Statement by H.E. Mr. Sumio Tarui

Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan

to the Conference on Disarmament

 

(Negative Security Assurances)

 

Geneva, 12 February 2008

 

Mr. Coordinator,

Distinguished delegates,

 

At the outset, allow me to congratulate you, Ambassador Babacar Carlos Mbaye, on your assumption of the role of coordinator for Agenda Item 4, Effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.  I assure you of my delegations full support and cooperation in your activities.

 

Mr. Coordinator,

 

On the occasion of signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in 1970, Japan emphasized in its official statement that gthe nuclear-weapon States must not have recourse to use of nuclear weapons or threaten to use such weapons against non-nuclear-weapon States.h  To this day, that position remains unchanged, and Japan lends its basic support to the concept of negative security assurances (NSAs).

 

On the other hand, since it is the nuclear-weapon States that provide NSA, it is imperative for us to build common understanding among the nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States on this issue.  It was observed in the CD debates last year that, although no country expressed opposition to the basic concept of NSAs, there was a significant difference in position regarding how to address this issue.  Therefore, we are of the opinion that carrying out frank discussions once again within the CD, in which all the nuclear-weapon States participate, and narrowing those differences is important. 

 

There still appears at this point in time to be consensus among all the nuclear-weapon States on the provision of NSAs to the levels set in UN Security Council Resolution 984, and this should be reaffirmed.    

 

Furthermore, none of the nuclear-weapon States has opposed the idea of providing NSAs to certain regions through nuclear-weapon free zone agreements.  In this regard, we would like to note that the Final Document of the 2000 NPT Review Conference recognized the important role which the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones has played in NSAs.  Consequently, Japan believes that firstly ensuring the effectiveness of existing zones is a practical and realistic step to realizing NSAs. 

 

Mr. Coordinator,

 

Japan is convinced that the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among States in the regions that meet the generally appropriate conditions, can contribute to regional peace and security as well as nuclear non-proliferation.  As I previously mentioned, gaining the consent of all the nuclear-weapon States for the provision of NSAs to the relevant regions is important to this end.  Therefore, the current efforts towards the establishment of nuclear weapon free zones should proceed and be realized through the necessary consultations with the nuclear-weapon States, as stipulated in the 1999 UN Disarmament Commission Guidelines.  Japan is closely and intently following the developments associated with these efforts. 

 

In this connection, we welcome the submission and adoption last year of gthe Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone Resolutionh for the first time in the UN General Assembly.  Japan regards the Bangkok Treaty as an expression of efforts for the strengthening of peace and security in the Southeast Asian region.  Moreover, we believe that the close consultations that will continue to take place hereafter between the nuclear-weapon States and the parties to the treaty are of great importance.  We hope that the parties report on the progress made based on the Action Plan agreed to at the Bangkok Treaty Committee meeting last year, which includes the continuation of consultations seeking the accession of all the nuclear-weapon States.  Furthermore, concerning the Central Asia nuclear weapon free zone treaty, Japan is paying close attention to the course of discussions between the nuclear-weapon States and the Central Asian countries, especially since we provided assistance for the drafting of that treaty.  We encourage all parties involved to provide information on any developments in these consultations.

 

Thank you Mr. Coordinator.