Japan-Proposed Resolution on Nuke Abolition Adopted at U.N.

New York, Nov. 5 (Jiji Press)--The First Committee of the U.N. General Assembly adopted on Monday a Japan-proposed resolution calling for united action among member countries toward eliminating all nuclear weapons. The resolution was adopted by a vote of 164 to one with 14 abstentions. Of the five nuclear powers, Britain, the United States and France supported the resolution while China and Russia abstained. North Korea voted against it. The U.N. committee for disarmament adopted a similar resolution for the 20th consecutive year. Last year, Russia was among the supporters. "Condemning in the strongest terms" the nuclear test conducted by North Korea in February, the resolution declared that Pyongyang will not be "accepted to possess nuclear weapons under any circumstances." The resolution also stated the recognition that "the catastrophic humanitarian consequences that would result from the use of nuclear weapons should be fully understood." The clause was included after the committee on Oct. 21 announced a joint statement against use of nuclear weapons that Japan endorsed for the first time. Japan was joined by a record 101 other countries in proposing the resolution. Toshio Sano, Japanese ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, said Japan's call for joint action by the international community including nuclear powers toward the elimination of nuclear weapons has won overwhelming support. Also approved by the committee were a resolution welcoming the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty and another on the prevention of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. END