CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson, deputy permanent representative of Cuba, at the second session of the preparatory committee for the United Nations conference on the arms trade treaty. Agenda item: scope of a future arms trade treaty. New York, 28 February 2011

Mr. Chairman,

First and foremost, allow me to express Cuba’s satisfaction at having you again as Chairman of this Preparatory Committee.

We appreciate your efforts in the drafting of the three working papers that have been informally sent to us some days ago.

We especially welcome your reiterating at the beginning of this session that those papers are entirely your responsibility and that in no way intend to prejudge the position of the delegations.

Due to the short time we have had to review those informal papers, so far Cuba does not have a concluded opinion about them. However, I can tell you in advance that several elements suggested in those papers are not acceptable to Cuba, and some others raise important concerns and questions for us.

Nevertheless, we consider that the papers, despite their clear limitations, fulfill the objective of motivating frank, transparent and open debates and discussions, which are the only way to reach the necessary consensus on this complex matter.

The principled position of Cuba on this process is clear. For any future Arms Trade Treaty to be acceptable, it must be focused on the prevention of and fight against illicit trade in arms and cannot be discriminatory or selective. Said instrument must fully respect the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, including non-interference in the internal affairs of States, as well as respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States.

Likewise, it is indispensable that the future Treaty does not affect or restrict in any way the right of States to self-defense, under article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Mr. Chairman,

In regard to the Scope of the future Treaty specifically, we consider that instrument must include all conventional arms, particularly the most modern and sophisticated ones, whose destruction power is continuously increased.

We are not convinced all sophisticated weapons are included in the seven categories of the United Nations Register of Conventional Arms. Therefore, we will go over this matter in due time with a more elaborated position.

We believe that including in the Scope the seven categories of weapons of the Register, besides small arms and light weapons, could be a reasonable formula. However we reiterate it is important to ensure that other sophisticated conventional arms, which are not included in the Register, are not left out.

Concerning the inclusion of Parts and Components in the Treaty, as well as Technology and Equipment, we have serious doubts and consider this matter must be thoroughly reviewed due to its complexity and implications.

Many parts, components, technologies and equipment used to manufacture conventional arms, particularly sophisticated ones such as naval vessels, aircrafts, helicopters, missiles, etc., have a dual use, for they can be also peacefully used in a civilian context.

All these issues must be thoroughly reviewed in order to ensure that the future Treaty does not end up being a new control system for the transfer of technology, equipment and parts, which affects their use in a civilian context, particularly by developing countries, which do not manufacture them in many cases and require international transfers.

Likewise, we observe with concern those proposals aimed at including in the Scope of the Treaty activities and transactions such as research, development, financing, and technical assistance, which, in our opinion, is moving significantly away from a reasonable and practical Scope. Cuba considers these elements must be excluded from the Scope of the future Treaty.

Mr. Chairman,

In the case of categories of transfers that must be excluded from the Scope of the Treaty, Cuba agrees with your opinion that internal transfers must not be included and that the future Treaty must only include the transactions between States.

We consider that transfers to non-State actors must be explicitly banned.

Cuba does not support the idea of leaving out sporting, hunting and antique weapons, for they can also end up, and in most cases they do, in criminal or terrorist acts, as well as in other illegal activities.

We believe, Mr. Chairman, that there is a close link between the Scope of the future Arms Trade Treaty and the criteria and parameters of this instrument. Therefore, it is hard to consider these two matters separately.

Likewise, we see a close relationship between the Scope and the Universality of said instrument. An inappropriate Scope, by omission or commission, can affect the universal acceptance of the Treaty. This will bring about a very negative impact on the effectiveness if this international instrument.

Allow me to conclude, Mr. Chairman, by reiterating the full cooperation of the Cuban delegation in this session of the Preparatory Committee.

Thank you.

(Cubaminrex-Misión ONU)