A/50/PV.90 General Assembly

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 1995 — Session 50, Meeting 90 — New York — UN Document ↗

The meeting was called to order at 3.20 p.m.
Vote: A/RES/50/61 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (157)
Vote: A/RES/50/63 Recorded Vote
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Vote: A/RES/50/64 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (110)
Vote: A/RES/50/67 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (3)
✓ Yes (154)
Vote: A/RES/50/68 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (122)
Vote: A/RES/50/70A Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (86)
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✓ Yes (140)
Vote: A/RES/50/70C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (154)
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✓ Yes (149)
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✓ Yes (111)
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✓ Yes (150)
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (165)
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✓ Yes (158)
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (157)
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✓ Yes (105)
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✓ Yes (106)
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (161)
Vote: A/RES/50/71E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (108)
Vote: A/RES/50/73 Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (100)
Vote: A/RES/50/76 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (123)
Vote: A/RES/50/62 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (104)
Vote: A/RES/50/69 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (121)

Reports of the First Committee

The President #19082
This afternoon, the General Assembly will consider the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 57 to 81. I request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Mr. Rajab Sukayri of Jordan, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention. Mr. Sukayri (Jordan), Rapporteur of the First Committee: It is my great honour and privilege to present to the General Assembly the reports of the disarmament and international security Committee, the First Committee. The reports of the First Committee under agenda items 57 to 81 are contained in documents A/50/577 to A/50/601, inclusive. In this connection, I would like to indicate that corrigenda have been issued to documents A/50/585, A/50/590 and A/50/600. This year, the Committee had before it for consideration a total of 25 items, which subsumed 21 sub- items. The Committee concluded its work in 29 formal meetings and seven informal meetings, in a spirit of accommodation, despite the number of complex issues with which the Committee was confronted. Also, with the need for further rationalization of the work and proceedings of the Committee in mind, every effort was made to utilize the conference facilities accorded to the Committee in an efficient and effective manner. The Committee devoted nine meetings, from 16 to 26 October, to the combined general debate on all disarmament and international security agenda items. In order to enhance the effectiveness of its work, the Committee at this session once again set aside time for a structured discussion of specific subjects within the framework of a thematic approach, by holding seven informal meetings, from 30 October to 3 November 1995. This phase of the work of the Committee lent a higher degree of coherence to the discussions and made them more focused and action-oriented. At the current session, the Committee considered a total of 48 draft resolutions, of which two draft resolutions — A/C.1/50/L.14, entitled “Status of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction”, and A/C.1/50/L.15, entitled “Prohibition of the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices” — were not pressed to action by their respective sponsors. Of the draft proposals adopted, 24 draft resolutions and one draft decision were adopted by the Committee without a vote; this constituted some 50 per cent of the total number of proposals adopted. During the general debate, Member States raised, and focused on, a plethora of issues in the field of international security and disarmament, ranging from the issue of small arms to the prevention of an arms race in outer space and from bilateral nuclear arms negotiations to nuclear-weapon-free zones. However, the following The Committee adopted a draft resolution on the NPT Conference which took note of the Conference’s three decisions, namely, strengthening the review process for the Treaty; principles and objectives for nuclear non- proliferation and disarmament; and extension of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. It also noted the resolution on the Middle East adopted by the parties to the Treaty on 11 May 1995. Other issues that were focused upon during the discussion included continued nuclear testing by nuclear- weapon States other than those that still observe a voluntary moratorium on testing. This constituted one of the most controversial questions, both during the discussion and later on during the consideration of and action on draft resolutions. Another issue of clear significance within the area of nuclear weapons was the establishment, or consolidation, of nuclear-weapon-free zones in the Middle East, South Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition, a draft resolution entitled “Final text of the African Nuclear- Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (the Pelindaba Treaty)” was adopted without a vote. The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East continued this year to be controversial in spite of the fact that the title as well as the content of the draft resolution on this subject has this year been considerably improved with a view to finding consensus language. The general debate in the First Committee also involved such issues as transparency in armaments, where The Committee’s deliberations highlighted other issues such as the ongoing Conference on certain conventional weapons, which is addressing the question of the Protocol on land-mines; a moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines; disarmament and development; a regional approach to disarmament; the role of science and technology in disarmament; and the newly introduced question of “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. Among the controversial issues tackled by the Committee this year was that of convening a fourth special General Assembly session devoted to disarmament. Views varied concerning, inter alia, a specific time-frame for that special session, and no compromise was reached to pave the way for consensus on this issue. Finally, it should be noted that this year also the question of rationalization of the work of the First Committee enjoyed the support of delegations, and the Committee adopted a decision, based on a proposal introduced by the Chairman of the Committee, to the effect that consultations aiming at further rationalization should be continued until the fifty-second session, when this item would be taken up again by the Committee. In conclusion, I should like to extend a well- deserved tribute to all the members of the First Committee, whose spirit of cooperation and conciliation made it possible for the Committee to conclude its work at the current session of the General Assembly one day ahead of schedule. I should like to pay a special tribute to the Chairman of the First Committee, His Excellency Ambassador Luvsangiin Erdenechuluun of Mongolia, whose impeccable mastery of disarmament and international I should like to thank the Committee’s Vice-Chairmen, His Excellency Ambassador Antonio de Icaza of Mexico and His Excellency Ambassador Wolfgang Hoffmann of Germany, for the excellent manner in which they discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them. I should also like to express my appreciation to the Under-Secretary- General for Political Affairs, Mr. Marrack Goulding, and to the Director of the Centre for Disarmament Affairs, Mr. Prvoslav Davinic, for their contribution to the work of the Committee. I also take great pleasure in thanking the Committee Secretary, Mr. Sohrab Kheradi, whose knowledge and vast experience in the field of disarmament contributed immensely to the successful conclusion of the work of the Committee. I should also like to thank all those who collaborated with him, including Mr. Sattar, Mr. Alasaniya, Mrs. Kulanusorstit and Mrs. Nania.

74.  Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects Report of the First Committee (A/50/594)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.34 Consensus

75.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (A/50/595)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.6/Rev.1 Consensus

77.  Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco) Report of the First Committee (A/50/597)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.5/Rev.1 Consensus

79.  Report of the First Committee (A/50/599)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.51 Consensus

80.  Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction Report of the First Committee (A/50/600 and Corr.1)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.1/Rev.1 Consensus
The President #19083
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the First Committee that are before it today.
It was so decided.
The President #19084
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the First Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the Assembly agreed that “When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee”. May I remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats. I would also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the First Committee.

57.  Compliance with arms limitation and disarmament obligations Report of the First Committee (A/50/577)

The President #19085
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 11 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled “Compliance with arms limitations and disarmament agreements”, was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

71.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (A/50/591)

Vote: A/C.1/50/L.11 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/60).

72.  Report of the First Committee (A/50/592)

Vote: 57/60 Consensus
The President #19086
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 57?
It was so decided.

58.  Education and information for disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/50/578)

The President #19087
In paragraph 5 of its report, the First Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 58. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the report of the First Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 58?
Vote: 57/60 Consensus
It was so decided.

Verification in all its aspects, including the role of the United Nations in the field of verification Report of the First Committee (A/50/579)

The President #19088
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 157 votes to 1, with 6 abstentions (resolution 50/61).
The President #19089
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 59?
It was so decided.

60.  Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security Report of the First Committee (A/50/580)

The President #19090
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 109 votes to none, with 54 abstentions.
The President #19091
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60?
It was so decided.

Reduction of military budgets Report of the First Committee (A/50/581)

The President #19092
In paragraph 5 of its report, the First Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 61. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of the report of the First Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 61?
It was so decided.

62.  Scientific and technological developments and their impact on international security Report of the First Committee (A/50/582)

The President #19093
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament”. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of the Islamic Republic of Iran informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 104 votes to 6, with 53 abstentions (resolution 50/62).
The President #19094
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 62?
It was so decided.

63.  The role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields

The President #19095
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 10 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 157 votes to none, with 9 abstentions (resolution 50/63).
The President #19096
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 63?
It was so decided.

64.  Amendment of the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water Report of the First Committee (A/50/584)

The President #19097
I call on the representative of Swaziland, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote or position before the vote.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19098
My delegation wishes to explain that we could not hammer out any position in the First Committee because we were awaiting instructions from our capital. Fortunately, my delegation is now ready to take action as per instructions.
The President #19099
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 110 votes to 4, with 45 abstentions (resolution 50/64).
The President #19100
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 64?
It was so decided.

Comprehensive test-ban treaty Report of the First Committee (A/50/585 and Corr.1)

The President #19101
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 2. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 2. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19102
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution as a whole. The draft resolution as a whole was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution as a whole was adopted (resolution 50/65).
The President #19103
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 65?
It was so decided.

66.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/50/586) The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?

The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/66).
The President #19104
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 66?
It was so decided.

67.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia Report of the First Committee (A/50/587)

The President #19105
I call on the representative of Swaziland, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote or position before the vote.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19106
Here again, we could not participate in the decision in the First Committee because we had not received word from our capital. Fortunately, we are ready today.
The President #19107
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 154 votes to 3, with 9 abstentions (resolution 50/67).
The President #19108
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 67? It was so decided. Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons Report of the First Committee (A/50/588)
The President #19109
I call on the representative of Swaziland, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote or position before the vote.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19110
We now have the instructions that we had not received at the time this item was discussed in the First Committee.
The President #19111
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Against: None Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uzbekistan
The draft resolution was adopted by 122 votes to none, with 44 abstentions (resolution 50/68).
The President #19112
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 68? It was so decided.

69.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/50/589)

The President #19113
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. Separate votes have been requested on the nineteenth preambular paragraph and on operative paragraphs 8 and 10. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the nineteenth preambular paragraph. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Samoa, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uzbekistan The nineteenth preambular paragraph was adopted by 106 votes to 1, with 57 abstentions. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19114
I shall next put to the vote operative paragraph 10. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 10 was adopted by 99 votes to 1, with 64 abstentions.
The President #19115
I now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of France informed the Secretariat that it had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution as a whole was adopted by 121 votes to none, with 46 abstentions (resolution 50/69).
The President #19116
I shall now call on the representative of Canada, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Snell CAN Canada #19117
In reference to the outer-space resolution before us, I want to affirm that Canada’s abstention this year does not represent a lessening of our commitment to ensuring the prevention of an arms race in outer space. It rather stems from our firm conviction that, on a priority basis in 1996, the Conference on Disarmament should focus its resources to the greatest degree possible on the achievement of an early and successful conclusion of the negotiations relating to a comprehensive test-ban treaty. We cannot support, therefore, the establishment of an ad hoc committee as called for in the resolution. As the Assembly is aware, over time Canada has been a strong and constant supporter of the discussions at the multilateral level in the Conference on Disarmament on issues relating to arms control in outer space. Canadian policy in this regard has not changed. It remains firmly based on the principle that outer space should remain, as it is now, weapons-free. Activities in the Conference on Disarmament relating to this objective will continue to receive our strong and direct support. It is our firm conviction that, with the successful conclusion of its nuclear

70.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/50/590 and Corr.1)

Vote: 57/69 Consensus
The President #19118
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 69?
It was so decided.
The President #19119
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote or position before the vote.
Vote: 57/70 Recorded Vote
✓ 157   ✗ 4   2 abs.
Show country votes
✓ Yes (105)
Mr. Felicio BRA Brazil #19120
I wish to explain my country’s position with regard to draft resolution Q, entitled “1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)”. This draft resolution appeared in document A/C.1/50/L.49/Rev.1 in the First Committee. Brazil, which is party to the legally binding commitments related to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons in the context of the Treaty of Tlatelolco and other instruments involving the International Atomic Energy Agency and the application of safeguards, will not participate in the vote on this draft resolution since, in my Government’s understanding, it concerns only the States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. I wish to request that Brazil’s non-participation be duly reflected in the record of the vote on this draft resolution.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19121
In this case, too, my delegation was not able to participate in the decision in the First Committee because we were awaiting instructions from our capital. I am pleased to announce that we have now received those instructions.
Mr. Dejammet FRA France [French] #19122
The French delegation would like to recall the reasons for the vote it is going to cast on draft resolution A — document A/C.1/50/L.3 in the First Committee — France supports the conclusion, as early as 1996, of a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty. France was the first among the nuclear-weapon States to advocate the zero option with respect to nuclear testing — that is to say, a stringent test-ban treaty prohibiting all testing of nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosions. France welcomed the fact that most of its nuclear partners rallied to this demand, and it will continue to pursue this objective. But, in order to uphold the zero-option objective and to plead the cause of a comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty, France had to acquire a system to enable it to verify in the future the reliability of its deterrence capability without having to carry out any more tests, however limited they might be. In order to acquire this simulation system, which will prohibit all testing of nuclear weapons or any other nuclear explosions, France, like other nuclear Powers, had to complete a very limited nuclear-testing programme. France will complete this programme in a very short time, for it is intent on abiding by its commitment with respect to the conclusion of the comprehensive nuclear-test- ban treaty in 1996. In doing this, France is acquiring the means to advocate the zero option and is working for a stringent comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty. In doing this, France is respecting its international commitments. No legal provision, no commitment entered into by France relates to an “immediate cessation of all nuclear testing”. For three years now, the international community has been calling on the nuclear Powers to pledge to exercise the utmost restraint. The series of very limited tests which is about to be completed is in keeping with this criterion of utmost restraint. In doing this, France is not taking any action likely to damage the environment. Ample evidence has been provided to confirm this fact. France has displayed unequalled readiness to promote transparency and cooperation. The present draft resolution seems to us very far removed from the international community’s objectives with respect to disarmament. They are reflected in two draft But the premises of draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.3 do not correspond to the law as it stands. The commitment to utmost restraint, adopted as early as 1993 and confirmed this year, was not and is not a commitment to an “immediate cessation”. The draft resolution has no legal basis. Draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.3 calls for immediate cessation, whereas it is common knowledge that the objective of our final testing programme serves the interests of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty and it is common knowledge that this testing programme will have ended well before the conclusion of that treaty in 1996. Draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.3 is thus unfounded and unrealistic. The draft resolution mistakenly gives credence to the idea that the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons might not be respected. For this reason, we regard it as pernicious also. This draft resolution is finally rearing its head in 1995, whereas all the parameters relating to the question of nuclear testing existed in preceding years. But no draft resolution on the immediate cessation of tests has been put before the General Assembly in recent years. So why are we considering this text this year? How could anyone fail to wonder about the real objectives of this draft resolution? How could anyone fail to arrive at the conclusion that there are other motives behind the draft resolution besides that of promoting nuclear disarmament? In this respect, we regard the text as unfair. On 6 December 1995, France solemnly announced that this final testing programme would be completed by the end of February 1996 — in other words, in a few weeks’ time. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency has just granted our request to set up an international committee of experts with the task of establishing, yet again, that the French tests are not harmful. That is why France will vote against the adoption of this draft resolution. That is why France will continue on its chosen course. France will have completed the tests in a few weeks, well before the conclusion of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty. France will support the zero option in the negotiations on that treaty. France will work for the signing of the comprehensive nuclear-test- ban treaty in 1996 and will continue to work for non- proliferation, global disarmament and peace.
Mr. Cassar MLT Malta #19123
I wish to make a statement in explanation of vote on the draft resolution, “Nuclear testing”, that appeared in document A/C.1/50/L.3 in the First Committee. On the question of nuclear weapons, Malta has a consistent and unequivocal position of strong encouragement and support for all measures aimed at nuclear disarmament. The States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) have urged the early conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty. This policy is an integral part of Malta’s overall policy on disarmament issues, where it is supportive of effective measures aimed at reducing the level of all armaments. Malta recognizes and appreciates the endeavours of nuclear- weapon States towards the promotion of peace and stability. We welcome the indefinite extension of the NPT and the nuclear-weapon States’ contribution to efforts to reach a comprehensive test-ban treaty. Within this context, Malta has taken positive note of the solemn announcement made recently by one of the nuclear-weapon States that its current and last series of nuclear tests was to be completed by the end of February 1996, well ahead of the initially announced date of 31 May 1996, and of the commitment made by the same nuclear- weapon State that as from that date it will no longer carry out any nuclear explosion, even prior to the conclusion and signing of a comprehensive test-ban treaty. Malta states its understanding that the current draft resolution is aimed at the broader issue of nuclear testing. In casting its vote in favour of draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.3, Malta would like to express its reservation on the fourth preambular paragraph. Malta feels that that paragraph is not a correct reflection of the undertakings by the nuclear-weapon States at the 1995 Review and Malta stresses again its desire for the early conclusion of a comprehensive test-ban treaty and acknowledges and welcomes the commitment of all nuclear Powers to the conclusion of this agreement.
Mr. Hakwenye NAM Namibia #19124
My delegation has now received proper instructions on the draft resolution entitled “Nuclear testing”.
The President #19125
The Assembly has before it 18 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 71 of its report and one draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 72. I shall put the 18 draft resolutions and the draft decision to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote or position. We shall turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Nuclear testing”. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was begun.
Mr. Perfiliev Director, General Assembly Affairs Division #19126
I wish to make it clear that the Assembly is voting on draft resolution A in document A/50/590 and Corr.1. This draft resolution, entitled “Nuclear testing”, appeared in the First Committee as document A/C.1/50/L.3. Will all delegations confirm that their votes are accurately reflected on the board?
The President #19127
I call on the representative of Oman on a point of order.
Mr. Al-Hassan OMN Oman #19128
My delegation mistakenly participated in the voting on this draft resolution. We should like to correct that. Oman wishes not to participate in the voting and asks that this be reflected in the proceedings of this meeting of the General Assembly.
The President #19129
I call on the representative of France on a point of order. I would therefore like us to be absolutely clear about what text we are voting on. It seems to me that if we are voting on the draft resolution on nuclear testing, that should be stated specifically by the President, and he should make it clear that the draft resolution is contained in document A/C.1/50/L.3. This must be stated very clearly by the President so that we will know what we are voting on. The order set out in the table of draft resolutions does not seem to have been respected, and this has given rise to some confusion. I would ask you, Mr. President, if at all possible, to put the draft resolution to the vote again, making it clear that it is the draft resolution in document A/C.1/50/L.3. That would make everything much clearer.
The President #19130
May I clarify the situation? The Assembly is voting on draft resolution A, entitled “Nuclear testing”, in document A/50/590 and Corr.1. This corresponds to the draft resolution contained in document A/C.1/50/L.3, which was discussed and voted on in the First Committee. This, I think, is clear to everybody. If any delegation wishes to change its vote, it can do so now because the machine is still open. I therefore do not believe that we need to repeat the voting. I repeat: the machine is open and any vote can be changed. It is clear that we are voting on the draft resolution entitled “Nuclear testing”, contained in document A/C.1/50/L.3 in the First Committee and now called draft resolution A for the purpose of this vote in the plenary Assembly. I call on the representative of Oman on a point of order.
Mr. Al-Hassan OMN Oman #19131
My delegation fully shares the opinion expressed by the delegation of France. Due to the order that appears in the document before us, my delegation mistakenly participated in the voting. You said, Mr. President, that delegations can still change their positions because the machine is open. But in our case we did take part in the voting, and we did not wish to take
The President #19132
I call on the representative of Cape Verde on a point of order.
Mr. De Matos CPV Cabo Verde [French] #19133
I wish to speak in support of the statement made by the representative of Oman. Once one has pressed the button, it is impossible to reverse oneself. Cape Verde does not wish to participate in the vote, but the voting buttons give us only three options: in favour, against or abstention. Our choice is: not participating in the vote.
Mr. Mubarak LBY Libya [Arabic] #19134
I do not want to change my vote. I have voted correctly. However, so that the present situation does not occur in the voting on other draft resolutions, I would ask that the President refer to the draft resolution by the document number used in the First Committee. I was the first to ask to speak to clarify this matter, because the document, as it is before us now, does not reflect in its first part the Rapporteur’s recommendations in the second part in the same order.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19135
The President has correctly advised the Assembly that, since the voting machine has not been locked, those who feel that they have inadvertently voted incorrectly have enough latitude to change. However, to start from the beginning would be unfair to those who voted as they wished to. I therefore concur with the view expressed by the President.
The President #19136
Since delegations still have the possibility of changing their vote, the only problem we have now relates to delegations that participated in the voting on this draft resolution but did not wish to participate. So far two delegations have indicated that they mistakenly participated in the voting and do not want to do so. This can be reflected in the results of the vote. Are there any other delegations that mistakenly participated in the voting and wish not to participate in it? There appear to be none. May I therefore consider that we can take into account the desire expressed by the two delegations that do not want to participate in the voting? Will all delegations confirm that their votes are accurately reflected on the board? The voting has been completed, and the machine is now locked. In favour: Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, Ecuador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: Benin, Cameroon, Chad, China, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Monaco, Niger, Senegal, Togo, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Armenia, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, El Salvador, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Lithuania, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, United States of America, Zaire
Draft resolution A was adopted by 85 votes to 18, with 43 abstentions (resolution 50/70 A).
The President #19137
Draft resolution B is entitled “Small arms”. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Azerbaijan and Lithuania informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of Indonesia had intended to abstain.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B was adopted by 140 votes to none, with 19 abstentions (resolution 50/70 B).
The President #19138
I call on the representative of Lebanon on a point of order.
Mr. Hamdan LBN Lebanon #19139
Lebanon did not wish to participate in the vote on draft resolution B. I ask that this be made clear in the record of this meeting.
The President #19140
Draft resolution C is entitled “Nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons”. Separate votes have been requested on the fifth preambular paragraph and on operative paragraph 1. Is there any objection to that request? I call on the representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.
Mr. Mubarak LBY Libya [Arabic] #19141
My delegation believes that the measure we are about to take will lead to many mistakes in the voting. We would request that for the sake of clarity the President refer to the number of the draft resolution as it was presented in the First Committee, because the numbers in the first part of the document before us are different from those in the second part, under “Recommendations”. I therefore repeat and insist upon my request.
The President #19142
For the sake of clarity, let me remind members that in the First Committee draft resolution C, entitled “Nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons”, was contained in document A/C.1/50/L.17/Rev.2. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the fifth preambular paragraph. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19143
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 1. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19144
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution C as a whole. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C as a whole was adopted by 154 votes to none, with 10 abstentions (resolution 50/70 C).
The President #19145
Draft resolution D is entitled “Transparency in armaments”; it corresponds to First Committee draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.18. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 3 (b) and 5. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 3 (b). We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: None Abstaining: China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan Operative paragraph 3 (b) was adopted by 142 votes to none, with 13 abstentions.
The President #19146
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 5. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19147
I now put to the vote draft resolution D as a whole. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D as a whole was adopted by 149 votes to none, with 15 abstentions (resolution 50/70 D).
The President #19148
Draft resolution E is entitled “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive waste”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.22 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution E without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution E was adopted (resolution 50/70 E).
The President #19149
Draft resolution F is entitled ”Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.25/Rev.1 in the First Committee. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 1, 2, 4 and 5. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 1. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 1 was adopted by 109 votes to 40, with 12 abstentions.
The President #19150
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 2. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19151
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 4. We shall now begin the voting process.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 was adopted by 107 votes to 40, with 11 abstentions.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19152
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution F as a whole. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution F as a whole was adopted by 111 votes to 2, with 49 abstentions (resolution 50/70 F).
The President #19153
Draft resolution G is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.26 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution G without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution G was adopted (resolution 50/70 G).
The President #19154
Draft resolution H is entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.29/Rev.2 in the First Committee. Draft resolution H was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution H was adopted (resolution 50/70 H).
The President #19155
Draft resolution I is entitled “Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.35/Rev.1 in the First Committee. A separate vote has been requested on the seventh preambular paragraph. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the seventh preambular paragraph. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zaire Against: None Abstaining: Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Brazil, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Egypt, Guyana, India, Israel, Kenya, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe The seventh preambular paragraph was adopted by 128 votes to none, with 27 abstentions. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I as a whole was adopted by 150 votes to none, with 14 abstentions (resolution 50/70 I).
[Subsequently, the delegation of Lebanon informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
The President #19156
Draft resolution J is entitled “Measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.37/Rev.1 in the First Committee. Draft resolution J was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution J was adopted (resolution 50/70 J).
The President #19157
Draft resolution K is entitled “Regional disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.38 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution K was adopted by 165 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 50/70 K).
The President #19158
Draft resolution L is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.40 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution L was adopted by 158 votes to none, with 7 abstentions (resolution 50/70 L).
The President #19159
Draft resolution M is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.41/Rev.2 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: France, Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Canada, Japan
Draft resolution M was adopted by 157 votes to 4, with 2 abstentions (resolution 50/70 M).
The President #19160
Draft resolution N is entitled “Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution N was adopted by 105 votes to 37, with 20 abstentions (resolution 50/70 N).
The President #19161
Draft resolution O is entitled “Moratorium on the export of anti-personnel land-mines”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.45 in the First Committee. Draft resolution O was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution O was adopted (resolution 50/70 O).
The President #19162
Draft resolution P is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.46/Rev.1 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution P was adopted by 106 votes to 39, with 17 abstentions (resolution 50/70 P).
The President #19163
Draft resolution Q is entitled “1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.49/Rev.1 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution Q was adopted by 161 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (resolution 50/70 Q).
The President #19164
Draft resolution R is entitled “Contribution to nuclear disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.50/Rev.2 in the First Committee. Draft resolution R was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution R was adopted (resolution 50/70 R).
The President #19165
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 72 of its report. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 114 votes to 1, with 49 abstentions.
The President #19166
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote or position.
Mr. Rivero Rosario CUB Cuba [Spanish] #19167
The Cuban delegation wishes to explain its position on resolution 50/70 Q, “1995 Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”, whose adoption was recommended by the First Committee in its report in document A/50/590 and Corr.1. The Cuban delegation voted in favour of this resolution. In so doing, we bore in mind that it is eminently factual, taking note of the holding of the 1995 Conference and of the three decisions and the resolution on the Middle East adopted there, as well as of the decisions adopted by the States parties to the Treaty. The Cuban delegation wishes to state, for the record, that, for these reasons, its vote in favour of the text should in no way be interpreted as representing a change in its substantive position on the question of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to which my country is not a party, and on which it has expressed its opinions at the appropriate time.
The President #19168
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 70? It was so decided.
The President #19169
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 19 of its report.
Mr. Dlamini SWZ Eswatini #19170
During the debate in the First Committee we were still in the process of liaising with our capital in regard to our position on the draft resolution concerning agenda item 71. We have the pleasure to report that we can now take a position in favour.
The President #19171
The Assembly has before it five draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee. I shall put the five draft resolutions to the Assembly one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote or position. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.11 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 50/71 A).
The President #19172
Draft resolution B is entitled “Regional confidence-building measures”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.20/Rev.1 in the First Committee. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 50/71 B).
The President #19173
Draft resolution C is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa and United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.24 in the First Committee. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution C was adopted (resolution 50/71 C).
The President #19174
Draft resolution D is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.31/Rev.1 in the First Committee. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 4. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 4. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Against: None Abstaining: China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India Operative paragraph 4 was adopted by 161 votes to none, with 3 abstentions.
The President #19175
We shall now take a decision on draft resolution D as a whole. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt draft resolution D as a whole without a vote?
Draft resolution D as a whole was adopted (resolution 50/71 D).
The President #19176
Draft resolution E is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.47 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Against: Andorra, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Afghanistan, Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Croatia, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Georgia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Malta, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Russian Federation, Slovenia, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Draft resolution E was adopted by 108 votes to 27, with 28 abstentions (resolution 50/71 E).
The President #19177
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 71?
It was so decided.
The President #19178
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 16 of its report. We shall turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.4 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 50/72 A).
The President #19179
Draft resolution B is entitled “Disarmament Week”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.16 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 50/72 B).
The President #19180
Draft resolution C is entitled “Expansion of the membership of the Conference on Disarmament”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.21/Rev.1 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution C without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution C was adopted (resolution 50/72 C).
The President #19181
Draft resolution D is entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.28/Rev.1 of the First Committee. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 12. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 12 was adopted by 162 votes to none, with 4 abstentions.
The President #19182
We shall now take a decision on draft resolution D as a whole. I would recall that it corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.28/Rev.1 in the First Committee. Draft resolution D as a whole was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution D as a whole was adopted (resolution 50/72 D).
The President #19183
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 72?
It was so decided.

73.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (A/50/593)

The President #19184
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. This draft resolution, entitled “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East”, corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.19/Rev.1 in the First Committee. A separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the sixth preambular paragraph. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen Against: India, Israel Abstaining: Angola, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cuba, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Jamaica, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Marshall Islands, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Rwanda, Suriname, Swaziland, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Zaire, Zambia The sixth preambular paragraph was adopted by 122 votes to 2, with 27 abstentions. [Subsequently, the delegation of Belarus informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour; the delegation of Pakistan had intended to abstain.] We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The President #19185
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their vote on the resolution just adopted.
Mr. Rider NZL New Zealand #19186
New Zealand supported the resolution we have just adopted under agenda item 73. We did so because of our concerns about the risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. We share the concern that other States parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) expressed at this year’s Review and Extension Conference over the continued existence in the Middle East of unsafeguarded nuclear facilities. We reaffirm the importance of universal adherence to the Treaty and we call on all States in the Middle East that have not yet done so to accede to the Treaty as soon as possible. We note that the resolution singles out Israel in this regard. That in our view is inappropriate. As I have stated, New Zealand calls on all non-NPT parties in the region, as elsewhere, to join the overwhelming majority of the international community which see the Non- Proliferation Treaty as the basis from which we will work for a nuclear-free future.
The President #19187
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 73?
It was so decided.
The President #19188
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. This corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.34 in the First Committee. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote.
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/74).
The President #19189
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of Agenda item 74?
It was so decided.
The President #19190
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.6/Rev.1 in the First Committee. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/75).
The President #19191
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 75? It was so decided.

76.  Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace Report of the First Committee (A/50/596)

The President #19192
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of its report. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.27 in the First Committee. We shall now begin the voting process. A recorded vote has been requested. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe Against: France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, Uzbekistan
The draft resolution was adopted by 123 votes to 3, with 39 abstentions (resolution 50/76).
It was so decided.
The President #19193
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.5/Rev.1 in the First Committee. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same? May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 77? It was so decided.
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/77).

78.  Final text of a treaty on an African nuclear-weapon-free zone Report of the First Committee (A/50/598) Amendment (A/50/L.55)

The President #19194
The Assembly has before it the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.23/Rev.1 in the First Committee. In connection with the draft resolution, the Assembly also has before it an amendment submitted by South Africa and circulated in document A/50/L.55. I call on the representative of South Africa to introduce the amendment contained in document A/50/L.55. This amendment was discussed with the African Group and also with representatives of other regional groups, who voiced no objection to the newly inserted operative paragraph 7. I would therefore urge all members to support the draft resolution and its amendment so that it may be adopted by consensus.
The President #19195
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of its report and on the amendment thereto contained in document A/50/L.55. In accordance with rule 90 of the rules of procedure, the Assembly shall first take a decision on the amendment, which, if adopted, would become a new operative paragraph 7, with subsequent paragraphs being renumbered accordingly. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the amendment circulated in document A/50/L.55?
The amendment was adopted.
The President #19196
We shall now proceed to take a decision on the draft resolution as amended, contained in paragraph 8 of the report. The draft resolution is entitled “Final text of the African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (the Pelindaba Treaty)”. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution as amended?
The draft resolution as amended was adopted (resolution 50/78).
The President #19197
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 78? It was so decided.
The President #19198
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 6 of its report. It corresponds to draft decision A/C.1/50/L.51 in the First Committee. The draft decision was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The President #19199
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 79? It was so decided.
The President #19200
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 14 of its report. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.1/Rev.1 in the First Committee. The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/79).
The President #19201
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 80?
It was so decided.

Maintenance of international security Report of the First Committee (A/50/601)

The President #19202
The Assembly will now take a decision on the two draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 9 of its report. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Permanent neutrality of Turkmenistan”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.9 in the First Committee. Draft resolution A was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 50/80 A).
The President #19203
Draft resolution B is entitled “Development of good-neighbourly relations among Balkan States”. It corresponds to draft resolution A/C.1/50/L.43 in the First Committee. The First Committee adopted draft resolution B without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 50/80 B).
The President #19204
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 81?
It was so decided.
The President #19205
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the First Committee. Programme of work
The President #19206
I should like to inform members that, on Thursday, 14 December, in the morning, the Assembly will take up as the first item the second report of the Credentials Committee. Thereafter, the Assembly I should also like to inform members that on Friday, 15 December, in the morning, as the second item, the General Assembly will resume its consideration of agenda item 42, “Question of Palestine”, for the purpose of taking action on draft resolutions A/50/L.47, A/50/L.48, A/50/L.49 and A/50/L.50, submitted under this item.
The meeting rose at 6.05 p.m.