(96.04.23)小和田国連代大使ＵＮＤＣ

　 Let me, at the outset, extend my congratulations to Your Excellency, Ambassador Wolfgang Hoffmann of Germany, on your assumption of the chairmanship of the United Nations Disarmament Commission for this year. I am confident that, under your able guidance, the 1996 substantive session of the UNDC will be a particularly fruitful one. I wish to assure you, Mr. Chairman, of the full cooperation of the delegation of Japan as you discharge your important responsibilities.

　 Today I should like to comment briefly on the two agenda items agreed upon so far for this UNDC session, namely, first, the issue of international arms transfers with particular reference to General Assembly resolution 46/36H of 6 December 1991, and second, the issue of the proposed fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to Disarmament.

　 The issue of international arms transfers has long been a major focus of disarmament and security concern. The question has gained even greater urgency with the eruption of numerous internal and regional conflicts stemming from religious, ethnic and racial rivalries since the end of the Cold War. The illicit trafficking in arms, which has been linked to international terrorist activities and drug trafficking, has also drawn considerable international attention, as reflected in the various resolutions which have been adopted by the General Assembly.

　 The UNDC has been conducting its deliberations on international arms transfers since its 1994 session. The issue is an extremely complex one since the problem of arms transfers is closely linked with the security, political, and economic consideration, as well as the legal system, of each country. Since these factors differ from country to country, our task of setting international guidelines is by no means an easy one. Nevertheless, my delegation strongly hopes that under the wise guidance of your excellent leadership our intensive discussion on the subject will yield concrete progress on this vital issue.

　 As the 1991 report of governmental experts entitled "Ways and Means of Promoting Transparency in International Transfers of Conventional Arms" pointed out, international transfers of conventional arms often take place in an environment veiled in secrecy. It is my delegation's view that greater openness and transparency will help to restrain such transfers.

　 I believe it is appropriate in this context to stress the important role that the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms is playing. My delegation notes with satisfaction that in the course of three years since the Register was established, the number of participating countries has steadily increased : in fact, as of 12 February this year, ninety-three countries have submitted reports. This attests to the importance which many countries attach to this system of UN Register as a global confidence-building mechanism. The Government of all the countries and encourages Member States which have not yet done so to join this system as early as possible.

　 In this connection, there is an impression that some countries are not making a report to the Register at present since they feel that they do not have to do so as they have not been engaged in arms transfers. However, it would be most helpful if such countries could submit what is termed "nil reports," as this would give a clear indication of their political commitment to the Register. I wish to urge strongly that these countries do so, since the registration of such countries is just as important as that of countries with actual arms transfers to report.

　 As for the question of a fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament, it will be recalled that the General Assembly decided, with the adoption of resolution 50/70 F, to convene such a session in 1997 if possible. In the past, special sessions on disarmament have been held in 1978, 1982, and 1988, they have proved to be highly useful. On this basis, my delegation fully understands the claim that it is time to convene another such conference after an interval of almost a decade since the last one. The question that we should address is whether the fourth special session is likely to achieve the desired results, if it is held at this juncture.

　The objective of these special sessions is, of course, to promote disarmament, particularly nuclear disarmament. This objective is being vigorously pursued in various fora at the moment.

　 Thus, bilateral negotiations between the United States and the Russian Federation to reduce nuclear stockpiles are making progress. Also, beginning in 1997, preparatory committee meetings will be held each year to lay the groundwork for the next Review Conference in the year 2000. This review process, to be conducted on the basis of the "Principles and Objectives for Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament" adopted at last year's Review and Extension Conference, will certainly cover a far wider range of nuclear disarmament issues, and will do so in much greater depth, than a special session of the General Assembly could do, if it were held at this point.

　 Under such circumstances, it is the considered view of the Government of Japan that such a session would certainly be desirable at a suitable future stage, but that at this stage we should attempt as a matter of priority to achieve as much as possible through the ongoing scheduled efforts that I have just mentioned. A further thorough exchange of views on the timing, agenda, and objectives of a special session on disarmament could more usefully be conducted. On the basis of an examination of the results of such efforts, I might also add that convening a special session would place a serious burden on the United Nations budget which is already strained. It is in view of these considerations that my Government abstained from the vote on General Assembly resolution 50/70 F.