CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by Ambassador Rodolfo Benitez Verson, Deputy Permanent Representative of Cuba, at the General Debate of the Main Committee II (Nuclear Non-Proliferation)

Eighth Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). New York, 10 May 2010

Mr. Chairman,

First of all, allow me to congratulate you on your election as Chairman of this Committee, and to assure you of the full support of the Cuban delegation. Cuba associates itself completely with the statement by Egypt on behalf of the non-aligned countries parties to the NPT.  

Cuba reiterates the nuclear non-proliferation is not an end in itself, but a step forward to achieve nuclear disarmament. There can be no discussion on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons without taking into account its direct relation to nuclear disarmament. Therefore, the best guarantee for the nuclear non-proliferation is the achievement of nuclear disarmament.   

We note with great concern the improvement of existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of these weapons, in violation of commitments undertaken under the NPT.  

This situation is even more alarming when the plans to deploy new antimissile defense systems are known, and alliances including nuclear weapons in their military strategies continue to be strengthened.

Cuba rejects the selective and double-standard approach some countries try to impose when addressing questions related to disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, in connection with the threat of terrorism. Such selective approach favors measures against horizontal proliferation, to the detriment of the concerns posed by vertical proliferation, disregarding the fact that the prohibition and the total elimination of nuclear weapons is the only guarantee to prevent them from falling into terrorist hands.

Mr. Chairman,

In relation to the issue of verification and safeguards, Cuba has fully complied with all its undertakings as State Party to the NPT.

In recent years, our country has welcomed various safeguards inspections by IAEA. In a transparent environment, the outcomes of these inspections have showed our strong attachment to non-proliferation.

It is the responsibility of all IAEA members to ensure strict respect for its Statute and the prevention of any improper pressure or interference in its activities– especially in its verification process- which could jeopardize the efficiency and credibility of the Agency.

We note with concern the imposition of unilateral measures by certain countries and the interference of other bodies, like the UN Security Council, in the prerogatives given by NPT to IAEA, as the only competent authority to verify the fulfillment of the obligations under the respective safeguards agreements of States.

Cuba is party to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and is one of the countries that have expressed the political commitment to support the application of the Code of Conduct on the Safety and Security of Radioactive Sources. In this respect, our experts are currently working in achieving the national harmonization.

In accordance with Article 14 of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, my country has strictly complied with its commitment to provide six-monthly statements. Cuba keeps an active participation in the implementation of that Treaty.

Cuba is also part of the group of countries participating in the IAEA database on illicit trafficking in nuclear material, and no incident of that sort has been reported so far

In relation to the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones, Cuba considers they are a significant practical step towards the objective of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. We endorse the urgent establishment of a NWFZ in the region of the Middle East. We will thoroughly address this matter in the subsidiary body of this Committee.

Mr. Chairman,

I would like to conclude by reiterating that the creation of non-transparent mechanisms of selective composition, acting on the fringes of the United Nations and international treaties, is in no way the proper response to face phenomena as international terrorism, including the use of weapons of mass destructions, their delivery system or related materials.

Cuba considers that concerns associated with non-proliferation must be always adressed through political and diplomatic means, and that measures and initiatives thereupon must be taken in the framework of the International Law, relevant Conventions, and the Charter of the United Nations.

Thank you.

(Cubaminrex- Embacuba ONU)