6 May 1998

Track II: Canadian Comments

Delegations will recall that Canada suggested a two-track approach to the PrepCom as it exercises its responsibility to address substance.

Track I is to build upon the Chairman's Working Paper. We welcome and support the effort being made, including the Chairman's willingness personally to facilitate and expedite progress. We are convinced we can do so in the two working days remaining.

That leaves Track II: to reflect in this year's report pragmatic consideration of specific topics relevant in 1998.

PrepCom I decided to allocate time to discussion on and consideration of any proposals on three specific areas without prejudice to the importance of other issues (see Chairman's Statement contained in PCI/31).

How do we recognize and incorporate this decision - and those discussions - in our report on PrepCom II?

Canada has reflected in this. The basis for our suggestion is the fact that Section II of our PrepCom report format is titled: "Substantive and Procedural Issues".

Our suggestion, therefore, is that we should have a part of this Section focused on "Substantive Issues," which was not developed in last year's report of the PrepCom, despite the Roman II heading that allows for this.

The Section would acknowledge the primacy of the three topics identified at PrepCom I and reflect on them, but also would enable us to address other important issues.

With regard to the latter, Canada has identified four issues on the basis of importance and timeliness. START, Non-Proliferation, CTBT and Safeguards.

Obviously, we do not propose comprehensive treatment of each of these issues. But, we do think that each merits specific attention by the NPT States parties now - in 1998.

Equally obviously, we have to consider our treatment of these issues in this Section on the basis of consensus, since our final report belongs to all of us.

Canada has prepared a paper illustrating this approach to Track II. It has been circulating informally since last Friday and we have consulted widely. We have further copies here this morning. We now request that the paper be made an official working document of PrepCom II.

We suggest further focused consideration of Track II under your direction. We welcome comments on our proposed paragraphs. We also welcome drafting by specific delegations on issues on issues for which we have not provided language (i.e. NSAs and the resolution on the Middle East).

We suggest that work on Track II pick up tomorrow in parallel with the continuing work on Track I.

We hope there will be broad agreement to this end.