Mr.
Chairman,
Japan
supported the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East and will continue to do so.
Japan has urged Israel to accede to the NPT as a non-nuclear weapon State,
through such opportunities as ministerial visits and bilateral talks on
disarmament and non-proliferation. We have also encouraged Israel to join other
disarmament and non-proliferation regimes, thereby contributing to taking an
initiative for building confidence in the region. At the same time, we urge other
Middle Eastern countries to participate in disarmament and non-proliferation
regimes such as the CTBT, the BWC, and the CWC in order to foster an
environment conducive to the creation of a WMD free zone in the region.
Japan
firmly supports the Middle East peace process, which is a key to achieving
regional stability. Such stability is a vital factor in establishing conditions
for a WMD free zone. Therefore, we will persist in our efforts towards the
realization of peaceful co-existence and co-prosperity between the two states,
Israel and Palestine, through political dialogue with the two states and
measures to promote confidence-building, as well as assistance to the
Palestinians.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
challenge posed by Iran's non-compliance with the IAEA Statute is a concern to
all of us. Japan regrets that Iran has yet to respond to the requirements set
forth by relevant IAEA Board resolutions and UN Security Council Resolutions
1737 and 1747, including the suspension of all enrichment-related and reprocessing
activities and heavy water-related projects.
In
defiance of the calls from the international community, Iran is expanding its
enrichment-related activities by accelerating its work at Fuel Enrichment Plant
in Natanz. Such a reaction does not contribute to restoring the confidence of
the international community, nor does it help the IAEA to make progress in its
investigation. No country is denying Iran the right to use nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes. However, the right has to be exercised in accordance with
internationally established rules and with confidence of the international
community.
Japan
continues to believe that this issue should be resolved peacefully through
negotiations and strongly urges Iran to comply with all relevant resolutions
and come back to negotiation process without further delay.
Mr.
Chairman,
Let
me now turn to the issue of the DPRK's nuclear programs, which continue to
represent a serious challenge to the global non-proliferation regime. Japan
expresses its gravest concern over the DPRK's nuclear programs. Its proclaimed
nuclear test in October 2006, combined with its buildup of ballistic missiles,
makes the DPRK's nuclear programs a significant threat to the peace and
security not only of Japan but also in East Asia and the entire international
community. Japan also deplores the DPRK's decision in 2003 to withdraw from the
NPT and demands that the DPRK retract its announcement and abide by its
obligations under the NPT.
Japan
urges the DPRK to fulfill its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions
1695 and 1718: it shall promptly come into compliance with the NPT and abandon
all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs in a complete, verifiable and
irreversible manner; it shall act strictly in accordance with the obligations
applicable to States Parties under the NPT and the terms and conditions of its
IAEA Safeguards Agreement; it shall provide the IAEA transparency measures
extending beyond these requirements as may be required and deemed necessary by
the IAEA. Furthermore, Japan encourages the international community to fully
implement Resolutions 1695 and 1718 in order to urge the DPRK to take concrete
steps toward denuclearization.
Japan
emphasizes the importance of peaceful resolution of this issue through
diplomatic means within the framework of the Six-Party Talks, which remain the
most appropriate framework and should be fully utilized. It is of paramount
importance that the DPRK expeditiously and completely implement the actions
agreed to by all the Parties at the Six-Party Talks in February 2007 as the
first step towards the full implementation of the Joint Statement of September
2005 including the resolution of the nuclear and other issues of concern such
as the abduction issue.
Mr.
Chairman,
With
regard to South Asia, Japan appreciates recent efforts made by both India and
Pakistan to promote confidence-building and thereby lessen the tensions between
them. At the same time, Japan continues to urge both states to accede to the
NPT as non-nuclear-weapon States promptly and without condition. We also
believe that all the States not parties to the Treaty should take practical
disarmament measures in support of the NPT. In this context, we urge India and
Pakistan to continue their commitment to the moratorium on nuclear tests, and
to sign and ratify the CTBT. As regards the work of the Conference on
Disarmament, Japan encourages both states to join other countries in seeking
actively an immediate commencement of the negotiations on an FMCT without
preconditions, and pending the entry into force of the treaty, to declare a
moratorium on the production of fissile material for any nuclear weapons or
other nuclear explosive devices.
Mr.
Chairman,
Lastly,
I would like to touch upon the Agreement between the US and India on civil
nuclear cooperation. Japan recognizes India's importance in the international
community, and taking into consideration global warming, understands its need
to meet increasing energy demands by utilizing nuclear energy. On the other
hand, with respect to international civil nuclear cooperation with India, who
is not a Party to the NPT, Japan needs to consider carefully its position,
while examining the various factors including the implications of such
cooperation on the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation
regime. Based upon these viewpoints, Japan will continue to participate
proactively in the discussions on this subject in the international fora.
Thank
you very much.