Malaysia

Permanent Mission to the United Nations

STATEMENT BY MR AHMAD JAZRI
REPRESENTATIVE OF MALAYSIA

AT
THE THIRD PREPARATORY COMMITTEE MEETING
OF THE 2000 REVIEW CONFERENCE
OF THE TREATY ON NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION

13 MAY 1999

NEW YORK

313 East 43rd Street. New York, NY J00]7. Tel: (212) 986-6310. Fax: (212) 490-8576. E-Mail: rnysun@undp.org

Mr Chairman,

At the outset allow me to welcome the delegation of Brazil to this session and to express our appreciation for their decision to join the NPT.

In 1995, the decision for an indefinite extension of the Treaty on Nuclear Non-Proliferation was taken with mutual understanding and agreement to the commitments and obligations on all States parties be it nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States.

For the success of the strengthened review process and eventual meaningful success of the 2000 Review Conference, we must all adhere to the decisions taken in 1995. States parties have legal obligations when agreeing to these decisions, and we should together without any caveats, strive to advance forward to achieve the ultimate objective of the Treaty, in the interest of peace and security of mankind.

Mr Chairman

Universality

In term of universality, the Treaty now has 187 States parties with only four states left outside the Treaty. It has become the most widely adhered treaty and the most successful multilateral arms control treaty in history. The 2000 Review Conference should provide the directive to persuade the non-parties to adhere to the NPT. We are all well aware of the challenges that had to be faced. Some innovative ideas should be found and we should spare no efforts in ensuing progress and success towards this end.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation

The nuclear tests in South Asia in May 1998, have posed a particular challenge to the Treaty which makes it even more imperative for States parties to strengthen the NPT regime. It thereby triggers, in my delegation's view, an urgent need for the establishment of an appropriate mechanism to respond and address this issue by States parties. There is need to persuade the remainder four non-states parties, of which three are nuclear capable, to move away from the nuclear option. The risk of a new nuclear arms race in their respective region is real. We call on the concerned parties to halt their nuclear weapons programme and join the NPT without further delay.

Mr Chairman,

Nuclear Disarmament

The importance of the 1995 Review and Extension Conference lies not only in the indefinite extension of the Treaty itself, but also on the undertaking on the part of States parties to live up to all commitments made in respect of the full implementation of the provisions of the Treaty as well as on the decisions on the principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear

Safeguards

States parties are required under Article III obligations to sign safeguard agreements with the IAEA. All States parties that had not, &e urged to do so. In addition, States parties would be encouraged to accede to the 'Additional Protocol' i.e. the "IAEA 93+2 programme". Some parties have already done so while many others have not. The creation of a unified IAEA verification system will thereby do away with the double application which now emerges as a consequence pending adherence by all States parties to the Additional Protocol. Nuclear Weapon States and all states not party to the Treaty should place their nuclear facilities under full-scope safeguards of IABA.

Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

The right to acquire technology and resources, for peaceful uses of nuclear energy is an inalienable right of States parties. Unilateral restrictive measures, which prevent peaceful nuclear development should be removed. The Nuclear Supplier's Group is also called upon to implement the full description of Article IV of the NPT, and should be transparent and open for participation of all States parties to the NPT.

Conclusion

Mr Chairman,

The success of the strengthened review process and the 2000 Review Conference is of paramount importance. Political will is put to test and only flexibility in its real meaning of the word is the avenue leading to its success. All States parties have an obligation to uphold the integrity of the Treaty.

Thank you.