Statement by H.E. Mr. Yoshiki Mine

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

 

The 15^th 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, 28 August 2006

 

At the outset, allow me to express my delegations sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Chairman of the Third Review Conference, France, the Coordinators, Brazil and Lithuania, the Chairperson of the Meeting of Military and Technical Experts, the GICHD, and the Friend of the Chairman, Croatia. 

 

Mr. Chairman

Looking towards the Third Review Conference this November, while we anticipate the unfaltering, able guidance of the Chair and Coordinators, Japan itself will spare no effort to cooperate and facilitate the hastening of our discussions. 

 

Mr. Chairman

In relation to the issue of mines other than anti-personnel mines (MOTAPM), it is unfortunate that up to date the previous Coordinator’s paper has been unable to gain the consensus of the States Parties.  It is our opinion that it best reflects the discussions that have already taken place and should be the basis of the Protocol.  Additionally, Japan believes that from the perspective of the credibility and integrity of the Protocol, the involvement of the major MOTAPM using countries is imperative.  From this point of view, our delegation would like to urge all States Parties to reach consensus on the basis of the previous Coordinator’s paper under the leadership of Ambassador Paranhos.

 

Mr. Chairman

Concerning the problem of cluster munitions, firstly our delegation would like to express our concern about reported use of cluster munitions which have caused serious damages to civilians.  We regard that continuing our examinations hereafter on the many issue points regarding the implementation of humanitarian law and technical preventive measures is crucial.  In particular, taking into consideration the fruitful

 exchange of opinions on the recommendations of the McCormack Report that took place at the last Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) meeting, it is hoped that further interactive discussions can also take place during this meeting.  Furthermore, input from each country regarding the beneficial proposals put forward by the chair of the Military Experts Meeting and various countries on technical preventive measures is considered of particular importance.  

 

Mr. Chairman

Although intensive and substantial debates have been carried out on the substance of a compliance mechanism, we have yet to examine thoroughly the process and methodology for the introduction of a new mechanism.  In order to amend the framework Convention and apply the new compliance mechanism to all the protocols, there remain many procedural and legal points to be adjusted and clarified, such as the relationship between the new compliance provisions and those existing provisions in Amended Protocol �U and Protocol �X.  Full discussion is necessary during the current meeting to address this issue.

 

Mr. Chairman

Taking into special consideration that this is the last meeting before the next Review Conference, accelerating our work on the substance and preparations of procedural matters is a clear necessity.  Japan has complete and utter faith in the Chair and will assist him to the best of our abilities during these meetings.

 

Thank you