99/44 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

NOTES FOR AN ADDRESS BY

THE HONOURABLE LLOYD AXWORTHY

MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

AT THE

ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM

SINGAPORE

July 26, 1999

(5:45 p.m. EDT)

I was encouraged by the strong statement on weapons proliferation contained in the ASEAN [Association of Southeast Asian Nations] communiqué. I must tell you frankly that I am becoming concerned. Central to security for us all is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Yet, very disturbing differences of opinion have emerged at preparatory committees.

The nuclear testing in South Asia is leading some countries that previously had a capacity for nuclear weapons and have renounced it to question the point of having done so. Not very substantial progress is being made on the reduction of nuclear weapons.

Similarly, on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) we face difficulties too: 44 ratifications are needed to make it work. Some 10 ASEAN Regional Forum [ARF] members are among the 44 who must ratify the treaty for it to enter into force, but only 3 have done so. Once again, we have a treaty that is central to establishing a framework for controlling and deterring nuclear weapons development, and yet it is stalled.

There is a significant role to be played by the ARF because of the strategic positions occupied by some of its members. But they are not occupying these positions with the fervour, or the energy, or the action that I think is required.

I take, at this point, the fairly pessimistic view that some of these very important treaties and agreements could be undermined and eroded unless some real action is taken in the next couple of years.

I see around the table certain ministers who have represented countries -- whether at the Non-Aligned Movement or at the Group of 77 or in other fora -- that have taken the lead in the past on these issues. Yet, I do not think that leadership is being exercised in the same way today. We have just finished a discussion on the potential of missile testing by North Korea. We must make progress in developing a broad multilateral regime for missile technology control or face some very serious consequences.

I listened with great interest to the statement by Minister Singh on India's commitments to follow through on United Nations Resolution 1172. I think it is worth taking some encouragement from his statement, because I think it is crucial that both India and Pakistan actively acquit their obligations. Domestic political considerations are always a factor, but I am encouraged by these words, which have to be lived up to with real action.

In a different way, this is also true of the nuclear weapons states themselves. I address Russia and the United States, who are around the table here. I again take some comfort in the fact that President Yeltsin and President Clinton have reaffirmed their interest in coming to grips with the nuclear weapons issue. The START II ratification and the START III negotiations are absolutely essential if we are to have an NPT review conference next year that has momentum. There needs to be some demonstration of progress in these areas.

I also want to speak for a moment about an issue that is at the other end of the spectrum but that, to my mind, is equally dangerous: the proliferation of small arms. The Secretary-General of the United Nations has said that the most prolific killer in the world today is a 14-year-old with an AK-47. More people are being killed by small arms around the world, and there is still a huge market for these weapons.

I recently returned from a visit to Africa. What you see happening there today in Angola, Central African Republic, the Congo, Sierra Leone and Sudan, to name only a few, is the terrible impact of small arms. Combined with the recruitment of children into armies, the proliferation of small arms is one of the most horrendous international transgressions. As I said last night to ARF member states, it is very important for them to address this issue, because I think they can make a contribution. I think the ARF is the one regional organization that has not yet fully dealt with the question of small arms proliferation.

For example, the Organization of American States now has a convention in place, as does the European Union. Other regions are also working on conventions. The Organization for African Unity and the Southern African Association for Development Co-operation are beginning to develop conventions dealing with the proliferation of small weapons.

We applaud Malaysia for introducing a motion at the Security Council dealing with disarmament and the reintegration of demobilized soldiers. I think the small arms issue has become very much part of those issues. In your chairman's statement, I think it is important to reflect the urgency of the issue, but also the energy that individual member states could bring to it.

This is a subject for which we have real responsibility as members of the organization. I think that it is really crucial at this meeting, because with these signposts coming up, these crossroads coming up -- CTBT meetings in three months, NPT meetings in six months -- I don't think that we can continue to tread water in these matters. We have got to show some movement forward.

Thank you.