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

First Committee

6^th Meeting (AM)

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DEVELOPMENT FOCUS OF DEBATE IN DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE

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Military Outlays to Development Could Help Meet Anti-Poverty Goals

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Background

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this morning to continue its general debate on the whole range of disarmament and security issues before it.

Statements

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LOTFI BOUCHAARA, ( Morocco) …

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He called for a special effort to work for results in particular regions, specifically the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.  The Middle East, and Israel, needed to accede to the NPT.  Peace and security in the Mediterranean region would entail reducing inequalities between the north and south shores to promote the emergence of sustainable development and shared prosperity.  The considerable ravages caused by the trafficking of small arms, especially in Africa, justified the importance the United Nations gave to the issue.  He commended the marking and tracing of small arms and supported a legally binding instrument.  The existing instrument, although only a policy document, did constitute a step in the right direction.

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ABDELHAMID GHARBI ( Tunisia) …

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The establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements arrived at freely among the States of the region concerned also had his support, he said.  In that regard, he regretted the delay in creating such a zone in the Middle East, owing to Israel’s refusal to accede to the NPT and place its nuclear facilities under the safeguards agreements of the IAEA.  He called on the international community, specifically the Powers with influence, to take urgent, practical measures to establish such a zone.  …

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ERSIN ERÇIN ( Turkey) …

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…  He reiterated support for the idea of creating a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East.  The progressive increase in the range and accuracy of ballistic missiles made the proliferation threat all the more frightening.  …

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For information media • not an official record