Explanation of Vote by Garold N. Larson, Alternate Head of the U.S. Delegation to the UNGA First Committee, On Draft Resolution L. 4: The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East, in Conference Room 2

Garold N. Larson
Alternate  Head of the U.S. Delegation to the UNGA First Committee 
U.S. Mission to the United Nations 

New York, NY

October 29, 2009

AS DELIVERED

Mr. Chairman, my delegation has voted “no” on draft resolution L.4, “The risk of nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.”

The United States believes that, again this year, this resolution fails to meet the fundamental tests of fairness and balance.  It confines itself to expressions of concern about the activities of a single country, omitting any reference to other issues related to nuclear proliferation in the region.  Nor does it allude to the steps that some NPT States Party in the region are taking to develop the capacity to acquire nuclear weapons and their failure to cooperate fully and transparently with the IAEA. Additionally, it does not recommend that all states in the region sign the IAEA safeguards Additional Protocol.  

Notwithstanding our  “no” vote, I would like to reiterate the longstanding position of the United States in support of universal adherence to the NPT.

###