UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr John Dauth LVO Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
on
The non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
New York 22 April 2004
Mr President
Australia regards the draft non-proliferation resolution as an appropriate and timely initiative to help strengthen international efforts to combat WMD proliferation, including the risk of non-state actor acquisition of WMD.
As a clear threat to international peace and security, WMD proliferation falls squarely within the Security Council�€™s mandate. We recall the Security Council�€™s Presidential Statement of 31 January 1992, which sets out emphatically the threat posed by proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction. It has been too long since the Council has dealt substantively with the issue of nuclear non-proliferation. It is entirely appropriate that the Council should do so now, consistent with its mandate to maintain international peace and security.
Recent proliferation cases have demonstrated the critical importance of effective domestic measures, including export controls, in preventing the misuse of sensitive materials and technology at the state or sub-state level. The draft resolution responds to a clear need for member states to strengthen their domestic controls and legislation and ensure that proliferators do not exploit legislative and enforcement loopholes.
The nuclear black market, coupled with known terrorist interest in acquiring WMD, underscores the need for quick action from the international community in response to proliferation threats. Unless the international community acts with conviction and unity, terrorist groups could one day acquire WMD, with consequences none of us wishes to contemplate.
The obligations on UN member states imposed by the draft resolution in no way conflict with rights and obligations under existing WMD-related treaties. Nor does the resolution impose treaty obligations on non-states parties to such treaties. The draft resolution, however, does support the effective implementation of these treaties and related instruments and is entirely consistent with the aims of the established, treaty-based multilateral disarmament framework.
Of course, the draft resolution does not preclude the future development of new international instruments in these areas.
Australia commends the resolution to all Council members and calls for its early, unanimous adoption.
Thank you Mr President