International Network of Engineers and Scientists Against Proliferation

Bulletin 18 - Moving Beyond Missile Defense

UN General Assembly Adopts Resolution on "Missiles"

Merav Datan

The experts' group which has been established as a result of the UNGA Resolution "Missiles" is to study "the issue of missiles in all its aspects" held its first meeting during July 30 - August 2, 2001. The group includes officials from Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, the Slovak Republic, South Africa, South Korea, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Brazil is the chair. It should be noted that while the resolution passed 97-0, with 65 abstentions, a majority of states within the experts' group actually abstained on the resolution.

It is not yet clear whether this group will become a multilateral forum for addressing the question of missiles, and, if so, how it would relate to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). Of the 32 MTCR member states, only South Africa voted in favor of this resolution, although 11 other MTCR members are participating in the experts' group (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, UK, US). The bulk of support for a new multilateral approach comes from non-MTCR countries, but a few MTCR members do support a multilateral approach.

The resolution addresses the "complexities involved in considering the issue of missiles in the conventional context", although it is not clear whether the experts' group will focus on conventionally armed missiles to the same extent as weapons of mass destruction. Nor is it clear whether civilian space programs will be included in the scope of the study.

"Missiles" Resolution A/RES/55/33/A adopted by the United Nations General Assembly [on the report of the First Committee (A/55/559)]

The General Assembly,

Recalling its resolution 54/54 F of 1 December 1999,

Reaffirming the role of the United Nations in the field of arms regulation and disarmament and the commitment of Member States to take concrete steps to strengthen that role,

Realizing the need to promote regional and international peace and security in a world free from the scourge of war and the burden of armaments,

Convinced of the need for a comprehensive approach towards missiles, in a balanced and non-discriminatory manner, as a contribution to international peace and security,

Bearing in mind that the security concerns of Member States at the international and regional levels should be taken into consideration in addressing the issue of missiles,

Underlining the complexities involved in considering the issue of missiles in the conventional context,

Expressing its support for the international efforts against the development and proliferation of all weapons of mass destruction,

1. Takes note with appreciation of the report of the Secretary-General, submitted pursuant to resolution 54/54 F,1

2. Requests the Secretary-General further to seek the views of Member States on the issue of missiles in all its aspects and to submit a report to the General Assembly at its fifty-sixth session;

3. Also requests the Secretary-General, with the assistance of a panel of governmental experts to be established in 2001 on the basis of equitable geographical distribution, to prepare a report for the consideration of the General Assembly at its fifty-seventh session on the issue of missiles in all its aspects;

4. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-sixth session the item entitled "Missiles".

69th plenary meeting,
20 November 2000

Ballistic missiles differ from military rockets because they have guidance systems. The development of accurate guidance systems remains one of the most challenging engineering obstacles facing states wishing to indigenously develop ballistic missiles. Only 11 nations have missiles with ranges over 1000 km; all the rest have only short-range, Scud-type missiles.

Ballistic missiles are sometimes confused with cruise missiles. A ballistic missile is one whose payload reaches its target by way of an initial powered boost and then a free flight along a high arcing trajectory. Part of the flight of longer-range ballistic missiles may occur outside the atmosphere and involve the "reentry" of a warhead or the missile. A cruise missile is a self-propelled vehicle that sustains flight through the use of aerodynamic lift over most of its flight path.

For a comprehensive assessment of the world's ballistic missile arsenal, see the World Missile Chart of the Carnegie Non-Proliferation Project at www.ceip.org/files/projects/npp/re- sources/ballisticmissilechart.htm.