A/51/PV.79 General Assembly

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 — Session 51, Meeting 79 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Mr. Minoves-Triquell (Andorra), Vice-President, took the Chair.
Vote: A/RES/51/39 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (105)
Vote: A/RES/51/40 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (161)
Vote: A/RES/51/42 Recorded Vote
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✗ No (3)
✓ Yes (156)
Vote: A/RES/51/43 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (125)
Vote: A/RES/51/44 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (126)
Vote: A/RES/51/45A Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✓ Yes (167)
Vote: A/RES/51/45B Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (129)
Vote: A/RES/51/45C Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (163)
Vote: A/RES/51/45E Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (137)
Vote: A/RES/51/45G Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (159)
Vote: A/RES/51/45H Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (154)
Vote: A/RES/51/45I Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (107)
Vote: A/RES/51/45K Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (1)
✓ Yes (170)
Vote: A/RES/51/45M Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (115)
Vote: A/RES/51/45O Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (110)
Vote: A/RES/51/45P Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (165)
Vote: A/RES/51/45Q Recorded Vote
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— Abstain (2)
✗ No (1)
✓ Yes (164)
Vote: A/RES/51/45R Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (160)
Vote: A/RES/51/45S Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (155)
Vote: A/RES/51/46D Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (114)
Vote: A/RES/51/47A Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (171)
Vote: A/RES/51/48 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (129)
Vote: A/RES/51/51 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (131)
Vote: A/RES/51/55 Recorded Vote
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✓ Yes (162)
The meeting was called to order at 3.10 p.m.

60.  Prohibition of the development and manufacture of new types of weapons of mass destruction and new systems of such weapons: report of the Conference on Disarmament Report of the First Committee (Part II) (A/51/566/Add.1)

Vote: A/51/566/Add.1 Consensus

Reports of the First Committee

The Acting President #21243
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the First Committee on agenda items 60, 61, 63 to 81 and 62. I request the Rapporteur of the First Committee, Mr. Parfait Serge Onanga-Anyanga of Gabon, to introduce the reports of the First Committee in one intervention.
The Acting President #21244
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 which are before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
The Acting President #21245
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 General 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. Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the First Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner 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. The Assembly will first consider Part I of the report of the First Committee contained in document A/51/566 concerning agenda items 60, 61 and 63 to 81. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to take note of Part I of the report of the First Committee?

72.  Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly Report of the First Committee (Part XIII) (A/51/566/Add.12)

Vote: 57/60 Consensus
It was so decided.

73.  Report of the First Committee (Part XIV) (A/51/566/Add.13)

Vote: 57/60 Consensus
The Acting President #21246
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part II of its report (A/51/566/Add.1). The draft resolution was adopted by the First Committee without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/37).
The Acting President #21247
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 60? Reduction of military budgets (a) Reduction of military budgets (b) Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures Report of the First Committee (Part III) (A/51/566/Add.2)
Vote: 57/61 Recorded Vote
✓ 114   ✗ 31   27 abs.
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✓ Yes (114)
It was so decided.
The Acting President #21248
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part III of its report (A/51/566/Add.2). The draft resolution, entitled “Objective information on military matters, including transparency of military expenditures”, 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 51/38).

71.  General and complete disarmament Report of the First Committee (A/51/566/Add.11)

Vote: 57/60 Recorded Vote
✓ 163   ✗ 2   5 abs.
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✓ Yes (134)
The Acting President #21249
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 61?
It was so decided.

63.  The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament Report of the First Committee (Part IV) (A/51/566/Add.3)

The Acting President #21250
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of Part IV of its report. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Against: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Moldova, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Germany, Japan, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Samoa, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uruguay [Subsequently, the delegation of Germany informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote against.]
Vote: 57/61 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted by 105 votes to 39, with 24 abstentions (resolution 51/39).
The Acting President #21251
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 63?

64.  The role of science and technology in the context of international security, disarmament and other related fields Report of the First Committee (Part V) (A/51/566/Add.4)

The Acting President #21252
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part V of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 161 votes to none, with 8 abstentions (resolution 51/40).
The Acting President #21253
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.

65.  Amendment of the Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and under Water Report of the First Committee (Part VI) (A/51/566/Add.5)

The Acting President #21254
In paragraph 2 of Part VI of its report, the First Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 65. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of Part VI of the report of the First Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 65?
It was so decided.

Implementation of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty Report of the First Committee (Part VII) (A/51/566/Add.6)

The Acting President #21255
In paragraph 2 of Part VII of its report, the First Committee informs the Assembly that no action was taken by the Committee under agenda item 66. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to take note of Part VII of the report of the First Committee and to conclude its consideration of agenda item 66?
It was so decided.

67.  Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region of the Middle East Report of the First Committee (Part VIII) (A/51/566/Add.7)

The Acting President #21256
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of Part VIII of its report. The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/41).
The Acting President #21257
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.

Establishment of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in South Asia Report of the First Committee (Part IX) (A/51/566/Add.8)

The Acting President #21258
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part IX of its report. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Tajikistan, 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, United Republic of Against: Bhutan, India, Mauritius Abstaining: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Cyprus, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Viet Nam
The draft resolution was adopted by 156 votes to 3, with 8 abstentions (resolution 51/42).
The Acting President #21259
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.
Vote: 31/37 Recorded Vote
✓ 107   ✗ 37   24 abs.
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✓ Yes (94)

69.  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/51/566/Add.9)

The Acting President #21260
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of part X of its report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 125 votes to none, with 45 abstentions (resolution 51/43).
The Acting President #21261
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.

70.  Prevention of an arms race in outer space Report of the First Committee (A/51/566/Add.10)

The Acting President #21262
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of part XI of its report. Is there any objection to those requests? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the seventeenth preambular paragraph. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The seventeenth preambular paragraph was adopted by 116 votes to 1, with 45 abstentions.
Vote: 57/69 Consensus
The Acting President #21263
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 6. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 6 was adopted by 117 votes to 1, with 45 abstentions.
The Acting President #21264
I now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution as a whole was adopted by 126 votes to none, with 44 abstentions (resolution 51/44).
The Acting President #21265
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 Acting President #21266
The Assembly has before it 20 draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 63 of part XII of its report and one draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 64 of part XII of the same report. I now call on the representative of Canada, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote or position before voting.
Mr. Fowler CAN Canada #21267
My explanation of vote pertains to the draft resolution entitled “The nuclear- weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. Canada is a firm believer in the value to enhanced international peace and security of nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties freely arrived at by the States involved with clear respect for international law. This is a draft Given, however, that certain of our concerns were not addressed in the text as finally presented, we voted against this draft resolution in the First Committee. Subsequently we have had several discussions with many of the principal sponsors of the draft resolution. They have assured us that our substantive concerns can be addressed through appropriate interpretation of the draft resolution. As our concerns have been considerably, but not completely, alleviated by these assurances and associated discussions, we have decided to move to an abstention on this draft resolution.
The Acting President #21268
I shall put the 20 draft resolutions and the one 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. The 20 draft resolutions, which are identified by the letters A to T, are contained in paragraph 63 of section III of the report, entitled “Recommendations of the First Committee”. Will delegations please turn to paragraph 63 of section III now. We shall turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 167 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (resolution 51/45 A).
The Acting President #21269
Draft resolution B is entitled “The nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas”. A separate vote has been requested on operative paragraph 3. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #21270
I now put to the vote draft resolution B as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution B as a whole was adopted by 129 votes to 3, with 38 abstentions (resolution 51/45 B).
The Acting President #21271
Draft resolution C is entitled “Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Denmark, Latvia, Seychelles and Tajikistan informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution C was adopted by 163 votes to 2, with 5 abstentions (resolution 51/45 C).
The Acting President #21272
Draft resolution D is entitled “Relationship between disarmament and development”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution D without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution D was adopted (resolution 51/45 D).
The Acting President #21273
Draft resolution E is entitled “Observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control”. A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Democratic Against: France, Israel, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America Abstaining: Albania, Andorra, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkey, Uzbekistan [Subsequently, the delegation of Latvia informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
Draft resolution E was adopted by 137 votes to 4, with 27 abstentions (resolution 51/45 E).
The Acting President #21274
Draft resolution F is entitled “Measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution F without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The Acting President #21275
Draft resolution G is entitled “Nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons”. Separate votes have been requested on the seventh preambular paragraph and operative paragraph 1. Are there any objections to those requests? There are none. I shall therefore put to the vote first the seventh preambular paragraph. 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, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Against: India Abstaining: Cuba, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Syrian Arab Republic, United Republic of Tanzania The seventh preambular paragraph was adopted by 161 votes to 1, with 5 abstentions.
The Acting President #21276
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 1. 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, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Against: India, Israel, Nepal Abstaining: Brazil, Cuba [Subsequently, the delegation of Nepal informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour].
Operative paragraph 1 was adopted by 161 votes to 3, with 2 abstentions.
The Acting President #21277
I now put to the vote draft resolution G as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution G as a whole was adopted by 159 votes to none, with 11 abstentions (resolution 51/45 G).
The Acting President #21278
Draft resolution H is entitled “Transparency in armaments”. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 3 (b) and 5. Are there any objections to those requests? There are none. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 3 (b). A recorded vote has been requested. A recorded vote was taken. Against: None Operative paragraph 3 (b) was adopted by 147 votes to none, with 13 abstentions.
The Acting President #21279
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 5. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #21280
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution H as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution H as a whole was adopted by 154 votes to none, with 15 abstentions (resolution 51/45 H).
The Acting President #21281
Draft resolution I is entitled “Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution I was adopted by 107 votes to 37, with 24 abstentions (resolution 51/45 I).
The Acting President #21282
Draft resolution J is entitled “Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes.” The First Committee adopted draft resolution J without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution J was adopted (resolution 51/45 J).
The Acting President #21283
Draft resolution K is entitled “Regional disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution K was adopted by 170 votes to none, with 1 abstention (resolution 51/45 K).
The Acting President #21284
Draft resolution L is entitled “Assistance to States for curbing the illicit traffic in small arms and collecting them”. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution L was adopted (resolution 51/45 L).
The Acting President #21285
Draft resolution M is entitled “Advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the legality of the threat or use of nuclear weapons”. Separate votes have been requested on operative paragraphs 3 and 4. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first operative paragraph 3. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 3 was adopted by 139 votes to 7, with 20 abstentions.
The Acting President #21286
I shall now put to the vote operative paragraph 4. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Operative paragraph 4 was adopted by 110 votes to 27, with 29 abstentions.
The Acting President #21287
I shall now put to the vote draft resolution M as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution M as a whole was adopted by 115 votes to 22, with 32 abstentions (resolution 51/45 M).
The Acting President #21288
Draft resolution N is entitled “Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution N without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution N was adopted (resolution 51/45 N).
The Acting President #21289
Draft resolution O is entitled “Nuclear disarmament”.
A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #21290
Draft resolution P is entitled “Measures to uphold the authority of the 1925 Geneva Protocol”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution P was adopted by 165 votes to none, with 7 abstentions (resolution 51/45 P).
The Acting President #21291
Draft resolution Q is entitled “Conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Bahrain informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution Q was adopted by 164 votes to 1, with 2 abstentions (resolution 51/45 Q).
The Acting President #21292
Draft resolution R is entitled “Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution R was adopted by 160 votes to none, with 11 abstentions (resolution 51/45 R).
The Acting President #21293
Draft resolution S is entitled “An international agreement to ban anti-personnel landmines”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegations of Bangladesh and Belgium informed the Secretariat that they had intended to vote in favour.] The First Committee adopted draft resolution T without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution S was adopted by 155 votes to none, with 10 abstentions (resolution 51/45 S).
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/45 T).
The Acting President #21294
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 64 of part XII of its report. The draft decision is entitled “Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and of vehicles for their delivery in all its aspects”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 121 votes to none, with 52 abstentions.
The Acting President #21295
I now call on the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote.
Mr. Kim Chang Guk PRK Democratic People's Republic of Korea #21296
The delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea abstained in the voting on the resolution entitled “Nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons” (51/45 G), which was originally put forward by Japan, for the same reason that it did so last year. As many delegations clearly said in the First Committee, the title and the contents of the resolution are not in accord. The resolution does not clarify anything as to how ultimately to eliminate nuclear weapons. The discrepancy represents Japan’s double-dealing tactics on nuclear-weapon issues. Japan is trying very hard to give the world the impression that it is opposed to nuclear weapons by talking a lot about its horrendous experience of nuclear attack. However, the contrary is the case. Japan is the only country that is accumulating large quantities of plutonium, in disregard of the denunciation of the world’s peace-loving peoples.
The Acting President #21297
I now call on those representatives who wish to speak in exercise of the right of reply. May I remind members that, in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, statements in exercise of the right of reply are limited to 10 minutes for the first intervention and five minutes for the second and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Mr. Takahashi JPN Japan #21298
The allegation made by the representative of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea was nothing but a malicious exercise in anti- Japanese propaganda. While I do not wish to argue against specific allegations made in his statement, I should like to make the following statement. Japan has made it clear that it is determined to conduct a proactive foreign policy that will enable it to contribute to the future well-being of mankind. Japan pursues this policy in a spirit of international cooperation and in keeping with its Constitution, which prohibits the use of force as a means of resolving international conflicts. Remorseful of the suffering brought about by the Second World War on its neighbouring countries, Japan has expressed on many occasions its determination to see that such a tragedy is never repeated. Japan is committed to forging relations based on mutual trust and confidence with the countries of Asia, the Pacific and the rest of the world. Furthermore, Japan strictly upholds its three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, producing or introducing into its territory nuclear weapons. That Japan would develop and possess nuclear weapons is inconceivable. In introducing the draft resolution on nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, Japan was sincerely motivated. Japan was very glad to see the resolution adopted by an overwhelming majority. My delegation calls upon the delegation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to participate in a more positive manner in the deliberations of the United Nations.
The Acting President #21299
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 Acting President #21300
The Assembly has before it six draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 19 of Part XIII of its report (A/51/566/Add.12). I shall now put the six draft resolutions to the Assembly for action one by one. After all the decisions have been taken, representatives will again have the opportunity to explain their vote. We turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Review and implementation of the Concluding Document of the Twelfth Special Session of the General Assembly: United Nations Disarmament Information Programme”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution A without a vote. May I consider it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution A was adopted (resolution 51/46 A).
The Acting President #21301
Draft resolution B is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”.
Draft resolution B was adopted (resolution 51/46 B).
The Acting President #21302
Draft resolution C is entitled “Regional confidence-building measures”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution C without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution C was adopted (resolution 51/46 C).
The Acting President #21303
Draft resolution D is entitled “Convention on the Prohibition of the Use of Nuclear Weapons”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution D was adopted by 114 votes to 31, with 27 abstentions (resolution 51/46 D).
The Acting President #21304
Draft resolution E is entitled “United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa”. 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 51/46 E).
The Acting President #21305
Draft resolution F is entitled “United Nations disarmament fellowship, training and advisory services”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution F without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution F was adopted (resolution 51/46 F).
The Acting President #21306
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.
The Acting President #21307
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 10 of Part XIV of its report (A/51/566/Add.13). We shall turn first to draft resolution A, entitled “Expansion of the membership of the Conference on Disarmament”. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
Draft resolution A was adopted by 171 votes to 0, with 2 abstentions (resolution 51/47 A).
The Acting President #21308
Draft resolution B is entitled “Report of the Disarmament Commission”. 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 51/47 B).
The Acting President #21309
Draft resolution C is entitled “Report of the Conference on Disarmament”. The First Committee adopted draft resolution C without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
Draft resolution C was adopted (resolution 51/47 C).
The Acting President #21310
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.

74.  The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East Report of the First Committee (Part XV) (A/51/566/Add.14) A separate vote has been requested on the sixth preambular paragraph. Is there any objection to that request? There is no objection. I shall therefore put to the vote first the sixth preambular paragraph. A recorded vote has been requested.

A recorded vote was taken.
The Acting President #21311
I now put to the vote the draft resolution as a whole. A recorded vote has been requested. May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 74?
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 129 votes to 3, with 32 abstentions (resolution 51/48).
It was so decided.

75.  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 (Part XVI) (A/51/566/Add.15)

The Acting President #21312
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part XVI of its report (A/51/566/Add.15). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “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”, without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/49).
It was so decided.

76.  Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region Report of the First Committee (Part XVII) (A/51/566/Add.16)

The Acting President #21313
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part XVII of its report (A/51/566/Add.16). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Strengthening of security and cooperation in the Mediterranean region”, without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/50).

77.  Implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace Report of the First Committee (Part XVIII) (A/51/566/Add.17 and Corr.1)

The Acting President #21314
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part XVIII of its report (A/51/566/Add.17). A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 131 votes to 3, with 37 abstentions (resolution 51/51).
The Acting President #21315
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.

78.  Report of the First Committee (Part XIX) (A/51/566/Add.18)

The Acting President #21316
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 4 of Part XIX of its report (A/51/566/Add.18). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “Consolidation of the regime established by the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco)”, without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/52).
The Acting President #21317
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 78?
It was so decided.

79.  African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty Report of the First Committee (Part XX) (A/51/566/Add.19)

The Acting President #21318
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of Part XX of its report (A/51/566/Add.19). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution, entitled “African Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty (Treaty of Pelindaba)”, without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/53).
The Acting President #21319
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to conclude its consideration of agenda item 79?
It was so decided.

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 (Part XXI) (A/51/566/Add.20)

The Acting President #21320
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 5 of Part XXI of its report (A/51/566/Add.20). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/54).
The Acting President #21321
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.

81.  Review of the implementation of the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security Report of the First Committee (Part XXII) (A/51/566/Add.21)

The Acting President #21322
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 7 of Part XXII of its report and on the draft decision recommended by the First Committee in paragraph 8 of the same report. We turn first to the draft resolution entitled “The maintenance of international security — prevention of the violent disintegration of States”, contained in paragraph 7 of the report. A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 162 votes to none, with 8 abstentions (resolution 51/55).
The Acting President #21323
We turn now to the draft decision entitled “Review of the implementation of the A recorded vote has been requested.
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft decision was adopted by 118 votes to none, with 53 abstentions.
The Acting President #21324
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.

62.  Question of Antarctica Report of the First Committee (A/51/567)

The Acting President #21325
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Committee in paragraph 7 of its report (A/51/567). The First Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 51/56).
The Acting President #21326
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.
The Acting President #21327
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of all the reports of the First Committee. Programme of work
The Acting President #21328
I should like to inform members that, on Thursday, 12 December, in the morning, in addition to agenda item 38, “Cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe”, the Assembly will consider agenda item 7, “Notification by the Secretary-General under Article 12, paragraph 2, of the Charter of the United Nations”; agenda items 21 (b), “Special economic assistance to individual countries or regions” and 21 (d), “Assistance to the Palestinian people”, for the purpose of considering draft resolutions submitted under the two sub-items; agenda item On Friday, 13 December, in the afternoon, the Assembly will consider agenda item 161, “Cooperation between the United Nations and the International Organization for Migration”; agenda item 34, “Assistance in mine clearance”, for the purpose of considering the draft resolution submitted under agenda item 21 (c), “Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan”, together with agenda item 39, “The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security” and agenda item 56, “The situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
The meeting rose at 5.25 p.m.