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

TERRORIST THREATS DEMAND NEW DEFINITION OF SECURITY, DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE TOLD

Peaceful Use of Outer Space, Nuclear-Weapon-Free

Middle East among Other Issues in Continuing General Debate

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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 arms limitation and security arrangements.  (For background, see Press Release GA/DIS/3271 and 3272.)

Statements

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ABDULAZIZ NASSER AL-SHAMSI (United Arab Emirates) …

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Lamenting that nuclear-weapon States were not necessarily carrying out disarmament, he called for the creation of an international legally binding instrument that would guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States.  He also called for the development of specialized mechanisms that would monitor the gradual elimination of nuclear weapons, as well as the establishment of an international agency authorized to negotiate a fissile material cut-off treaty.  With respect to non-nuclear-weapon States, he urged them to exercise self-control and not attempt to acquire nuclear weapons.  Reiterating his call for a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, he called on the international community to compel Israel, the only country in the region that was not party to the NPT, to dismantle its “dangerous nuclear facilities”.

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