CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

Statement by the delegation of Cuba at the thematic discussion on nuclear weapons. First committee, New York, 14 October 2010.

Mr. Chairman,

The delegation of Cuba fully associates itself with the statement on this issue by Chile, on behalf of the Rio Group.

Nuclear disarmament is and must continue to be the top priority in the field of disarmament. The sole existence of nuclear weapons and doctrines prescribing their possession and use poses a grave danger to international peace and security.

There are nearly 23,000 nuclear weapons in the world, 7,560 of them are ready for immediate use. 

Certain nuclear-weapon States do not give up their use as part of their security doctrines based on the so-called “nuclear deterrence”, and even worse, allocate multi-million dollar funds to develop programs on the modernization of nuclear arsenals. 

Cuba considers the use of nuclear weapons is an illegal, totally immoral act that cannot be justified under any circumstance or security doctrine. The use of these weapons would constitute a flagrant violation of international rules relating to genocide prevention. 

Mr. Chairman,

The outcomes of the Eighth NPT Review Conference are a step forward. At the same time, they cannot result in pleasure or satisfaction, for we are still far from what is presently required.

The Review Conference made clear there is still a great distance between the rhetoric and the good intentions reiterated by some nuclear-weapon States and the commitments and steps.

We made every possible effort for the Plan of Action to include an agenda with well-defined actions and for the year 2015 to be set as deadline for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. Regrettably, the strong opposition by some nuclear-weapon States prevented an agreement thereon. Although a step towards the correct direction, the Plan of Action is limited and insufficient.  

The modest progress made in the Review Conference must encourage the continuation of the work for nuclear disarmament and the full application of all the NPT provisions. Nuclear disarmament cannot remain a continuously postponed and conditional goal.  

As member of the Conference on Disarmament, Cuba supports the beginning in that organ, as a priority, of negotiations on a program on nuclear disarmament resulting in the elimination and total proscription of nuclear weapons. Such program must include a transparent, irreversible, verifiable and legally-binding agenda.

Likewise, the commitment of nuclear-weapon States is required to stop the development of these weapons and remove them immediately from the territory of the non-nuclear-weapon States.

As long as this goal is not achieved, universal, unconditional and legally-binding security assurances must be established for non-nuclear-weapon States against the use or threat of use of said weapons.

Mr. Chairman,

Cuba opposes the selective approach promoted by some, which favors measures against horizontal proliferation to the detriment of the concerns caused by vertical proliferation, disregarding that the prohibition and complete elimination of nuclear weapons is the actual purpose.

We support the inalienable right of States to peacefully research, produce and use nuclear technology, without discrimination.

Mr. Chairman,

The large amount of resources currently destined to maintain nuclear weapons and their technical infrastructure should be used in development programs aimed at achieving the Millennium Development Goals. This would entail a considerable contribution to international peace and security. 

Cuba reiterates its firm commitment in favor of a world free from nuclear weapons, and our full willingness to work in order to materialize this aspiration for all humankind. 

Thank you

(Cubaminrex-Misión ONU)

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