The general outlines of our positions were presented in the
statement by the European Union the day before yesterday and I
shall not take up the Committee's time by repeating them here. I
will focus on a few central issues, which Sweden wants to
highlight in these discussions.
My delegation welcomes the joint statement on 8 April by China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States and notes with satisfaction that the five nuclear-weapon States, inter alia, reaffirm their determination to continue the pursuit of systematic and progressive efforts to reduce nuclear weapons globally, with the ultimate goal of eliminating those weapons.
In this context, I should like to refer to the statement to the Conference on Disarmament, on 11 March this year, by the Foreign Minister of Sweden, Mrs. Lena Hjelm-Wallen. In her statement, Mrs. Hjelm-Wallen underlined that the concept of the systematic and progressive efforts by the nuclear-weapon States must be given a concrete content. The steps must be identified and fully translated into concrete action. It in indeed important that commitments be translated into deeds, if confidence in the NPT process is to be maintained.
Concrete steps, which could--and indeed, should--be taken immediately by the nuclear-weapon States have been identified in the report by the Canberra Commission. One such measure is to take nuclear forces off alert. Such a step would greatly reduce the risk of an accidental or unauthorized nuclear weapons launch. It would also constitute an important confidence-building measure.
Furthermore, it would facilitate the implementation of another of the Commission' proposals, namely to remove nuclear warheads from their delivery vehicles.
I also wish to draw the Committee's attention to the advisory opinion last July by the International Court of Justice. The Court stated, inter alia, 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 controls. This unanimous conclusion by the Court constitutes a strong and clear message.
My delegation welcomes the outcome in the field of nuclear disarmament of the recent Helsinki Summit between Presidents Clinton and Yeltsin. Their commitment to the implementation of START II Treaty and to the immediate commencement of negotiations on a START III Agreement, following the entry into force of START II, constitutes an important step forward in the process towards the further reduction of nuclear arsenals. Sweden urges the Russian Federation to ratify START II without delay. Progress with respect to the START Agreements will also pave the way for the participation of all the nuclear-weapon States in the reduction process.
The Comprehensive Teat Ban Treaty constitutes a landmark event in the field of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. It is imperative to make every effort to ensure its early entry into force. Sweden urges all States to sign and ratify the CTBT without delay.
The States Parties to the NPT have indeed reason to be satisfied and encouraged that this goal, defined in the 1995 Principles and Objectives, could be achieved, and achieved within the specified timeframe. All NPT States Parties should take Courage from this [act and redouble their efforts towards a speedy realization of the next goal identified in the Principles and Objectives, cut-off or testban treaty, i.e. a ban on the production of fissile material for weapons purposes.
Such a treaty would, once and for all, put a cap on the fissile material available for weapons purposes. It would create further favourable conditions for the reductions of nuclear arsenals. A cut-off treaty is, thus, of great significance, both for continued nuclear disarmament and for nuclear non-proliferation. This session of the PrepCom should, as other delegations have already stated, strongly renew the call of the 1995 "Principles and Objectives" for the immediate commencement and early conclusion of these negotiations. Sweden urges all States Parties to join efforts to get negotiations started in the Conference on Disarmament during its next session, starting in the middle of May.
My delegation has listened with greats interest to the proposal by South Africa that ''the PrepCom should decide to take up the work on security assurances envisaged in the "Principles and Objectives", with a view to completing this work before the year 2000 so as to make a recommendation to the Review Conference". The arguments put forward by South Africa are convincing and compelling. Legally binding security assurances within the NPT umbrella would, indeed, strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation regime. Sweden, for its part, stands ready to begin work on this.
My delegation welcomes the recent significant progress in strengthening and establishing the nuclear-weapon-free zones in Latin America, the Pacific Region, Africa and South East Asia. The names of Tlatelolco, Rarotonga, Pelindaba and Bangkok represent important mile stones in nuclear disarmament efforts. The establishment of 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.
In concluding, let me also welcome. the excellent working paper on a "Rolling Document", presented by the distinguished Ambassador of Canada, Mr. Mark Moher. My delegation has studied this document with great care and interest and share many of the observations and ideas put forward.
In this context, let me also express our full support for the proposal that already this session of the PrepCom should try to identify issues, where consensus can be achieved.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.