16 March 2007

 On March 16, the last day of series of special formal plenary sessions, Juan Manuel Gomez-Robledo, the Secretary for Human Rights and Multilateral Affairs of Mexico and Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain, addressed the Conference on Disarmament (CD). Spain explained how the world could use a fraction of the resources it spends on destructive capacity to improve life around the globe, while Mexico noted its willingness to consider alternatives to the CD if governments do not begin negotiating. Spain concludes its CD presidency this week, handing if off to Sweden.

Creating Human Security
Spain noted that effective disarmament would allow governments and civil society to finance programs to eradicate poverty. Spain referenced studies by the UN Development Fund and the World Bank that showed that extreme poverty and its effects, such as disease and illiteracy, could be solved with modest investments. Spain explained that with only $40,000 million the entire world could resolve issues of health, water supply and sanitation, and education, which is merely 5% of global annual military expenditures.

Mexico recalled its 2005 cooperation with five other CD members to introduce an alternative to the deadlocked CD. At that time, Mexico, Brazil, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, and Sweden brought a resolution to the First Committee that would have created a group of ad hoc committees to begin negotiating the CD's four core issues. They did not introduce it at the time in order to give the 2006 Presidents a chance to get the CD working, but today Mexico said they needed to consider the appropriateness of re-launching the initiative. If the CD does not begin negotiating this year, it is [far past] time to look for alternatives. Governments must either find a way to negotiate within the CD, or they must find another way to negotiate.

FMCT
Mexico noted that negotiation of a Fissile Materials Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) would be a step forward, and was willing to begin negotiating without preconditions, but also said the treaty must contain verification and address existing arsenals. Spain also attributed "great importance" to an FMCT.

NPT
Both Mexico and Spain discussed the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Mexico said the challenge for the upcoming 2007 Preparatory Committee, the first in the 2010 review cycle of the Treaty, would be to propose specific measures. Spain said the NPT would be more effective if countries would subscribe to the International Atomic Energy Agency's Additional Protocol. 

Mexico also dared to allude the proposed US-India nuclear cooperation deal, saying that it is concerned that "a state depository of the NPT has judged it appropriate to conclude a nuclear cooperation agreement with a state not party to the NPT," which in their view, "is against the spirit and purpose of the treaty, is undermining of its fundamental objective and undermines its content." 

Nuclear Disarmament
Mexico, for which nuclear disarmament continues to be the priority, chastised those continuing to use nuclear deterrence in military doctrines, including those non-nuclear weapon states that rely on the nuclear umbrella, saying, "maintaining the use of nuclear option as a means of military deterrence is simply not acceptable."

NWFZ
As a member of a nuclear weapon-free zone (NWFZ), Mexico called on nuclear weapon states to give full security assurances to states in NWFZ. Spain congratulated parties to the Tlatelolco treaty on that NWFZ's 40th anniversary and hoped that will encourage the establishment of a NWFZ in the tense Middle East. 

Conventional Weapons
Spain said that the commitments made by governments at the recent conference on cluster munitions in Oslo should be used as a reference. The Foreign Minister called on other governments to join the effort, saying it was the "responsibility of our times". Spain also said that the government-civil society collaborative process of the Mine Ban Treaty should be converted into a model that can be used for cluster munitions. 

The CD applauded Spain's speech, which is very unusual. Sweden, Venezuela and Tunisia also expressed their appreciation for the statement. Sweden said it "listened very carefully" to Spain's connections between peace, security and development in the twenty-first century. Venezuela commended Spain's withdrawal of troops from Iraq as a sign of Spain's commitment to peace, while Tunisia called on Spain to continue its efforts towards peace in the Middle East. 

Evaluation Consultations
Spain's Ambassador March announced that the P6 has concluded the first round of consultations for the 10th week (evaluation week) of the CD. On Monday, the P6 will share information with the regional coordinators. 

The next plenary meeting will be held on 20 March at 10 am.