30 March 2007

Last Friday, March 30, the Conference on Disarmament (CD) disappointingly and dangerously delayed its decision on a proposal for work in 2007. The proposal would initiate negotiations on a ban on the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons, and continue discussions on preventing an arms race in outer space (PAROS), nuclear disarmament, and negative security assurances (NSAs). Although the six Presidents of 2007 said they intended to take the decision by the close of the CD's First Session on Friday, some delegations insisted they need more time to decide on the proposal. After two hours of informal discussions on when they would be able to take the decision, the CD agreed to convene a special session to do so sometime in April 2007.

Only the Arab Group and China had made statements on Thursday saying they were unable to take the decision, but on Friday, India, Iran and Pakistan also made statements indicating resistance to the proposal for work. China said that the agreement to convene a special session could not be interpreted as meaning that the special session would definitely have to take a final official decision on the presidents' draft. Iran said there was not consensus on the proposal itself. Pakistan said the Presidents would have to continue to consult and find consensus to hold the special session.

These statements mean the Presidents will have to struggle to even convene a special session, and will certainly struggle to take the official decision. However, it is important that they do so. After ten years of deadlock, it is high time the CD takes an official decision on a compromise proposal for work. This will give an opportunity for those governments that do not want to begin negotiations on banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons, or continue substantive discussions on PAROS, nuclear disarmament or NSAs, not only to reveal themselves, but also to explain their positions. It is important to do this during April before the Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee (NPT PrepCom), because the decision will significantly affect the NPT PrepCom, and vice versa. Indeed, some governments may be stalling precisely to put the decision after the NPT PrepCom, thereby adding to frustration at the PrepCom, and if that goes poorly, providing additional excuses for not moving forward in the CD.

Friday, 20 April, will mark one month since the CD member states were presented with the proposal in writing, more than three months since they agreed to evaluations that would likely contain such a proposal, more than six months since this process began, and more than ten years since the CD last negotiated a disarmament treaty. It is time for the CD to begin negotiating again, or for governments to publicly identify their reasons for not doing so. An opportunity for such a diverse group of Presidents, including three Ambassadors from the Group of 21 and three from the Western Group, three men and three women, two members of the New Agenda Coalition, one member of the Arab Group, and two members of the European Union, to work together to present a proposal will not come again anytime soon. The work done to date has also been enormous, and must not go to waste. Reaching Critical Will will cover any CD sessions held in April. The next regular plenary session is scheduled for 15 May, at 10am.