UNITED NATIONS, April 18: The majority of UN Security Council members on Thursday gave a lukewarm reception to the Syrian resolution which seeks to declare Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
Following threats by the United States to slap sanctions on Damascus accusing it of possessing weapons of mass destruction’s (WMDS) , Syria introduced a resolution in the Security Council asking it to declare Middle East WMD free zone.
In closed door consultations, Pakistan reportedly supported the concept of a zone free of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East with reservations.
Pakistan stressed that consideration of the disarmament issue was not the responsibility of the Security Council unless it posed a direct threat to peace and security.
Saying that there were several provisions in the draft which were troublesome Pakistan’s delegate reportedly suggested that the draft resolution should be best considered within the context of the General Assembly, the Disarmament Commission or CD.
Russia’s Ambassador said that his country supported the idea of a nuclear weapons-free zone in the Middle East. This idea could become an important element in the peace process in the Middle East. The General Assembly has been adopting resolutions on this issue since 1974. China said that it had always supported the establishment of zone free of WMD in the Middle East.
Angola called nuclear proliferation an important subject. The African Union had a clear policy on this subject, and Angola supported the principles contained in the draft.
Mexico said that it had been active in the General Assembly on the issue of nonproliferation. It was prepared to work on the draft.
Following closed door consultations of the Security Council, consideration of the resolution was put off until next week, allowing member states to consult with their capitals.
UNITED NATIONS, April 18: The majority of UN Security Council members on Thursday gave a lukewarm reception to the Syrian resolution which seeks to declare Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction.
