21-04-2005 - Cluster II: Freedom from fear - Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

Australian Permanent Mission to the United Nations

New York

Permanent Mission address: 150 East 42 Street, Level 33, New York, New York 10017 - Telephone: 1 212 351 6600 - Fax: 1 212 351 6610

General Assembly
Informal consultations

21 April, 2005

Cluster II: Freedom from fear

Statement by H.E. Mr Peter Tesch
Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative
of Australia to the United Nations

(Check against delivery)

Australia supports the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy outlined by the Secretary-General in Madrid on 10 March. The Summit must draw upon that strategy to do more than simply reaffirm that terrorism is unjustifiable under any circumstances but deliver clear and practical outcomes to combat terrorism. Australia welcomes the Secretary-General’s call for States to conclude a comprehensive terrorism convention by the end of the sixtieth session of the General Assembly. A comprehensive convention would fill any gaps between the 13 sectoral counter-terrorism conventions. Australia agrees with the Secretary-General that the use of force by States is already thoroughly regulated under international law, and that any right to resist occupation cannot include the right to deliberately kill or maim civilians. These principles should be reflected in the comprehensive convention.

The recent adoption of the Convention to Suppress Acts of Nuclear Terrorism was a significant milestone. It demonstrated that difficult issues concerning terrorism can be resolved and provides new momentum to our counter-terrorism efforts. To complement efforts to criminalise all terrorist acts, States should also be better equipped to implement their obligations under relevant conventions and resolutions. We agree with the Secretary-General that the Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate has an important role to play in developing a comprehensive approach to technical assistance. Nevertheless, its work, and that of other UN bodies, must be streamlined and better coordinated, particularly reflecting work being undertaken at the bilateral and regional level. Efforts should also be made to streamline reporting obligations to allow a better identification of states that are actively unwilling, rather than simply unable, to cooperate with UN efforts.

The proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), including the threat that terrorists could acquire WMD, is one of the major security challenges of our time. Australia has been at the forefront of efforts to stem the proliferation of WMD and fully supports the Secretary-General’s recommendations for strengthening the multilateral framework for arms control and non-proliferation.

The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is the foundation of the multilateral non-proliferation regime. But it is clear existing non-proliferation measures are insufficient to stop determined proliferators. The Summit outcome should strongly support the adoption of the model Additional Protocol as the NPT nuclear safeguards standard.
The erosion of barriers to the development of proliferation-sensitive elements of the nuclear fuel cycle has heightened the risk of States misusing the peaceful-uses provisions of the NPT to acquire the basis for a rapid break-out to nuclear weapons. The discovery of clandestine nuclear procurement networks and the stated intent of terrorists to acquire WMD heighten the risks of proliferation of sensitive nuclear technology. The Summit should endorse the Secretary-General’s proposal to find alternatives to States acquiring domestic uranium enrichment and plutonium separation facilities.

The Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) is a key tool in efforts to stem the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and a practical means of impeding the illicit flow of WMD-related materials. The PSI is supported by over 60 countries. The Summit should encourage even greater participation.

Terrorist possession of Man-Portable Air Defence Systems (or MANPADS) is an increasing concern. Australia supports international efforts to control the production and proliferation of MANPADS and was a lead sponsor of the MANPADS resolution at UNGA 59. The Secretary-General’s call for more work on MANPADS, including a ban on transferring them to non-States actors, should be endorsed. The Summit outcome should also include other arms control and non-proliferation measures recommended by the Secretary-General, including: the commencement of negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty; continuation of the test-ban moratorium pending entry into force of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); and conclusion and implementation of an instrument on the marking and tracing of small arms and light weapons.

Australia supports as a key Summit outcome the establishment of a small, practical and effective Peacebuilding Commission to address, in an integrated way, the challenges facing fragile States and to provide sustained assistance in post-conflict situations. In addition, Australia believes the Summit should pursue practical measures to strengthen the UN’s capacities in mediation and conflict prevention as the best means of avoiding outbreaks of violence within and between States.