Nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East – First Cttee debate – Press release (excerpts)

First Committee

2^nd Meeting (AM)

WORLD COMMUNITY ‘STUMBLING’ IN FACING DISARMAMENT, NON-PROLIFERATION

CHALLENGES, UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS FIRST COMMITTEE

General Debate Begins; Chairman Cites ‘Crisis’

In Multilateral Disarmament, Says Committee Must Help Break Impasse

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Background

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this morning to begin its general debate on all disarmament and international security agenda items.  Reports of the Secretary-General before the Committee include:

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In his combined report on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East and the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/60/126), the Secretary-General says the issues remain of considerable importance.  State parties to the NPT, in general debate and at the 2005 Review Conference, reiterated their support for such a zone, reaffirmed the importance of the implementation of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference’s resolution on the Middle East, and recognized that the resolution remained valid until its goals and objectives were achieved.  The Secretary-General welcomes recent attempts to give new impetus to the Road Map and calls upon all concerned parties to resume dialogue.  The report contains replies from Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Iran, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Russian Federation and Syria.

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Statements

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GLAUDINE MTSHALI (South Africa), on behalf of the countries of the New Agenda Coalition -– Brazil, Egypt, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand and Sweden —  …

… recalled the resolution on the Middle East and renewed its support to rid the region of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction.

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HAMIDON ALI ( Malaysia) …

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…  Full adherence to all provisions of the international disarmament treaties by States parties was the only sustainable approach to multilateral disarmament and the prevention of proliferation activities.  He also pressed for the entry into force of the CTBT, as well as for the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones worldwide, especially in the Middle East.

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For information media • not an official record