DISARMAMENT COMMISSION TO HOLD 1996 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION 22 APRIL - 7 MAY
Press Release
DC/2543
DISARMAMENT COMMISSION TO HOLD 1996 SUBSTANTIVE SESSION 22 APRIL - 7 MAY
19960313 Agenda Will Include Discussion of Arms Transfers, Proposed Fourth Special Assembly Session on Disarmament, Nuclear IssuesThe Disarmament Commission this morning agreed to hold its 1996 substantive session from 22 April to 7 May and decided on three specific items for the provisional agenda of the session.
At the Commission's resumed organizational meeting and following intensive consultations among various groups and delegations, agreement was reached that the provisional agenda for the 1996 substantive session should include an item on international arms transfers, with particular reference to General Assembly resolution 46/36 H of 6 December 1991, and one on an exchange of views on the proposed fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament. According to Commission Chairman Wolfgang Hoffman (Germany), a third item related to nuclear issues would be finalized in consultations by the end of March.
Assembly resolution 46/36 H called upon States to give high priority to eradicating illicit trade in weapons and military equipment, which it defines as that trade which evades the control of national or international authorities. The resolution stated that three stages in the arms trade should be the focus of controls: the acquisition of arms by unauthorized persons; their export; and their delivery. The resolution suggested that measures be considered to prevent arms transfers to non-governmental bodies, rather than deal with the issue of government-to-government transfers.
The Commission, a deliberative body with universal membership, and mandated to make recommendations on disarmament issues, has, since 1993, limited its discussion to three specific items. It was unable to reach agreement at its 11 December 1995 organizational meeting on either the dates or the provisional agenda of its substantive session. The organizational session was suspended to allow for consultations on those issues.
The Assembly, at its 1995 session, through its First Committee, requested the Commission to expedite its consideration of the item on international arms transfers, with special emphasis on the adverse effects of
the illicit transfer of arms and ammunition. It also requested the Commission to study and report on measures to curb the illicit transfer and use of conventional arms, bearing in mind concrete problems in various regions of the world. In a working group during the 1995 session, the Commission had agreed upon a structure for guidelines on international arms transfers, focusing on the illicit arms trade. Much of the text of the guidelines remained to be negotiated.
The representative of Italy, speaking on behalf of the European Union, and the representative of the United States supported the results of the consultations on the three agenda items. They also agreed that the nuclear issues item should address nuclear-free zones. The representative of Colombia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, expressed pleasure over the process of consultations on the agenda items.
Agreement was reached this morning on the dates for a two-week substantive session, with the understanding that such a duration should not be set as a precedent in the future. The Commission also approved a general programme of work for the session. The Chairman noted, following a question raised by the representative of Cuba, that the Commission Bureau would consider the possibility of three meetings for the general debate.
The representative of Cuba also expressed the hope that the circumstances of the Organization that necessitated a shortened session would be resolved by 1997. The representatives of Algeria and Syria called attention to the difficulties posed by the shortened session.
Also this morning, the Commission established the following subsidiary bodies for the substantive session: Committee of the whole; working group I to deal with international arms transfers; working group II to take up the as yet specified nuclear issue; and working group III to address the item on an exchange of views on the fourth special session of the Assembly on disarmament. The Commission decided that chairmen for the working groups would be appointed at a meeting to be held later in March. In addition, the choice of four vice-chairmen for the Commission was postponed to a later meeting.
The Chairman stated that agreement had been reached during consultations that a candidate from the Asian Group of States would chair working group I, one from the Eastern European Group would chair working group II and another from the Latin American and Caribbean Group or the African Group would chair working group III.
At its previous organizational meeting, following the election of Mr. Hoffman as Chairman, the Commission elected as Vice-Chairmen: the representative of Pakistan for the Asian States; Poland and Ukraine for the Eastern European States; and Finland for the Western European and Other
Disarmament Commission - 3 - Press Release DC/2543 198th Meeting (AM) 13 March 1996
States. As Rapporteur, the Commission elected Rajab Sukayri (Jordan) for the Asian States. The four candidates remaining are to be presented by the Groups of Latin American and Caribbean and by the African States.
The Chairman praised the cooperative nature of the consultations, which achieved agreement on the agenda items and the dates for the session. He noted that the future success of the Commission would depend on that continued spirit of compromise.
Other statements were made this morning by the representatives of Iran and Egypt.
A representative of the Secretariat also informed the Commission that documents would no longer be processed on weekends, except in the case of the Security Council. The policy, which would affect the schedule of work for the Commission, was a consequence of the Organization's current budgetary constraints.
The Commission will meet again at a date to be announced.
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