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Distinguished Heads of delegations,
I cordially welcome you on the Uzbek land and express a sincere appreciation for your participation at the Tashkent Conference The present conference is the first result of joint efforts taken by the Central Asian states to counter the external threats and challenges. The initiative to declare Central Asia a nuclear weapon free zone is another manifestation of community of interests and objectives of the Central Asian states in providing security, stability and peace to all people living here, as well as creating appropriate, I would say, essential conditions for sustainable development and prosperity of the region. Allow me to express the gratitude to the international organizations and, first of all, to the United Nations, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organization of Islamic Conference, the authorized representatives of snore than 50 nations and international structures present here, for support extended to the Central Asian initiative, for assistance rendered in preparing of the Tashkent Conference. We are rather optimistic about participation of representatives of P5 - the permanent member-states of the UN's Security Council at the forum. I welcome the official representatives of countries neighbouring the Central Asian region, those who considered it as their duty to support the idea of creating the Central Asian nuclear weapon free zone and came to Tashkent to take part at the Conference. We are pleased to see among the participants of the Tashkent Forum delegations from the European Union member states, which experience in integration and building a more secure world is of special value to the young Central Asian democracies. I would like to note with satisfaction that the number of international partners on the Central Asian security issues has been steadily increasing. I am firstly confident that participation of Latin American and South African diplomats further up-grades the profile and content of our Conference. It is appropriate to emphasize a high scientific level of our meeting achieved thanks to involvement of leading international experts on nuclear non-proliferation. Many of the experts have visited Tashkent in the course of preparing our Conference. I would like to express special thanks to representatives of mass media who have done much to cover an extensive job accomplished in process of this Conference organization Thanks to all who responded to and takes part in promoting our initiative
to declare Central Asia a non-nuclear zone.
Ladies and Gentlemen, In the life of nations and entire humanity the 20th century is coming to its end. I am convinced that each intelligent human being living nowadays in the world wonders how we intend to step to the 21st century, as well as how to provide peace and stability in his hone, country, region. How we can counter the real threats that may lead to tragic disasters, enormous human casualties, irreparable cataclysms. And, of course, a particular place among these threats takes the threat posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction. Today people got used to speak about the fact that there are thousands of warheads in nuclear stockpiles worldwide. Unfortunately, it has become an everyday phenomenon to learn information and facts, regularly revealed by democratic press, about huge stocks of fissile materials, accidents caused by nuclear weapons, nuclear smuggling, danger of nuclear blackmail and terrorism which subsequently pose an actual threat to survival of humanity. We are getting accustomed to terrible pictures that we see on TV screens about many thousands, and in some cases millions, of hectares of ones fertile soil, flora and fauna destroyed forever as a result of nuclear weapon tests. The people in the territory of Central Asia now continue suffering and probably several coming generations will continue to suffer the irreparable consequences of: such inhuman, I would say, anti-human tests of weapons of mass destruction. Urgency and significance of the set task on declaring our region as a nuclear free zone are dictated by the fact that not all the states in our planet have joined the Non-Proliferation Treaty. One still can find certain states located just near us which at present openly announce their claims to obtain nuclear weapon. That is the very reason why all the actions to remind of this threat, initiatives and measures aimed to prevent this threat must be in our opinion, in the focus of the world community and enjoy its full support. We should always remember that Central Asia is one of the most densely populated regions of the world, the region where people live in easily effected, vulnerable oasis that are in their own way susceptible to various natural cataclysms. On the other hand, significance of this initiative is determined by an increasing geostrategic stand of Central Asia, with its vast natural, mineral, energy, human and other resources, which is the crossroads of geopolitical and strategic interests of many biggest states of the word. Due to these factors one cannot allow the situation when the region with its further growing importance turns into the zone of struggle for some new spheres of influence and domination. It is our firm conviction that only an active integration of the Central Asian region into the world economic systemic, international information environment, strengthening its political cooperation with the leading nations of the world and international institutions and, in the first instance, integration of these states into the global system of international security may become a reliable guarantee for stability and sustainable growth. The second point. It is essential to admit that technology of the nuclear weapon free zone establishment will not separately resolve the task of providing security for the region. There must be such a mechanism which could reinforce all functional capacities of the zone to prevent the threat of proliferation. Setting this goal the participating states should base on international experience which has developed several basic principles, namely: --the zone must be totally free of nuclear weapons; --obligations regarding its functioning may be taken not only by the participating states, but also by all interested countries; --agreements on establishment of nuclear weapon free zone must include formation of an efficient system of control which is to ensure fulfillment of the agreed obligations; --such control must be carried out on the basis of the IAEA's and UN
Security Council's
The third point. Establishment and operating of the Central Asian nuclear weapon free zone is an integral part of global system of nuclear security provided for by the frameworks of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. In practice it means that the participating states of the Central Asian zone are actively joining the comprehensive regime of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. Meanwhile, alongside with nuclear disarmament arrangements, additional efforts aimed at preventing proliferation of other weapons of mass destruction should be taken. Those efforts should include arrangement of consultations, collaboration in information exchange and notification about the existing stockpiles of weapons, as well as the measures related to setting up mechanisms of strict control over arms supply to the areas of local conflicts. The fourth point. Any political decision, any inter-state Act is worthwhile only when it is closely linked with the social problems, providing decent living standards for person and society. The nuclear weapon free zone in Central Asia is not an exception. What concrete benefits can it give to people? Primarily, it is a contribution to safeguarding security and sustainable development. The problems of overcoming the gravest nuclear heritage of the former Soviet Union also require immediate solution as well as attention of international community. This also refers to the consequences of nuclear tests in Semipalatinsk
area. This also
The fifth point. The assessments of our Conference's experts
have proved that the idea of the nuclear weapon free zone in Central
Asia is in full conformity with the arrangements related to safeguarding
regional security. This is a logical continuation of efforts undertaken
earlier.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Summarizing the said above I would like to draw your attention to the matter of principle importance. We are well aware that formation of the Central Asian zone is not to turn into some sort of a symbolic action. Arrangements related to it's establishment must be carried out in accordance with the norms of international law in the field of disarmament and arms control, within the framework of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The functioning of the nuclear weapon free zone must be taken rather in a broader, then in traditionally accepted sense. What do I mean? In the first instance, we should work out a precise and efficient mechanism of physical protection from fissile materials available in the countries of the r region and bordering areas. We are not also guaranteed against any forms of terrorism and provocation. We are not guaranteed against penetration of dangerous raw materials our territory, I mean the materials which threatens at any moment to be converted to a nuclear warhead. On inter-state level we need a coordination of activities of diplomats, state and law enforcement agencies. It is necessary to take concrete measures aimed at activating and deepening our cooperation in storage, control and inventory of nuclear materials, ensuring their safety. At last, despite bearing the functions in the sphere of non-proliferation,
nuclear disarmament, control and protection of environment, the nuclear
weapon free zone should promote cooperation of the Central Asian states
in research of atom for peace. In the region there are all necessary conditions
for such a cooperation.
Dear participants of the Conference, Our meeting in Tashkent is being held in the year of 30th anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco, the 1st year anniversary of Pelindaba Treaty and 40th anniversary of the International Atomic Energy Agency. Along with congratulations to the OPANAL, participants of the African nuclear weapon free zone and the IAEA which representatives honoured our Conference with their presence, I would like to assure you that activities of these authoritative organizations and states are taken in Uzbekistan as sincere aspiration to build a more secure world. Stressing upon a symbolic linkage of these events, I want to say with
satisfaction that the states of Central Asia, fully realizing responsibility,
are carrying on s.o.'s work for world free of nuclear weapons which initially
started its forward movement in Latin America from one to another region.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Each nation of Central Asia is conscious of its own degree of responsibility for the region's destiny. And we consider all those present here as the envoys delegated by the world community, as those who do understand and share our concerns, as those who are keen to help us in our wish for secure world, mutual understanding and cooperation. We are not cut off developments which are going on beyond Central Asia. We are the part of mankind, and the world is inter-related and indivisible. We want to take part in constructive process of world building as equal partners of other nations, so that to hasten the time of guaranteed security for people in all the corners of the world. I hope that our forum will become an important milestone in achieving this blessed goal, comprehending the model of global security for the 21st century. I wish to all the participants of the Conference a fruitful work and success. Thank you for your attention.
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