STATEMENT BY H.E. MR. YOSHIKI MINE

AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN

TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

 

THE 13TH GROUP OF GOVERNMENTAL EXPERTS MEETING

OF THE STATES PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON PROHIBITIONS OR

RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF CERTAIN CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS WHICH

MAY BE DEEMED TO BE EXCESSIVELY INJURIOUS OR TO HAVE

INDISCRIMINATE EFFECTS

 

Geneva, 6 March 2006

 

At the outset, let me extend my congratulations to you Mr. President, on your assumption of the Presidency of this Governmental Experts Meeting to the CCW.  I assure you of my delegations full support in your activities during this meeting.

 

Mr. President,

 

Mines other than Anti-personnel Mines (MOTAPM) have become one of the main obstructions to humanitarian reconstruction assistance in post conflict regions.  The international community should by no means be apathetic to the humanitarian and socio-economic problems caused by MOTAPM.  We believe that the CCW, while striking a balance between military requirements and humanitarian needs, is the most appropriate framework for effectively dealing with MOTAPM.

 

Mr. President,

 

Since its establishment out of the Second Review Conference in 2001, five years of continual discussions have taken place at the Group of Governmental Experts Meeting and it is Japan’s belief that the time has come for it to produce concrete results.  All our efforts and the consensus achieved on many of the issue areas should not be wasted, so with a view to producing a new protocol, each country should approach the current issues with flexibility.

 

Mr. President,

 

Last year’s Coordinator’s Paper, which included the Proposal of the 30 Nations and Ireland’s proposal, as well as other positions, reflects in its contents the right balance of the discussions that have already taken place.  It is our belief that it should form the basis for a new protocol.  Discussions held last year based on the aforementioned Coordinator’s Paper forged consensus on many fields.  Nonetheless in relation to certain field, namely on the addition of features such as “detectability” and self-destruction functions as related to “active life”, discussions have not yet converged and Japan encourages countries to put forward concrete proposals on these issues.  Deliberations hereafter should focus on these two aspects, and countries should increase momentum on substantial discussions with the aim of reaching agreement.  In this regard, we hope that the countries can constructively exchange opinions, and we welcome the new coordinator’s efforts to this end.  Japan for its part, pledges to cooperate to its utmost ability in accelerating substantial discussions.

 

Nevertheless, for the new protocol to be truly effective, participation by the main MOTAPM possessing countries is essential.  Consequently, as substantial work gathers pace, we are confident that these countries will continue to engage in the process actively and constructively.

 

 

Mr. President,

 

During this current meeting we also expect that the sessions on “Preventative technical measures for certain munitions including cluster bombs” and “The implementation of humanitarian law” will further deepen countries understanding about the problem of cluster bombs.  In regard to the examination of “The implementation of Humanitarian Law”, discussions up until now have focused on the first and second steps of the 3 Step Approach.  However, in addition to accurately grasping the current situation, in order to examine the necessary and appropriate responses, full discussions on each step are crucial and we strongly desire the active participation of each country.

 

Mr. President,

 

With the purpose of maintaining the effectiveness and transparency of the CCW, the establishment of a compliance mechanism for the whole convention is vital.  We would like to reiterate the following important points concerning compliance mechanisms: (1) a compliance mechanism would be effective for the guaranteeing of treaty implementation; (2) a compliance mechanism would not be of an intrusive nature, but the object would be limited to the uniform and clear obligations applicable to all the States Parties to the Convention and Protocols; (3) in relation to the States Parties to the Convention all points would function equally.  The proposals that make reference to the Amended Protocol II are all based on the previously mentioned points.  In the meetings up until now many countries have offered their support. I think there is a good base for discussions hereafter.  In any event, there are many issues that need to be examined in relation to compliance mechanisms.

 

Mr. President,

 

We believe that for the credibility of the CCW, based on the work of the Second Review Conference and the Group of Governmental Experts meeting, a substantial and concrete outcome must be achieved during the Third Review Conference to be held at the end of this year.  During the preparatory process still to come, there is a need to examine the substance and procedural issues of the Review Conference.  While anticipating the efforts of the Chairman, Japan is prepared to cooperate to the fullest extent.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.