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Editor's note: coverage of the General Debate, as it continued into October, will be included in the next issue.
UN Secretary-General
Opening Statement by Secretary-General Kofia Annan
"...recent achievements included the completion of the
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Chemical Weapons
Convention. Progress had also been achieved on the Ottawa process
to ban anti-personnel landmines, an effort he vigorously supported.
... Achievements in disarmament did not yet encompass the remaining
nuclear stockpiles, nor the continued proliferation of light
weapons and small arms, he said. The Secretary-General said the
department for disarmament and arms regulations which he had
proposed in his reform package was intended to bolster the capacity
of the United Nations to pursue such aims. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9302, 22
September
Bolivia
Speech by General Hugo Banzer Suarez, President
"He reaffirmed his Government's concern about the laying of
landmines. It was incomprehensible that those same borders across
which countries were seeking to promote trade and integration
should be sown with devices of war that menaced civilian
populations and threatened their fundamental rights. That matter
was of particular relevance for Bolivia, due to the well-known and
acknowledged fact that Chile had laid a significant number of mines
along their common border. Removal of those mines was of the utmost
urgency, in keeping with the commitments assumed in Oslo and the
dictates of morality."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9315, 29
September
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Speech by Jadranko Prlic, Foreign Minister
"Noting that Bosnia and Herzegovina was one of the largest fields
infested by anti-personnel landmines, he said his country strongly
supported the conclusions of the Oslo Conference and hoped to see
the international community united in supporting comprehensive ban
on those weapons."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9313, 26
September
Brazil
Speech by Luiz Felipe Lampreia, Foreign Minister
"...the regional initiative to self-impose limitations on
conventional arms purchases in Latin America was unjustified, since
there was no threat of military destabilization there. Arms
purchases were compatible with the region's defence needs and were
aimed at replacing obsolete or outworn equipment. ... Great strides
had been made with respect to disarmament and anti- personnel
landmines, he said. In its signing of the Comprehensive
NuclearTest-Ban Treaty (CTBT) and in the firm commitments expressed
at the Oslo conference on anti-personal land mines Brazil sought to
support the efforts of the international community. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9302, 22
September.
Burkina Faso
Speech by Ablasse Ouedraogo, Foreign Minister
"Disarmament efforts must work towards the elimination of all
weapons of mass destruction, nuclear, biological and chemical, he
said. The circulation of small arms in Africa continued to be a
serious problem and had increased the incidence of criminal acts in
the region. There was concern about the progress of the
Secretary-General's follow-up on the issue of the unlawful
circulation of small arms."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9315, 29
September
Colombia
Speech by Ernesto Samper Pizano, President
"The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) was
not being properly complied [with]. Important members had yet to
ratify the chemical weapons treaty. There was no interest in
advancing the agreements on the restriction of the conventional
arms market. ... He proposed a five-point plan to deal with the
problem of the arms build-up. It involved a declaration by the
developing nations of a two-year moratorium on high-technology
weapons trade, extending the register of arms to include light
weapons, commitments from the governments of arms-producing nations
to establish a moratorium on the sale of high-technology weapons to
regions in conflict, follow-up and verification of relevant
multilateral commitments and treaties, and consideration by the
fourth special session of the assembly devoted to disarmament of
the regulation of trade in light arms and high-technology
weaponry."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9311, 25
September.
Croatia
Speech by Mate Granic, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister
"Croatia's interests in the global landmine problem was motivated
by personal affliction. Millions of mines laid in the formerly
occupied territories of Croatia during the war continued to pose a
direct threat, especially to the most vulnerable - the civilians.
It was also a great impediment to the reconstruction of
war-affected areas."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9310, 25
September
Czech Republic
Speech by Josef Zieleniec, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs
"A positive tone should be set during the upcoming preparatory
meetings for the Review Conference in the year 2000 of the Treaty
on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). His country had
just informed the IAEA of its interest to participate in that
body's safeguards arrangements. It was also prepared to sign the
international agreement banning anti-personnel landmines in Ottawa
this December."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9305, 22
September.
Ecuador
Speech by Fabian Alarcon Rivera, President
"Last year, [Ecuador] had co-sponsored the draft resolution on the
establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the southern
hemisphere and its adjacent areas. Issues relating to conventional
disarmament must also be given full attention. Ecuador supported
the holding in 1999, a fourth special session of the General
Assembly devoted to disarmament, as well as the complete
prohibition of anti-personnel landmines."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9311, 25
September.
Egypt
Speech by Amre Moussa, Foreign Minister
"Efforts should proceed to free the Middle East from all weapons of
mass destruction and their delivering vehicles, he stated. The
General Assembly should take the necessary steps to ensure Israel's
accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
(NPT) and the prompt undertaking of negotiations to establish a
nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9314, 29
September.
Fiji
Speech by Major-General Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka, Prime
Minister
"The Prime Minister urged the international community to begin
negotiations as soon as possible on a treaty to halt and prohibit
the production and development of all nuclear weapons. Also
important was the destruction of all stockpiles and arsenals of
nuclear weapons."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9302, 22 September.
Finland
Speech by Tarja Kaarina Halonen, Foreign Minister
"In the disarmament sphere, the focus was shifting from weapons of
mass destruction towards conventional arms, including small arms,
she said. Finland would continue to participate actively in efforts
by the Conference on Disarmament towards an effective global treaty
on anti-personnel landmines. Recent positive developments in the
area of nuclear disarmament should be followed up by Russian
ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9307, 23 September.
Ghana
Speech by Kwamena Ahwoi, Foreign Minister
"[The Foreign Minister] said that while weapons of mass destruction
deserved priority attention, the illicit transfer and use of
conventional weapons constituted a threat to the stability of
States and fueled the numerous conflicts which bedeviled the world
today, particularly in Africa. The international community must
adopt all available means to curb that illicit traffic."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9309, 24
September.
Group-of-77 (Non-Aligned Movement)
Speech by Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Foreign Minister of United
Republic of Tanzania
"Anti-personnel landmines maimed and killed the innocent long after
the wars in which they had been employed were over, he said.
However, the worldwide banning of those weapons through the
ramfework of the Ottowa process should not be seen as an end in
itself. Rather, it should be seen as part of the overall effort
aimed at eliminating other weapons, especially weapons of mass
destruction."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9302, 22
September.
Indonesia
Speech by Ali Alatas, Foreign Minister
"The establishment of a new department for disarmament and arms
regulation, to be headed by an Under-Secretary-General was crucial.
The new department, however, should address nuclear disarmament as
a priority issue and not only the non-proliferation of weapons of
mass destruction. ... Much of the insecurity in the world today
stemmed from the fact that the international community had not been
able to abolish nuclear armaments, he said. The Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had been indefinitely
extended, but without guarantee that the commitment to nuclear
disarmament would be honoured. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty (CTBT) did not effectively prohibit nuclear testing without
loopholes or exceptions. Nevertheless, Indonesia signed the Treaty
in the hope that the nuclear Powers would refrain from testing
through simulation. That hope had been shattered by the recent
sub-critical tests announced by a nuclear-weapon State. Although
those sub-critical tests did not legally violate the CTBT, they
were a travesty to the spirit of the Treaty. The nuclear Powers
should desist from conducting such tests as they could lead to the
resumption of the nuclear arms race and its attendant risk of
global disaster. The Treaty on a South-East Asia
Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone came into force earlier this year and he
hoped the nuclear-weapon States would also contribute to regional
security by their timely accession to the relevant protocol of the
Treaty."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9317, 30
September.
Iran
Speech by Kamal Kharrazi, Foreign Minister
"[Iran] called for an end to the arms race, the elimination of
weapons of mass destruction, and the control of conventional
weapons. ... Iran's Islamic principles considered weapons of mass
destruction to be inhumane and illegitimate, he said. Iran's
nuclear activities were performed within the framework of IAEA
regulations and followed peaceful objectives, despite a barrage of
false and baseless accusations to the contrary. Insecurity in the
Middle East was rooted in Israeli militarism and in its arsenal of
weapons of mass destruction. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9305, 22
September.
Ireland
Speech by Ray Burke, Foreign Minister
"With respect to nuclear disarmament, he said that genuine peace
and security could never be achieved as long as such weapons
remained in State arsenals. It was now time for consideration of an
integrated approach to disarmament, to culminate inagreement on a
total ban on nuclear weapons. Agreement was also needed on managing
the peaceful uses and transport of nuclear energy."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9311, 25
September.
Israel
Speech by David Levy, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister
"The Government of Iran continued to speak in terms which
threatened Israel and called for its destruction, he said. Yet the
international community continued to refuse to speak out against
Iran's policies, its declarations and its actions. Iran's efforts
to acquire operational weapons of mass destruction represented the
greatest threat to security and stability in the Middle East and
beyond. His Government called on the members of the international
family of nations - and particularly the United States and Russia,
the European Union and the Commonwealth of Independent States - to
exercise the full weight of their influence to prevent that
development, which represented an existential threat to
Israel."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9314, 29
September.
Italy
Speech by Lamberto Dini, Foreign Minister
"Italy had some of the world's strictest and most advanced
legislation on the export of arms. In June, the Italian Government
had unilaterally decided to renounce the production, export,
stockpiling and use of anti-personnel landmines. But the full value
of that commitment could only be realized if it was shared by all
countries, whether or not they were parties to the 'Ottawa
process'. The recent Oslo Conference had made remarkable
accomplishments, but they were not yet universal. To achieve that
goal, efforts should be complemented by the continuing involvement
of the Conference on Disarmament."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9310, 25
September.
Jamaica
Speech by Percival James Patterson, Prime Minister
"The conclusion of the CTBT during the fifty-first session of the
General Assembly and the entry into force of the Chemical Weapons
Convention had enhanced the prospects for real progress towards the
goal of general and complete disarmament, he said. But more needed
to be done in the areas of arms regulation and disarmament,
especially in respect of conventional weapons and the proliferation
of small arms. Jamaica welcomed steps to prohibit the use of
anti-personnel landmines, and urged Member States to give full
support to the Ottawa Process for the conclusion of an
international treaty to ban that category of weapons so as to
command universal obedience. ... bilateral and regional cooperation
was critical to combatting drug smuggling. An associated problem,
the smuggling of arms and weapons of destruction, was a significant
factor in spreading a cycle of crime and violence. The CARICOM had
pushed for a regional initiative to attack that problem. It looked
forward to hemispheric support, particularly in restricting illegal
exports from the main areas of manufacturing and sale of small
arms."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9310, 25
September.
Kazakhstan
Speech by Kassmjomark K. Tokaev, Foreign Minister
"United Nations environmental activities had special importance for
Kazakhstan, he said, because of the acute environmental problems it
had inherited, including the ecological disasters of the Aral Sea
and the former Semipalatinsk nuclear-testing ground. ... Some 470
nuclear explosions had been conducted at the Semipalatinsk testing
ground, which use to be the largest in the world. There had been
enormous damage to the local population's health and to the
environment. Kazakhstan had called attention to the nuclear Powers'
responsibility for the damage caused by nuclear tests. They should
set up an international fund to rehabilitate the health and
environment of regions affected by the tests. Kazakhstan's decision
to close the Semipalatinsk testing ground was a major contribution
to nuclear disarmament, he said. This month, his country had hosted
an international conference on nuclear non-proliferation. ... the
heads of the Central Asian States had adopted a Declaration
proclaiming 1988 as the year of environmental protection in the
region. They had stressed the need to establish a nuclear-
weapon-free zone in Central Asia. As a party to the Treaty on the
Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), his country believed
the signing of the document was one of the most historical events
of the century. He called on all States to adhere to it. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9316, 30
September.
Republic of Korea
Speech by Yoo Choong-Ha, Foreign Minister
"Given the magnitude of the scourge of anti-personnel landmines,
the Republic of Korea had decided to extend for an indefinite
period its moratorium on the export of landmines which was due to
expire at the end of this year, he said. His Government felt,
however, that each country's legitimate security concerns should be
given due consideration in addressing the matter. He reiterated
that while his Government fully supported the crusade to protect
innocent civilians from landmines, a sweeping ban could not be a
satisfactory answer to a country like the Republic of Korea which
faced the real and present risk of a recurrence of all-out war, and
whose capital was situated 25 miles from the military demarcation
line. His Government felt that the adoption of the draft convention
on the banning of anti-personnel landmines in Oslo two weeks ago
had failed to reflect the exceptional nature of the security
situation in the Korean Peninsula."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9314, 29
September.
Kuwait
Speech by Shiekh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, Deputy First
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
"Kuwait welcomed the movement towards prohibition of the
production, stockpiling and use of landmines, he said. It would be
a similar measure to the Chemical Weapons Convention and the
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Kuwait also welcomed the
regulations concluded to control arms, to reduce the nuclear threat
and to tighten controls over arms trade, especially in the area of
ballistic missiles, and to increase transparency regarding weapons.
..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9315, 29
September.
Lesotho
Speech by Kelebone A. Maope, Foreign Minister
"His Government was encouraged by the progress made in the field of
disarmament with the recent ratification of the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Chemical Weapons Convention, he
said. Africa had already contributed positively to the disarmament
process by signing the Pelindaba Treaty, declaring Africa a
nuclear-free zone. The recent negotiations in Oslo regarding the
ban on anti-personnel mines was a step in the right direction."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9316, 30
September.
Libya
Speech by Abuzed Omar Dorda, Head of Delegation
"The United Nations was responsible for the situation in Iraq, he
said, where people starved and died and confronted that which was
'more serious than hunger and more dangerous than death'. Some
Iraqis had been forced to sell body parts such as kidneys, to
secure some food for their children. What kind of international
legality could justify the continued application of sanctions that
could lead to such results? The United Nations had created the
favourable conditions and provided the cover for what had been
happening in Iraq."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9316, 30
September.
Namibia
Speech by Martin Andjaba
"Nuclear weapons and their proliferation continued to be a cause of
concern to the international community, he said. It was hoped that
with the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
(CTBT), serious negotiations would now begin on the elimination of
nuclear weapons. The total elimination of those weapons was the
only genuine guarantee for non-nuclear-weapon States against the
threat of their use."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9315, 29
September.
Pakistan
Speech by Mohammed Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister
"Since 1974, Pakistan had pursued its proposal for a
nuclear-weapons-free zone in South Asia, but India had taken
successive steps to escalate its nuclear and missile capabilities,
he said. Pakistan and India should agree on mutual and equal
restraints in the nuclear and ballistic fields and make similar
arrangements with respect to conventional weapons, so as to secure
equal security for both countries. Pakistan was prepared to
conclude and strengthen confidence-building measures and, as a
first step, would agree on a set of principles to guide future
bilateral arms control arrangements. He also offered to open
negotiations on a non-aggression treaty between the two countries.
..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9305, 22
September.
Peru
Speech by Eduardo Ferrero Costa, Foreign Minister
"Peru...had participated actively in the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty
negotiating process, signing it on the day it was opened for
signature. It was also gratified at the result of the Oslo
Conference in the context of the Ottawa Process to prohibit the
production, transfer and use of anti-personnel landmines. Peru had
participated as a full member and was preparing to sign the first
global agreement in December. The Rio Group had also undertaken to
make the Latin American region the first in the world to be free of
such devices."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9310, 25
September.
Philippines
Speech by Domingo L. Siazon, Foreign Minister
"On 27 March, the South-East Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone Treaty
entered into force, he said. Nuclear-weapon States were urged to
support the Treaty by becoming parties to its Protocol. Global
safety also demanded control of the proliferation of conventional
arms, particularly small arms and anti-personnel landmines, whether
deployed or in national stockpiles. His Government would sign the
Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines in December. The
Philippines would also continue to support the efforts of the
United Nations, individual governments and non-governmental
organizations to clear mine fields, assist mine victims, and
rehabilitate areas plagued by such devices."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9315, 29
September.
Russia
Speech by Yevgeny M. Primakov, Foreign Minister
"[The Foreign Minister] outline[d] efforts by the Russian
Federation, together with the United States to reduce strategic
arsenals under the Treaty on the Reduction and Limitation of
Strategic Offensive Arms (START I). Giving effect to the START II
Treaty was next on the agenda. Understanding had been reached on
the basic parameters of new START III arrangements. As a result of
those efforts, the arsenals of the two largest nuclear-weapon
Powers would be reduced by 80 per cent of the cold-war levels.
However, all nuclear Powers must be involved in systematic efforts
to reduce their nuclear arms. Stability of the multipolar world
could only be assured by ending the nuclear arms race. However,
conventional weapons killed most people in local conflicts. The
Russian Federation was fully aware of the humanitarian dimension of
the landmine problem. It advocated active phased efforts and
negotiations on a global basis at the Conference on Disarmament in
Geneva."
Slovak Republic
Speech by Zdenka Kramplova, Foreign Minister
"In view of the perceived shift towards prioritizing socio-economic
problems over issues of arms control and disarmament, disarmament
should be again given priority, she said. As a new member of the
Conference on Disarmament, Slovakia was convinced of that body's
importance. Besides negotiations prohibiting the production of
fissile materials for weapons, it was especially important to start
negotiations on a global and comprehensive ban of anti-personnel
land-mines. Also welcome were the conclusions of the first session
of the Preparatory Committee of the Sixth Review Conference of the
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). In
addition, Slovakia was prepared to ratify the Comprehensive
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) before the end of the year. The
entry into force of the Chemical Weapons Convention was the most
significant event in the field of disarmament."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9310, 25
September.
South Africa
Speech by Alfred Nzo, Foreign Minister
"South Africa was encouraged by the large number of States which
had committed to the complete eradication of weapons of mass
destruction, he said, stressing that high priority should be placed
on strategies and policies intended to prevent the proliferation of
conventional weapons and to reduce their flow to conflict areas.
South Africa also fully supported the Oslo Convention which banned
anti-personnel mines. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9305, 22
September.
Sweden
Speech by Lena Hjelm-Wallen, Foreign Minister
"In the disarmament sphere, the quest for a nuclear weapon-free
world must continue. Nuclear-weapon-free States had a legitimate
right to assurances that they would not be attacked or threatened
with such weapons. The focus of stemming the flow of conventional
arms, another priority of the [UN] reform programme, was also
welcome."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9309, 24
September.
Ukraine
Speech by Leonid D. Kuchma, President
"[President Kuchma said that Ukraine had] worked to support global
security, and last year removed the last nuclear warhead from its
territory. ... President Kuchma said his country faced a continuing
burden in the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster. An overall
solution to that problem was impossible without large scale
international assistance. While Ukraine remained committed to
closing the Chernobyl facility by the end of the millennium,
assistance relating to the disaster should not be conditional on
such actions."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9305, 22
September.
United States
Speech by Bill Clinton, President
"I...applaud the steps that members are taking to implement the
declaration on crime and public security that the United States
proposed two years ago... The spread of these global criminal
syndicates also has made all the more urgent our common quest to
eliminate weapons of mass destruction. We cannot allow them to fall
or to remain in the wrong hands. Here, too, the United Nations must
lead, and it has, from UNSCOM in Iraq to the International Atomic
Energy Agency, now the most expansive global system ever devised to
police arms control agreements.
When we met here last year, I was honored to be the first of 146
leaders to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, our commitment
to end all nuclear tests for all time - the longest-sought,
hardest-fought prize in the history of arms control. It will help
to prevent the nuclear powers from developing more advanced and
more dangerous weapons. It will limit the possibilities for other
States to acquire such devices. I am pleased to announce that today
I am sending this crucial treaty to the United States Senate for
ratification. Our common goal should be to enter the CTBT into
force as soon as possible, and I ask for all of you to support that
goal. ..."
Source: 'Remarks by the President to the 52nd Session of
the United Nations General Assembly,' The White House, 22
September.
Venezuela
Speech by Miguel Angel Burelli Rivas, Foreign Minister
"Venezuela supported all efforts aimed at limiting the arms trade,
he said. It was a matter of great concern that the lifting of
embargoes by industrialized nations might begin a movement towards
sale of weapons everywhere, in response to pressure by the very
powerful military lobby. ..."
Source: United Nations Press Release GA/9309, 24
September.
© 1998 The Acronym Institute.