General and complete disarmament, G.A. res. 51/45, 51 U.N. GAOR Supp. (No. 49) at 79, U.N. Doc. A/51/49 (Vol. I) (1996).
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons: 2000
Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory
Committee
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 2373 (XXII) of 12 June 1968, the annex to which
contains the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
Noting the provisions of article VIII, paragraph 3, of the Treaty
regarding the convening of Review Conferences at five-year intervals,
Recalling the decision on strengthening the review process for the
Treaty, of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of Parties to the Treaty
in which it was agreed that Treaty Review Conferences should continue to be
held every five years and that, accordingly, the next Review Conference should
be held in the year 2000,
Recalling also the decision of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference
that the first Preparatory Committee meeting for the 2000 Review Conference
should be held in 1997,
Recalling further its resolution 50/70 Q of 12 December 1995, in which
it took note of the various decisions of the 1995 Review and Extension
Conference,
1. Takes note of the decision of the parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, following appropriate consultations, to
hold the first meeting of the Preparatory Committee in New York from 7 to 18
April 1997;
2. Requests the Secretary-General to render the necessary assistance
and to provide such services, including summary records, as may be required
for the 2000 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its Preparatory Committee.
B
The nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere
and adjacent areas
The General Assembly,
Determined to continue to contribute to the prevention of the
proliferation of nuclear weapons in all its aspects and to the process of
general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international
control, in particular in the field of nuclear weapons and other weapons of
mass destruction, with a view to strengthening international peace and
security, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the
United Nations,
Stressing the importance of the treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga,
Bangkok and Pelindaba, establishing nuclear-weapon-free zones, as well as the
Antarctic Treaty,
Recalling that, at its first special session devoted to disarmament, the
General Assembly declared, inter alia, that the establishment of
nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of agreements or arrangements freely
arrived at among the States of the zone concerned constitutes an important
disarmament measure; that the States participating in such zones should
undertake to comply fully with all the objectives, purposes and principles of
the agreements or arrangements establishing the zones, thus ensuring that they
are genuinely free from nuclear weapons; and that the nuclear-weapon States
are called upon to give undertakings, negotiated with the competent authority
of each zone, in particular, to respect strictly the status of the
nuclear-weapon-free zone and to refrain from the use or threat of use of
nuclear weapons against the States of the zone,
Recalling also that the 1995 Review and Extension Conference of the
Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons reaffirmed
the conviction that the establishment of internationally recognized
nuclear-weapon-free zones, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at
among the States of the region concerned, enhances global and regional peace
and security, and encouraged the development of nuclear-weapon-free zones,
especially in regions of tension, such as in the Middle East,
Recalling further the applicable principles and rules of international
law relating to rights of passage through maritime space,
1. Recognizes with satisfaction that the Antarctic Treaty and the
treaties of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba are gradually freeing
the entire southern hemisphere and adjacent areas covered by those treaties
from nuclear weapons;
2. Calls for the ratification of the treaties of Tlatelolco,
Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba by all regional States, and calls upon all
concerned States to continue to work together in order to facilitate adherence
to the protocols to nuclear-weapon-free zone treaties by all relevant States
that have not yet done so;
3. Calls upon all States to consider proposals to establish further
nuclear- weapon-free zones, especially in areas such as the Middle East and
South Asia, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at among the States of
the region concerned, to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime and,
with particular reference to the responsibilities of the nuclear-weapon
States, to advance the process of nuclear disarmament with the ultimate goal
of eliminating all nuclear weapons;
4. Calls upon the States parties and signatories to the treaties of
Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Bangkok and Pelindaba, in order to promote the common
goals envisaged in those treaties, to explore and implement further ways and
means of cooperation, including the consolidation of the status of the
nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and adjacent areas;
5. Encourages the competent authorities of nuclear-weapon-free zone
treaties to provide assistance to the States parties and signatories to such
treaties so as to facilitate the accomplishment of these goals;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session an item entitled "The nuclear-weapon-free southern hemisphere and
adjacent areas".
C
Convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly
devoted to disarmament
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 49/75 I of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 F of 12
December 1995,
Recalling also that, there being a consensus to do so in each case,
three special sessions of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament were
held in 1978, 1982 and 1988, respectively,
Bearing in mind the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the
General Assembly, the first special session devoted to disarmament, and the
objective of general and complete disarmament under effective international
control,
Welcoming the recent positive changes in the international landscape,
characterized by the end of the cold war, the relaxation of tensions at the
global level and the emergence of a new spirit governing relations among
nations,
Taking note of paragraph 108 of the Final Document of the Eleventh
Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries, held
at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 18 to 20 October 1995, which supported
the convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to
disarmament in 1997, which would offer an opportunity to review, from a
perspective more in tune with the current international situation, the most
critical aspects of the process of disarmament and to mobilize the
international community and public opinion in favour of the elimination of
nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and of the control and reduction
of conventional weapons,
Taking note also of the interim report of the 1996 substantive session
of the Disarmament Commission on the item entitled "Exchange of views on the
fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament",
Desiring to build upon the constructive exchange of views on the fourth
special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament during the 1996
substantive session of the Disarmament Commission,
Reiterating its conviction that a special session of the General
Assembly devoted to disarmament can set the future course of action in the
field of disarmament, arms control and related international security matters,
Emphasizing the importance of multilateralism in the process of
disarmament and arms control, peace and security,
Noting that, with the completion of the Convention on the Prohibition of
the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
Their Destruction and the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban
Treaty, as well as of amended Protocol II and new Protocol IV to the
Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional
Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have
Indiscriminate Effects, the following years would be opportune for the
international community to start the process of reviewing the state of affairs
in the entire field of disarmament and arms control in the post-cold-war era,
1. Decides, subject to the emergence of a consensus on its objectives
and agenda, to convene its fourth special session devoted to disarmament in
1999;
2. Notes the view of the Secretary-General that preparations for the
special session could begin in 1997;
3. Decides, subject to the outcome of deliberations concerning the
fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament at the
1997 substantive session of the Disarmament Commission, to convene a meeting
of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth Special Session of the General
Assembly devoted to Disarmament before the end of the fifty-first session of
the Assembly in order to set an exact date and to decide on organizational
matters relating to the convening of the special session, and requests the
Preparatory Committee to submit its progress report to the Assembly at its
fifty-second session;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the Preparatory
Committee with all necessary assistance, including essential background
information and relevant documents as necessary;
5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Convening of the fourth special session of the
General Assembly devoted to disarmament" and, subject to the outcome of
deliberations at the 1997 substantive session of the Disarmament Commission,
to take up the report of the Preparatory Committee for the Fourth Special
Session of the General Assembly Devoted to Disarmament.
D
Relationship between disarmament and development
The General Assembly,
Recalling the provisions of the Final Document of the Tenth Special
Session of the General Assembly concerning the relationship between
disarmament and development,
Recalling also the adoption on 11 September 1987 of the Final Document
of the International Conference on the Relationship between Disarmament and
Development,
Recalling further its resolutions 49/75 J of 15 December 1994 and 50/70
G of 12 December 1995,
Bearing in mind the Final Document of the Eleventh Conference of Heads
of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Countries, held at Cartagena de
Indias, Colombia, from 18 to 20 October 1995,
Stressing the growing importance of the symbiotic relationship between
disarmament and development in current international relations,
1. Acknowledges the note by the Secretary-General and actions taken
in accordance with the Final Document of the International Conference on the
Relationship between Disarmament and Development;
2. Urges the international community to devote part of the resources
made available by the implementation of disarmament and arms limitation
agreements to economic and social development, with a view to reducing the
ever widening gap between developed and developing countries;
3. Invites all Member States to communicate to the Secretary-General,
by 15 April 1997, their views and proposals for the implementation of the
action programme adopted at the International Conference on the Relationship
between Disarmament and Development, as well as any other views and proposals
with a view to achieving the goals of the action programme, within the
framework of current international relations;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to take action, through
appropriate organs and within available resources, for the implementation of
the action programme adopted at the International Conference;
5. Also requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the
General Assembly at its fifty-second session;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Relationship between disarmament and development".
E
Observance of environmental norms in the drafting
and implementation of agreements on disarmament
and arms control
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 50/70 M of 12 December 1995,
Emphasizing the importance of the observance of environmental norms in
the preparation and implementation of disarmament and arms limitation
agreements,
Recognizing that it is necessary duly to take into account the
agreements adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development, as well as prior relevant agreements, in the drafting and the
implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms limitation,
Mindful of the detrimental environmental effects of the use of nuclear
weapons,
Taking note of the preamble to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban
Treaty, opened for signature on 24 September 1996, concerning the contribution
to environmental protection provided by the Treaty,
Considering its resolution 2602 C (XXIV) of 16 December 1969, in which
it requested the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, inter alia, to
consider effective methods to control radiological means of warfare, in the
interest of averting the hazards of using radioactive wastes as a means of
radiological warfare, and of their impact on international security and
environmental preservation,
Recognizing that prevention of the nuclear arms race on the seabed and
the ocean floor and in the subsoil thereof contributes to keeping the peace
and protecting the environment,
Convinced of the general interest of mankind in the progress of the
exploration and use of outer space for peaceful purposes, and the need to
preserve the world's environment in this context,
Desirous that, in the interest of mankind, Antarctica should continue to
be used for exclusively peaceful purposes and that the balance of that
important ecosystem should be preserved,
Taking note of the environment-related provisions laid down in the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and
Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction,
Convinced of the importance of strengthening the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction through the adoption
of appropriate measures, including possible verification measures, and the
drafting of proposals to be included, as appropriate, in a legally binding
instrument, on the basis of the findings of the ad hoc working group set up to
that effect, and which, inter alia, should take into account the necessity of
ensuring the preservation of the environment,
Conscious that the international transfer of relevant technologies,
services and know-how for peaceful purposes can contribute positively to
abiding by environmental norms in the framework of the disarmament and arms
limitation agreements,
1. Invites the Conference on Disarmament to take every necessary
measure to include the relevant environmental norms and provisions in
negotiating treaties and agreements on disarmament and arms limitation, taking
into account the need to preserve the world's environment and to ensure the
strict observance of such environmental norms and provisions during the entire
process of implementation of the provisions of the aforementioned treaties and
agreements, particularly during the process of destruction of the arms covered
by them;
2. Requests the Conference on Disarmament to take into account, in
the negotiations for a convention on the prohibition of radiological weapons,
radioactive wastes as part of the scope of such a convention, as well as
express provisions relating to environmental protection;
3. Expresses grave concern regarding any use of nuclear wastes that
would constitute radiological warfare and have grave implications for the
national security of all States and for preserving the environment;
4. Urges States parties to comply strictly with the provisions of the
Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other
Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Seabed and the Ocean Floor and in the
Subsoil Thereof, and calls on States that possess nuclear weapons and other
weapons of mass destruction that have not yet done so, to become parties to
the Treaty, as a major contribution to international peace and the
ecologically rational use of the environment;
5. Calls upon all States, especially those that have major space
programmes, to contribute actively to the attainment of the goals of using
outer space for peaceful purposes, preserving the world's environment and
preventing the arms race in outer space and, for the sake of international
peace and security and of promoting international cooperation, to refrain from
acting counter to the spirit of that international legal instrument;
6. Welcomes the concrete measures taken by several countries to
ensure compliance with the Antarctic Treaty, and calls upon all countries to
refrain from carrying out any activity counter to the spirit of that
international legal instrument;
7. Emphasizes the importance of the compliance by all States parties
to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production,
Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction, and calls
upon them to cooperate and to preserve the environment in the process of the
implementation of the Convention in all its relevant aspects;
8. Urges States parties to consider all the relevant norms related to
the protection of the environment in implementing the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological
(Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction;
9. Calls upon States to adopt unilateral, bilateral, regional and
multilateral measures so as to contribute to ensuring the application of
scientific and technological progress in the framework of international
security, disarmament and other related spheres, without detriment to the
environment or to its effective contribution to attaining sustainable
development;
10. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Observance of environmental norms in the drafting
and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control".
F
Measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of
conventional arms
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 46/36 H of 6 December 1991 and its decision
47/419 of 9 December 1992 on international arms transfers,
Recalling also its resolutions 48/75 F and H of 16 December 1993, 49/75
M of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 J of 12 December 1995 on measures to curb the
illicit transfer and use of conventional arms,
Recognizing that the availability of massive quantities of conventional
weapons and especially their illicit transfer, often associated with
destabilizing activities, are most disturbing and dangerous phenomena, in
particular for the internal situation of affected States and the violation of
human rights,
Bearing in mind that in certain situations mercenaries, terrorists and
child soldiers are supplied with weapons acquired from illicit transfers of
conventional arms,
Convinced that peace and security are inextricably interlinked with and
in some cases imperative for economic development and reconstruction,
including in war-stricken countries,
Realizing the urgent need to resolve conflicts and to diminish tension,
and to accelerate efforts towards general and complete disarmament with a view
to maintaining regional and international peace and security,
Recognizing the curbing of the illicit transfer of arms as an important
contribution to the relaxation of tension and peaceful reconciliation
processes,
Stressing the need for effective national control measures on the
transfer of conventional weapons,
Convinced that effective measures to curb the illicit transfer and use
of conventional arms will help enhance regional and international peace,
security and economic development,
1. Welcomes the adoption by the Disarmament Commission of the report
on international arms transfers, with particular reference to General Assembly
resolution 46/36 H, as well as a text entitled "Guidelines for international
arms transfers in the context of General Assembly resolution 46/36 H of 6
December 1991";
2. Invites Member States:
(a) To enact adequate national legislation and/or regulations and
adopt administrative procedures in order to exercise effective control over
armaments and the export and import of arms, inter alia, with the aim of
preventing trafficking in illicit arms and bringing offenders to justice;
(b) To provide the Secretary-General, by 15 April 1997, with relevant
information on national control measures on arms transfers with a view to
preventing illicit arms transfers;
3. Also invites Member States to provide the Secretary-General, by 15
April 1997, with their views on:
(a) Effective ways and means of collecting weapons transferred
illicitly, in particular in the light of experience gained by the United
Nations;
(b) Concrete proposals concerning measures at national, regional and
international levels to curb the illicit transfer and use of conventional
arms;
4. Requests the Secretary-General:
(a) To submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session a
report containing the views expressed by Member States;
(b) To report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session on
the effective implementation of the present resolution;
5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of
conventional arms".
G
Nuclear disarmament with a view to the ultimate
elimination of nuclear weapons
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 50/70 C of 12 December 1995,
Recognizing that the end of the cold war has increased the possibility
of freeing the world from the fear of nuclear war,
Appreciating the entry into force of the Treaty on the Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, to which Belarus, Kazakstan, the
Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United States of America are party, and
looking forward to the early entry into force of the Treaty on Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, which was ratified by
the United States of America,
Welcoming the reductions in the nuclear arsenals of other nuclear-weapon
States,
Welcoming also the decision of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference
of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to
extend the Treaty indefinitely, taken without a vote, as well as the decisions
on strengthening the review process for the Treaty and on the principles and
objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament,
Noting the reference in the decision on the principles and objectives
for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament to the importance of the
following measures for the full realization and effective implementation of
article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
including the programme of action as reflected below:
(a) The completion by the Conference on Disarmament of the
negotiations on a universal and internationally and effectively verifiable
comprehensive nuclear- test-ban treaty no later than 1996, and utmost
restraint that should be exercised by the nuclear-weapon States pending the
entry into force of that treaty;
(b) The immediate commencement and early conclusion of negotiations on
a non-discriminatory and universally applicable convention banning the
production of fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive
devices in accordance with the statement of the Special Coordinator of the
Conference on Disarmament and the mandate contained therein;
(c) The determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of systematic
and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate
goal of eliminating those weapons, and by all States of general and complete
disarmament under strict and effective international control,
Welcoming the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty at
the fiftieth session of the General Assembly and its opening for signature at
the beginning of the current session,
Recalling that nuclear non-proliferation and the promotion of nuclear
disarmament are key elements in the maintenance of international peace and
security, which is one of the most important purposes of the United Nations,
1. Urges States not parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons to accede to it at the earliest possible date, recognizing the
importance of universal adherence to the Treaty;
2. Calls for the determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of
systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with
the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons, and by all States of general
and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control, and
invites them to keep States Members of the United Nations duly informed of the
progress and efforts made;
3. Calls upon all States parties to the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to make their best efforts for a smooth
start of the strengthened review process of the Treaty as they convene their
first Preparatory Committee, in 1997, with a view to the success of the next
Review Conference which should be held in the year 2000;
4. Calls upon all States to implement fully their commitments in the
field of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
H
Transparency in armaments
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 46/36 L of 9 December 1991, 47/52 L of 15
December 1992, 48/75 E of 16 December 1993, 49/75 C of 15 December 1994 and
50/70 D of 12 December 1995,
Continuing to take the view that an enhanced level of transparency in
armaments contributes greatly to confidence-building and security among States
and that the establishment of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms
constitutes an important step forward in the promotion of transparency in
military matters,
Welcoming the consolidated report of the Secretary-General on the
Register, which includes the returns of Member States for 1995,
Welcoming also the response of Member States to the request contained in
paragraphs 9 and 10 of resolution 46/36 L to provide data on their imports and
exports of arms, as well as available background information regarding their
military holdings, procurement through national production and relevant
policies,
Welcoming further the report of the Disarmament Commission at its 1996
session on the subject of international arms transfers, which was adopted by
consensus,
Stressing that the continuing operation of the Register and its further
development should be reviewed in order to secure a Register that is capable
of attracting the widest possible participation,
1. Reaffirms its determination to ensure the effective operation of
the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms as provided for in paragraphs
7, 8, 9 and 10 of resolution 46/36 L;
2. Calls upon Member States to provide the requested data and
information for the Register, on the basis of resolutions 46/36 L and 47/52 L
and the annex and appendices to the 1994 report of the Secretary-General on
the continuing operation of the Register and its further development, to the
Secretary- General by 30 April annually;
3. Reaffirms its decision, with a view to the further development of
the Register, to keep the scope of and participation in the Register under
review, and, to that end:
(a) Recalls its request to Member States to provide the
Secretary-General with their views on the continuing operation of the Register
and its further development and on transparency measures related to weapons of
mass destruction;
(b) Recalls its request to the Secretary-General, with the assistance
of a group of governmental experts to be convened in 1997, on the basis of
equitable geographical representation, to prepare a report on the continuing
operation of the Register and its further development, taking into account the
report of the Disarmament Commission at its 1996 session on the subject of
international arms transfers, the work of the Conference on Disarmament, the
views expressed by Member States and the 1994 report of the Secretary-General
on the continuing operation of the Register and its further development, with
a view to a decision at its fifty-second session;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that sufficient resources
are made available for the Secretariat to operate and maintain the Register;
5. Invites the Conference on Disarmament to consider continuing its
work undertaken in the field of transparency in armaments;
6. Reiterates it call upon all Member States to cooperate at the
regional and subregional levels, taking fully into account the specific
conditions prevailing in the region or subregion, with a view to enhancing and
coordinating international efforts aimed at increased openness and
transparency in armaments;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the General Assembly
at its fifty-second session on the progress made in implementing the present
resolution;
8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Transparency in armaments".
I
Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament
The General Assembly,
Recalling its previous relevant resolutions,
Recognizing the fundamental changes that have taken place with respect
to international security, which have permitted agreements on deep reductions
in the nuclear armaments of the States possessing the largest inventories of
such weapons,
Stressing that it is the responsibility and the obligation of all States
to contribute to the process of the relaxation of international tension and to
the strengthening of international peace and security through disarmament, in
particular, nuclear disarmament, which remains the highest priority of our
times,
Stressing also that, as stipulated in many agreements and recently
reiterated by the unanimous decision by the International Court of Justice,
there exists the obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion
negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict
and effective international control,
Welcoming the number of positive developments that have created
opportunities for nuclear disarmament, in particular, the completion of the
implementation of the 1987 Treaty between the United States of America and the
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their
Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, removing such weapons from
deployed status, the conclusion of bilateral agreements on de-targeting
strategic missiles, the cooperative efforts to ensure the safety, security and
environmentally sound destruction of nuclear weapons as well as the efforts to
deactivate all nuclear delivery systems or other steps to remove them from
alert status,
Noting that there are still significant nuclear arsenals and that the
primary responsibility for nuclear disarmament, with the objective of the
elimination of nuclear weapons, rests with all nuclear-weapon States, in
particular, those possessing the largest stockpiles,
Recalling the expressed commitment by the nuclear-weapon States to
pursue systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally,
with the ultimate goal of the elimination of those weapons, which should be
carried out within a time-bound framework,
Recalling also the agreement between the Russian Federation and the
United States of America to intensify their dialogue to compare conceptual
approaches and to develop concrete steps to adapt the nuclear forces and
practices on both sides to the changed international security situation,
including the possibility, after ratification of the Treaty on the Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, of further reductions of
and limitations on remaining nuclear forces,
Taking note of the joint statement of 10 May 1995 by the Russian
Federation and the United States of America on the Treaty on the Limitation of
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems,
Welcoming the reductions made by other nuclear-weapon States in some of
their nuclear-weapons programmes, and encouraging all nuclear-weapon States to
consider appropriate measures relating to nuclear disarmament,
Affirming that bilateral and multilateral negotiations on nuclear
disarmament should facilitate and complement each other,
1. Welcomes the entry into force and implementation of the Treaty on
the Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed in Moscow on
31 July 1991 by the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United
States of America, including the Protocol to that Treaty, signed at Lisbon on
23 May 1992 by the parties thereto, and the exchange of documents of
ratification between the United States of America, Belarus, Kazakstan, the
Russian Federation and Ukraine on 5 December 1994 at Budapest, as well as the
ratification by the United States of America of the 1993 Treaty on Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, and urges the parties
concerned to make further efforts to bring that Treaty into force at the
earliest possible date;
2. Encourages the United States of America and the Russian Federation
to continue their efforts aimed at eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic
offensive arms on the basis of existing agreements, and welcomes the
contributions that other States are making to such cooperation as well;
3. Welcomes the removal of all nuclear weapons from the territory of
Kazakstan, as from June 1995, and from the territory of Ukraine, as from June
1996;
4. Encourages and supports the Russian Federation and the United
States of America in intensifying their work for deep reductions in their
nuclear armaments, and calls upon those States to accord the highest priority
to this work, in order to contribute to the elimination of nuclear weapons
within a time-bound framework;
5. Invites the Russian Federation and the United States of America to
keep the States Members of the United Nations and the Conference on
Disarmament duly informed of progress in their discussions and in the
implementation of their strategic offensive arms agreements and unilateral
decisions;
6. Calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to take such information
into account in the negotiations to be held on nuclear disarmament leading to
the elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework.
J
Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes
The General Assembly,
Bearing in mind resolutions CM/Res.1153 (XLVIII) of 1988 and CM/Res.1225
(L) of 1989, adopted by the Council of Ministers of the Organization of
African Unity, concerning the dumping of nuclear and industrial wastes in
Africa,
Welcoming resolution GC(XXXIV)/RES/530 establishing a Code of Practice
on the International Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste, adopted on
21 September 1990 by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy
Agency at its thirty-fourth regular session,
Welcoming also resolution GC(XXXVIII)/RES/6, adopted on 23 September
1994 by the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency at
its thirty-eighth regular session, inviting the Board of Governors and the
Director General of the Agency to commence preparations for a convention on
the safety of radioactive waste management, and noting the progress that has
been made in that regard,
Taking note of the commitment by the participants at the Summit on
Nuclear Safety and Security, held in Moscow on 19 and 20 April 1996, to ban
the dumping at sea of radioactive wastes,
Considering its resolution 2602 C (XXIV) of 16 December 1969, in which
it requested the Conference of the Committee on Disarmament, inter alia, to
consider effective methods of control against the use of radiological methods
of warfare,
Recalling resolution CM/Res.1356 (LIV) of 1991, adopted by the Council
of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, on the Bamako Convention on
the Ban on the Import of Hazardous Wastes into Africa and on the Control of
Their Transboundary Movements within Africa,
Aware of the potential hazards underlying any use of radioactive wastes
that would constitute radiological warfare and its implications for regional
and international security, in particular for the security of developing
countries,
Recalling all its resolutions on the matter since its forty-third
session in 1988, including its resolution 50/70 E of 12 December 1995,
Desirous of promoting the implementation of paragraph 76 of the Final
Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, the first
special session devoted to disarmament,
1. Takes note of the part of the report of the Conference on
Disarmament relating to a future convention on the prohibition of radiological
weapons;
2. Expresses grave concern regarding any use of nuclear wastes that
would constitute radiological warfare and have grave implications for the
national security of all States;
3. Calls upon all States to take appropriate measures with a view to
preventing any dumping of nuclear or radioactive wastes that would infringe
upon the sovereignty of States;
4. Requests the Conference on Disarmament to take into account, in
the negotiations for a convention on the prohibition of radiological weapons,
radioactive wastes as part of the scope of such a convention;
5. Also requests the Conference on Disarmament to intensify efforts
towards an early conclusion of such a convention and to include in its report
to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session the progress recorded in
the negotiations on this subject;
6. Takes note of resolution CM/Res.1356 (LIV) of 1991, adopted by the
Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, on the Bamako
Convention on the Ban on the Import of Hazardous Wastes into Africa and on the
Control of Their Transboundary Movements within Africa;
7. Expresses the hope that the effective implementation of the
International Atomic Energy Agency Code of Practice on the International
Transboundary Movement of Radioactive Waste will enhance the protection of all
States from the dumping of radioactive wastes on their territories;
8. Welcomes the current efforts of the International Atomic Energy
Agency in the preparation of a draft convention on the safe management of
radioactive wastes and the appropriate recommendations made by the
participants at the Summit on Nuclear Safety and Security, held in Moscow on
19 and 20 April 1996, in particular their call on all States generating
nuclear wastes with nuclear installations to participate actively in the
preparation of this convention under the auspices of the International Atomic
Energy Agency and to encourage its effective finalization and prompt adoption;
9. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Prohibition of the dumping of radioactive wastes".
K
Regional disarmament
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 45/58 P of 4 December 1990, 46/36 I of 6
December 1991, 47/52 J of 9 December 1992, 48/75 I of 16 December 1993, 49/75
N of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 K of 12 December 1995 on regional disarmament,
Believing that the efforts of the international community to move
towards the ideal of general and complete disarmament are guided by the
inherent human desire for genuine peace and security, the elimination of the
danger of war and the release of economic, intellectual and other resources
for peaceful pursuits,
Affirming the abiding commitment of all States to the purposes and
principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations in the conduct of
their international relations,
Noting that essential guidelines for progress towards general and
complete disarmament were adopted at the tenth special session of the General
Assembly,
Taking note of the guidelines and recommendations for regional
approaches to disarmament within the context of global security adopted by the
Disarmament Commission at its 1993 substantive session,
Welcoming the prospects of genuine progress in the field of disarmament
engendered in recent years as a result of negotiations between the two
super-Powers,
Taking note of the recent proposals for disarmament and nuclear
non-proliferation at the regional and subregional levels,
Recognizing the importance of confidence-building measures for regional
and international peace and security,
Convinced that endeavours by countries to promote regional disarmament,
taking into account the specific characteristics of each region and in
accordance with the principle of undiminished security at the lowest level of
armaments, would enhance the security of smaller States and would thus
contribute to international peace and security by reducing the risk of
regional conflicts,
1. Stresses that sustained efforts are needed, within the framework
of the Conference on Disarmament and under the umbrella of the United Nations,
to make progress on the entire range of disarmament issues;
2. Affirms that global and regional approaches to disarmament
complement each other and should therefore be pursued simultaneously to
promote regional and international peace and security;
3. Calls upon States to conclude agreements, wherever possible, for
nuclear non-proliferation, disarmament and confidence-building measures at the
regional and subregional levels;
4. Welcomes the initiatives towards disarmament, nuclear
non-proliferation and security undertaken by some countries at the regional
and subregional levels;
5. Supports and encourages efforts aimed at promoting confidence-
building measures at the regional and subregional levels in order to ease
regional tensions and to further disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation
measures at the regional and subregional levels;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Regional disarmament".
L
Assistance to States for curbing the illicit
traffic in small arms and collecting them
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 46/36 H of 6 December 1991, 47/52 G and J of 9
December 1992, 48/75 H and J of 16 December 1993, 49/75 G of 15 December 1994
and 50/70 H of 12 December 1995,
Considering that the illicit circulation of massive quantities of small
arms throughout the world impedes development and is a source of increased
insecurity,
Considering also that the illicit international transfer of small arms
and their accumulation in many countries constitute a threat to the
populations and to national and regional security and are a factor
contributing to the destabilization of States,
Basing itself on the statement of the Secretary-General relating to the
request of Mali concerning United Nations assistance for the collection of
small arms,
Gravely concerned at the extent of the insecurity and banditry linked to
the illicit circulation of small arms in Mali and the other affected States of
the Saharo- Sahelian subregion,
Taking note of the first conclusions of the United Nations advisory
missions sent to the affected countries of the subregion by the
Secretary-General to study the best way of curbing the illicit circulation of
small arms and ensuring their collection,
Taking note also of the interest shown by other States of the subregion
in receiving a United Nations advisory mission,
Noting the actions taken and those recommended at the meetings of the
States of the subregion held at Banjul, Algiers and Bamako to establish close
regional cooperation with a view to strengthening security,
1. Welcomes the initiative taken by Mali concerning the question of
the illicit circulation of small arms and their collection in the affected
States of the Saharo-Sahelian subregion;
2. Also welcomes the action taken by the Secretary-General in
implementation of this initiative in the context of General Assembly
resolution 40/151 H of 16 December 1985;
3. Thanks the Governments concerned in the subregion for the
substantial support that they have given to the United Nations advisory
missions, and welcomes the declared readiness of other States to receive the
United Nations Advisory Mission;
4. Encourages the Secretary-General to continue his efforts, in the
context of the implementation of resolution 49/75 G and of the recommendations
of the United Nations advisory missions, to curb the illicit circulation of
small arms and to collect such arms in the affected States that so request,
with the support of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and
Disarmament in Africa and in close cooperation with the Organization of
African Unity;
5. Notes that, as part of its efforts to halt the flow of small arms
into Mali and the Saharo-Sahelian subregion, the Malian Government oversaw the
destruction, at the "Flame of Peace" ceremony held at Timbuktu on 27 March
1996, of thousands of small arms handed over by ex-combatants of the armed
movements of northern Mali;
6. Encourages the setting up in the countries of the Saharo-Sahelian
subregion of national commissions against the proliferation of small arms;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to examine the issue
and to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session.
M
Advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice on the legality of the threat or use
of nuclear weapons
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 49/75 K of 15 December 1994, in which it
requested the International Court of Justice to render an advisory opinion on
whether the threat or use of nuclear weapons is permitted in any circumstance
under international law,
Mindful of the solemn obligations of States parties, undertaken in
article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons,
particularly to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures
relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear
disarmament,
Recalling its resolution 50/70 P of 12 December 1995, in which it called
upon the Conference on Disarmament to establish an ad hoc committee on nuclear
disarmament to commence negotiations on a phased programme of nuclear
disarmament and for the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-
bound framework,
Recalling also the principles and objectives for nuclear
non-proliferation and disarmament adopted at the 1995 Review and Extension
Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear
Weapons, and in particular the objective of determined pursuit by the
nuclear-weapon States of systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear
weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons,
Recognizing that the only defence against a nuclear catastrophe is the
total elimination of nuclear weapons and the certainty that they will never be
produced again,
Desiring to achieve the objective of a legally binding prohibition of
the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, threat or use
of nuclear weapons and their destruction under effective international
control,
Reaffirming the commitment of the international community to the goal of
the total elimination of nuclear weapons, and welcoming every effort towards
this end,
Reaffirming also the central role of the Conference on Disarmament as
the single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum,
Noting the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty by the
General Assembly in its resolution 50/245 of 10 September 1996,
Regretting the absence of multilaterally negotiated and legally binding
security assurances against the threat or use of nuclear weapons against
non-nuclear- weapon States,
Convinced that the continuing existence of nuclear weapons poses a
threat to all humanity and that their use would have catastrophic consequences
for all life on Earth,
1. Expresses its appreciation to the International Court of Justice
for responding to the request made by the General Assembly at its forty-ninth
session;
2. Takes note of the advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear Weapons, issued on 8
July 1996;
3. Underlines the unanimous conclusion of the Court that there exists
an obligation to pursue in good faith and bring to a conclusion negotiations
leading to nuclear disarmament in all its aspects under strict and effective
international control;
4. Calls upon all States to fulfil that obligation immediately by
commencing multilateral negotiations in 1997 leading to an early conclusion of
a nuclear-weapons convention prohibiting the development, production, testing,
deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat or use of nuclear weapons and
providing for their elimination;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to provide the necessary assistance
to support the implementation of the present resolution;
6. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session an item entitled "Follow-up to the Advisory Opinion of the
International Court of Justice on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear
Weapons".
N
Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures
The General Assembly,
Reaffirming the purpose of the United Nations to maintain peace and
security and, in this context, reaffirming in particular the role of the
United Nations in the field of disarmament, as well as the commitment of
Member States to take concrete steps in order to strengthen that role,
Convinced that a comprehensive and integrated approach towards certain
practical disarmament measures, such as, inter alia, arms control,
particularly with regard to small arms and light weapons, confidence-building
measures, demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, demining and
conversion, often is a prerequisite to maintaining and consolidating peace and
security and thus provides a basis for effective rehabilitation and social and
economic development,
Noting in this context the reports of the Secretary-General entitled "An
Agenda for Peace" and "Supplement to an Agenda for Peace" in which the
Secretary-General, inter alia, stressed the urgent need for "practical
disarmament in the context of the conflicts the United Nations is actually
dealing with and of the weapons, most of them light weapons, that are actually
killing people in the hundreds of thousands", and in which, with regard to
practical disarmament measures, the Secretary-General stated that "the
assembly, control and disposal of weapons has been a central feature of most
of the comprehensive peace settlements in which the United Nations has played
a peacekeeping role",
Recalling its resolutions 49/75 M of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 B and
50/70 J of 12 December 1995 concerning small arms and light weapons, as well
as the control and the illicit transfer of such weapons, and, in this context,
encouraging the work of the United Nations expert panel on small arms,
Welcoming the adoption by the Disarmament Commission of the "Guidelines
for international arms transfers in the context of General Assembly resolution
46/36 H of 6 December 1991",
Recalling its resolutions 49/75 G of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 H of 12
December 1995, in which it welcomed the initiative taken by Mali concerning
the question of illicit circulation of small arms and their collection in the
affected States of the Saharo-Sahelian subregion, as well as the action taken
by the Secretary- General in the implementation of that initiative,
Welcoming, in this context, the measures taken and other ongoing efforts
by the Central African States to promote, within the framework of the United
Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa,
confidence- building and conflict prevention in their subregion,
Recalling its resolution 50/70 D of 12 December 1995 on transparency in
armaments, and continuing to take the view that an enhanced level of
transparency could contribute to confidence-building and security among
States,
Recalling also its resolutions 50/70 O and 50/74 of 12 December 1995 and
50/82 of 14 December 1995 addressing the global landmine problem,
Welcoming the adoption on 3 May 1996 of an amended Protocol II by the
Review Conference of the States Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or
Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to
Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects as a further step,
and also welcoming respective national measures adopted by a growing number of
States,
1. Stresses the particular importance of certain practical
disarmament measures, such as the collection, control and disposal of arms,
especially small arms and light weapons, coupled with restraint over the
production and procurement as well as transfers of such arms, the
demobilization and reintegration of former combatants, demining and
conversion, for the maintenance and consolidation of peace and security in
areas that have suffered from conflict;
2. Underlines the important role of the United Nations in providing a
political framework for such practical disarmament measures in those areas and
in facilitating their implementation;
3. Requests the Secretary-General, in the light of experience gained
from conflict resolution, to make recommendations and suggestions for an
integrated approach to such practical disarmament measures, taking also into
account the work of the United Nations expert panel on small arms, and to
report thereon to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session;
4. Also requests the Secretary-General, in this connection, to seek
the views of Member States on this subject and to include them in his report;
5. Calls upon Member States, as well as regional arrangements or
agencies, to assist the Secretary-General in his endeavours in this regard and
to contribute actively to the implementation of such practical disarmament
measures;
6. Encourages United Nations organs and agencies to join in this task
within the framework of their responsibilities, in particular the United
Nations Institute for Disarmament Research on the basis of its Disarmament and
Conflict Resolution Project;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session an item entitled "Consolidation of peace through practical disarmament
measures".
O
Nuclear disarmament
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 49/75 E of 15 December 1994 on a step-by-step
reduction of the nuclear threat, and its resolution 50/70 P of 12 December
1995 on nuclear disarmament,
Reaffirming the commitment of the international community to the goal of
the total elimination of nuclear weapons and the creation of a
nuclear-weapon-free world,
Determined to achieve the objective of prohibiting the development,
production, stockpiling and use of nuclear weapons and their destruction, and
to conclude such an international convention or conventions at an early date,
Bearing in mind paragraph 50 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special
Session of the General Assembly, the first special session devoted to
disarmament, calling for the urgent negotiation of agreements for the
cessation of the qualitative improvement and development of nuclear-weapon
systems, and for a comprehensive and phased programme with agreed time-frames,
wherever feasible, for progressive and balanced reduction of nuclear weapons
and their means of delivery, leading to their ultimate and complete
elimination at the earliest possible time,
Taking note of the adoption of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
by the General Assembly in its resolution 50/245 on 10 September 1996,
Recognizing that the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and any
proposed treaty on fissile material for nuclear weapons or other nuclear
explosive devices must constitute disarmament measures, and not only
non-proliferation measures, and that these measures, together with an
international legal instrument on adequate security assurances for
non-nuclear-weapon States and an international convention prohibiting the use
of nuclear weapons, must be integral steps leading to the total elimination of
nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework,
Recognizing also that the end of the cold war has brought about
favourable conditions for creating a world free of nuclear weapons,
Welcoming the entry into force of the Treaty on the Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, to which Belarus, Kazakstan, the
Russian Federation, Ukraine and the United States of America are States
parties,
Welcoming also the conclusion of the Treaty on Further Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms by the Russian Federation and the
United States of America and the ratification of that Treaty by the United
States of America, and looking forward to the full implementation of the START
I and START II Treaties by the States parties, and to further concrete steps
for nuclear disarmament by all nuclear-weapon States,
Noting with appreciation the unilateral measures by the nuclear-weapon
States for nuclear arms limitation, and encouraging them to undertake further
such measures,
Recognizing the complementarity of bilateral and multilateral
negotiations on nuclear disarmament, and that bilateral negotiations can never
replace multilateral negotiations in this respect,
Noting the support expressed in the Conference on Disarmament and in the
General Assembly for the elaboration of an international convention to assure
non- nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of nuclear
weapons, and the multilateral efforts in the Conference on Disarmament to
reach agreement on such an international convention at an early date,
Taking note of the advisory opinion of the International Court of
Justice dated 8 July 1996 on the Legality of the Threat or Use of Nuclear
Weapons,42 and welcoming the unanimous reaffirmation by all Judges of the
Court that there exists an obligation for all States to pursue in good faith
and bring to a conclusion negotiations leading to nuclear disarmament in all
its aspects under strict and effective international control,
Taking note also of paragraph 84 and other relevant recommendations in
the Final Document of the Eleventh Conference of Heads of State or Government
of the Non-Aligned Countries, held at Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, from 18
to 20 October 1995, calling upon the Conference on Disarmament to establish,
on a priority basis, an ad hoc committee to commence negotiations early in
1996 on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament and for the eventual
elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework, and paragraph 26
of the Communique of the Meeting of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Heads of
Delegations of the Non-Aligned Countries, held in New York on 25 September
1996,
Expressing its regret that the Conference on Disarmament has not been
able as yet to establish an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament, as called
for in Assembly resolution 50/70 P,
Taking note of the proposal of twenty-eight delegations to the
Conference on Disarmament that are members of the Group of 21 for a programme
of action for the elimination of nuclear weapons, and expressing its
conviction that this proposal will be an important input and will contribute
to negotiations on this question in the Conference,
1. Recognizes that, in view of the end of the cold war and recent
political developments, the time is now opportune for all nuclear-weapon
States to undertake effective disarmament measures with a view to the total
elimination of these weapons within a time-bound framework;
2. Recognizes also that there is a genuine need to de-emphasize the
role of nuclear weapons, and to review and revise nuclear doctrines
accordingly;
3. Urges the nuclear-weapon States to stop immediately the
qualitative improvement, development, production and stockpiling of nuclear
warheads and their delivery systems;
4. Calls upon the nuclear-weapon States to undertake the step-by-step
reduction of the nuclear threat and a phased programme of progressive and
balanced deep reductions of nuclear weapons, and to carry out effective
nuclear disarmament measures with a view to the total elimination of these
weapons within a time-bound framework;
5. Calls upon the Conference on Disarmament to establish, on a
priority basis, an ad hoc committee on nuclear disarmament to commence
negotiations early in 1997 on a phased programme of nuclear disarmament and
for the eventual elimination of nuclear weapons within a time-bound framework
through a nuclear weapons convention;
6. Urges the Conference on Disarmament to take into account in this
regard the proposal of the twenty-eight delegations for a programme of action
for the elimination of nuclear weapons;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly
at its fifty-second session a report on the implementation of the present
resolution;
8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Nuclear disarmament".
P
Measures to uphold the authority of the 1925 Geneva Protocol
The General Assembly,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject, in particular
resolution 43/74 of 7 December 1988,
Determined to act with a view to achieving effective progress towards
general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international
control,
Recalling the long-standing determination of the international community
to achieve the effective prohibition of the development, production,
stockpiling and use of chemical and biological weapons as well as the
continuing support for measures to uphold the authority of the Protocol for
the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases,
and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925,
as expressed by consensus in many previous resolutions,
Welcoming the end of the cold war, the ensuing easing of international
tension and the strengthening of trust between States,
Welcoming also the recent initiatives by some States parties to withdraw
their reservations to the 1925 Geneva Protocol,
1. Renews its previous call to all States to observe strictly the
principles and objectives of the Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in
War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods
of Warfare, signed at Geneva on 17 June 1925, and reaffirms the vital
necessity of upholding its provisions;
2. Calls upon those States that continue to maintain reservations to
the 1925 Geneva Protocol to withdraw those reservations;
3. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly
at its fifty-third session a report on the implementation of the present
resolution.
Q
Conventional arms control at the regional
and subregional levels
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolutions 48/75 J of 16 December 1993, 49/75 O of 15
December 1994 and 50/70 L of 12 December 1995,
Recognizing the crucial role of conventional arms control in promoting
regional and international peace and security,
Convinced that conventional arms control needs to be pursued primarily
in the regional and subregional contexts since most threats to peace and
security in the post-cold-war era arise mainly among States located in the
same region or subregion,
Aware that the preservation of a balance in the defence capabilities of
States at the lowest level of armaments would contribute to peace and
stability and should be a prime objective of conventional arms control,
Desirous of promoting agreements to strengthen regional peace and
security at the lowest possible level of armaments and military forces,
Noting with particular interest the initiatives taken in this regard in
different regions of the world, in particular the commencement of
consultations among a number of Latin American countries and the proposals for
conventional arms control made in the context of South Asia, and recognizing,
in the context of this subject, the relevance and value of the Treaty on
Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which is a cornerstone of European
security,
Believing that militarily significant States, and States with larger
military capabilities, have a special responsibility in promoting such
agreements for regional security,
Believing also that an important objective of conventional arms control
in regions of tension should be to prevent the possibility of military attack
launched by surprise and to avoid aggression,
1. Decides to give urgent consideration to the issues involved in
conventional arms control at the regional and subregional levels;
2. Requests the Conference on Disarmament, as a first step, to
consider the formulation of principles that can serve as a framework for
regional agreements on conventional arms control, and looks forward to a
report of the Conference on this subject;
3. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session the item entitled "Conventional arms control at the regional and
subregional levels".
R
Bilateral nuclear arms negotiations and nuclear disarmament
The General Assembly,
Recalling its previous relevant resolutions,
Recognizing the fundamental changes that have taken place with respect
to international security, which have permitted agreements on deep reductions
in the nuclear armaments of the States possessing the largest inventories of
such weapons,
Mindful that it is the responsibility and obligation of all States to
contribute to the process of the relaxation of international tension and to
the strengthening of international peace and security and, in this connection,
to adopt and implement measures towards the attainment of general and complete
disarmament under strict and effective international control,
Appreciating a number of positive developments in the field of nuclear
disarmament, in particular the Treaty between the Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics and the United States of America on the Elimination of Their
Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles, and the treaties on the
reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms,
Appreciating also the indefinite extension of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and acknowledging the importance of the
determined pursuit by the nuclear-weapon States of systematic and progressive
efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of
eliminating those weapons, and by all States of general and complete
disarmament under strict and effective international control,
Welcoming the steps that have already been taken by the Russian
Federation and the United States of America to begin the process of reducing
the number of nuclear weapons and removing such weapons from a deployed
status, and bilateral agreements on the issue of de-targeting strategic
nuclear missiles,
Noting the new climate of relations between the States of the former
Soviet Union and the United States of America, which permits them to intensify
their cooperative efforts to ensure the safety, security and environmentally
sound destruction of nuclear weapons,
Noting also that the Russian Federation and the United States of America
concurred that, once the Treaty between them on Further Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms was ratified, they would proceed to
deactivate all nuclear delivery systems to be reduced under the Treaty by
removing their nuclear warheads or taking other steps to remove them from
alert status,
Noting further the commitment between the Russian Federation and the
United States of America to intensify their dialogue to compare conceptual
approaches and to develop concrete steps to adapt the nuclear forces and
practices on both sides to the changed international security situation,
including the possibility, after ratification of the Treaty on Further
Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, of further reductions of
and limitations on remaining nuclear forces,
Taking note of the joint statement of 10 May 1995 by the Russian
Federation and the United States of America on the Treaty on the Limitation of
Anti-Ballistic Missile Systems,
Recalling the Moscow Summit Declaration on Nuclear Safety and Security
of April 1996,
Urging early action to complete the ratification of the Treaty on the
Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms and further
intensification of efforts to accelerate the implementation of agreements and
unilateral decisions relating to nuclear arms reduction,
Welcoming the significant reductions made by other nuclear-weapon
States, and encouraging all nuclear-weapon States to consider appropriate
measures relating to nuclear disarmament,
1. Welcomes the entry into force of the Treaty on the Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms, signed in Moscow on 31 July 1991 by
the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of
America, including the Protocol to that Treaty, signed at Lisbon on 23 May
1992 by the parties thereto, and the exchange of documents of ratification
between the United States of America, Belarus, Kazakstan, the Russian
Federation and Ukraine on 5 December 1994 at Budapest;
2. Also welcomes the signing of the Treaty between the Russian
Federation and the United States of America on Further Reduction and
Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms in Moscow on 3 January 1993, and urges
the parties to take the steps necessary to bring that Treaty into force at the
earliest possible date;
3. Expresses its satisfaction at the entry into force and ongoing
implementation of the 1991 Treaty as well as the ratification by the United
States of America of the 1993 Treaty, and expresses the hope that it will soon
be possible for the Russian Federation to ratify that Treaty also;
4. Expresses further satisfaction at the continuing implementation of
the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and
Shorter-Range Missiles, in particular at the completion by the parties of the
destruction of all their declared missiles subject to elimination under the
Treaty;
5. Welcomes the removal of all nuclear weapons from the territory of
Kazakstan as of 1 June 1995, and from the territory of Ukraine as of 1 June
1996;
6. Encourages the Russian Federation, the United States of America,
Belarus, Kazakstan and Ukraine to continue their cooperative efforts aimed at
eliminating nuclear weapons and strategic offensive arms on the basis of
existing agreements, and welcomes the contributions that other States are
making to such cooperation as well;
7. Welcomes the accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons, of Belarus, Kazakstan and Ukraine as non-nuclear-weapon
States, which thereby provided notable enhancement to the non-proliferation
regime;
8. Encourages and supports the Russian Federation and the United
States of America in their efforts to reduce their nuclear weapons and to
continue to give those efforts the highest priority in order to contribute to
the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons;
9. Invites the Russian Federation and the United States of America to
keep other States Members of the United Nations duly informed of progress in
their discussions and in the implementation of their strategic offensive arms
agreements and unilateral decisions.
S
An international agreement to ban anti-personnel landmines
The General Assembly,
Recalling with satisfaction its resolutions 48/75 K of 16 December 1993,
49/75 D of 15 December 1994 and 50/70 O of 12 December 1995, in which it,
inter alia, urged States to implement moratoriums on the export of
anti-personnel landmines,
Also recalling with satisfaction its resolutions 49/75 D and 50/70 O, in
which it, inter alia, established as a goal of the international community the
eventual elimination of anti-personnel landmines,
Noting that, according to the 1995 report of the Secretary-General
entitled "Assistance in mine clearance", it is estimated that there are one
hundred and ten million landmines in the ground in more than sixty countries
throughout the world,
Noting also that, according to the same report, the global landmine
crisis continues to worsen as an estimated two million new landmines are laid
each year, while only an estimated one hundred and fifty thousand were cleared
in 1995,
Expressing deep concern that anti-personnel landmines kill or maim
hundreds of people every week, mostly innocent and defenceless civilians and
especially children, obstruct economic development and reconstruction, inhibit
the repatriation of refugees and the return of internally displaced persons,
and have other severe consequences for years after emplacement,
Gravely concerned about the suffering and casualties caused to
non-combatants as a result of the proliferation, as well as the indiscriminate
and irresponsible use, of anti-personnel landmines,
Recalling with satisfaction its resolutions 48/7 of 19 October 1993,
49/215 A of 23 December 1994 and 50/82 of 14 December 1995 calling for
assistance in mine clearance,
Welcoming the recent decisions taken at the Review Conference of the
States Parties to the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of
Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious
or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, particularly with respect to the amended
Protocol II13 to the Convention, and believing that the amended Protocol is
an essential part of the global effort to address problems caused by the
proliferation, as well as the indiscriminate and irresponsible use, of
anti-personnel landmines,
Welcoming also the adoption of the declaration entitled "Towards a
Global Ban on Anti-Personnel Mines" by participants at the Ottawa
International Strategy Conference on 5 October 1996, including its call for
the earliest possible conclusion of a legally binding international agreement
to ban anti-personnel landmines, and further welcoming the follow-on
conference at Brussels in June 1997,
Welcoming further the recent decisions taken by States to adopt various
bans, moratoriums or other restrictions on the use, stockpiling, production
and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, and other measures taken
unilaterally as well as multilaterally,
Recognizing the need to conclude an international agreement to ban all
anti-personnel landmines as soon as possible,
1. Urges States to pursue vigorously an effective, legally binding
international agreement to ban the use, stockpiling, production and transfer
of anti-personnel landmines with a view to completing the negotiation as soon
as possible;
2. Urges States that have not yet done so to accede to the Convention
on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons
Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate
Effects and Protocol II as amended on 3 May 1996, and urges all States
immediately to comply to the fullest extent possible with the applicable rules
of Protocol II as amended;
3. Welcomes the various bans, moratoriums or other restrictions
already declared by States on anti-personnel landmines;
4. Calls upon States that have not yet done so to declare and
implement such bans, moratoriums or other restrictions - particularly on
operational use and transfer - at the earliest possible date;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report on steps taken
to complete an international agreement banning the use, stockpiling,
production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines, and on other steps taken
by Member States to implement such bans, moratoriums or other restrictions and
to submit it to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session under the
item entitled "General and complete disarmament";
6. Requests Member States to provide the requested information for
the report of the Secretary-General on steps taken to complete an
international agreement banning the use, stockpiling, production and transfer
of anti-personnel landmines, and on other steps taken to implement bans,
moratoriums or other restrictions on anti-personnel landmines and to submit
such information to the Secretary-General by 15 April 1997.
T
Status of the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development,
Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
Their Destruction
The General Assembly,
Recalling its previous resolutions on the subject of chemical and
bacteriological (biological) weapons, in particular resolution 47/39 of 30
November 1992, adopted without a vote, in which it commended the Convention on
the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of
Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction,
Noting with satisfaction that, since the Convention was opened for
signature at a signing ceremony held in Paris from 13 to 15 January 1993, one
hundred and sixty States have signed the Convention,
Determined to achieve the effective prohibition of the development,
production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and
their destruction,
Convinced of the urgent necessity of universal adherence to the
Convention so as to abolish an entire category of weapons of mass destruction,
and thus eliminate the risk to mankind of renewed use of these inhumane
weapons,
Noting the ongoing work of the Preparatory Commission for the
Organization on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons,
1. Welcomes the fact that the required sixty-five instruments of
ratification have now been deposited and that the Convention on the
Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical
Weapons and on Their Destruction will therefore enter into force on 29 April
1997;
2. Stresses the importance to the Convention that all possessors of
chemical weapons, chemical weapons production facilities or chemical weapons
development facilities should be among the original parties to the Convention
and, in this context, the importance of the United States of America and the
Russian Federation, having declared possession of chemical weapons, being
among the original States parties to the Convention;
3. Also stresses that this would promote the full realization and
effective implementation of the Convention;
4. Calls upon all States that have not yet done so to sign and/or
ratify the Convention without delay;
5. Notes that the Preparatory Commission for the Organization on the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, at its fourteenth session from 22 to 26 July
1996, entrusted the Chairman of the Commission, in close consultation with its
member States, with the task of convening, as necessitated by circumstances in
connection with the occurrence of the trigger point, a meeting of the
Commission to provide appropriate guidance;
6. Urges the Preparatory Commission for the Organization on the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to intensify efforts to complete its remaining
work;
7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-second
session an item entitled "Implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition
of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on
Their Destruction".
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