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February 15 2005

The Conference on Disarmament (CD) has held an array of formal and informal sessions over the past two weeks, as part of their efforts of adopting a program of work. Dutch Ambassador Chris Sanders, outgoing President of the Conference, had attempted to obtain consensus on the appointment of Special Coordinators for four subsidiary bodies, but without success. 

Several Member States offered their perspectives on reaching consensus on a program of work. New Zealand suggested that rules of procedure, which ensure that the Conference operates on consensus, may be the structural problem blocking necessary progress. New Zealand also reminded its colleagues of the high expectations of the CD, placed not only by the United Nations but also by the States Parties to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. 

South Africa suggested that the CD should suspend its activities until a consensus-based resolution from the General Assembly was adopted, which would mandate the CD to commence negotiations. The 2004 resolution on a Fissile Materials Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT) was adopted by the First Committee by a vote of 147-1-2, with the United Kingdom and Israel abstaining and the United States voting against. 

Pakistan rejected the proposal to suspend the CD, insisting that the CD should remain engaged, rather than be "put to sleep". Ambassador Umer argued that if the duties of the Conference were appropriated by other fora- an implicit reference to the Security Council- it would be a "collective misfortune" for multilateralism. 

Norway, showing interest in the South African proposal, referenced a workshop held in Oslo in December of 2003 on the revitalization of disarmament machinery, wherein participants discussed "consequences" for machinery with "no activity in sight". He suggested that the Conference should establish three to four subsidiary bodies, with the proper mandates, and stressed that Norway's priority lies with negotiating a verifiable FMCT. 

Russia reiterated its priority to prevent an arms race in outer space and reiterated its commitment not to be the first to place weapons of any kind in outer space, a declaration first announced at this past year's General Assembly First Committee. China announced that they, Russia, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and the Simons Foundation would be holding an international conference on "Safeguarding Space Security" on 21 and 22 March in Geneva. 

Spain advocated for "imaginative solutions" to breaking the deadlock, and declared that they were ready to demonstrate flexibility on the CD agenda, so long as it "integrated the goals" of the Conference and did not compete with other international fora. 

Italy, too, declared that its priority remains with an FMCT, but that they respected other priorities, including terrorism, conventional disarmament, outer space and negative security assurances. Italy also deplored the recent announcement by North Korea that it was withdrawing from the Six-Party Talks, prompting a response from North Korea immediately thereafter. 

On February 8, the Conference officially adopted a broad agenda based on the Decalogue, but failed to reach consensus on the establishment of any subsidiary bodies, as called for in the Five Ambassadors' (A5) Proposal. French Ambassador Rivasseau noted with satisfaction the informal debates on the agenda that had taken place. He suggested that the Conference's troubles reflect its inability to adapt to the new security environment, maintaining, as France often does, that the CD should discuss "new issues" such as terrorism.