(Republic of Korea - CCW)
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
At the outset, let me begin by joining previous speakers in congratulating you on your assumption of the chairmanship. I am confident that, under your able stewardship, this meeting will be guided to a successful conclusion. We also appreciate your hard work in trying to find a common ground for a way forward through informal consultations with States Parties. I assure you of my delegation’s full support and cooperation.
Mr. Chairman,
Over the past 25 years since it came into force, the CCW has been at the center of the contemporary conventional disarmament machinery, while preserving the principles of international humanitarian law. Striking right balance between humanitarian concerns and military needs, the CCW has made major achievements in tackling the challenges posed by hostilities. The CCW has demonstrated itself as being a dynamic instrument, capable of responding to developments in weapons technology and to the nature of armed conflicts, through the adoption of new protocols. Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) is a good example.
The Republic of Korea attaches great importance to the indispensable role of the Convention in addressing humanitarian concerns, and has faithfully implemented the principles and provisions enshrined in the Convention. Our government continues to raise awareness among the Armed Forces on the Convention and its protocols, through regular education and training courses for the military personnel. We have taken all necessary measures to effectively implement the Convention and its protocols, including with the recent establishment of
“Instructions on the Management of ERW and so forth” by the Ministry of National Defense.
Mr. Chairman,
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This year we have had two rounds of formal negotiations and one informal session on the issue of cluster munitions. We highly appreciate the enormous efforts put forward by Mr. Gustavo Ainchil of Argentina, the Friends of Chair and the Secretariat. Although to my delegation’s deep disappointment, we could not reach a consensus, we believe the efforts we have built up to now are by no means in vain. My delegation believes that the “Draft Protocol on Cluster Munitions” presented by Ambassador Ainchil to you last August can be a solid basis for our future work. Taking into consideration a variety of concerns expressed by States Parties during the negotiations, the text seems to deserve further deliberations.
The Republic of Korea will continue to participate constructively in future negotiations, if their continuation within the CCW framework is agreed upon at this Meeting. At the same time, pending the final agreement on the future Protocol, we will do our part to reduce the humanitarian impact of cluster munitions by reflecting the appropriate international standards on our national defense policy.
Mr. Chairman,
My delegation notes with great pleasure that the Plan of Action on the Universalization and the Sponsorship Programme adopted at the Third Review Conference has begun to reap a good harvest. We firmly believe that all of these efforts will contribute significantly to the universal adherence to and effective implementation of the CCW. We also stand by the decision on establishing a Compliance mechanism as an important step forward in this regard. We look forward to fruitful discussions in the Fourth Review Conference in 2011 to further consolidate these efforts, and support your initiative to begin a preparatory process next year.
Lastly, Mr. Chairman, please allow me to assure you that my delegation stands ready to work constructively under your leadership toward a successful conclusion of this Meeting of High Contracting Parties.
I thank you, Mr. Chairman.
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