STATEMENT BY H.E.MR. SUMIO TARUI

AMBASSADOR, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF JAPAN

TO THE CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT

 

Geneva, 24 January 2007

 

Madame President,

Thank you for your kind words of welcome on Monday.  Furthermore, since this is the first time for my delegation to take the floor in a formal plenary, allow me to congratulate you on the assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament (CD).  You can be assured of our full support as you guide us through this critical period of the year.  

 

Madame President,

Last year, under the Six Presidents initiative, intensive discussions on each agenda item were carried out through the structured, focused debates on the traditional CD agenda.  This year, the CD needs to build on these developments and prove that it can contribute to the formation of international disarmament and non-proliferation norms.  Japan is convinced the proposed organizational framework could facilitate the achievement of this objective if the CD member states work actively within it.  In this connection, Japan supports the framework and commends the efforts of this yearfs six CD presidents in its formulation, and urges its early adoption.

 

Madame President,

Japan attaches paramount importance to the early commencement of negotiations on a treaty banning the production of fissile materials for nuclear weapons or nuclear explosive devices (FMCT).  We take note that in the recent informal consultations, Madame President, you indicated that at present there was no consensus for the commencement of negotiations on any one issue or combination of issues.  However, it is also a significant fact that no country, including any nuclear-weapon state, has voiced opposition to the negotiation of an FMCT itself in the CD, even though a range of opinions with regards to the whole CD schedule exist.  Japan aims to enhance deliberations on the substance of an FMCT for the early conclusion of negotiations once they begin, through specific comments on the draft treaty and working papers already circulated.

 

On the other hand, when the time comes to discuss the other main CD agenda items – nuclear disarmament, NSA and PAROS – as well as other issues, Japan is committed to engaging in active debate in accordance with the CD schedule.

 

Thank you.