Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons
Group of Governmental Experts
Statement by HE Ms Caroline Millar
Ambassador for Disarmament and Permanent Representative to the United Nations
14 January 2008
Mr Chairman
Australia welcomes your appointment as Chairman of this most important CCW negotiation on cluster munitions.
Australia is committed to working strongly and constructively with all interested States to address the humanitarian issue of those cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians.
The CCW was established to address such important issues as the protection of civilians against the effects of hostilities and the application of the international humanitarian law principle that the means and methods of warfare are not unlimited.
We note that solid progress has already been made on these issues, including by the ICRC’s Montreux meeting and last year’s GGE meetings. We should recognise the work done on Protocol V to address the humanitarian impact of all forms of ERW. We believe that the GGE should take advantage of this existing body of knowledge, and build upon it.
The technical and legal work of the CCW – the forum which includes the major producers and users of cluster munitions – should also prove useful to the deliberations occurring in the parallel Oslo process. Australia, like many other States, is participating in both sets of discussions. The CCW experts have established a respected body of military and technical expertise on cluster munitions. It is important that this expertise be brought to bear in both sets of discussions. Our goal in both processes is the same: to address the humanitarian issue of those cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians.
Mr Chairman
Australia supports the proposal for scheduling a GGE meeting in April. A six-month hiatus in our discussions is unacceptable, particularly given the amount of work which lies ahead. We warmly welcome the news from the Secretariat that facilities are available and trust the GGE will seize this opportunity to hold an April meeting.
Mr Chairman
Millions of concerned citizens in our countries are looking for leadership and substantive progress from the CCW to address those cluster munitions that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. Our institution could suffer greatly if we are not seen to provide that leadership.
Mr Chairman, Australia will give you all the support it can to ensure the CCW meets these expectations.