Cablegate: Unga: 63rd General Assembly Adopts Resolution On
VZCZCXYZ0007
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUCNDT #1087 3232212
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 182212Z NOV 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5394
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001087
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA AORC ECON EFIN VE
SUBJECT: UNGA: 63RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON
PROMOTING DEVELOPMENT BY REDUCING ARMED CONFLICT
REF: STATE 121392
1. During its November 17, morning session, the 63rd General
Assembly held a debate on agenda items 107, follow up to the
outcome of the Millennium Summit; 44, integrated and
coordinated implementation of and follow-up to the outcomes
of the major UN conferences; and 112, strengthening of the UN
system. During the session, the General Assembly adopted a
resolution by consensus on "Promoting development through the
reduction and prevention of armed violence" (A/63/L.27).
2. Switzerland introduced and the General Assembly adopted
by consensus resolution A/63/L.27, "Promoting development
through the reduction and prevention of armed violence."
During the debate, France stated that while it supported the
Geneva Declaration, it disagreed with the resolutions link
between arms reduction and development. France's
representative said that the relationship between the two was
more complex than the wording implied, however, France would
not block consensus. Per Department instructions, USUN gave
a pre-action EOP (Ref A). In post-action EOP's, Egypt and
Pakistan stated their reservations. Egypt would have
preferred a greater reference to the principles UN Charter.
Pakistan noted that in each of the past negotiations of the
Geneva Declaration, Pakistan's objections and amendments have
been disregarded.
3. Venezuela introduced a resolution that calls for a Summit
on the global financial crisis (A/63/L.22). During the
debate India, Nicaragua, Russia, Cuba, Argentina, France, and
Algeria gave interventions. Except France, all the speakers
gave support for the resolution introduced by Venezuela,
calling for reform of the world's financial architecture,
particularly the Bretton Woods institutions. Nicaragua
expressed condemnation for capitalism, which had resulted in
the current crisis. Russia also expressed support for the
resolution on global health and foreign policy.
4. Switzerland introduced a resolution on the legal
empowerment of the poor (A/63/L.25). South Africa introduced
a resolution on global health and foreign policy (A/63/L.28).
Tanzania introduced a draft International Labour
Organization declaration on social justice for a fair
globalization (A/63/L.29). Action on all these items will
take place at a later date, to be announced. USUN is
participating in ongoing informal negotiations.
Khalilzad