11/01/2006

Source:  http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/dc3005.doc.htm http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2006/dc3005.doc.htm

On behalf of the Arab Group, ABDESSELEM ARIFI ( Morocco) said that, despite some progress, the international community was still very far from completing the work programme set forth in 2001.  What had been accomplished was very important, but it was not enough.  Capacities differed among States and regions and the progress required, therefore, additional international support.  The Arab States reaffirmed the importance of implementation of the Action Programme as the framework in that disarmament concern.  Lengthy and arduous negotiations had led to its adoption, and reopening those talks must be avoided.  The Arab region had witnessed important developments, enabling it to achieve major successes, with a view to implementing the action plan. Much had been done, for example, in enhancing regional coordination, and those efforts had culminated in the establishment of 14 contact points within the Arab League.  


He said that recent meetings of Arab States had reaffirmed the need to strengthen coordination among States of the region to eradicate the illicit small arms trade.  Towards that goal, regional databases had been established and workshops had been held, and the contact points had held annual meetings.  The Group also recently reaffirmed the common Arab position in the area of disarmament, namely that the elimination of nuclear weapons was paramount.  Those countries also reaffirmed the right of peoples to self-determination, especially those still living under foreign occupation, as well as the right to self-defence.  There was a need to find remedies for the underlying causes of armed conflict, whether socio-economic or political.  The Arab States also reaffirmed the importance of increased assistance for implementation of the Action Programme, especially for those States beset from conflict or in post-conflict situations.