Statement by First Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy at UNSC briefing on issues of WMD non-proliferation (implementation of resolution 1540)
Point of order:
Mr.President,
As we said this morning before the meeting on the situation in the Middle East, yesterday the French delegation, in discussing our requested UNSC meeting on the 25th anniversary of NATO's aggression against Yugoslavia, expressed its opposition to its holding, despite the fact that the meeting had previously been scheduled by the Japanese Presidency. French colleagues insisted that the Security Council should take all decisions regarding the convening of meetings only in the Chamber and that no preliminary decisions should be valid. As a result, a procedural vote took place on the initiative of France.
Basically, France and the three Western permanent members on the Council tried to reject another Council member’s request to call a meeting (which had already been scheduled by that moment, though the Presidency was not able or did not dare to confirm that in front of the Security Council). Please note that the proposed agenda ("Threats to international peace and security") was not alien to the Council. However it was not the agenda item, but the very subject of the meeting that our Western colleagues did not like. Nevertheless, for some reason the Japanese Presidency insisted on holding a procedural vote on the agenda item. We will get back to this issue and consider it in detail.
For the time being, in view of the precedent set by France and in order to avoid misunderstandings, we need to make sure that no one objects to our today’s meeting. If the Presidency is not willing to ask this question directly, as we have repeatedly called to, then we suggest doing this at least through a procedural vote on the agenda item. There must be no double standards and no contradictions. Since there were some yesterday as regards a meeting requested by Russia, then we need to ensure that no such thing happens today. After all, as our French colleagues made clear yesterday, preliminary agreements do not have any force, just like decisions of the UNSC Presidency. And this will persist unless we agree on a normal modus operandi.
Mr.President,
Separately, I would like to recall that yesterday Russia, in an official letter, requested the Japanese Presidency to convene a meeting on the 25th anniversary of NATO's aggression against Yugoslavia in the near future. This letter was circulated among the members of the Security Council. We are awaiting an official response from the Presidency, as required by Rule 2 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure.
Thank you.
Main statement:
Mme.President,
We thank Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540, the Permanent Representative of Ecuador, Mr. José Javier de la Gasca, for his comprehensive report on the work of this subsidiary body over the past year and its plans for the near future. We support the efforts of the Ecuadorian Chairmanship to implement the Committee's program of work until next year that was agreed in the Committee this past January.
After two decades, Security Council resolution 1540 remains relevant as a universal international document aimed at providing cooperation and assistance to states on issues of non-proliferation. That is, in particular, effective measures at the national level to prevent weapons of mass destruction, their means of delivery and related materials from falling into the hands of non-state actors. The imperative of this task cannot be overstated, i.a. against the backdrop of the persisting terrorist threats, to which our country became victim last week. The Russian Federation has always been committed to the goals and objectives of resolution 1540. We were among its initiators and took an active part in drafting its basic provisions. It is gratifying that, even in the current difficult international environment, this document of the Security Council does not lose its unifying potential.
Resolution 1540 envisages a number of serious obligations for all member states. Their full implementation requires the development of national legislation and law enforcement measures. In that sense, we believe that 1540 Committee should prioritize ensuring a positive perception of the resolution by the entire international community. This is possible only if its provisions are not used as a pretext for interference in the internal affairs of states, and if the Committee itself does not turn into an instrument of such interference by receiving "control and oversight" functions.
We need to further support the spirit of compromise and cooperation that is inherent in 1540 Committee in order to fulfill its key tasks of monitoring the implementation of 1540 provisions and coordinating global efforts to provide technical assistance to states upon their request. We continue to emphasize that the Committee's approach, both on this issue and on any other, should be tactful and free from pressure. The Committee is not authorized to "impose" anything by force. In its activities, it should follow its mandate, the scope of which is clearly set out in resolution 1540 and other relevant Security Council resolutions.
The Committee, in addition to strict adherence to its mandate, should continue to focus on finding consensus on any contentious issues. It is unacceptable to impose narrowly focused agendas and interests that have nothing to do with non-proliferation on this subsidiary body of the Security Council. Introducing topics that go beyond the scope of resolution 1540 (such as counter-terrorism, new threats and challenges, and sanctions-related issues) is unacceptable. It is also important to remember that the Committee's Panel of Experts is strictly accountable to this body and can act only on its instructions.
Mme.President,
The Russian Federation is always open to constructive interaction within 1540 Committee in order to accomplish the most important tasks assigned to it, taking into account the interests of both the members of this subsidiary body and all other states. We believe that this is the key to the success of our common work and to preserving the international community's commitment to the implementation of resolution 1540.
Thank you.
