19 June 2007
Still nothing. Attending Conference on Disarmament (CD) sessions is comparable to watching an animal slowly bleed to death, complete with delegates' eyes rolling back in their heads. At this morning’s plenary, CD President Ambassador Bonnier of Sweden again summarized the situation before the Conference. CD Document L.1, the outcome of the lengthy process of substantive discussions during the first session, has now been on the table for three months. Most delegations are ready to proceed, but others continue to ask for “clarity, more clarity and again more clarity,” she said. Ambassador Bonnier pointed to the Complementary Presidential Statement (CRP.5) and the Draft Decision clarifying the relationship between CRP.5 and L.1 as examples of clarity given, and asked delegations with reservations to respond to this package with similar clarity. “Decision-time is upon us,” Ambassador Bonnier said.
Out of respect for delegations that still require more time, Ambassador Bonnier did not ask the Conference to take a decision today. Out of respect for delegations that are eager to move forward, however, Ambassador Bonnier will ask the Conference to take a decision on the L.1 proposal and the accompanying CRP.5 in a special plenary session, this Thursday, June 21.
India was the only delegation to speak at this morning’s plenary. While India felt that L.1, CRP.5, and the additional Draft Decision had addressed some of the concerns expressed by delegations, India stated that the “creative” way of linking the documents proposed by Ambassador Bonnier in the Draft Decision “falls somewhat short of integrating them fully.” India said it preferred a single, unitary document containing L.1, CRP.5, and the Draft Decision, “arranged logically and sequentially in a simple, neat, coherent, and integrated text, articulating a unitary and unified understanding.” This would have “the additional merit of avoiding a multiplicity of documentation and unnecessary speculation regarding the comparative import of the three elements,” India added.
India emphasized the need for clarity and for a “clear understanding of fundamentals, so as to ensure the smooth conduct of negotiation once the Conference has adopted its decision.” India stated it has sought clarification on the mandates being assigned to various coordinators, in particular with regards to an FMCT, and emphasized the need for a universal, non-discriminatory, internationally verifiable instrument.
As we wait impatiently for a decision on Thursday, we wonder if the CD will go out with a bang, a whimper, or a surprise miraculous recovery.
The next plenary meeting will be Thursday, June 21 at 10am.
-Katherine Harrison, Disarmament Intern, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
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