Explanation of Vote by Garold N. Larson, Alternate Head of the U.S. Delegation to the UNGA First Committee, on Draft Resolution L. 24, Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons, 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, I wish to explain my delegation’s vote on Draft Resolution L. 24, “Conclusion of effective international arrangements to assure non-nuclear-weapon states against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons.”

The United States has made clear on several occasions that it has objections to certain provisions in this resolution and that the resolution does not accurately reflect the situation in the Conference on Disarmament.

Nevertheless, Mr. Chairman, in supporting document 1864, adopted by the CD in May of this year, the United States agreed to the establishment of a working group on NSAs.  Its mandate is “to discuss substantively, without limitation, with a view to elaborating recommendations dealing with all aspects of this agenda item, not excluding those related to an internationally legally binding agreement.”

 Document CD/1864 also makes clear that these discussions will take place without prescribing or precluding any outcome.

Mr. Chairman, the United States strongly supports CD/1864 and remains committed to engage fully and seriously in all aspects of the CD program of work as outlined in CD/1864.  Nevertheless, because we cannot support the draft as written, the United States abstained on draft Resolution L. 24.

###