Statement by H.E. Yoshiki Mine

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

To the Conference on Disarmament

14th Group of Governmental Experts Meeting

Geneva, 19 June 2006

 

Firstly allow me to express my delegation’s sincere appreciation for the efforts of the President of the Third Review Conference, France, the Coordinators, Brazil and Lithuania, the Chairman of the Meeting of Military Experts, the GICHD and the Friend of the Chairman, Croatia. 

 

Mr. President,

 

Looking towards the rapidly approaching Third Review Conference, it has become clear that hastening our discussions is vital.  While we anticipate the continued, effective leadership of the President and Coordinators, Japan itself will spare no effort to cooperate in this coming week of deliberations. 

 

Japan places great importance on the CCW, since it provides an effective balance between military and humanitarian demands. We hope that we can engage in a week of active debate based on this balance.

 

Mr. President,

 

I would now like to briefly address the issue of mines other than anti-personnel mines (MOTAPM).  It is in our opinion that the previous Coordinator’s paper reflects the content of discussions that have already taken place.  From the many proposals put forward it has gained the broadest support and should be the basis of discussions and consensus.  Particularly, the content of the paper responds flexibly to military concerns regarding “detectability” and “active life”, and we trust that each state will likewise display a flexible posture and the spirit of compromise in this regard.

 

Moreover, for the purpose of producing a concrete outcome at the Third Review Conference, we should not reopen discussions on areas that have already gained consensus.  Rather, we should narrow our focus on the areas that have yet to gain universal agreement and engage in substantial and constructive debate.

 

Japan, from the perspective of maintaining the credibility of the CCW and the effectiveness of the Protocols, greatly values consensus.  The involvement of the major MOTAPM using countries is critical and we trust that they will continue to participate actively and constructively in the discussions.

 

Mr. President,

 

In relation to the issue of cluster bombs, our work is still at the study stage.  Consequently, continuing discussions on the numerous issues concerning the implementation of humanitarian law and technical preventive measures is crucial. 

 

The McCormack Report on “The Implementation of International Law Principles” is a good foundation for our future discussions and Japan plans to make further comment on it during this meeting.  In regards to “technical preventive measures for certain specific munitions”, beneficial proposals on the range of points in question have been put forward by the GICHD chair and various countries.  We hope to hear active comments from each country on this particular issue during this meeting.

 

Mr. President,

 

A compliance mechanism is important for maintaining the effectiveness and transparency of the CCW.  The new establishment of a mechanism for the maintenance of treaty compliance must not only be effective and non-intrusive in nature, but from a cost-effectiveness perspective it must also be efficient. The proposal based on the Amended Protocol II reflects these aforementioned points and since it has gained the support of many countries, we believe this proposal is desirable as a new compliance mechanism.

 

Additionally, the method of introducing a new compliance mechanism needs to be examined from a legal perspective. Particularly, clarification is necessary on the relationship  between a new compliance mechanism and the existing compliance mechanism established in Amended Protocol II and Protocol V.

 

In any event, with a view to advancing substantial debate, Japan will actively participate in discussions.

 

Mr. President,

 

In the preparatory process leading up to the Review Conference it has become necessary for us to accelerate our work on the substance and preparations of procedural matters, including in this meeting.  We have great faith in the chair’s efforts and Japan is fully prepared to extend its full cooperation to them.

 

Thank you, Mr. President.