Delegation From:
The Republic of Turkey

Represented by:
Florida International University

The issues before the General Assembly First Committee are the following:  Follow up on the NPT Review Conference; Towards Complete and Total Disarmament; The Impact of Technology on International Peace and Security; and Conventional Weapons Limitation and Disarmament.

Since the end of the Cold War, there has been an overall decrease in the threat of nuclear weapons use.  The Republic of Turkey attaches particular importance to disarmament and the total eradication of nuclear weapons.  Turkey notes the world has also experienced a proliferation of regional conflicts and armed hostilities and witnessed a trend leading to the spread and destabilizing accumulation of sophisticated weapons including weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery.

The Republic of Turkey is one of six Non Nuclear Weapon States (NNWS) that currently house American nuclear weapons on their territory.  As all of these nations are members of NATO and adhere to NATO's policy of nuclear sharing, Turkey does not believe this violates the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).  While the Republic of Turkey may house deployed nuclear weapons from the United States of America, we would like to point out that these weapons remain solely under American control.  At the most recent Prepcom on NPT Review, the Arab Republic of Egypt suggested that all weapons deployed by the United States of America be removed from European Union territories, including Turkey.

For Turkey, active participation in international efforts regarding disarmament, adherence to relevant international agreements, and observance of their full implementation are important elements of our national security policy.  Among the initial signatories of the Non-Proliferation and Comprehensive Test Ban treaties, Turkey expects to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and the Australia Group in the nearest future.  This, Turkey believes, will further solidify the hope many nations have in achieving a Non-Nuclear Weapons Free World (NNFW).

The Republic of Turkey recognizes the implications, both positive and negative, of technology on international peace and security.  Turkey is aware that many freely traded products can be used as components of weapons of mass destruction (WMD).  Part of the solution to the many arms related issues that the world faces is the creation of regional arms control agreements.  Agreements, such as Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) treaty, to which Turkey is a party, allow regions to custom build arms control measures to fit their needs.  Turkey believes that this is an apt solution to many of the arms related problems that the world faces.

The Republic of Turkey places great importance on the establishment of export control regimes.  Turkey is a party to the Wassenaar Agreement, which is one of the foremost export control agreements.  Turkey believes that a single export control regime will help prevent the production of WMD.  By selectively controlling the flow of basic supplies used to produce WMD, members of export control agreements can help stop the production of such weapons.

Key to the use of many of today's WMD is an effective delivery system.  The Republic of Turkey strongly encourages other states to join with us in continuing to focus on the need to reduce the capability of any state to use antiballistic missiles.  Turkey's commitment to the control and elimination of WMD is exemplified through the fact that Turkey is one of the first signatories of the Non Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The Republic of Turkey strongly supports transparency in arms and in dual-use technology related areas.  Turkey is a supporter of resolution A/55/559-U, which reaffirms support for transparency in arms.  Transparency is a key to arms control because it allows states to monitor each other and, therefore, eases fears of disarmament noncompliance.

The Republic of Turkey recognizes the fact that insufficient attention has been paid to conventional weapons limitation and disarmament and believes that this issue should be comprehensively addressed by the United Nations.  Turkey believes that members of the United Nations, by working together to define the components of illegal transnational arms flows and creating methods to stem these flows, can reduce death and suffering in both domestic and international conflicts.

The Republic of Turkey also supports further disarmament measures.  Conventional weapons are used all too often in ethnic and regional conflicts.  By reducing the number of conventional weapons available to conflicting groups, the members of the United Nations can save many lives.  To reduce the access these groups have to weapons, the sheer number of conventional weapons must be reduced.  Turkey is a signatory of both the Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects (CCW), and the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) agreement.  These two agreements help to reduce the use of conventional weapons.

Turkey believes it is of major importance that regional groups work to stem the transnational flow of arms.  In support of this ideal, Turkey signed resolution GA 55/33 P, which is a starting point for regionally based arms control.  Regional groups can customize arms control plans to the specific needs of the states and groups in their regions.
 

               Students' names: