9 December 1981

General and complete disarmament A Study on conventional disarmament

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 35/156 A of 12 December 1980 in which it approved, in principle, the carrying out of a study on all aspects of the conventional arms race and on disarmament relating to conventional weapons and armed forces, to be undertaken by the Secretary-General with the assistance of a group of qualified experts appointed by him on a balanced geographical basis,

Recalling the discussions at the 1981 substantive session of the Disarmament Commission on the general approach, scope and structure of the study on all aspects of the conventional arms race and on disarmament relating to conventional weapons and armed forces,

1. Requests the Secretary-General to establish the group of experts in accordance with the provisions contained in paragraph 1 of General Assembly resolution 35/156 A;

2. Requests the Disarmament Commission at its substantive session in 1982 to complete its consideration of the general approach to the study, its structure and scope and to transmit the conclusions of its deliberations to the group of experts;

3. Agrees that the group of experts should pursue its work after the above-mentioned session of the Disarmament Commission, taking into consideration such conclusions as the Commission may submit to it, and, if necessary, the deliberations at the substantive session of the Commission in 1981, in particular those reflected in paragraph 21 and annex III of the report on that session;

4. Requests the Secretary-General in accordance with paragraph 4 of resolution 35/156 A to submit a final report to the General Assembly at its thirty-eighth session.

B

Conclusion of an international convention prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons The General Assembly,

Recalling the resolution of the Commission for Conventional Armaments of 12 August 1948, which defined weapons of mass destruction to include atomic explosive weapons, radioactive material weapons, lethal chemical and biological weapons and any weapons developed in the future which have characteristics comparable in destructive effect to those of the atomic bomb or the other weapons mentioned above,

Recalling the resolution 2602 C (XXIV) of 16 December 1969,

Recalling paragraph 76 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, in which it is stated that a convention should be concluded prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons,

Reaffirming its resolutions 34/87 A of 11 December 1979 and 35/156 G of 12 December 1980 on the conclusion of such a convention,

Convinced that such a convention would serve to spare mankind the potential dangers of the use of radiological weapons and thereby contribute to strengthening peace and averting the threat of war,

Noting that negotiations on the conclusion of an international convention prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons have been conducted in the Committee on Disarmament,

Taking note of that part of the report of the Committee on Disarmament which deals with these negotiations, including the report of the Ad Hoc Working Group,

Recognizing that divergent views continue to exist in connexion with various aspects relating to a convention prohibiting radiological weapons,

Noting with satisfaction the wide recognition of the need to reach agreement on the text of a treaty prohibiting radiological weapons,

1. Calls upon the Committee on Disarmament to continue negotiations with a view to an early conclusion of the elaboration of a treaty prohibiting the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons, in order that it may be submitted if possible to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament, to be held in 1982;

2. Takes note, in this connexion, of the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Working Group, in the report adopted by the Committee on Disarmament, to set up at the beginning of its session to be held in 1982 a further ad hoc working group, under an appropriate mandate to be determined at that time, to continue negotiations on the elaboration of a treaty prohibiting radiological weapons;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Committee on Disarmament all documents relating to the discussion by the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session of the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons;

4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item entitled "Prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of radiological weapons".

C

Prevention of an arms race in outer space The General Assembly,

Inspired by the great prospects opening up before mankind as a result of man's entry into outer space,

Believing that any activity in outer space should be for peaceful purposes and carried on for the benefit of all peoples, irrespective of the degree of their economic and scientific development,

Recalling that the States parties to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies, have undertaken in article III to carry on activities in the exploration and use of outer space, including the moon and other celestial bodies, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international co-operation and understanding,

Recalling also article IV of the said Treaty,

Recalling paragraph 80 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly,which states that, in order to prevent an arms race in outer space, further measures should be taken and appropriate international negotiations held in accordance with the spirit of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,

Noting the important and growing contribution of satellites both for civilian purposes and the verification of disarmament agreements and aware of the possibilities of their use to promote peace, stability and international co-operation,

Mindful of the widespread interest expressed by Member States to ensure that the exploration and use of outer space should be for peaceful purposes, inter alia, in the course of the negotiations on and following the adoption of the Treaty of 1967 and taking note of proposals submitted to the General Assembly at its tenth special session, devoted to disarmament, to the regular sessions of the General Assembly and to the Committee on Disarmament,

Aware of the need to prevent an arms race in outer space and in particular of the threat posed by anti-satellite systems and their destabilizing effects for international peace and security,

Convinced that further measures are needed to prevent outer space from becoming an area of military confrontation, contrary to the spirit of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies,

Considering it necessary for the international community to give attention to specific measures regarding the question of anti-satellite systems in the Committee on Disarmament,

Bearing in mind that the restraint of anti-satellite systems has already been a subject in negotiations between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America,

1. Considers that further effective measures to prevent an arms race in outer space should be adopted by the international community;

2. Urges all States, in particular those with major space capabilities, to contribute actively to the goal of preventing an arms race in outer space and to refrain from any action contrary to that aim;

3. Requests the Committee on Disarmament to consider, as from the beginning of its session in 1982, the question of negotiating effective and verifiable agreements aimed at preventing an arms race in outer space, taking into account all existing and future proposals designed to meet this objective;

4. Requests the Committee on Disarmament to consider as a matter of priority the question of negotiating an effective and verifiable agreement to prohibit anti-satellite systems, as an important step towards the fulfilment of the objectives set out in paragraph 3 above;

5. Requests the Committee on Disarmament to report on its consideration of this subject to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Committee on Disarmament all documents relating to the consideration of this subject by the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session;

7. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session an item entitled "Prevention of an arms race in outer space; prohibition of anti-satellite systems".

D

Institutional arrangements relating to the process of disarmament The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 34/87 E of 11 December 1979, in which it requested the Secretary-General, with the assistance of qualified governmental experts, to carry out a comprehensive study assessing current institutional requirements and future estimated needs in the United Nations management of disarmament affairs and outlining possible functions, structure and institutional framework that could meet those requirements and needs, including legal and financial implications, and formulating recommendations for possible later decisions on the matter,

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General to which the study prepared by the group of governmental experts to study the institutional arrangements relating to the process of disarmament is annexed,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and of the study contained therein;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General and the experts who assisted him for the efficient manner in which the report was prepared;

3. Recommends that all Member States should study the report;

4. Invites all Member States to transmit to the Secretary-General by 31 March 1982 their comments on the study and its conclusions and recommendations;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the study to the Committee on Disarmament;

6. Decides to transmit the report and the comments of Member States to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament for substantive consideration and the adoption of appropriate decisions;

7. Further decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session an item entitled "Institutional arrangements relating to the process of disarmament".

E

Non-stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present The General Assembly,

Conscious that a nuclear war would have devastating consequences for the whole of mankind,

Recalling its resolution 33/91 F of 16 December 1978, which contains an appeal to all nuclear-weapon States to refrain from stationing nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present, and to all non-nuclear-weapon States which do not have nuclear weapons on their territories to refrain from any steps which would directly or indirectly result in the stationing of such weapons on their territories,

Recalling further its resolution 35/156 C of 12 December 1980, in which it requested the Committee on Disarmament to proceed without delay to talks with a view to elaborating an international agreement on the non-stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present,

Noting with regret that this appeal by the General Assembly remains unheeded,

Considering that the non-stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present would constitute a step towards the larger objective of the subsequent complete withdrawal of nuclear weapons from the territories of other States, thus contributing to the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapons and leading eventually to the total elimination of nuclear weapons,

Bearing in mind the clearly expressed intention of many States to prevent the stationing of nuclear weapons on their territories,

Deeply alarmed by plans and practical steps leading to a build-up of nuclear-weapon arsenals on the territories of other States,

1. Requests once again the Committee on Disarmament to proceed without delay to talks with a view to elaborating an international agreement on the non-stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present;

2. Calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to refrain from further action involving the stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of other States;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit to the Committee on Disarmament all documents relating to the discussion of this question by the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session;

4. Requests the Committee on Disarmament to submit a report on the question to the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session;

5. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session an item entitled "Non-stationing of nuclear weapons on the territories of States where there are no such weapons at present: report of the Committee on Disarmament".

F

Confidence-building measures The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 33/91 B of 16 December 1978, in which it requested Member States to submit their views and experiences on confidence-building measures,

Noting with satisfaction that numerous Member States responded to that request and provided the Secretary-General with substantive information,

Recalling also its resolution 34/87 B of 11 December 1979, in which the General Assembly requested the Secretary-General to carry out a comprehensive study on confidence-building measures with the assistance of a group of qualified governmental experts appointed by him on an equitable geographical basis,

Expressing its concern about the deterioration of the international situation and the further escalation of the arms race, which both reflects and aggravates the unsatisfactory international political climate, tension and mistrust,

Desirous of strengthening international security and, at the same time, creating and improving conditions conducive to further measures of disarmament,

Mindful of the fact that, while confidence-building measures cannot serve as a substitute for disarmament measures, they play a very significant role in achieving disarmament,

Convinced of the usefulness of confidence-building measures freely arrived at by the States concerned and agreed upon, taking into account the particular conditions and requirements of the regions concerned,

Expressing its conviction of the need for the exchange of pertinent and timely information on military activities and other matters pertaining to mutual security, which would contribute to an improved climate of trust and confidence among States, and the conviction that agreement can be reached on measures to this end,

Noting with satisfaction the encouraging results of some confidence-building measures agreed upon and implemented in some regions,

1. Takes note of the comprehensive study on confidence-building measures prepared by the Secretary-General;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General and to the Group of Governmental Experts on Confidence-building Measures which assisted in the preparation of the study;

3. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements for the reproduction of the study as a United Nations publication and to give it the widest possible distribution;

4. Recognizes that confidence reflects a set of interrelated factors of a military as well as of a non-military character and that a plurality of approaches is needed to overcome fear, apprehension and mistrust between States and to replace them by confidence;

5. Recommends that, building on the experience gained from the application and development of confidence-building measures, further efforts should be made, both within and outside the United Nations, to widen their scope, so that account is also taken of non-military approaches;

6. Regards the concept of confidence-building measures as a useful approach in reducing and eventually eliminating potential causes for mistrust, misunderstanding, misinterpretation and miscalculation;

7. Believes that the promotion of confidence-building measures where appropriate conditions exist will significantly contribute to facilitating the process of disarmament;

8. Invites all States to consider the possible introduction of confidence-building measures in their particular regions and, where possible, to negotiate on them in keeping with conditions and requirements prevailing in the respective regions;

9. Decides to submit the study to its second special session devoted to disarmament, to be held in 1982, for further consideration.

G

Prohibition of the production of fissionable material for weapons purposes The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 33/91 H of 16 December 1978, 34/87 D of 11 December 1979 and 35/156 H of 12 December 1980, in which it requested the Committee on Disarmament, at an appropriate stage of the implementation of the Programme of Action set forth in section III of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, and of its work on the item entitled "Nuclear weapons in all aspects", to consider urgently the question of adequately verified cessation and prohibition of the production of fissionable material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices and to keep the Assembly informed of the progress of that consideration,

Noting that the agenda of the Committee on Disarmament for 1981 included the item entitled "Nuclear weapons in all aspects" and that the Committee's programme of work for both parts of its session held in 1981 contained the item entitled "Cessation of the nuclear arms race and nuclear disarmament",

Recalling the proposals and statements made in the Committee on Disarmament on these items,

Considering that the cessation of production of fissionable material for weapons purposes and the progressive conversion and transfer of stocks to peaceful uses would be a significant step towards halting and reversing the nuclear arms race,

Considering that the prohibition of the production of fissionable material for nuclear weapons and other explosive devices also would be an important measure in facilitating the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons and explosive devices,

Requests the Committee on Disarmament, at an appropriate stage of its work on the item entitled "Nuclear weapons in all aspects", to pursue its consideration of the question of adequately verified cessation and prohibition of the production of fissionable material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices and to keep the General Assembly informed of the progress of that consideration.

H

Study on all the aspects of regional disarmament The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 35/156 D concerning the study on all the aspects of regional disarmament,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General containing the views of Member States on the study;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to submit the study on all the aspects of regional disarmament and his report containing the views of Member States to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament, so that it may consider their substance and any action on them that may be required.

I

Strategic arms limitation talks The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 2602 A (XXIV) of 16 December 1969, 2932 B (XXVII) of 29 November 1972, 3184 A and C (XXVIII) of 18 December 1973, 3261 C (XXIX) of 9 December 1974, 3484 C (XXX) of 12 December 1975, 31/189 A of 21 December 1976, 32/87 G of 12 December 1977 and 35/156 K of 12 December 1980,

Recalling that the SALT I agreement - which bears the official title of "Interim Agreement between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Certain Measures with respect to the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms" - entered into force on 3 October 1972 following more than two years of bilateral negotiations and that its text was issued as a document of the General Assembly,

Recalling that the SALT II agreement - which bears the official title of "Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms" - was finally signed on 18 June 1979, after six years of bilateral negotiations, and that its text, together with the texts of the Protocol to the Treaty and a joint statement, both signed on the same date as the Treaty, and a joint communique issued also on 11 June 1979, were issued as a document of the Committee on Disarmament,

Reaffirming once again its resolution 33/91 C of 16 December 1978, in which it, inter alia:

(a) Reiterated its satisfaction at the solemn declarations made in 1977 by the heads of State of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America, in which they stated that they were ready to endeavour to reach agreements which would permit starting the gradual reduction of existing stockpiles of nuclear weapons and moving towards their complete, total destruction, with a view to a world truly free of nuclear weapons,

(b) Recalled that one of the disarmament measures deserving the highest priority, included in the Programme of Action set forth in section III of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, was the conclusion of the bilateral agreement known as SALT II, which should be followed promptly by further strategic arms limitation negotiations between the two parties, leading to agreed significant reductions of and qualitative limitations on strategic arms,

(c) Stressed that in the Programme of Action it was established that, in the task of achieving the goals of nuclear disarmament, all nuclear-weapon States, in particular those among them which possess the most important nuclear arsenals, bear a special responsibility, Reaffirming that, as stated in its resolution 34/87 F of 11 December 1979, it shares the conviction expressed by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America in the joint statement of principles and basic guidelines for subsequent negotiations on the limitation of strategic arms that early agreement on the further limitation and further reduction of strategic arms would serve to strengthen international peace and security and to reduce the risk of outbreak of nuclear war,

Recalling that, at its first special session devoted to disarmament, it proclaimed that existing arsenals of nuclear weapons alone were more than sufficient to destroy all life on earth, that the increase in weapons, especially nuclear weapons, far from helping to strengthen international security, on the contrary weakened it, and that the existence of nuclear weapons and the continuing arms race posed a threat to the very survival of mankind, for which reasons the General Assembly declared that all the peoples of the world had a vital interest in the sphere of disarmament,

Recalling also that in the Declaration of the 1980s as the Second Disarmament Decade annexed to its resolution 35/46 of 3 December 1980 it recommended that special priority be given to the ratification of the SALT II Treaty,

1. Notes that the Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms (SALT II) has not yet been ratified;

2. Urges that the process begun by the SALT I Treaty and signature of the SALT II Treaty should continue and be built upon;

3. Trusts that the signatory States will continue to refrain from any act which would defeat the object and purpose of that process;

4. Urges the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, with reference to resolutions 34/87 F of 11 December 1979 and 35/156 of 12 December 1980, to pursue negotiations, in accordance with the principle of equality and equal security, looking towards the achievement of an agreement which will provide for substantial reductions and significative qualitative limitations of strategic arms;

5. Welcomes the commencement of negotiations at Geneva on 30 November 1981 between representatives of the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on nuclear arms in accordance with the joint communique issued by Secretary of State Haig and Foreign Minister Gromyko on 23 September 1981, and trusts that such negotiations will facilitate the enhancement of stability and international security;

6. Stresses the need that both parties bear constantly in mind that not only their national interests but also the vital interests of all the peoples of the world are at stake in this question;

7. Invites the Governments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America to keep the General Assembly appropriately informed of the results of their negotiations, in conformity with the provisions of paragraphs 27 and 114 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly;

8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its thirty-seventh session the item entitled "Strategic arms limitation talks".

J

Report of the Committee on Disarmament The General Assembly,

Recognizing that all the peoples of the world have a vital interest in the success of disarmament negotiations,

Recognizing also that all States have the duty to contribute to and the right to participate in disarmament negotiations, as acknowledged in paragraph 28 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly,

Recalling, to that effect, its resolutions 33/91 G of 11 December 1978 and 35/156 I of 12 December 1980,

Noting that under section IX of the rules of procedure of the Committee on Disarmament non-member States have been invited to participate in the work of the Committee,

Recalling also that the membership of the Committee on Disarmament is to be reviewed at regular intervals in accordance with paragraph 120 of the Final Document,

1. Takes note of the relevant parts of the report of the Committee on Disarmament on its session held in 1981 in which various options and different views were stated;

2. Recommends that the first review of the membership of the Committee on Disarmament should be completed, following appropriate consultation among Member States, during the next special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament;

3. Reaffirms that States not members of the Committee on Disarmament should upon their request continue to be invited by it to participate in the work of the Committee.

K

Disarmament and international security The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolutions 34/83 A of 11 December 1979 and 35/156 J of 12 December 1980, Alarmed by the present grave state of international affairs characterized by marked deterioration in the relationship between the major military Powers, which seriously jeopardizes the process of detente and results in the flaring up of new and in the continuation of old conflicts in various parts of the world,

Deeply concerned over the long stagnation in the disarmament process, the intensification of the arms race, both quantitative and qualitative, and the increased threat of a nuclear conflagration,

Convinced that for achieving progress on the reduction of arms and armaments, the arms race must first be stopped,

Convinced further that the arms race cannot be stopped as long as the concepts of balance of weapons or of deterrence continue to be regarded as the sole means for the security of nations,

Aware that the best hope for arresting the pernicious spiral of the arms race is by the provision of alternative means of security for nations rather than through reliance on the balance of armaments or of deterrence,

Aware further that the rational alternative means for such security is to move towards a halt in the arms race by developing in a parallel way the measures and modalities for collective security as mandatorily required by the Charter of the United Nations,

Recalling paragraph 13 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, in which it is stated that genuine and lasting peace can only be created through the effective implementation of the security system provided for in the Charter and the speedy and substantial reduction of arms and armed forces, by international agreement and mutual example,

Considering that it is of essential importance to create a climate of confidence in the United Nations which will open the way to co-operation among Member States, in fulfilling the common and basic obligations under the Charter,

Noting with satisfaction the references to statements made by representatives of a number of Member States, including the two major Powers, in the First Committee during the current session of the Assembly, indicating positive attitudes towards effective use of the United Nations in improving the international situation and preventing war,

Reaffirming its resolution 35/156 J of 12 December 1980, adopted by consensus, in which, inter alia, it recommended that the main organs of the United Nations responsible for the maintenance of international peace and security should give early consideration to the requirements for halting the arms race, particularly the nuclear arms race, and developing the modalities for the effective application of the system of international security provided for in the Charter,

Reiterating its request to the permanent members of the Security Council to facilitate the work of the Council towards carrying out this essential responsibility under the Charter,

1. Calls upon all States to take prompt action for the implementation of General Assembly resolution 35/156 J which would render effective the decisions of the Security Council in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and thereby be conducive to meaningful disarmament negotiations;

2. Deems it necessary, as a first step in this direction, that the Security Council take the required measures towards the implementation of Chapter VII of the Charter, which would reinforce the foundations of peace, security and order through the United Nations and avert the growing threat of nuclear conflagration.

L

Study on the relationship between disarmament and international security The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 32/87 C of 12 December 1977, in which it requested the Secretary-General to initiate a study on the relationship between disarmament and international security,

Recalling further paragraph 97 of the Final Document of the Tenth Special Session of the General Assembly, in which it requested the Secretary-General, with the assistance of consultant experts appointed by him, to continue the study on the relationship between disarmament and international security,

Recalling also its resolution 34/83 A of 11 December 1979, by which it took note of the progress report of the Secretary-General, as well as resolution 35/156 E, in which it requested the Secretary-General to submit the final report to the General Assembly at its thirty-sixth session,

Having examined the report of the Secretary-General containing the study,

1. Notes with satisfaction the study on the relationship between disarmament and international security prepared by the Secretary-General;

2. Expresses its appreciation to the Secretary-General and to the Group of Experts on the Relationship between Disarmament and International Security who assisted him in the preparation of the study;

3. Commends the study and its conclusions to the attention of all Member States;

4. Invites all Member States to inform the Secretary-General, no later than 15 April 1982, of their views regarding the study;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to make the necessary arrangements for the reproduction of the study as a United Nations publication and to give it the widest possible distribution;

6. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit the study, together with the views of Member States, to the General Assembly at its second special session devoted to disarmament, to be held in 1982.