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

First Committee

9^th Meeting (PM)

NPT DISARMAMENT OBLIGATIONS, NUCLEAR-WEAPON CONVENTION, REDUCING

NUCLEAR DANGER AMONG ISSUES ADDRESSED IN FIRST COMMITTEE TEXTS

Other Drafts Concern Missiles, Nuclear-Weapon-Free

Southern Hemisphere, World Court Opinion on Legality of Nuclear-Weapon Use

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Background

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to continue its thematic debate on nuclear weapons.

Statements

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HAMAD OBAID I. AL ZAABI ( United Arab Emirates) …

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The international community must rise to the challenges and set up an international, universal and unconditional instrument of security assurances to the non-nuclear-weapon States, he urged.  Those must also reaffirm the global and irreversible nature of nuclear weapon-related treaties, particularly the NPT.  He called on the State concerned to abide by its obligations and to respect the IAEA’s mandate, and on all States to live up to the principles of transparency and non-discrimination.  Double standards must be eliminated in all policies, which should also be mindful of international law and existing treaties in the field.  Additional nuclear-weapon-free zones should be created, especially in the Arab Gulf and Middle East regions, as steps towards attaining the non-proliferation goals.  At the same time, the right to nuclear material for peaceful purposes should be preserved, he said.

SIHAM MOURABIT ( Morocco) …

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…  Morocco remained alarmed at the situation in the Middle East and the fact there was no establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones.  Morocco’s commitment to general and complete disarmament stemmed from a firm conviction that international security depended on Member States giving a special place to the economic and social development the world over.  The CTBT needed to be rapidly entered into force and work needed to be done for a fissile material cut-off treaty.

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For information media • not an official record