houshanghai
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2009
- Messages
- 1,732
- Reaction score
- 0
China, Russia Call For Trust-Building Steps in Outer Space
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
Email This Article
Print This Article
Print All Articles
Chinese and Russian diplomats on Monday jointly introduced a resolution to the U.N. First Committee that would call for the 2013 General Assembly session to include a focus on trust-building steps in outer space aimed at preventing an arms race there (see GSN, Jan. 20).
In introducing the draft text to the U.N. committee that focuses on disarmament and international security, Moscow's representative said there was a need for measures to prevent an extraterrestrial arms race, as more than 60 states orbit their own satellites and 130 U.N. members operate space programs, according to a U.N.-provided summary of his remarks. He noted new problems such as space debris, colliding satellites and the weaponizing of outer space.
Backing the passage of new measures that would increase clarity and trust in nations' activities in outer space is crucial, the Russian delegate said.
The Chinese-Russian draft text would have the General Assembly vote at the body's 68th session to direct Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to choose a handful of governmental analysts, that following a 20-year break, would probe a range of matters relating to the use of outer space.
Sri Lanka's representative to the committee offered her support to the resolution. "It is much easier to prevent an arms race from taking place rather than controlling it or rolling it back once it has begun," she said.
Also introduced to the panel on Monday was a resolution by India that dealt with actions aimed at preventing extremists from coming into possession of unconventional weapons and their modes of delivery (see GSN, Oct. 17).
A separate resolution was brought before the committee that would bolster the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, South Africa's delegate noted that while the ban on the use, possession and production of chemical warfare materials has been in effect for years, a number of states parties to the treaty have not fully enacted all of its strictures.
The representative pointed to reports that tear gas is being weaponized -- an action outlawed by the agreement. The reports indicate the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which oversees implementation of the treaty, is not fulfilling its intended role, the delegate argued (see GSN, April 6; United Nations release, Oct. 17).
NTI: Global Security Newswire - China, Russia Call For Trust-Building Steps in Outer Space
Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
Email This Article
Print This Article
Print All Articles
Chinese and Russian diplomats on Monday jointly introduced a resolution to the U.N. First Committee that would call for the 2013 General Assembly session to include a focus on trust-building steps in outer space aimed at preventing an arms race there (see GSN, Jan. 20).
In introducing the draft text to the U.N. committee that focuses on disarmament and international security, Moscow's representative said there was a need for measures to prevent an extraterrestrial arms race, as more than 60 states orbit their own satellites and 130 U.N. members operate space programs, according to a U.N.-provided summary of his remarks. He noted new problems such as space debris, colliding satellites and the weaponizing of outer space.
Backing the passage of new measures that would increase clarity and trust in nations' activities in outer space is crucial, the Russian delegate said.
The Chinese-Russian draft text would have the General Assembly vote at the body's 68th session to direct Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to choose a handful of governmental analysts, that following a 20-year break, would probe a range of matters relating to the use of outer space.
Sri Lanka's representative to the committee offered her support to the resolution. "It is much easier to prevent an arms race from taking place rather than controlling it or rolling it back once it has begun," she said.
Also introduced to the panel on Monday was a resolution by India that dealt with actions aimed at preventing extremists from coming into possession of unconventional weapons and their modes of delivery (see GSN, Oct. 17).
A separate resolution was brought before the committee that would bolster the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, South Africa's delegate noted that while the ban on the use, possession and production of chemical warfare materials has been in effect for years, a number of states parties to the treaty have not fully enacted all of its strictures.
The representative pointed to reports that tear gas is being weaponized -- an action outlawed by the agreement. The reports indicate the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, which oversees implementation of the treaty, is not fulfilling its intended role, the delegate argued (see GSN, April 6; United Nations release, Oct. 17).
NTI: Global Security Newswire - China, Russia Call For Trust-Building Steps in Outer Space
