U.S. seeking to dismantle system of non-proliferation in outer space - Russian Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. Dec 6 (Interfax) - The Russian Foreign Ministry has considered the U.S.'s negative stance on a UN General Assembly resolution as the desire to dismantle the modern-day system of arms control and non-proliferation of weapons in outer space.
"The warning signal is Washington's dismantling the consensus on the joint resolution on transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities, which existed over the past few years," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Russian diplomats have noted "dramatic changes in Washington's stance on this document and a transition from the higher form of its support - co-sponsoring - to voting against as another vivid demonstration of Washington's focus on dismantling the modern-day system of arms control and non-proliferation, and a strong opposition to any positive steps in this area."
Having taken up its First Committee's (Disarmament and International Security) report, the UN General Assembly adopted on December 5 three Russian-sponsored documents, including the draft resolutions on "no first placement of weapons in outer space" and "transparency and confidence-building measures in outer space activities," and the draft decision "Further practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space."
The resolution on "no first placement of weapons in outer space" was adopted by a recorded vote of 128 in favor to 12 against, with a record-breaking number of co-sponsors (50).
"It is deeply regrettable that this time countries such as Australia, United Kingdom, Hungary and France have fully aligned themselves with the United States, which traditionally opposes any initiatives on practical measures for the prevention of an arms race in outer space. It appears that under the pressure from the U.S., these nations opposed their own national priorities and expressed a passive consent to the possible fulfillment of the plans to place weapons in outer space declared by Washington," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.