Deputy Minister Kim Traavik

General Statement at the opening Session of the First Committee (International Security and Disarmament)

New York, 4 October 2004

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Mr Chairman,

The First Committee is intended to be a core multilateral venue for addressing security challenges.

But clearly, the Committee has not fulfilled its potential. Efforts to make it more effective and politically relevant are long overdue. The ability of the Committee to face the threats posed by international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as well as to deal with other security threats, clearly needs to be upgraded.

For this reason Norway has organised two informal workshops on First Committee reform, with participation of countries from all regions. The second of these events was held yesterday. It is encouraging to note a growing convergence on the way ahead. A paper on our perception of yesterday’s proceedings is being prepared for circulation in the near future.

Of course, other parts of the multilateral arms control machinery needs revitalization, too. The Conference on Disarmament has essentially remained moribund in recent years. We remain convinced that the CD could play an important role. It is high time that we cut through the Gordian knot with which it has been bound.

Mr Chairman,

Security Council resolution 1540 reaffirms that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a threat to international peace and security. Member States have an obligation to implement the resolution. Multilateral co-operation must be enhanced to this end.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is one of the main pillars of the multilateral arms control and non-proliferation architecture. But, as we all know, the Treaty is under considerable strain.

The DPRK’s non-compliance is a serious matter.

There are also unresolved issues with respect to Iran’s nuclear programme. Iran must fully implement the resolution recently adopted by the IAEA Board of Governors, and allay justified concerns about its nuclear intentions.

The lack of universality of the NPT is yet another challenge. We call for renewed efforts by all States to achieve universal adherence to the Treaty.

Mr Chairman,

We all have an obligation to ensure a positive and balanced outcome of the 2005 NPT Review Conference. That will only be possible if we are able to bridge the differences among the States Parties, in a spirit of mutual accommodation. Norway is ready to contribute actively towards this end.

The NPT represents a grand bargain between non-proliferation and disarmament. A successful outcome of the Review Conference will only be possible if we manage to avoid a stalemate between the two. At the same time, we must avoid one being held hostage to the other.

Hence, there must be progress on nuclear disarmament. It is regrettable that the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty has not yet entered into force. We need a verifiable Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. And we must address the issue of existing stocks.

The Moscow Treaty is part of the implementation of the disarmament obligations agreed upon at the NPT Review Conference four years ago. However, we need additional and irreversible cuts in nuclear arsenals, including tactical nuclear weapons.

Mr Chairman,

Global treaties can and should be supplemented by less formalized non-proliferation initiatives and partnerships. There must of course be no contradiction between the two. And we must ensure that they are well co-ordinated.

The G8 Global Partnership against Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction is clearly making the world safer. Norway was the first non-G8 country to join this partnership.

We remain committed to the Partnership and to mutually beneficial nuclear safety cooperation with neighbouring Russia. Threat reduction is a crucial part of the broader efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism, one of the defining challenges to international security in the 21 ^st> century.

As a major shipping nation, Norway is determined to prevent Norwegian vessels from being used for purposes related to terrorism. Hence, we attach importance to the Proliferation Security Initiative, as a practical means to upholding global non-proliferation commitments. Existing export control regimes must of course be adhered to and further strengthened.

Mr Chairman,

Last year the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons adopted the protocol on the Explosive Remnants of War. The protocol should enter into force as soon as possible. The logical next step is to develop an instrument on preventive measures with a view to further reducing the humanitarian risks caused by the use of certain munitions.

The UN Programme of Action on Small Arms is an important multilateral response to a human security risk. It is essential that this Programme of Action is fully implemented and that we get serious about the problem of illicit small arms brokering. Together with the Netherlands, we are promoting regional initiatives to get to grips with this problem.

Mr Chairman,

In accordance with your request, I have endeavored to keep my statement brief. But before concluding, let me note how gratified we are that the Mine Ban Convention has been a success. We look forward to its first review conference, and are committed to doing as much as we can to ensure its success.