Spanish congress NAC

SUBJECT: [What is the ] Government position regarding the Resolution presented by various Governments to the UN General Assembly, warning against the risks of nuclear weapons and demanding a greater practical commitment in order to reach nuclear disarmament.

RESPONSE: [Secretary of State of Legal Affairs]

The above mentioned resolution is titled "Accelerating the implementation of nuclear disarmament commitments" and it has been recently examined in the First Commission Sessions of the UN 59 th General Assembly. The text was presented by the Coalition for a New Agenda for Disarmament initiated by Mexico , Brazil , Sweden , South Africa , Ireland , New Zealand and Egypt . Last October 29, 2004 this text was voted for, and adopted by 135 votes in favor, 5 votes against and 25 abstentions. Among the abstentions were Spain , Italy , Portugal , Greece , Denmark , Poland , Hungary , the Czech Republic and Australia , among others.

Spain has carefully followed the proposals made in the area of nuclear disarmament. The text of reference was specially analyzed by Spain in New York and Madrid , where serious consideration and consultations were taken with a view to the possibility of voting in favor. Mexico , which also participated in these consultations, is a country with which we have special relations and whose representatives showed special interest in the Spanish position.

We have carefully examined the resolution presented by the Coalition. Spain did not in the end vote in favour, because, among other reasons, our country this year is co-sponsoring another Resolution regarding the same issue. The resolution "A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons" originally written by Japan , was considered and approved by 151 votes in favor, 2 against and 16 abstentions. As you can see, this resolution co-sponsored by Spain has reached better acceptance than the Coalition for the New Agenda.

The Resolutions hereby referred to have in common that they deal with initiatives from States which do not have nuclear weapons and which can make progress in the area of nuclear disarmament, and the effective performance of the Non-Proliferation Treaty regulations, among other tools. Traditionally, Spain and the other countries in the area have been more linked to the resolution presented by Japan , a country which has shown outstanding positions in this area. We can see some similarities between the two resolutions, and these will probably be strengthened during the next years. Spain is definitely looking for an agreement among the different groups of countries that support these two Resolutions which are so similar. In the meantime, our position is closer to "A path to the total elimination of nuclear weapons" than to the other document.

In our contact with Mexico and other countries, Spain has explained clearly its position. Regarding the Spanish abstention on the resolution on October 29, the Spanish delegation expained their vote indicating that we agree with the efforts made by the Coalition for the New Agenda, and we consider the text represents an important step in the direction. However, Spain considers that the Resolution it has decided to co-sponsor is the best one, the most balanced and the most likely to reach global consensus.

Madrid, December 14, 2004.

SECRETARY OF STATE

OF LEGAL AFFAIRS