VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHC #2827 3241803
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 191757Z NOV 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE IMMEDIATE 0000
UNCLAS STATE 122827
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PARM UNSC CS
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE: DISARMAMENT PRST, NOVEMBER 19
1. (U) This is an action request. USUN is authorized to
join consensus on a Costa Rica-penned PRST regarding the
regulation and reduction of armaments, with text as
follows. A vote on this PRST is anticipated on November
19, 2008.
2. (U) Begin text of PRST:
Strengthening collective security and armament regulation
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The Security Council recalls its primary responsibility
under the Charter of the United Nations for the
maintenance of international peace and security.
The Security Council remains convinced of the necessity to
strengthen international peace and security through, inter
alia, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. It
considers that the regulation and reduction of armaments
and armed forces, as appropriate, constitutes one of the
most important measures to promote international peace and
security with the least diversion of the world's human and
economic resources.
The Security Council notes the importance of collective
security and its impact on disarmament and development,
and stresses its concern at increasing global military
expenditure.
The Security Council stresses the importance of
appropriate levels of military expenditure, in order to
achieve undiminished security for all at the lowest
appropriate level of armaments. It urges all States to
devote as many resources as possible to economic and
social development, in particular in the fight against
poverty and the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals.
The Security Council affirms the 2005 World Summit Outcome
in which Heads of State and Government recognized that
development, peace, security and human rights are mutually
reinforcing.
The Security Council stresses the vital importance of an
effective multilateral system, to better address, in
accordance with international law, the multifaceted and
interconnected challenges and threats confronting our
world and to achieve progress in the areas of peace and
security, development and human rights, which are the
pillars of the United Nations system and the foundations
for collective security and well-being. It also expresses
its support for multilateralism as one of the most
important means for resolving security concerns in
accordance with international law.
The Security Council expresses support for national,
bilateral, regional and multilateral measures adopted by
governments aimed at reducing military expenditures, where
appropriate, thereby contributing to strengthening
regional and international peace and security.
The Security Council underlines the importance of
promoting norms setting in accordance with international
law, as part of the efforts to strengthen
non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control measures,
as well as the importance of compliance with and
reinforcing of the existing agreements, conventions, and
treaties which relate to these matters and international
peace and security.
The Security Council reiterates that cooperation with
regional and sub-regional organizations in matters
relating to the maintenance of peace and security and
consistent with Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United
Nations can improve collective security and therefore
should be continuously strengthened. In this regard, it
underlines the importance of strengthening the capacity of
such organizations in conflict prevention, crisis
management, armaments control and in supporting States
recovering from conflict and laying the foundation for
sustainable peace and development.
The Security Council recalls the obligation of all States
to accept and carry out its decisions in accordance with
article 25 of the United Nations Charter and affirms its
commitment to continue monitoring and promoting the
effective implementation of its decisions, in order to
avoid conflict, promote and maintain international peace
and security and further confidence in collective
security.
The Security Council calls on Member States, regional and
sub-Regional organizations, the Secretariat and the
competent United Nations Funds and Programs, as
appropriate, to make further efforts to preserve,
facilitate, develop and strengthen international and
regional cooperation in the areas of arms control,
non-proliferation and disarmament, through, inter alia,
further implementation, development and strengthening of
relevant agreements and instruments.
The Security Council intends to continue following this
issue.
END TEXT
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