(97.06.26)黒河内大使ＣＤ（離任）

　 May I at the outset congratulate you most warmly on your assumption of the presidency of the Conference on Disarmament. I wish you every success in guiding the work of the Conference at this difficult juncture, which may require your continued efforts even during the intersessional period. I pledge the fullest cooperation of my delegation to your endeavor.　　Allow me also to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation to your predecessors, Ambassador Berdennikov of Russian Federation and Ambassador Diallo of Senegal for their untiring efforts to lead our work.

　 First, on June 10, the Government of Japan notified the U.N. Secretary General that Japan would consent to be bound by the Amended Protocol II on Mines, Booby-Traps and Other Devices, and the Additional Protocol IV on Blinding Laser Weapons annexed to the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW). As a result, the number of Sates, including Japan, which have notified their consent to the Protocols became five for Protocol II and seven for Protocol IV as of that day. The Government of Japan hopes that the two protocols will enter into force as early as possible. In particular, we believe that Japan's adherence to Protocol II, which contributes to the early entry into force of the Protocol, has great significance as part of international efforts toward resolving the landmine problem.

　 Second, on June 6, the Japanese Diet approved the ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Accordingly, the Government of Japan will deposit an instrument of ratification to the U.N. Secretary General early next month. It is our sincere hope that all states, especially those states whose ratification is necessary for the CTBT to go into effect, will follow us, enabling the CTBT to enter into force as soon as possible.

　 These two decisions are recent examples of Japan's efforts to contribute to international disarmament. I would like to take this opportunity also to welcome on behalf of my government the decision by President Cardoso of Brazil announced on June 20 to submit the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to the Congress for ratification. Needless to say, the NPT is one of the most important international regimes for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The NPT is now enjoying the almost complete universality with only a very few exceptions. Brazil's important decision this time will certainly contribute to strengthening the international effort toward nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

　 Now that we are at the end of the second session of the CD, and that I am speaking for the last time at the CD Plenary, I refrain from elaborating Japan's positions on disarmament issues, which have already been stated on a number of occasions. Instead, today I would like to share with you my personal observations on the working methods of this Conference on the basis of the experiences I have had since I arrived here in early 1995. I do so with humility in view of the relatively short period of time I served here compared with some of our colleagues who have much longer experience and great insight into the working of this body.

　 However, it is with a feeling of satisfaction that I recall these years because I could participate in the international disarmament efforts which produced a number of significant results. The indefinite extension of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the conclusion of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and the amendment of Protocol II as well as the adoption of Protocol IV of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons are some examples of our achievements. In addition, we are now in the process of strengthening the Biological Weapons Convention. I consider myself fortunate to have been here during this period of historic importance.

　 Having said that, I must express my deep regret that the CD, since the beginning of this year, has not started substantial work on any of the issues on our agenda. In particular, despite the fact that we all agreed to establish an Ad Hoc Committee on a so-called Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty two years ago when I had the honor to hold presidency, we have not yet seen any prospect of starting negotiations on an FMCT soon because of the well known reasons.

　 If I may venture a frank observation, it seems to me that one of the reasons for the stalemate we are faced with today lies in the way of application of consensus rule. I am fully aware that the consensus rule is indispensable to the CD as a basic rule for disarmament negotiations, in which every participant tries to find a mutually acceptable solution, while the security concerns pertaining to each country are well protected. I dare to say, however, that each member country should restrain itself from blocking proceedings of the CD except only when it needs to protect its basic security interest. When a point at issue is a procedural matter which does not prejudge the question of substance, every country should refrain as much as possible from exercising a veto.

　 I might also add that the same practice could apply in cases of treaty negotiations. As Ambassador Dembinski of Poland stated on May 22, it is the sovereign rights of each country whether it accepts or adheres to any treaty after it is agreed and opened for signature, and no country is obligated to do so. In this sense, I wonder if it is the real aim of the consensus rule to deny the will of a majority of CD members which strongly hope to move forward treaty negotiations, where there is already agreed mandate as in the case of FMCT negotiations. The most important thing is not to make the CD a captive to the linkage strategy because it will deny progress in the CD. We must take a first step on whatever is agreeable.

　 Beyond the CTBT and an FMCT, as an agenda for the international community as a whole, we should continue our efforts to find appropriate and possible issues for negotiations in the CD in the field of nuclear disarmament. It could be done by appointing a Special Coordinator as my delegation proposed during the first session. In my view, both nuclear weapon states and non-aligned movement countries should take a more flexible attitude on the issue of nuclear disarmament. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to provide for a forum where frank exchange of views can take place and thus enhance mutual trust and confidence. I believe that the best way to start this process is to appoint a Special Coordinator.

　 With regard to the format of consultations, as pointed out by Ambassador Benjelloun-Touimi of Morocco on May 15, many of us feel that the present method of Presidential Consultation needs improvement. It is obvious to anyone that the grouping mechanism as we have today does not appropriately reflect the real picture of today's international society. On the other hand, it is also true that modifying present grouping system is not an easy task.

　 Until and unless we come to agree on an alternative approach, it might be beneficial to make more frequent use of open-ended informal presidential consultations or a format similar to the open-ended bureau meetings which served as a useful tool during CTBT negotiations in which each member could express its own views freely as past experiences showed. In order to ensure continuity, the Presidential troika (including the previous and incoming presidents) should play an active role in such consultations.

　 Moreover, a question of CD expansion, with twenty countries on a waiting list, has a serious implication to the operation of the CD. Bearing this in mind, I feel that perhaps time has come for the CD to examine carefully various aspects of its working method. In this sense, the G21 proposal on the program of work contains a very useful proposal in its paragraph 4 for appointment of Special Coordinators on related issues, which merits serious consideration by the CD.

　 Finally, I would like to conclude my statement by expressing my wholehearted gratitude to all delegations, Mr. Petrovsky, Mr. Bensmail and other members of CD Secretariat, conference officers and interpreters for the cooperation and help as well as warm friendship they extended to myself and to the members of my delegation. I sincerely hope that the same support will be given to my successor.