Item 73 of the preliminary list [A/51/150].

REVIEW OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS AND

DECISIONS ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT ITS TENTH

SPECIAL SESSION: REPORT OF THE DISARMAMENT COMMISSION

A compilation of all texts of principles, guidelines or

recommendations on subject items adopted unanimously by

the Disarmament Commission

Note by the Secretary-General

CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION

1. On 12 December 1996, the General Assembly adopted resolution 50/72 D, entitled "Report of the Disarmament Commission", paragraph 12 of which reads as follows:

"Further requests the Secretary-General to prepare a compilation, in the format of a note by the Secretary-General, of all texts of principles, guidelines or recommendations on subject items that have been unanimously adopted by the Disarmament Commission since its inception in 1978."

2. In pursuance of that request, the Secretary-General has prepared a compilation of all texts of principles, guidelines or recommendations on subject items that have been unanimously adopted by the Disarmament Commission since its inception in 1978, as contained in section II of the present note. It should be noted that the Disarmament Commission, in 1980, adopted a text entitled "Elements of the Declaration of the 1980s as the Second Disarmament Decade", which was subsequently adopted by the General Assembly as the Declaration of the 1980s as the Second Disarmament Decade (resolution 35/46, annex).

II. TEXTS OF PRINCIPLES, GUIDELINES OR RECOMMENDATIONS ON

THE DISARMAMENT COMMISSION SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1978

"I. Introduction

"1. Advocated by the General Assembly of the United Nations for nearly two decades, general and complete disarmament under effective international control must continue to be the ultimate goal of all endeavours undertaken in the sphere of disarmament.

Although this appeal was reiterated by the General Assembly in later years, it was not possible for the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament to discharge this mandate.

"3. The first special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament laid the basis in its Final Document, adopted by consensus, for an international disarmament strategy, in which the elaboration of the comprehensive programme of disarmament is an important element. The Disarmament Commission was entrusted with the task of considering 'the elements of a comprehensive programme for disarmament to be submitted as recommendations to the General Assembly and, through it, to the negotiating body, the Committee on Disarmament', which was requested by the Assembly to 'undertake the elaboration' of such a programme.

"4. The comprehensive programme of disarmament, which would provide the necessary framework for substantive negotiations in the field of disarmament, should be a carefully worked out package of interrelated measures in the field of disarmament, which would lead the international community towards the goal of general and complete disarmament under effective international control.

"6. The Committee on Disarmament should commence work on the elaboration of the comprehensive programme at the earliest possible date and all efforts should be exerted so as to submit it for consideration and adoption not later than the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, scheduled to be held in 1982.

"7. The comprehensive programme of disarmament should:

"II. Objectives, principles and priorities

"8. The immediate objective of a comprehensive programme of disarmament should be to maintain and further the momentum generated by the first special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, to initiate and expedite urgent negotiations on halting the arms race in all its aspects, to open a process of genuine disarmament on an internationally agreed basis and to increase international confidence and relaxation of international tension.

"9. The long-term objectives should be, through the coordinated implementation of the comprehensive programme of disarmament, to achieve general and complete disarmament under effective international control, to avert the danger of war and to create conditions for a just and stable international peace and security and the full realization of the new international economic order.

"10. The elaboration of the comprehensive programme of disarmament should take place as urgently as possible and parallel with the negotiations on concrete disarmament measures, particularly those agreed in the Programme of Action adopted at the tenth special session of the General Assembly. The comprehensive programme of disarmament should contain a phased programme covering measures in the different fields in which the implementation of the first stage should effectively contribute to the halting of the arms race and to the opening of the process of genuine disarmament.

"11. During the first stage of the implementation of the comprehensive programme of disarmament, special attention should be given to the immediate cessation of the nuclear arms race and the removal of the threat of a nuclear war.

"12. The comprehensive programme of disarmament should be elaborated and implemented on the basis of the strict observance of the principles contained in the Final Document and in accordance with the priorities stated in paragraph 45 thereof, it being understood that nothing should preclude States from conducting negotiations on all priority items concurrently.

"III. Measures

"13. The process to be outlined in the comprehensive programme of disarmament should be conceived and implemented in accordance with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly. It should take place in such an equitable manner as to ensure the right of each State to security, inter alia, through the adoption of appropriate measures, taking into account the importance of nuclear disarmament and conventional disarmament, the special responsibility of the States with the largest military arsenals and the necessity for adequate measures of verification.

"14. The comprehensive programme of disarmament should encompass the following measures as envisaged in the relevant paragraphs of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session:

"A. Disarmament measures

"B. Other measures

"Note:

"C. Disarmament and development

"Bearing in mind the close relationship between disarmament and development and taking into account the United Nations studies carried out in this field, the comprehensive programme of disarmament should include measures aimed at ensuring that disarmament makes an effective contribution to economic and social development and, in particular, to the full realization of the new international economic order through:

"D. Disarmament and international security

"Strengthening of international procedures and institutions for:

"IV. Machinery and procedures

"A. Role of the United Nations

"B. Form of negotiations

"16. The negotiations of the measures envisaged in the comprehensive programme of disarmament can be conducted on a bilateral, regional or multilateral level, depending on how, in each case, effective disarmament agreements can most readily be achieved. The international disarmament machinery should ensure that all disarmament issues are being dealt with in an appropriate context.

"C. World Disarmament Conference

"17. At the earliest appropriate time, a world disarmament conference should be convened with universal participation and with adequate preparation.

"D. Review and verification of agreed measures

"18. Examination of the requirements of an institutional and procedural nature to facilitate the disarmament process and to ensure implementation of disarmament agreements, including the relevant proposals referred to in paragraph 125 of the Final Document, or made elsewhere.

"V. General

"19. During the consideration of the elements of the comprehensive programme of disarmament, the Commission considered the following, on which consensus was not reached:

"I. GENERAL

"1. In proclaiming the decade of the 1970s as the first United Nations Disarmament Decade, the General Assembly, in its resolution 2602 E (XXIV) of 16 December 1969, enumerated its objectives as follows:

"2. Although these objectives were reiterated by the General Assembly in later sessions, the first Disarmament Decade ended without their accomplishment. While it is true that some limited agreements were reached, effective measures relating to the cessation of the nuclear-arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament have continued to elude man's grasp. Furthermore, no progress has been made in channelling for the purpose of economic and social development any amount of the enormous resources which are wasted on the unproductive arms race.

"4. In spite of the positive and encouraging outcome of the special session devoted to disarmament, the decade of the 1980s has started with ominous signs of deterioration in the international situation. International peace and security are threatened by the use or threat of use of force against the sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity of States, by military intervention and occupation, hegemonism, interference in the internal affairs of States, the denial of the right of self-determination of peoples and nations under colonial and alien domination, and by the further escalation of the arms race and efforts to achieve military superiority. It is clear that, if the emerging trend continues and meaningful efforts are not made to check and reverse this trend, international tensions will be further exacerbated and the danger of war will be greater than foreseen at the time of the special session on disarmament. In this connection, it is pertinent to recall that in the Final Document the General Assembly emphasized that, on the one hand, the arms race in all its aspects runs counter to efforts to achieve further relaxation of international tension to establish a viable system of international peace and security and, on the other, that peace and security must be based on strict respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations. It is ironic that, while intensive discussions are under way in various forums on global economic problems and on the depletion of resources available for coping with present international economic problems, military expenditures by major military Powers are reaching ever higher levels, involving the greater diversion of resources that could have helped to promote the well-being of all peoples.

"II. GOALS AND PRINCIPLES

"6. The goals of the Second Disarmament Decade should be conceived in the context of the ultimate objective of the efforts of States in the disarmament process, which is general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as elaborated in the Final Document.

"7. Consistent with the overall objective, the goals of the Second Disarmament Decade should be the following:

"8. The disarmament process and the activities during the Second Disarmament Decade should be in accordance with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Final Document and should be carried out in such a balanced and equitable manner as to ensure the right of each State to security through the adoption of appropriate measures, taking into account the importance of nuclear disarmament and conventional disarmament, the special responsibility of the States with the largest military arsenals, the specific requirements of regional situations and the necessity for adequate measures of verification. At each stage, the objective should be undiminished security at the lowest possible level of armaments and military forces.

"9. Progress in disarmament should be accompanied by the strengthening of the peacemaking and peace-keeping functions of the United Nations in accordance with the Charter.

"III. ACTIVITIES

"A. General

"10. The decade of the 1980s should witness renewed intensification by all Governments and the United Nations of their efforts to reach agreement and to implement effective measures that will lead to discernible progress towards the goal of general and complete disarmament under effective international control. In this connection, special attention should be focused on certain identifiable elements in the Programme of Action as adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session which should, as a minimum, be accomplished during the Second Disarmament Decade both through negotiations in the multilateral negotiating forum, the Committee on Disarmament, and in other appropriate forums. Adequate methods and procedures of verification should be considered in the context of international disarmament negotiations.

"B. Comprehensive programme of disarmament

"11. Having been recognized as an important element in an international disarmament strategy, the comprehensive programme for disarmament should be elaborated with the utmost urgency. The Committee on Disarmament should expedite its work on the elaboration of the programme with a view to its adoption no later than at the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, scheduled for 1982.

"C. Priorities

"12. The accomplishment of those specific measures of disarmament which have been identified in the Final Document as worthy of priority negotiations by the multilateral negotiating organ would create a very favourable international climate for the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament. All efforts should be exerted, therefore, by the Committee on Disarmament urgently to negotiate with a view to reaching agreement, and to submit agreed texts where possible before the second special session devoted to disarmament on:

"13. The same priority should be given to the following measures which are dealt with outside the Committee on Disarmament:

"14. Other priority measures that should be pursued as rapidly as possible during the Second Disarmament Decade include:

"15. Peace and development are indivisible. During the Second Disarmament Decade, utmost efforts should be made towards the implementation of the specific measures whereby disarmament will contribute effectively to economic and social development and thus facilitate the full and early realization of the new international economic order. To this end, renewed efforts should be made to reach agreement on the reduction of military expenditures and the reallocation of resources from military purposes to economic and social development especially for the benefit of developing countries.

"16. Efforts should also be made to strengthen international cooperation for the promotion of the transfer and utilization of nuclear technology for economic and social development, especially in the developing countries, taking into account the provisions of all relevant paragraphs of the Final Document, in particular to ensure the success of the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy, to be convened in principle by 1983, as decided upon in General Assembly resolution 34/63 of 29 November 1979, as well as other promotional activities in this field in the United Nations system, including those within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

"E. Disarmament and international security

"17. An essential condition for progress in the field of disarmament is the preservation and strengthening of international peace and security and the promotion of confidence among States. Nuclear weapons pose the greatest danger to mankind and to the survival of civilization. It is essential to halt and reverse the nuclear-arms race in all its aspects in order to avert the danger of war involving nuclear weapons. The ultimate goal in this context is the complete elimination of nuclear weapons. Significant progress in nuclear disarmament would be facilitated both by parallel political and international legal measures to strengthen the security of States and by progress in the limitation and reduction of armed forces and conventional armaments of the nuclear-weapon States and other States in the regions concerned.

"18. All States Members of the United Nations have, in the Final Document, reaffirmed their full commitment to the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and their obligation strictly to observe its principles as well as other relevant and generally accepted principles of international law relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Disarmament, relaxation of international tension, respect for the right to self-determination and national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Charter and the strengthening of international peace and security are directly related to each other. Progress in any of these spheres has a beneficial effect on all of them; in turn, failure in one sphere has negative effects on others. In the decade of the 1980s, all Governments, in particular the most advanced military Powers, should therefore take such steps as will contribute to the widening of trust among nations of the world as well as in the various regions. This implies a commitment on the part of all States to avoid actions likely to increase tension or create new areas of threats to international peace and security and, in their relationship with other countries, strictly to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States, and the right of peoples under colonial or foreign domination to self-determination and national independence.

"F. Public awareness

"19. As stated in paragraph 15 of the Final Document, it is essential that not only Governments but also the peoples of the world recognize and understand the dangers in the present world armaments situation, so that world public opinion will be mobilized on behalf of peace and disarmament. This will be of great importance to the strengthening of international peace and security, the just and peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts and effective disarmament.

"20. In the course of the decade of the 1980s, therefore, governmental and non-governmental information organs of Member States and those of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations, should, as appropriate, undertake further programmes of information relating to the danger of the armaments race as well as to disarmament efforts and negotiations and their results, particularly by means of annual activities conducted in connection with Disarmament Week. These actions should constitute a large-scale programme further to alert world opinion to the danger of war in general and of nuclear war in particular. In keeping with its central role and primary responsibility in the sphere of disarmament, the United Nations, in particular its Centre for Disarmament, should intensify and coordinate its programme of publications, audio-visual materials, cooperation with non-governmental organizations and relations with the media. Among its activities, the United Nations should also, in the course of the Second Disarmament Decade, sponsor seminars in the different regions of the world at which issues relating to world disarmament, in general, and to the particular region, especially, will be extensively discussed.

"G. Studies

"21. As part of the process of facilitating the consideration of issues in the field of disarmament, studies on specific questions should be undertaken on the decision of the General Assembly, when necessary for preparing the ground for negotiations or reaching agreement. Also, studies pursued under the auspices of the United Nations, in particular by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research established by Assembly resolution 34/83 M of 11 December 1979 within the framework of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research, could bring a useful contribution to the knowledge and exploration of disarmament problems, especially in the long term.

"H. Implementation, review and appraisal

"22. In the accomplishment of the activities earmarked for the Second Disarmament Decade, all Governments, particularly the most advanced military Powers, should make an effective contribution. The United Nations should continue to play a central role. The Committee on Disarmament should fully discharge its responsibility as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating body. The General Assembly should, at its annual sessions and, in particular, at its second special session devoted to disarmament to be held in 1982, make an effective contribution to the pursuit of the goals of disarmament.

"23. It is pertinent also to recall that paragraphs 121 and 122 of the Final Document stated:

"24. In order to ensure a coordinated approach and to consider the implementation of the Declaration of the 1980s as the Second Disarmament Decade, this question should be included in the agenda of the second special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, envisaged for 1982.

"25. In addition, the General Assembly will undertake at its fortieth session, in 1985, a review and appraisal, through the Disarmament Commission, of progress in the implementation of the measures identified in the present Declaration."

C. Recommendations on agenda item 4 (a), "Consideration of various aspects of the arms race, particularly the

"1. Pursuant to the mandate of the General Assembly in its resolution 34/83 H, the Commission considered various aspects of the arms race, particularly the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament, in order to expedite negotiations aimed at effective elimination of the danger of nuclear war.

"2. The Commission noted with grave concern that, despite the consensus reached at the tenth special session of the General Assembly, devoted to disarmament, in favour of taking urgent steps to stop and reverse the arms race, the situation today is that the arms race among the Great Powers, particularly the nuclear-arms race, has further escalated and there are graver prospects of even further intensification of the arms race. International peace and security are threatened by the use or threat of use of force against sovereignty, national independence and territorial integrity of States, military intervention and occupation, hegemonism, interference in the internal affairs of States, the denial of the right of self-determination of peoples and nations under colonial and alien domination, and by the further escalation of the arms race and efforts to achieve military superiority. It is clear that if the emerging trend continues and meaningful efforts are not made to check and reverse this trend, international tensions will be further exacerbated and the danger of war will be greater than foreseen at the time of the special session on disarmament. In this connection, it is pertinent to recall that the Final Document of the special session emphasized that, on the one hand, the arms race in all its aspects runs counter to efforts to achieve further relaxation of international tension to establish a viable system of international peace and security and, on the other, that peace and security must be based on strict respect for the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

"4. The Commission noted with profound regret that there had been a marked lack of progress in the implementation of the Programme of Action agreed upon at the special session and that even the talks on a few limited arms control and limitation measures had either been suspended or were proceeding very slowly. In this situation, the responsibility of the United Nations to promote the goals of disarmament is greatly increased. The Commission, therefore, recommends to the General Assembly that it call upon all States to undertake measures for the implementation of the Programme of Action enumerated in the Final Document, including efforts to facilitate the resumption and continuation of the talks that have been interrupted and, more specifically, the measures to be agreed upon in connection with the Second Disarmament Decade.

"5. The Commission is firmly convinced that there can be no progress in disarmament and in the maintenance of international peace and security unless States adhere closely to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations as well as other relevant and generally accepted principles of international law relating to the maintenance of international peace and security, especially those regarding the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States, refraining from the use or threat of use of force against the sovereignty, territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or against peoples under colonial or foreign domination seeking to exercise their right to self-determination and to achieve independence, non-recognition of territorial acquisition by the use or threat of use of force as well as situations or special advantages resulting from the use or threat of use of force contrary to the Charter, non-intervention and non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, effective

collective international security through the United Nations, and the just and peaceful resolution of conflicts and disputes. The Disarmament Commission bears in mind the inherent right of States to individual and collective self-defence in accordance with the Charter and the right to self-determination of peoples under colonial and alien domination. The Commission underlines the fundamental importance for the achievement of the goals of disarmament of the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation, especially from regions of crises and tension. In this connection, the view was expressed that the elimination of foreign military bases is of fundamental importance for the achievement of the goals of disarmament. At the same time the view was expressed that the presence of foreign military bases is fully justified under the provisions of Article 51 of the Charter.

"6. Pursuant to the mandate contained in paragraph 2 of General Assembly resolution 34/83 E, the Commission also considered aspects of the arms race with the aim of elaborating, within the framework and in accordance with the priorities established at the tenth special session, a general approach to negotiations on nuclear and conventional disarmament.

"7. The Commission recalled that the General Assembly at its special session had declared that, among all disarmament measures, effective measures of nuclear disarmament and the prevention of nuclear war had the highest priority and that all the nuclear-weapon States, in particular those among them which possessed the most important nuclear arsenals, bore a special responsibility in achieving the goals of nuclear disarmament.

"8. The Commission would recommend that urgent action be taken to prevent the further spiralling of the nuclear-arms race. The Commission expressed the view that the Committee on Disarmament should fully discharge its responsibilities in the field of nuclear disarmament and should, therefore, continue its efforts to undertake negotiations with a view to the cessation of the nuclear arms race and to the achievement of nuclear disarmament in conformity with its mandate in order to achieve the objectives specified in paragraph 50 and other relevant paragraphs of the Final Document.

"10. While reiterating the relevant provisions in the Final Document for the need to resolutely pursue agreements or other measures on a bilateral, regional and multilateral basis with the aim of strengthening peace and security at lower levels of military potential by the limitation and reduction of armed forces and conventional weapons, the Commission also stressed that, in keeping with the provisions of the Final Document, the adoption of conventional disarmament measures should take place in an equitable and balanced manner taking into account the right of each State to protect its security and to defend its independence and territorial integrity, as well as the inalienable right to self-determination and independence of peoples under colonial or foreign domination.

"11. The Commission considered a proposal for a study on all aspects of the conventional arms race and on disarmament relating to conventional weapons and armed forces. In the light of its discussions the Commission noted the wide support in favour of recommending to the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session that it approve, in principle, the proposal for the study on disarmament relating to conventional weapons and armed forces to be undertaken after the general approach of the study, its structure and scope had been fully discussed and agreed upon. At the same time, the Commission noted that strong objections or reservations were made from various quarters to such a study on several grounds."

"1. The General Assembly, at its thirty-fifth session, adopted resolution 35/156 A of 12 December 1980, in which it approved in principle the carrying out of a study on all aspects of the conventional arms race and on disarmament relating to conventional weapons and armed forces, to be undertaken by the Secretary-General with the assistance of a group of qualified experts appointed by him on a balanced geographical basis. The General Assembly also agreed that the Disarmament Commission should work out the general approach to the study, its structure and scope, and requested the Disarmament Commission to convey to the Secretary-General the conclusion of its deliberations which should constitute the guidelines for the study.

"2. At its thirty-sixth session, the General Assembly adopted resolution 36/97 A of 9 December 1981, in which, inter alia, it requested the Disarmament Commission at its substantive session in 1982 to complete its consideration of the general approach to the study, its structure and scope and to transmit the conclusions of its deliberations to the group of experts.

"3. In fulfilment of this task, the Disarmament Commission has agreed that the following text should constitute the guidelines for this study.

"4. The general approach of the study should take full account of the following provisions and principles:

"5. The scope and structure of the study should contain the following conceptual and/or practical elements:

"6. In addition to other sources, it is recommended that the group of experts should make full use of the studies by the Secretary-General already completed or in preparation, and should take into account four working papers submitted to the Disarmament Commission (A/CN.10/27, 28, 33 and 34).

"7. In their findings, the members of the expert group should include their assessments of the effects of the conventional arms race on the prospects for disarmament. Following the guidelines set out above, they should also identify areas in which measures to curb the conventional arms race and to achieve conventional disarmament ought to be pursued and make recommendations accordingly."

"1. At its thirty-fifth session the General Assembly, by its resolution 35/46 of 3 December 1980, unanimously adopted the Declaration of the 1980s as the Second Disarmament Decade, which is set forth in the annex to that resolution.

"2. Paragraph 25 of the Declaration stated that the General Assembly would undertake, at its fortieth session, in 1985, a review and appraisal, through the Disarmament Commission, of progress in the implementation of the measures identified in the Declaration. Accordingly, at its thirty-ninth session, the General Assembly, by resolution 39/148 Q, decided to undertake such a review and appraisal and requested the Disarmament Commission at its session in 1985 to make a preliminary assessment of the implementation of the Declaration, as well as suggestions to ensure progress, and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its fortieth session.

"3. Paragraph 7 of the Declaration set out the following as the goals of the Decade:

"4. Paragraph 8 of the Declaration stated that the disarmament process and the activities during the Second Disarmament Decade should be in accordance with the fundamental principles enshrined in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly (resolution S-10/2) and should be carried out in such a balanced and equitable manner as to ensure the right of each State to security through the adoption of appropriate measures, taking into account the importance of nuclear disarmament and conventional disarmament, the special responsibility of the States with the largest military arsenals, the specific requirements of regional situations and the necessity for adequate measures of verification. At each stage, the objective should be undiminished security at the lowest possible level of armaments and military forces.

"5. Paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 laid out the areas deserving priority treatment as follows:

'12. ... All efforts should be exerted, therefore, by the Committee on Disarmament urgently to negotiate with a view to reaching agreement, and to submit agreed texts where possible before the second special session devoted to disarmament on:

'13. The same priority should be given to the following measures which are dealt with outside the Committee on Disarmament:

'14. Other priority measures that should be pursued as rapidly as possible during the Second Disarmament Decade include:

"6. Though the mid-point of the Decade has been reached, its goals are far from being achieved. It is a matter of regret that, in spite of the efforts of many States, no substantial progress has been made even on items of highest priority. The threat to the survival of mankind is no less today than it was at the beginning of the Decade.

"7. An encouraging development is the initiation of bilateral negotiations between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America in accordance with the joint communiqué issued by the two Governments on 8 January 1985. Progress in these talks should have beneficial effects on the multilateral disarmament process as well as help to reduce international tension, thus promoting the global security environment.

"8. The United Nations should be kept appropriately informed of these negotiations without prejudice to their progress.

"9. The Disarmament Commission expects that all States Members of the United Nations, in particular those possessing the largest military arsenals, will resolutely pursue the objectives set forth in the Declaration and achieve concrete results during the remaining five years of the Decade.

"10. The Disarmament Commission accordingly recommends to the General Assembly to call upon all States, particularly the nuclear-weapon States, to:

F. Guidelines for appropriate types of confidence-building measures and for the implementation of such measures

"The Commission has elaborated the subsequent guidelines for appropriate types of confidence-building measures for the consideration of the General Assembly at its forty-first session, in keeping with resolution 39/63 E.

"The text of the guidelines is agreed on all counts.

"The Commission wishes to draw particular attention to paragraph 1.2.5 of the guidelines where it is emphasized that the accumulation of relevant experience with confidence-building measures may necessitate the further development of the text at a later time, should the General Assembly so decide.

"In elaborating the guidelines, all delegations were aware, notwithstanding the high significance and role of confidence-building measures, of the primary importance of disarmament measures and the singular contribution only disarmament can make to the prevention of war, in particular nuclear war. Some delegations would have wished to see the criteria and characteristics of a regional approach to confidence-building measures spelt out in greater detail.

"1. General considerations

"2. Guidelines for appropriate types of confidence-building measures and for their implementation

"I. PRINCIPLES OF VERIFICATION

"In the context of pursuing general and complete disarmament under effective international control, as a matter of critical importance in the negotiation and implementation of arms limitation and disarmament agreements, the Disarmament Commission affirms the continued relevance of the principles concerning verification as enunciated in the following paragraphs of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly:

"The Disarmament Commission considers that the following general principles elaborate upon or add to those stated in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly. While further work can be done to formulate adequately these and other principles relating to verification, the following is a non-exhaustive listing of such principles:

"II. PROVISIONS AND TECHNIQUES OF VERIFICATION

"1. The Disarmament Commission recognizes that there is a variety of methods, procedures and techniques available for the verification of compliance with arms limitation and disarmament agreements. No verification arrangements can be absolutely foolproof. Adequate and effective verification will involve the use of a combination of various verification methods, procedures and techniques which will operate in such a manner that they reinforce one another. Some methods, procedures and techniques are uniquely applicable in specific arms limitation and disarmament contexts, while others have wider applicability. The determination of the appropriate details and combination of methods, procedures and techniques will vary with the scope and nature of the arms limitation and disarmament agreement and will be a critical component of the specific treaty negotiations.

"2. The Disarmament Commission also emphasizes that the inclusion of provisions respecting procedures for consultation and cooperation can greatly assist in resolving problems emerging in the course of the implementation of arms limitation and disarmament agreements, such as concerns about compliance. Such provisions for consultation and cooperation could involve the use of some or all of the following: bilateral consultations, the United Nations, and/or the use of organizations set up under the specific agreement in question.

"3. The Disarmament Commission also recognizes that under general international law, parties to treaties are obligated to take the measures necessary for implementation of the treaty at the national level. Such national measures should be undertaken in a fashion to facilitate adequate and effective verification.

"4. The Disarmament Commission recognizes the utility of continuing the examination of verification methods, procedures and techniques. One possible example of the work that could be done is the preparation of a compilation of possible verification methods, procedures and techniques, including those which form part of existing arms limitation and disarmament agreements as well as those which have been proposed. Such a catalogue, which could form part of a verification database, would be illustrative and would exemplify the range and scope of methods, procedures and techniques applicable to the verification of compliance. It could be useful in facilitating a consideration of verification as an integral part of arms limitation and disarmament negotiations. The survey of methods, procedures and techniques that would be necessary to prepare such a compilation could also provide the initial steps towards producing a directory of sources of verification expertise. It could also serve to identify current research activities relating to verification and indicate areas where more research would be beneficial. The format and expense of such a catalogue should be subject to further examination.

"5. The Disarmament Commission takes note that many countries have provided to the international community the results of their research concerning verification matters, whether it be in the use of existing technology or in the consideration of how technology might evolve in order to facilitate the verification of future agreements. The Disarmament Commission commends to experts and researchers the worthy endeavour of deepening the international community's understanding of verification provisions and techniques.

"III. THE ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS AND ITS MEMBER
STATES IN THE FIELD OF VERIFICATION

"2. The Disarmament Commission takes note of various views expressed and concrete proposals made, within the framework of its discussions, by a number of countries with respect to the nature and scope of the role that the United Nations could possibly play in the context of verification of compliance with arms limitation and disarmament agreements. These proposals, which were discussed but on which no consensus was possible, include, inter alia: (a) the establishment of a verification database within the United Nations; (b) the development of a United Nations capacity to provide advice to negotiators respecting verification matters; (c) research into the process, structures, procedures and techniques of verification as well as the role of the United Nations, beginning with a request to the Secretary-General to look into these and other matters with the assistance of qualified experts; (d) on a responsive basis, and with the consent of the parties to an arms limitation and disarmament negotiation or agreement, potential involvement by the United Nations in the formulation and implementation of verification provisions of specific agreements; (e) the establishment of an integrated multilateral verification system within the United Nations; and (f) the setting up, under the aegis of the United Nations, of a mechanism for extensive international verification of compliance with agreements on reducing international tension and limiting armaments and on the military situation in conflict areas."

"1. Guided by the fundamental and universal principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and with reference to the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in South Africa adopted by consensus at the sixteenth special session of the General Assembly (resolution S-16/1, annex), the Commission reiterates its condemnation of the continuation of the policy and practice of apartheid in South Africa which is a crime against the conscience and dignity of mankind. While noting that certain positive developments are now taking place in South Africa, the Commission stresses that the apartheid system and its institutionalized pillars still remain in place. In reaffirming the right of all peoples to self-determination, the Commission supports all those in South Africa who strive for the elimination of apartheid and the building of a non-racial and democratic society in that country.

"2. The Commission recalls Security Council resolution 418 (1977) which, inter alia, expressed the Council's grave concern that South Africa was, at that time, at the threshold of producing nuclear weapons. The use of its nuclear capability by South Africa for nuclear-weapon purposes would heighten tension and increase the threat to regional as well as international peace and security.

"3. The Commission further recalls that the Security Council had, by its resolution 418 (1977), determined that the acquisition by South Africa of arms and related matériel constituted a threat to the maintenance of international peace and security and had decided that all States shall cease forthwith any provision to South Africa of arms and related matériel.

"4. The issue of South Africa's nuclear capability has been brought to international attention by General Assembly resolution 34/76 B of 11 December 1979 and included in the agenda of the Disarmament Commission since its first substantive session in 1979 at the request of the Chairman of the Special Committee against Apartheid (A/CN.10/4), following the conclusions of the United Nations Seminar on Nuclear Collaboration with South Africa, held at London in February 1979.

"5. In consideration of the item the Commission reaffirms with regard to South Africa the concern already expressed in paragraph 12 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly (General Assembly resolution S-10/2). In this respect, the Commission strongly recommends that the General Assembly renew its call upon all States to adhere strictly to the relevant decisions of the Security Council.

"6. The proliferation of nuclear weapons to any country is a matter of serious concern to the world. South Africa's introduction of nuclear weapons to the African continent, and particularly in such a volatile region as southern Africa, not only would be a severe blow to worldwide efforts at non-proliferation but also upset many years' efforts to spare the African continent from the nuclear-arms race in accordance with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Declaration on the Denuclearization of Africa.

"7. The Commission notes the 1977 reports of the discovery of preparations for a nuclear-weapons-test site in the Kalahari desert and reports about the 22 September 1979 event in the South Atlantic. These reports and the report of the Secretary-General on South Africa's plan and capability in the nuclear field (A/35/401 and Corr.1) and the report of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (A/39/470) have caused legitimate and particular concern to the African States and the international community, in general.

"8. The Commission recommends that the General Assembly bring to the Security Council's attention the grave consequences of the development of any sort of nuclear-weapons capability by South Africa and its implications for the security of African States, the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the collective decision of the African States regarding the denuclearization of Africa, which has been endorsed by the General Assembly.

"9. The Commission considers it at variance with the development of friendly relations and cooperation among States to assist South Africa in the development of a nuclear-weapon programme enabling the regime to pursue a policy of destabilization against the countries of the African continent. In this respect, the Commission underscores Security Council resolution 591 (1986), in which the Council requested all States to refrain from any collaboration with South Africa in the nuclear field which will contribute to the development and manufacture by South Africa of nuclear weapons and nuclear explosive devices.

"10. All States and international organizations have the duty and responsibility to contribute to the efforts towards the elimination of apartheid. In addition, Member States should fully implement Security Council resolution 418 (1977), unanimously adopted by the Security Council, in which, inter alia, the Council called upon Member States to refrain from any cooperation with South Africa in the development and manufacture of nuclear weapons. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the international community to ensure that effective and concrete measures are taken to stop the development of its nuclear-weapons capability. To this end, the Disarmament Commission recommends that:

"1. The primary purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security. The United Nations constitutes the only universal forum where all Member States contribute to the process of disarmament. Its role and responsibilities in this field are exercised through institutional arrangements which Member States should utilize to fullest possible extent. In this connection, the effectiveness of the Organization in the field of disarmament should be strengthened and the work of its bodies improved.

"2. All States Members of the United Nations are committed to the purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and therefore must strictly observe its principles. They must also observe other relevant and generally accepted principles of international law relating to the maintenance of international peace and security. Furthermore, genuine and lasting peace should be sought through their observance and the speedy conclusion of concrete disarmament measures leading to general and complete disarmament under effective international control. Multilateral agreements on measures of disarmament play an important role in contributing to the maintenance of international peace and security.

"3. All the peoples of the world have a vital interest in the success of disarmament negotiations. While disarmament is the responsibility of all States, the nuclear-weapon States, in particular those among them which possess the most important nuclear arsenals, have a special responsibility for nuclear disarmament and, together with other militarily significant States, for halting and reversing the arms race. It was noted that in discharge of this responsibility important initial steps had been taken leading in this direction, and that further negotiations among some of those States were in progress.

"4. The United Nations should support and facilitate all disarmament efforts - unilateral, bilateral, regional and multilateral - and be kept duly informed, through the General Assembly or any other appropriate United Nations channel reaching all Members of the Organization, of developments in disarmament efforts outside its aegis, without prejudice to the progress of negotiations.

"5. All States should give due account and consideration to recommendations by the United Nations, including the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament, which was adopted by consensus, and act in accordance with the obligations they have assumed. All States have the right and the duty to be concerned with and to contribute to efforts in the field of disarmament as stipulated in the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly.

"6. Disarmament, development, relaxation of international tension, respect for the right to self-determination and national independence, non-interference in internal affairs of States, respect for human rights, the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Charter and the strengthening of international peace and security are related to each other. Progress in any of these spheres has a beneficial effect on all of them; in turn, failure in one sphere can have negative effects on the others.

"7. The improvement in the international security situation facilitates sustained progress in the field of disarmament. Equally, the conclusion of concrete disarmament agreements strengthens international peace and security. War, in particular nuclear war, must be prevented. Disarmament should be pursued in the context of strengthening international peace and security, in compliance with the Charter of the United Nations.

"8. The Conference on Disarmament has a unique character and importance as the single multilateral disarmament negotiating body, and it is important that it continue to discharge its substantive responsibilities. The Conference on Disarmament has a unique relationship with the United Nations. The Commission affirms that the work of the Conference is of great relevance to the Members of the United Nations. Accordingly, the General Assembly welcomes the decision of the Conference on Disarmament to improve its performance so as better to fulfil its responsibilities, implement its decisions at the earliest opportunity, to consider further questions related to its improved and effective functioning, to consider the question of the expansion of its membership, as well as the facilitation of the participation of States not members of the Conference.

"9. The Security Council, having regard to its special status and responsibilities pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Charter, should continue to ensure the effectiveness of its central role with regard to the maintenance of international peace and security, keeping in mind the interrelationship existing between disarmament, international peace and security.

"10. The General Assembly constitutes the main deliberative organ of the United Nations in the field of disarmament and should continue to promote disarmament and to facilitate the achievement of disarmament agreements among States, by the following means:

"11. In the exercise of his role as envisaged in the Charter, the Secretary-General facilitates the discharge of the responsibilities of the United Nations regarding the maintenance of international peace and security. All States should give the Secretary-General maximum support to enable him to discharge, as effectively as possible, his responsibilities under the Charter. In the exercise of his role, the Secretary-General should be assisted by an adequately staffed and funded Department for Disarmament Affairs. The resources accorded to the Department should be commensurate with the requirements of its mandated tasks in so far as the budgetary restraints of the United Nations permit. The role of the Department for Disarmament Affairs in assisting the Secretary-General in his coordination of the activities of the United Nations and relevant specialized agencies in the field of disarmament should be strengthened. When agreed by the parties, the Secretary-General of the United Nations should continue to serve as depositary of the legal instruments of multilateral disarmament agreements.

"12. In light of the modifications to the functioning of the Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters introduced by the Secretary-General in 1989, including the changing of its title, the Advisory Board should continue to play a useful role, particularly in its dual capacity as the Secretary-General's Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, as well as the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research; it could benefit from wider contacts with prominent persons and institutions possessing expertise relevant to the Board's work.

"13. In accordance with the statute and the autonomous status of the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, its work should continue to be independent-research-oriented, of a high academic standard and of practical value. The Institute should strengthen its cooperation with national and regional research institutes in the field of disarmament. More financial contributions would ensure a greater viability and the development of the Institute.

"14. The Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean is a preparatory body tasked with the completion of organizational and substantive issues related to the convening of a Conference in Colombo which would seek to implement the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a zone of peace. It is the view of those voting in favour of General Assembly resolution 44/120 that the Ad Hoc Committee on the Indian Ocean should continue to fulfil its mandate.

"15. Without prejudice to the outcome of its ongoing assessment, the World Disarmament Campaign, as a global information programme, should continue its contributions by informing, educating, and generating public understanding and support for the objectives of the United Nations in the field of arms limitation and disarmament in a balanced, factual and objective manner. Member States and other entities are encouraged to broaden the financial base of support of the Campaign with further voluntary contributions as well as to cooperate by other means so as to increase its effectiveness. The Commission recommends that all Member States should continue to mark the observance of Disarmament Week, which was proclaimed by the General Assembly at its first special session devoted to disarmament, as a week devoted to fostering the objectives of disarmament. It notes that this annual observance would continue to play an important role in promoting the objectives of the World Disarmament Campaign.

"16. The regional centres for peace and disarmament should continue to contribute to the promotion of disarmament, mutual confidence, peace and security. In addition, the activities of these centres would further enhance the objectives of the World Disarmament Campaign. In order to ensure the effective functioning and viability of the regional centres, the Disarmament Commission encourages Member States as well as other entities to make contributions to these centres.

"17. The United Nations Disarmament Fellowship, Training and Advisory Services Programme contributes usefully to the development of greater expertise in disarmament issues in Member States. Consequently, the Programme should be continued in accordance with guidelines approved by the General Assembly at its thirty-third and fortieth sessions, duly taking into account in the yearly selection of fellows, the principle of adequate representation of developing countries and the need for rotation among States."

"1. The Working Group recalled the priorities in disarmament established by the General Assembly in the Final Document of its Tenth Special Session, the first special session devoted to disarmament, as stated in paragraph 45, namely: nuclear weapons; other weapons of mass destruction, including chemical weapons; conventional weapons, including any which may be deemed to be excessively injurious or to have indiscriminate effects; and reduction of armed forces. As stated in paragraph 46 of the Final Document, nothing should preclude States from conducting negotiations on all priority items concurrently. The Group took into account the principles derived from the Final Document which provided the perspective on and addressed the subjects of the conventional arms race and conventional disarmament as identified in paragraph 8 of the Study on Conventional Disarmament (A/39/348).