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Mr. Chairman,
I am taking the floor to introduce three draft resolutions Regional Disarmament; Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels; and Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the Regional and Sub-regional Context contained in documents A/C.1/63/L.8, A/C.1/63/L.9 and A/C.1/63/L.10 respectively.
First, the resolution on Regional Disarmament, which I am presenting on behalf of the delegations of Bangladesh, Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Kuwait, Nepal, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Turkey and on behalf of my own delegation.
Mr. Chairman,
While there is no denying the importance of international disarmament measures, the regional dimension is unquestionably significant as well. Promotion of security and disarmament at the regional level can redound to the benefit of these objectives at the global level. In this regard, the guidelines and recommendations for regional approaches to disarmament, within the context of global security, adopted by the UN Disarmament Commission in 1993 can show us the way.
Mr. Chairman,
Keeping in view the promise of the regional approach for resolving conflicts in different regions, the draft resolution takes note of proposals for disarmament at the regional and sub-regional levels. It recognizes the linkage between regional disarmament and enhanced security taking into account the specific characteristics of each region and the principle of undiminished security at the lowest level of armaments.
Stressing the need for sustained efforts to achieve these objectives, the draft resolution also affirms that regional approaches for disarmament complement each other; calls on States to conclude agreements, wherever possible; welcomes the initiatives towards disarmament, non-proliferation and security undertaken by some countries at the regional and sub-regional levels; and supports and encourages confidence-building measures.
The co-sponsors and my delegation hope that, like the 62nd UNGA the draft resolution will be adopted unanimously.
Mr. Chairman,
Allow me now to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/63/L. 9 entitled "Conventional arms control at the regional and sub-regional levels" on behalf of the delegations of Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt, Malaysia, Nepal, Peru, Syrian Arab Republic, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, and my own delegation.
Mr. Chairman,
This draft resolution aims at promoting conventional disarmament at the regional and sub-regional levels. Despite its significance, this issue has not received due attention and support. The international community needs to be sharply focused on conventional balance and arms control.
The preambular part of the draft resolution highlights several important concepts and principles like the crucial role of arms control in peace and security; the threats to peace in the post-Cold War era arising mainly among States located in the same region or sub-region; the lowest level of armaments as a contributory factor for peace and stability; the objective of agreements to strengthen peace and security at the lowest possible level of disarmament and military forces; a special responsibility of the militarily significant States and States with larger military capabilities in promoting such agreements for regional peace and security; and the objective to prevent the possibility of surprise military attacks as well as that of avoidance of aggression.
The preamble of the draft resolution also notes with particular interest the initiatives taken in various regions including a number of Latin American countries; the proposals for conventional arms control in South Asia; and recognizes the "relevance and value" of the CFE Treaty in Europe which is described as a "cornerstone of the European security".
The operative part of the resolution, while deciding to give urgent consideration to the issue of conventional disarmament at the regional and sub-regional levels, requests the Conference on Disarmament, to consider formulating principles that can serve as the framework for regional agreements.
The co-sponsors look forward to the Committee's strong support to this draft resolution.
Mr. Chairman,
Now I would like to introduce the draft resolution on "Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) in the Regional and Sub-regional Context" contained in document A/C.1/63/L.10, on behalf of the delegations of Bangladesh, Kuwait, Malaysia, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukraine as well as my own delegation,
Mr. Chairman,
In a large measure, global peace and security depend on stability at the regional and sub-regional levels. The absence of the latter prerequisite spawns arms races, undermines arms control and disarmament and obstructs and complicates peaceful settlement of disputes. Such instability, also, breeds poverty, despair and anger.
Our tabling of this resolution is driven by the internationally recognized value of regional and sub-regional CBMs. Pakistan is convinced that such measures have yielded and will continue to yield peace and conflict resolution dividends which in turn allow states to concentrate on socio-economic development. CBMs also, can create an enabling ambience for arms control and disarmament.
Mr. Chairman,
The preambular paragraphs of the draft resolution reiterate the basic purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as General Assembly resolution 57/337 entitled “Prevention of Armed Conflict” The text recognizes the need for dialogue to avert conflicts and welcomes the peace processes already initiated in various regions to resolve disputes through peaceful means bilaterally or through mediation by third parties.
The resolution also recognizes that regions which, already, have developed CBMs at bilateral, sub-regional and regional levels in the political and military fields, including arms control and disarmament, have greatly improved the climate of peace and security in their regions and contributed to the improvement of socio-economic conditions of their people.
The operative paragraphs of the draft resolution call upon Member States to refrain from the use or threat of use of force and to re-affirm their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes under Chapter-VI of the UN Charter. The resolution recalls the CBM-related ways and means elaborated in the 1993 report of the UN Disarmament Commission and urges Member States to pursue those through sustained consultations and dialogue.
The draft resolution, also:
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation hopes that like the last year, the draft resolution will be unanimously adopted by this Committee.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.