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

ADAPTING TO WORLD'S CHANGING REALITY, WHILE NOT RENEGOTIATING BASIC PRINCIPLES

GREATEST CHALLENGE FOR CURRENT SESSION, DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE TOLD

Under-Secretary-General Says Committee Has Responsibility

To Clarify Common Goals, Identify New Norms, Asses Progress

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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 before the Committee include:

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In his report on the establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East (document A/59/165, Part I), the Secretary-General notes that the issue remains of considerable importance.  States parties to the NPT, during the third preparatory session for 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 report also offers replies from China, Guatemala, Ireland (on behalf of the European Union), Israel, Lebanon, Mexico, Oman, Syria and Venezuela.

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Statements

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ANDERS LIDÉN (Sweden) spoke on behalf of the New Agenda Coalition, …

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…  Before concluding, he noted with concern that the following goals had still not been achieved:  a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East; legally binding security assurances from nuclear-weapon States for non-nuclear-weapon States within the NPT; and negotiations on a verifiable fissile material cut-off treaty.

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