The 2000 NPT Review
Conference (RevCon)
14 April - 19 May 2000, New York
STATEMENT
BY
AMBASSADOR
C. M. SHAFI SAMI
FOREIGN SECRETARY OF BANGLADESH
THE 2000 REVIEW CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO
THE TREATY ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS
New
York, 2 May 2000
Mr.
Chairman,
We
are pleased to see you Chair the Sixth Review Meeting of the NPT. On
behalf of the Bangladesh delegation and on my own behalf, I extend to
you our sincere congratulations on your unanimous election. We are
confident that your wisdom and stewardship will guide our
deliberations to a successful outcome.
Mr.
Chairman,
In
a few months time, the leaders of the world will assemble at these
United Nations for the Millennium Summit. Their objective will surely
provide a vision for the 21st century in which our future generations
would be able to live in a world without the fear of a nuclear war.
That vision must be shaped by the realization that nuclear weapons are
singularly the most dangerous threat to humankind and to civilization.
Let the nightmares of Hiroshima and Nagasaki forever haunt us of the
horrendous consequences of the fallout of nuclear explosions and
inspire us to strengthen our resolve to eradicate nuclear weapons
front the face of this earth.
Mr.
Chairman,
Nuclear
non proliferation is not an illusion. It is an achievable target. What
we need is the political will. We are fortunate to have before us the
Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty. For the past thirty two years the
NPT has been by far the most important and widely accepted instrument
for non proliferation. The authors of the Treaty had the far sight to
provide the provision for its review to ensure its relevance. It is
for the sixth time that we are gathered for this purpose. Let us do it
well, taking concrete actions for herein lies the key to the survival
of our species.
The
relevance and importance of the 2000 Review Conference of the NPT
cannot be overemphasized. It takes place at the beginning of a new
millennium and therefore places before us an opportunity to renew our
commitment to nuclear non-proliferation. It is the sincere hope of my
delegation that the 187 states parties to the NPT will be able to
substantially contribute to the success of this Review Meeting to
strengthen the NPT regime and its review process and to advance its
universality.
Mr.
Chairman,
My
delegation fully endorses the views of the Secretary General that
while the NPT was needed more than ever, it has still remained a
paradox. We support the five benchmarks set by the Secretary General
in his statement to this Conference and we are ready to cooperate with
him towards achieving those targets.
The
concerns over non compliance of the safeguard provisions of the NPT
and the differences in opinion on the full implementation of the NPT
and the existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons pose a clear and
present danger. The nuclearization of South Asia is of particular
concern to us and we would urge India and Pakistan to join the NPT
regime and to sign the CTBT.
We
also remain concerned about the potential nuclearization of the Middle
East and we support the establishment of a Nuclear Free Zone in that
region as well as in other parts of the world. We congratulate the
State parties that have concluded agreements for establishing two new
Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in South East Asia and Africa since 1995.
Despite
the pessimism that clouds the progress in nuclear disarmament, there
are encouraging signs. Since 1995, nine additional states have acceded
to the NPT. The number of signatories and ratifiers of the CTBT
continues to grow. Nuclear Weapons State have also taken some positive
decisions to move the disarmament process forward and we welcome the
decision of the Russian Federation to ratify the START II and the CTBT
and reductions in their nuclear stockpiles.
Mr.
Chairman,
Since
her inception, disarmament has been a cornerstone of the foreign
policy of Bangladesh. We are bound by our Constitution to general and
complete disarmament. The Founding Father of our Nation, Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had reaffirmed this binding commitment in
unequivocal terms in his address to the General Assembly more than
twenty five years ago in these very premises. The present Government
in Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has
firmly upheld the cause of general and complete disarmament including
nuclear disarmament. Immediately after forming the Government, Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina took the initiative of being the first leader
from South Asia to sign the CTBT when it was opened for signature in
1996. Bangladesh's historic ratification of the CTBT in March 2000 was
a bold step taken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to reiterate
Bangladesh's commitment to nuclear non proliferation. We are
contributing a seismic station to the International Monitoring System
of the CTBT verification regime.
Mr.
Chairman,
Bangladesh's
support to the NPT regime is unequivocal. A State party to the NPT,
Bangladesh has consciously given up its option to go nuclear. We have
concluded safeguards agreement with the IAEA and are actively
considering conclusion of an Additional Protocol to further contribute
to the non‑proliferation regime. We call upon those State
parties that have not yet done so to conclude safeguards agreement
with the IAEA and further strengthen its capacity to verify
compliance.
Mr.
Chairman,
Bangladesh
has actively contributed towards the process of indefinitely extending
the NPT's future during the 1995 Review Conference. We welcomed the
forward looking decisions of the 1995 Conference which we believe laid
the grounds for a strengthened review process and the process of
continuity in deciding the future of the Treaty's success and to the
ultimate goal of total elimination of nuclear weapons.
We
gave our full support to the Programme of Action adopted in 1995 for
realizing the principles and objectives for nuclear non-proliferation
and disarmament. We welcome the progresses that have been achieved
since setting out of the 1995 decisions and POA particularly the
conclusion of a CTBT, increased accessions to the NPT and a reduction
in the aggregate number of deployed nuclear weapons. It may now be the
time to consider stetting up an elected Executive Council to act on
behalf of NPT parties to deal with questions of non-compliance and
implementation.
Mr.
Chairman,
Bangladesh
believes that 2000 is a time to look ahead keeping the past in mind,
for the NPT review process to realize its full potential. In fact,
this Conference provides the first opportunity to evaluate the
effectiveness of the new review process for maintaining a strong,
credible and permanent regime to reduce nuclear dangers and prevent
the spread of nuclear weapons. It also provides us with the
opportunity to assess the implementation of the Treaty's provisions
during the last five‑years, to identify the areas in which and
the means through which, we can seek further progress to strengthen
the review and the implementation process of the Treaty and achieve
its universality.
Mr.
Chairman,
As
a member and President of the 200th session of the CD, it has been
Bangladesh's single most priority to play a moderating and
facilitating role in enhancing appreciation of differences, bridging
gaps and in creating consensus. Bangladesh would continue to
contribute in all earnestness to the process of consensus-building in
adopting a declaration of principles and objectives to be achieved by
2005, an agreed document setting future guidelines to enhance the
strengthened review process and make the treaty universal.
Bangladesh
considers the Conference on Disarmament as the only consensual
universal multilateral negotiating body on disarmament issues. The
current impasse in the CD is indeed not desirable. During our current
tenure as President of the CD, Bangladesh has worked in all
earnestness through consultations to bridge the gaps and arrive at an
agreement on the CD's work programme. We feel that the 2000 Review
Conference should make every effort to forward the common component of
work of the CD and the 1995 POA specially on negotiations on a FMCT
and also on working groups on nuclear disarmament, security assurances
and prevention of an arms race in the outer space.
Mr.
Chairman,
It
is disheartening that the Treaty is short of only 4 more accessions to
reach universality. Bangladesh remains committed to pursue universal
adherence of the NPT and calls on the 2000 Conference and the
concerned States that are yet to be party to the NPT to make renewed
commitment towards universality of the Treaty. In this context
Bangladesh recalls UN Security Council Resolution 1172 of June 1998
which urged "India, Pakistan and all other States that have not
yet done so to become parties to the NPT and the CTBT without delay
and without conditions".
Mr.
Chairman,
Bangladesh
attaches high priority to the implementation of Article IV of the
Treaty that affirms the "inalienable rights of all parties to the
Treaty to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for
peaceful purposes without discrimination". We must not overlook
the fact that one of the major incentives for non-nuclear weapons
Sates to join the NPT is to enjoy the rights committed Article IV. We
feel disappointed that the non-nuclear developing States which are
striving hard to contribute most constructively to the cause of
nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation and international peace and
security, their access to nuclear technology for peaceful purposes
remains illusive even after 32 years of the NPT's coming into force.
We
call upon the 2000 Conference to look deeper into the issue of
exchange of equipment, materials and information on peaceful uses of
nuclear energy under review of Decision 2 of the 1995 Conference and
help strike a balance between our expectations and benefits from the
NPT. We hope that the nuclear suppliers group which has been
established for this purpose will be transparent in its operation and
arbitrary and discriminatory restraints on use of l nuclear technology
for peaceful purposes will not be imposed. The NPT must be adhered to
by its state parties in letter and sprit.
Mr.
Chairman,
The
success of the Review Conference will depend on narrowing the
differences and revitalizing global will towards full realization of
the NPT. We must strive to agree now and here what we failed to agree
upon during the preparatory process for 2000. Even if differences
remain on substantive issues, it would be essential for the 2000
Conference to ensure that the review process moves forward.
As
a non-nuclear country committed to a culture of peace and development
we urge all State parties to refocus on the link between disarmament
and development. The cost of any increase in nuclear weapons will not
only have serious implications on international peace and security but
also on development, the agenda for more than two thirds population
of this planet. Let us all recommit ourselves to fulfil that agenda.
I
thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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