MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines pushed for the convening of a conference in the Middle East that will create a nuclear weapon-free zone in the region.
Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, said the conference is a crucial first step towards achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.
Cabactulan made the statement at the second session of the Preparatory Committee for the 2015 Review Conference of the Parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which opened in Geneva, Monday.
Over three million Filipinos live and work in the Middle East, who will be affected by a possible nuclear attack or accident.
Last year, the Conference on the Establishment of a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and All Other Weapons of Mass Destruction was not convened, as called for in the 2010 NPT Review Conference Outcome Document.
The Philippines presided over the 2010 NPT Review Conference. The NPT is a landmark international treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament.
"The Philippines reiterates its encouragements for the United Nations Secretary-General and the three co-sponsors of the 1995 Resolution on the Middle East, as well as the Facilitator and the countries in the region, to continue to exert their utmost efforts for the referenced conference to be held at the soonest time possible," Cabactulan said in a statement delivered at the General Debate.
He added that with continued failure to implement the NPT's provisions and subsequent agreements such as the 13 practical steps agreed in the 2000 NPT Review Conference, and the action plan adopted by consensus in the 2010 NPT Review Conference, "we are thereby weakening seriously the Treaty itself while we amass worrying concerns of not achieving the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons."
Cabactulan expressed deep concern over persistent aggressive stance by North Korea to launch its nuclear arsenals.
"We call for sobriety among all stakeholders and for the easing of tension in the region to avoid the loss of innocent lives. We also join calls on the DPRK to desist from continuing such provocative actions and to abandon all nuclear weapons and programs," he said.
He said that recent developments in the Middle East and in the Korean Peninsula not only pose threats to international peace and security, but to the credibility and effectiveness of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as well.
He maintained the Philippine position that that nuclear weapons are illegal under international law, including the international humanitarian law.
"Of all the weapons ever conceived, nuclear weapons are inherently indiscriminate, far beyond proportionality, unimaginable in unnecessary suffering, and inescapably and grievously harmful to the environment. It is a weapon where the notion of control is meaningless and the idea of military necessity absurd," he said.
With the disarmament agenda showing little progress, Cabactulan said now may be the time to set in motion negotiations for a nuclear weapons convention (NWC). Article 6 of the NPT calls for such a convention which will provide a comprehensive, universal and non-discriminatory direction towards the total elimination of nuclear weapons.
"We welcome the statement of delegations informing us of their actions to have signed or acceded, or yet to sign and accede to international instruments relating to nuclear security or nuclear materials. The international rules-based regime and the rule of law are very close to the hearts of the Philippine Delegation and to the Philippines," he said.
ABS-CBNnews.com Posted at 04/26/2013 10:09 AM | Updated as of 04/26/2013 10:09 AM
