiatives such as: the Global Initiative to Counter Nuclear Terrorism, and the Security Initiative to Counter Proliferation."
Nuclear disarmament: "In manifestation of its policy to support all international, regional and multilateral efforts aimed at creating a safe and nuclear weapons free world, the UAE has recently joined the Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Weapons Disarmament Initiative (NPDI)."
Israel's nuclear programme, NWFZ: "The UAE is concerned over the continuation of the Israeli nuclear program outside the control and surveillance of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); therefore, the UAE looks forward to the convening the International Conference in 2012 on establishing a Middle East nuclear weapons free zone in accordance with agreements reached during the last NPT Review Conference. We reiterate our call upon Israel to ratify the NPT treaty and place without conditions all its nuclear facilities under the safeguards regime of the IAEA."
Iran's nuclear programme: "In this context, we also reaffirm our support for all efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue within the framework of the provisions of related international resolutions, and the control of the IAEA."
"The UAE is firmly implementing the resolutions of the UNSC calling for halting materials and sensitive technology shipments to Iran."
Nuclear energy, nuclear safety, non-proliferation: "The UAE seeks to obtain civilian nuclear program that is committed to the highest levels of safety, security, non-proliferation and operational transparency. The UAE government, in the context of its development of its nuclear program, explained the peaceful objectives of its program without ambiguity. It also developed its position in regards to non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the policy document issued by the government in 2008, in which it explained its intention not to attempt the full enrichment nuclear fuel in order to implement its peaceful program."
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
H.E. Mr. David Cameron, Prime Minister
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
United States of America
H.E. Mr. Barack Obama, President
21 September 2011
Nuclear weapons: “True peace depends on creating the opportunity that makes life worth living. And to do that, we must confront the common enemies of humanity: nuclear weapons and poverty, ignorance and disease.”
Nuclear disarmament, terrorism, START, CTBT, FMCT: “To lift the specter of mass destruction, we must come together to pursue the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. Over the last two years, we've begun to walk down that path. Since our Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, nearly 50 nations have taken steps to secure nuclear materials from terrorists and smugglers. Next March, a summit in Seoul will advance our efforts to lock down all of them. The New START Treaty between the United States and Russia will cut our deployed arsenals to the lowest level in half a century, and our nations are pursuing talks on how to achieve even deeper reductions. America will continue to work for a ban on the testing of nuclear weapons and the production of fissile material needed to make them.”
Iran and DPRK’s nuclear programmes: “The Iranian government cannot demonstrate that its program is peaceful. It has not met its obligations and it rejects offers that would provide it with peaceful nuclear power. North Korea has yet to take concrete steps towards abandoning its weapons and continues belligerent action against the South. There's a future of greater opportunity for the people of these nations if their governments meet their international obligations. But if they continue down a path that is outside international law, they must be met with greater pressure and isolation. That is what our commitment to peace and security demands.”
Uruguay
H.E. Mr. Danilo Astori, Vice-President
26 September 2011
Disarmament, nuclear weapons, WMD, conventional weapons: "Our commitment to international peace and security has also driven our country to play an active role in the field of disarmament. Together with many other countries, Uruguay has firmly promoted all those initiatives aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, as well as those defending the control and reduction of conventional weapons, which every year cause thousands of innocent civilian casualties."
NWFZ, disarmament, non-proliferation: "As a member of the Tlatelolco Treaty, by virtue of which Latin America and the Caribbean became the first area free from nuclear weapons, Uruguay has decisively contributed to strengthening both the regional regime and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, considered to be the corner stone of disarmament and non proliferation. Uruguay has adhered fully to the five items mentioned by the United Nations Secretary General. We believe the international community must make the most of this cumulative progress to advance firmly toward a world free from nuclear weapons."
Uzbekistan
H.E. Mr. Elyor Ganiev, Deputy Prime Minister
26 September 2011
No relevant comments.
Vanuatu
H.E. Mr. Meltek Sato Kilman Livtunvanu, Prime Minister
24 September 2011
Nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation: "Today, the lack of progress on disarmament and non-proliferation, cornerstones of global security is disturbing. The World's nuclear powers must fulfil their vows to meet their Non-Proliferation Treaty obligations to take decisive and practical steps towards irreversible disarmament. Only then will proliferation of arms reverse. My people welcome the strenuous efforts by President Obama and other world leaders working together on the frontier to advance negotiations on de-nuclearization."
Nuclear safety: "The most recent events in Japan's Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster clearly shows that whatever safeguards are in place, there can be no absolute guarantee that these can withstand the unforgivable ferocity of mother nature. These are important lessons for us."
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
H.E. Mr. Nicolás Maduro Moros, Minister of the People's Power for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Militarism: "I want to call the governments of the world for reflection: since September 11th, 2001, a new and unprecedented imperialist war started, a permanent war, in perpetuity. We have to look directly at the terrifying reality of the world we live in. It is necessary for a series of questions to be asked on the basis of the risks and threats we face: Why is the United States the only country that scatters the planet with military bases?; what is it afraid of to allocate such a staggering budget for increasing its military power?; why has it unleashed so many wars, violating the sovereignty of other nations which have the same rights on their own fates?; how can the international law be enforced against its insensible aspiration to militarily hegemonizing the world in order to ensure energy sources to sustain their predatory and consumer model?; why the UN does not do anything to stop Washington? If we answered these questions, sincerely, we would understand that the empire has awarded itself the role of judge of the world, without being granted this responsibility by anyone, and, therefore, imperialist war threatens us all."
"Mankind is facing the real threat of a permanent war. The empire is ready to create the political conditions for triggering a war anywhere, and the case of Libya proves it. Within the imperial view of the world, the well-known Clausewitz's Axiom is being reversed: politics is the continuation of war by other means.
"What is behind this new Armageddon?: the absolute power of the military-financial leadership which is destroying the world aiming at accumulating more profits; the military-financial leadership which is subordinated, de facto, to an increasingly larger group of States. Be it born in mind that war is the capital's modus vivendi: the war that ruins the majorities and makes richer, up to the unthinkable, a few people."
"Given such a meager outlook, the great US scientist Linus Pauling, awarded the Nobel Prize on two occasions, continues enlightening our path: 'I believe that there is a greater power in the world than the evil power of military foxce, of nuclear bombs -- there is the power of goad, of morality, of humanitarianism. I believe in the power of the human spirit.' Let's mobilize all the human spirit power: it's here now. It is imperative to unleash a great political counter-offensive in order to prevent the powers of darkness from finding justifications for going to war: in order to unleash widespread global was through which they pretend to save the western capital.
"Venezuela calls for the establishment of a broad peace-based alliance against war: with the supreme aim of avoiding war at all costs. Warmongers and, especially, the military-financial leadership that sponsors and leads them must be defeated. Let's build the balance of the universe predicted by the Liberator Simon Bolivar: the balance that, according to his words, cannot be found within a war; the balance that is born out of peace."
Military spending: "This reality [of starvation in Somalia] could not be more atrocious if, at the same time , we ask ourselves how much is being spent to destroy Libya. This is the answer of US congressman Dennis Kucinich: 'This new War will cost us 500 million dollars during its first week alone. Obviously, we do not have financing resources for that and we will end up cutting off other important domestic programs' funding.' According to Kucinich himself, with the amount spent during the first three weeks in the northern area of the African continent to massacre the Libyan people, much could have been done to help the entire region of the Horn of Africa, saving dozen thousands lives."
Viet Nam
H.E. Mr. Pham Binh Minh, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
WMD: "Climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, trans-national crimes, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and international terrorism are still the challenges demanding effective responses."
Disarmament: "Multilateral negotiations of issues of common interest such as disarmament and climate change have not yielded results up to our expectations."
Disarmament, non-proliferation, WMD, nuclear safety and security: "We deeply value the initiatives in putting the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable at the centre of the international agenda, mobilizing resources and capacities to fulfill internationally agreed actionplans, including the MDGs, facilitating multilateral negotiations on climate change, disarmament and non proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, providing solutions to such pressing issues as desertification, non-communicable diseases, nuclear safety and security and responding to the global financial and economic crisis."
NPT, nuclear safety and security, Conference on Disarmament: "We support the UN in translating the outcome of the 2010 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference and the newly concluded High-level meeting on nuclear safety and security into concrete results, revitalizing the work of the Conference on Disarmament and taking forward multilateral disarmament negotiations."
Nuclear security, nuclear disarmament: "We shall enhance international integration, proactively participate in and make contribution to regional and international multilateral forums like the UN, the ASEAN-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC), the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77 and China on solving the global issues of nuclear security, nuclear disarmament, crime prevention, climate change, sustainable development, and Mekong River cooperation."
NWFZ: "We shall be working closely with other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other stakeholders for peace, stability, cooperation and development in Southeast Asia, East Asia and beyond, through ASEAN-Ied mechanisms and such instruments as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC), Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and East Asia Summit (EAS)."
Yemen
H.E. Mr. Abubakr A. Al-Qirbi, Minister for Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Statement not yet available.
Zambia
H.E. Ms. Lucy Mungoma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
27 September 2011
Arms trade treaty: "With the year 2012 very much in sight, Zambia hopes for a successful conclusion of the negotiations on the Arms Trade Treaty. A strong and robust Arms Trade Treaty will help foster regional and international peace and security. Zambia also supports an Arms Trade Treaty that encompasses all conventional weapons, including Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition, components of weapons, dual use equipment with a military end-use and arms production equipment and technology. Further, Zambia advocates for an Arms Trade Treaty that has a broad scope that includes landmines and other conventional weapons already covered by international weapon specific agreements and technical support."
Zimbabwe
H.E. Mr. Robert Mugabe, President
22 September 2011
No relevant comments.
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