Document number: PC-XIII/19
Document date: 20 March 1996
Original: ENGLISH
Corrigenda () have been inserted at the relevant places!
Thirteenth Session (18 - 22 March 1996)
The large number of signatory States of the Convention, signifies the amount of trust and confidence the World Community is willing to put in a global regime seeking to destroy the existing stocks of Chemical Weapons, and prohibiting their future development and production. It is not surprising, however, that this optimism has not been reflected in the number of ratifications that have been deposited with the UN Secretary General. The unique and comprehensive nature of the verification provisions envisioned under the Convention, as well as the lack of ratification by the two declared possessor states, stand out as the two main external reasons for hesitation by the signatory States to ratify the Convention.
Coupled with these reasons is the lack of any substantial progress on Article X or XI of the Convention, which guarantee protection against an attack of chemical weapons and a fair exchange of technological, scientific and economic information and equipment, ensuring progress in the peaceful uses of chemistry. These fears had also been expressed in the last Plenary Session of the Preparatory Commission. By faithfully implementing these Articles, we would be fulfilling the desire of the negotiators in Geneva who wanted this to be a truly universal treaty which could serve as a precedent for future disarmament agreements.
Branding such efforts as 'politics' is perhaps not fair. The Convention has to be implemented in its entirety. Partial implementation of the Convention would imply a grave failure on the part of those responsible for implementing the Convention. As the time for Entry into Force of the CWC is approaching, it is becoming painfully clear to the delegations of the developing world, that the inertia which has 'set in' on these issues, would not be broken unless highly effective and timely action is taken. Now is the time, we should put our heads together for a real implementation of these Articles.
It is surprising that efforts in the implementation of Article XI have concentrated on the punitive elements as envisaged by the Export Control Mechanisms visualised under the Convention, and not on the exploration of opportunities that exist under the Convention, on the exchange of chemicals, equipment, and scientific and technological information. We would welcome the establishment of an Information Service in this regard.
My delegation, like others, was happy to note the assurances provided by both the delegations of the United States and the Russian Federation, in the last Plenary Session, of their commitments to ratify the CWC at an early date. We hope that despite their other national priorities, this issue would continue to remain high on their agenda. We also need to consider the implications on the Secretariat as well as on the credibility of the Convention if these two declared possessor States or even one of them, were not among the original States Parties at Entry into Force of the Convention. This issue has acquired greater importance because we are within striking distance of achieving the required number of ratifications for Entry into Force. Member States of the Commission need to address this possibility, and I believe this is the correct forum to do so.
In the just concluded intersessional period, of particular importance to my delegation, was the conclusion of the illustrative List of Objective Indicators, to facilitate the Executive Council in addressing any concern, regarding abuse of the right to request a Challenge Inspection. I hope that the related issue of the cost of abuse would be taken up in the same spirit in the next intersessional period.
It is encouraging to note that the Secretariat, in an effort to achieve rapid progress, is trying to find a better methodology of work. While the importance of informal consultation cannot be denied, overemphasis on their utility can prove counterproductive, as was amply demonstrated in earlier sessions. The informal consultations would not be effective without a proper agenda, and a report. Further a proliferation of such informal consultations leads to natural exclusion of the smaller delegations and their view-points, which ultimately leads to problems when the results of these informal consultations is being formalised in the meeting of the Expert Groups.
The determination of the top structure of the Organisation remains a major outstanding issue. In this context, Mr. Chairman, we welcome your personal involvement in initiating a consultative process in achieving a consensus. Given your considerable negotiating skills, my delegation strongly feels that you should continue to guide the consultations on the top structure till a final agreement is reached. This would also ensure consistency of effort which is so vital for the success of the negotiations on such a complex issue.
Pakistan is committed to International efforts for global peace and disarmament. We were among the original signatory States of this Convention and hope to be among the first 65 ratifying States. We view this Convention as an important step toward establishing success in abolishing other weapons of mass destruction. Therefore it is very important for my Government that this Convention is implemented properly and accurately, setting the right precedent for other similar international treaties. Any attempt to go beyond the scope of the Convention would be detrimental to the interest of the States party to it.
I request, Mr. Chairman, that these views may be circulated as an official document of the Thirteenth Plenary Session of the Preparatory Commission.