Opening Plenary
2004 World Conference against A & H Bombs
H.E. Hussein Haniff
Ambassador and permanent representative of Malaysia to the United
Nations in Vienna
Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen,
First and foremost, allow me to express my sincere appreciation
to the Organizing Committee of the 2004 World Conference against
Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs for having invited me to address this
conference. I would also like to take this opportunity to express
my appreciation to the role played by the civil society, in particular
the NGOs, in our common efforts to abolish nuclear weapons including
the hosting of this world conference.
2. It is indeed an honour for me to participate at this important
gathering especially at a time when there is a clear lack of progress
in the field of nuclear disarmament. It is my fervent hope that
this conference would continue to provide avenues for representatives
of governments and NGO’s to further strengthen their global solidarity
beyond boundaries in the common endeavor to see the elimination
of nuclear weapons from this world. This conference is also important
because it gives us the opportunity to pay tribute to the victims
of atomic bombs who perished or suffered that tragic event some
59 years ago. It serves a stark reminder for all of us to redouble
our efforts and renew our determination to strive for the complete
abolition of nuclear weapons. We cannot remain idle until this noble
aim is achieved for the sake of safety, security and survival of
mankind.
3. Despite the end of the cold war, we are today still confronted
with the threat of self extinction arising from the existence of
nuclear weapons. The accumulation of weapons of mass destruction
in particular nuclear weapons, constitute much more a threat than
a protection for the future of human race. Existing arsenals of
nuclear weapons are more than enough to annihilate the entire population
of the world. The prolong existence of nuclear weapons continue
to pose threats to international peace and security. That is why
Malaysia strongly believes that the most effective guarantee against
the danger of nuclear war and the use of nuclear weapons is the
complete elimination of such weapons.
4. The lack of progress in the field of nuclear disarmament towards
achieving the total elimination of nuclear weapons in the past years
remains a serious concern to Malaysia. There were reports that some
Nuclear Weapon States (NWS) have taken bilateral and unilateral
actions to reduce their nuclear arsenals. However, we believe that
the remaining nuclear arsenals, which continue to be deployed and
ready to be fired anytime, are still substantial and posing a grave
threat to human race. In this regard, Malaysia reiterates its call
for the full implementation of the 13 practical steps agreed to
at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, including the unequivocal undertaking
given by the NWS to the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals.
Malaysia also welcomes the signing of the Treaty on Strategic Offensive
Reduction between the Russian Federation and the US on 24 May 2002.
This agreement, however, can be no substitute for irreversible cuts
in nuclear weapons to which all NWS have committed to at the 2000
NPT Review Conference.
5. Malaysia is deeply disappointed that there was no progress made
at the recent Third Preparatory Committee (Prepcom) of the 2005
NPT Review Conference held in New York from 26 April to 7 May 2004.
As we all know, the Third Prepcom, which was mandated by the 2000
NPT Review Conference to make recommendations to the 2005 NPT Review
Conference, could not even reach agreement on procedural matters,
let alone on substantive matters. The lack of progress, despite
much effort put in by members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
of which my country is the current chairman, was due to the continuing
divergence of positions between NAM member countries which are signatory
to the NPT and the Nuclear Weapon States (NWS), in particular on
the implementation of Article VI of the Treaty which deals with
the obligation of State Parties, including NWS, to commit themselves
to nuclear disarmament.
6, Malaysia is deeply concerned at the outcome of the Third Prepcom
not only because we did not make any progress but also because we
observed that the NWS are now reneging on their commitments and
obligations agreed to by consensus at the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
This is particularly so on the unequivocal undertaking by NWS to
accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading
to nuclear disarmament whereby the NWS agreed to implement the 13
practical steps for systemic and progressive efforts to eliminate
nuclear weapons. During the debate at the Third Prepcom, some NWS
repeatedly rejected any reference to the 2000 NPT Review Conference.
Malaysia views this backpedaling by some NWS with serious concern
because it could put the whole NPT in jeopardy. In addition, the
position taken by the NWS at that Prepcom has a far reaching implication
on nuclear disarmament because it will also affect negatively the
progress in CTBT and the Conference on Disarmament (CD). It appears
that in the light of the 911 incident, the NWS states, in particular
the US, are now trying to devote more attention in addressing the
issue of nuclear proliferation and verification whilst ignoring
the issue of nuclear disarmament.
7. In this regard, I would like to recall that the fundamental
bargain struck at the NPT was that the NNWS are assured of their
basic and inalienable rights to develop atomic energy for peaceful
purposes in exchange for their forfeiture to bear nuclear arms.
The NWS, meanwhile, are obliged to pursue negotiations in good faith
on effective measures relating to the cessation of nuclear arms
race at an early date, and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty
on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international
control. Therefore, in our view, the issues of nuclear proliferation
and nuclear disarmament are equally important and inextricably linked.
One is not more important than the other, one should not be allowed
to lag behind the other and one should not be more strictly enforced
than the other. If we are really serious in wanting to attain our
oft repeated goal of a world free of the scourge of nuclear weapons,
progress on both fronts are required.
8. When the NWS rejected any reference to the 2000 NPT review Conference
in New York during the Third Prepcom of the 2005 NPT Review Conference,
it also put in jeopardy the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT),
which is aimed at banning all forms of nuclear testing and ultimately
abolishing nuclear weapons. This is because the first of the 13
practical steps agreed to at the 2000 NPT Review Conference, is
the entry into force of the CTBT. We are extremely concerned that
the rejection of some NWS to any reference to the 2000 NPT Review
Conference will further impede the already lack of progress towards
the entry into force of the Treaty. As it is now, the entry into
force of the CTBT is still uncertain. India, Pakistan, and North
Korea still have not signed it. While it is encouraging to note
that so far out of 172 member states, 115 have ratified the Treaty,
11 states out of 44 states listed under Annex 2, whose ratifications
are required for the entry into force of the Treaty, have yet to
ratify the Treaty. Out of these 11 states, 2 NWS namely US and China
have yet to ratify the Treaty.
9. What is disturbing is that the US has made it public that it
was not going to ratify the Treaty and in fact it boycotted the
Third Conference on Facilitating Entry into Force of the CTBT held
in Vienna from 3-5 September 2004. This is the second time that
the US has boycotted such conference reflecting its lackadaisical
attitude towards the Treaty. In this regard, I call upon the US
to take a leadership role and to reconsider its position because
Malaysia believes that ratification of the Treaty by NWS would encourage
the rest listed under Annex 2 to do the same. At the same time I
also call upon countries listed under Annex 2 of the Treaty to sign
or ratify the Treaty without delay. The CTBT has now been opened
for signature for almost 8 years now, yet there is no sign as to
when it will be operational. Malaysia is of the view that the CTBT
advances international peace and security by making a significant
contribution towards the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear
weapons. It halts the development of new weapons of more destruction
thereby giving impetus to the process of nuclear disarmament.
10. I would like to recall that at the conclusion of the negotiations
on CTBT, the NWS gave the assurance that the Treaty would prevent
the improvement of existing weapons and development of new types
of weapons. However, one particular NWS in its recent nuclear policy
review has stated, among others, that it was developing a new generation
of low-yield nuclear earth penetrating weapons known as the “bunker
busters”. This action clearly runs counter to and in contravention
of the objectives and purposes of the CTBT. The stated willingness
of this state to use such weapons, under the doctrine of “preemptive
strikes” to destroy suspected underground command centers and alleged
underground storage sites for weapons of mass destruction, would
not only weaken the existing NPT regime but would also trigger other
NWS and NNWS to join the arms race to develop such weapons. Pending
entry into force of the CTBT, Malaysia urges all states that are
capable of carrying out nuclear test explosion to strictly observe
the moratorium.
11. Step 4 of the 13 Practical steps of the 2000 NPT Review Conference
outlines “The necessity of establishing in the Conference of Disarmament
(CD) an appropriate body with a mandate to deal with nuclear disarmament”.
Malaysia attaches great importance to the CD because we view the
body as the single multilateral negotiating forum on disarmament.
Malaysia is therefore deeply concerned that since 1998, the CD is
not yet able to agree on its programme of work. Without any programme
of work, there will not be any progress in establishing a body at
the CD to deal with nuclear disarmament. The current impasse in
the CD, which is eroding the credibility of the body, is due to
the inflexible postures of some of the NWS on the establishment
of an Ad Hoc Committee on Nuclear Disarmament. As the President
of the CD from 16 February to 14 March 2004, Malaysia exerted maximum
efforts to bring delegations to a consensual agreement on the programme
of work. However, the substantive gaps among delegations were too
wide to be bridged. In this regard, Malaysia would like to reiterate
the call made by the Heads of State and Government at the Kuala
Lumpur 13th NAM Summit in February 2003 for the CD to establish
as soon as possible and as the highest priority, an Ad Hoc Committee
on Nuclear Disarmament.
12. Pending total elimination of nuclear weapons, Malaysia believes
that efforts for the conclusion of a universal, unconditional, and
legally binding instrument on security assurances by the NWS to
the NNWS should be pursued as a matter of priority. We believe that
in order to prevent nuclear war, it is pertinent for the NWS to
undertake not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons at any time
and under any circumstances. To strengthen their assurances, Malaysia
calls on the NWS to sign the protocol to the Treaty on South East
Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ), or the Bangkok Treaty,
and conclude an international legal instrument on security assurances
as soon as possible. So far, among the NWS, only China has reached
agreement with the Association of the South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
on the Bangkok Treaty and its Protocol. We warmly welcome this move
and hope that other NWS would take similar action.
13. Malaysia is also of the view that the Fissile Material Cut-Off
Treaty (FMCT) negotiations constitute the next essential step in
preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and in the break
out of nuclear war. While supporting the call for a non-discriminatory,
multilateral, internationally and effective verifiable treaty banning
the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and other
explosive devices, Malaysia is of the view that negotiations on
a FMCT should also include existing stockpiles.
14. Malaysia continues to attach prime importance to the Advisory
Opinion on the Legality of the Use and Threat of Use of Nuclear
Weapons issued by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on 8
July 1996. Malaysia views the ICJ opinion as a historic and resolute
decision in the field of nuclear disarmament as the decision constitutes
an authoritative legal call to eliminate nuclear weapons. The ICJ
unanimously concluded 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
control. Malaysia strongly believes that the systematic and progressive
reduction of nuclear weapons, with the ultimate goal of their complete
elimination should remain the highest priority on the global disarmament
agenda. That is why Malaysia has continued to co-sponsor Resolution
58/56 on Nuclear Disarmament and Resolution 58/46 on the Follow-up
to the Advisory Opinion of the ICJ on the Legality of the Use and
Threat of Use of Nuclear Weapons which were adopted respectively
by a majority vote of 112 and 165 at the 58th United Nations General
Assembly (UNGA) in 2003. Unfortunately, this opinion remains to
be ignored by the NWS.
15. Malaysia firmly believes that the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free-zones
(NWFZ) constitutes another important disarmament measure in the
prevention of nuclear war. Apart from enhancing the global and regional
peace, the establishment of NWFZ would also strengthen the nuclear
non-proliferation regime and contribute towards realizing the objective
of nuclear disarmament. Malaysia, as a party to the Bangkok Treaty,
continues to work closely with other members of ASEAN to strengthen
the South East Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone (SEANWFZ). I would
like to stress the importance of the signature and ratification
by the NWS to the relevant protocols of all the NWFZ treaties in
order to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. Efforts should
also be intensified to promote the establishment of NWFZ in regions
where they do not exist especially in volatile regions such as the
Middle East, South Asia and North East Asia.
16. Despite the setbacks experienced in the disarmament field in
the past years, we should not be disheartened or demoralized. On
the contrary, these setbacks should inspire us to redouble our efforts
in the quest for genuine progress in this area. We should make these
efforts our highest priority.
17. Malaysia strongly believes that genuine progress on nuclear
disarmament issues can only be achieved when the NWS take concrete
measures in reducing and subsequently eliminating their nuclear
arsenals. And at the same time, every effort should also be made
to prevent other states to acquire nuclear weapons.
18. Malaysia values the efforts undertaken by the NGOs in promoting
nuclear disarmament, in particular in highlighting the threat posed
by nuclear weapons. Malaysia considers the NGOs as indispensable
partners in this noble cause. The NGOs and members of civil society
have an important role to play in promoting disarmament, particularly
in drawing attention to the continuing threat faced by nuclear weapons.
We wish to commend the supportive and valuable role of civil society,
as represented by many NGOs in the disarmament process. We are also
pleased and encouraged to see the active participation of Japanese
NGOs in their noble crusade to eliminate these horrendous weapons
from the planet.
19. I would like to reiterate that Malaysia strongly believes that
international peace and security could not be achieved through the
doctrine of deterrence or strategic superiority since the prolonged
existence of nuclear weapons increases the sense of insecurity among
states. Failure to completely eliminate nuclear weapons would not
only aggravate international tension but also increases the danger
of proliferation of nuclear weapons. So long as the world is divided
between the “haves” and the “haves not”, the world continues to
run the risk of being annihilated through the use of nuclear weapons.
Therefore, the absolute guarantee against the use of such weapons
is to completely eliminate and abolish them from the surface of
the earth. Let us all jointly work together as representatives of
Governments and of the civil society to realize our noble cause
of a world free from nuclear weapons.
20. On a personal note, having visited for the first time the Hiroshima
Peace Memorial Museum and saw the pain and suffering of the people
of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, I am now more convinced that nuclear
weapons are not weapons of deterrence but rather weapons that cause
great misery and suffering to mankind. Malaysia, as current chairman
of NAM, will do its utmost to work with others towards the total
elimination of nuclear weapons as the only absolute guarantee against
the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. Let us work together
to achieve this noble objective.
I thank you for your attention.
Hiroshima, Japan
4 August 2004.
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