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

TEXT OF PROMOTION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES

ONE OF 7 DRAFT RESOLUTIONS APPROVED IN DISARMAMENT COMMITTEE

Others Concern Environmental Norms, Disarmament Education,

Telecommunications, Development, Practical Disarmament, Mediterranean

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A draft on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region would have the Assembly express its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems of the region through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all the countries and the right of the people to self-determination.

The representatives of Egypt and Belarus introduced revised draft resolutions.  Statements were made by the representatives of Iraq, United States, France and India.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Monday, 30 October, to continue taking action on all disarmament and security-related draft resolutions.

Committee Work Programme

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By the terms of a draft resolution on the strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/55/L.27) the General Assembly would express its satisfaction at the continuing efforts by Mediterranean countries to contribute actively to the elimination of all causes of tension in the region and to the promotion of just and lasting solutions to the persistent problems of the region through peaceful means, thus ensuring the withdrawal of foreign forces of occupation and respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all the countries and the right of the people to self-determination.  It would call for full adherence to the principles of non-interference, non-intervention, non-use of force or threat of use of force and the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by force, in accordance with the Charter and relevant resolutions of the United Nations.

By further terms of the draft resolution, the Assembly would commend the efforts of the Mediterranean countries towards the general objective of turning the region into an area of dialogue, exchange and cooperation, guaranteeing peace, stability and prosperity.  The Assembly would recognize that the elimination of the economic and social disparities in levels of development and other obstacles in the Mediterranean area will contribute to enhancing peace, security and cooperation.  It would further call upon States of the region that had not yet done so to adhere to all multilaterally negotiated legal instruments related to the field of disarmament and non-proliferation, thus creating the necessary conditions for strengthening peace and security in the region.

The draft resolution is sponsored by Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Luxembourg, Malta, Mauritania, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey and United Kingdom.

Introduction of Revised Drafts

ALLA ISSA (Egypt) said he had conducted extensive consultations during the past weeks on the text concerning the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East (document A/C.1/55/L.29/Rev.1).  The present draft was a sincere and honest result derived from the remarks and concerns conveyed to his delegation in the course of those conversations.  A new operative paragraph 1 welcomed the conclusions on the Middle East of the 2000 Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons  (NPT) Review Conference.  What was now operative paragraph 3 calls upon the remaining State in the Middle East not yet party to the NPT to accede to it without further delay and not to develop, produce, test or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons and to renounce their possession.  It also calls on it to place its unsafeguarded nuclear facilities under full scope International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

He recalled the introduction of the draft last week in which he explained that the text had invited Israel to join the 182 States that had renounced the nuclear weapon option.  Acceptance of that had become a moral and political obligation if the NPT was to remain a credible instrument with non-proliferation value.  The draft was not confrontational.  Rather, it encouraged the remaining State not party to the NPT in the Middle East to accept the same legally binding non-proliferation commitments, as all other States in the region had done, and to refrain from any action that could undermine peace and security.  The draft continued to take account of developments during the year, particularly over the past six months — developments that had had particular significance in the Middle East.  On behalf of the draft's co-sponsors, he urged Member States to send a clear message that there was no selectivity when it came to non-proliferation and that the consensus agreed to five months ago should be respected.  That would be best conveyed by a positive vote for the draft.

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Action on Texts

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The draft resolution on strengthening security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region (document A/C.1/55/L.27) was also approved without a vote.

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