Contemplating the proposed programme of work
On Friday morning at the Conference on Disarmament (CD), Ambassador Idriss Jazaïry noted that consensus has not yet been reached on the proposed programme of work, CD/1863, though he has just started to consult about it with regional groups and does not expect “immediate” agreement. The delegations of Brazil, the Czech Republic on behalf of the European Union, Tunisia, Indonesia, Poland,Pakistan, South Africa, Senegal, and Peru expressed their views on CD/1863. Israel’s delegation expressed its concern that it had not had a response to its 25 March request for a meeting with the current CD President, Ambassador Jazaïry.
Brief highlights
- Pakistan announced its support for CD/1863.
- A number of other delegations, including those of Brazil, Indonesia, Peru, Poland, South Africa, and Tunisia, offered their support for CD/1863.
- The European Union expressed hope that CD/1863 would bring the CD back to work.
- Israel argued it had not received a a response to its 25 March request for a meeting with the current CD President; the CD president explained that the P6 division of labour had assigned the Australian CD president to consult with Israel (among other states) this year.
Views on CD/1863
On behalf of the Pakistani delegation—the most vocal opposition to the previous proposal, CD/1840— Ambassador Zamir Khan formally announced his delegation’s support for “the initiation of work” on the basis of CD/1863. For the past two years, Pakistan has been considered the key holdout from adopting a programme of work in the CD. This endorsement is expected to pave the way for the long-awaited commencement of negotiations on a fissile materials treaty and the resumption of meaningful work by the CD.
Six other delegations offered their support for CD/1863. Ambassador Luiz Filipe de Macedo Soares of Brazil offered his support for CD/1863, noting that while it is not a perfect reflection of his delegation’s interests, it affords the opportunity to pursue more specific goals in the working groups it establishes. Ambassador Samir Labidi of Tunisia gave his delegation’s full support for CD/1863, as did Mr. Elmer Schialer of Peru and Ambassador Dian Triansyah Djani of Indonesia. Ambassador Djani emphasized the importance of pursuing non-proliferation together with disarmament, arguing that the longer nuclear weapons exist, the longer the world is exposed to risks of their proliferation and use.
Ambassador Zdzislaw Rapacki of Poland, who served as one of the six CD presidents in 2006—the first year the presidents started working cohesively as a team—noted “with satisfaction that this unique form of cooperation was carried out throughout all these years,” and that it “proved to be effective in building the atmosphere of confidence among the members of the CD and in creating an opportunity for the exchange of substantive views.” On behalf of his delegation, he welcomed CD/1863.
Mr. Joahann Kellerman of South Africa described CD/1863 as a “product of compromise” that deserves the support of all member states, while Ambassador Babacar Carols Mbaye of Senegal described it as “balanced and realistic.” Ambassador Mbaye specifically welcomed CD/1863’s establishment of a working group to exchange views on practical disarmament measures with the goal of completely eliminating nuclear weapons.
Through its representative, Tomas Husk of the Czech Republic, the European Union did not directly endorse CD/1863 but expressed hope that the CD would “respond positively” to the proposal and that it would bring the CD back to substantive work.
Speaking on behalf of Israel, Mr. Meir Itzchaki said that his delegation had requested a meeting with the CD President on 25 March, but that this request had gone unanswered. Ambassador Jazaïry of Algeria explained that the six presidents have been sharing the task of consultations with member states and that the CD president from Australia was responsible for meeting with Israel.
Notes from the gallery
It was very encouraging for us to see Pakistan endorse CD/1863 this morning. Its primary demand, for the Shannon Mandate to be used as the negotiating mandate for negotiations of a fissile materials treaty, has been met by this proposed programme of work. One theme that ran consistently through the majority of interventions this morning was that of compromise and flexibility—this is the strongest, most balanced proposal the CD has seen in quite some time, and it will be an exercise in political will to adopt it quickly and painlessly. As many delegations noted, there is a window of opportunity, afforded by feelings of optimism about the changing political landscape. The Brazilian ambassador noted, “the current political atmosphere is not exempt of threats and many disturbances,” but it is currently open “to progress and understanding.” CD member states should seize the opportunity while it lasts. The winds could swiftly change.
Next meeting
The next plenary meeting of the CD is scheduled for Tuesday, 26 May 2009.
- Ray Acheson, Reaching Critical Will of WILPF