DISARMAMENT COMMISSION ADOPTS 1997 AGENDA, ELECTS VICE-CHAIRMEN

Press Release
DC/2574

DISARMAMENT COMMISSION ADOPTS 1997 AGENDA, ELECTS VICE-CHAIRMEN

At a resumed substantive session this morning, the Disarmament Commission adopted its provisional agenda for the 1997 substantive session which will be held at Headquarters from 21 April to 13 May.

Before that action, the representative of the United States withdrew his proposal, made at a previous meeting, to alter the wording of an agenda item concerning nuclear-weapon-free zones. Other items on the agenda will deal with the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament, with particular emphasis on the consolidation of peace.

Also this morning, the Commission decided to establish the following subsidiary bodies: Committee of the Whole, which would deal with the Commission's report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session and other business, in an informal manner; Working Group I, on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones on the basis of arrangements arrived at among the States of the region concerned; Working Group II, to deal with the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and Working Group III, on guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament with particular emphasis on consideration of peace, in the context of United Nations General Assembly resolution 51/45 N.

The Vice-Chairman of the Commission, Andelfo Garcia (Colombia), announced that the appointment of the Chairmen of the subsidiary bodies would be taken up later, as no nominations had been received from regional groups.

The Commission this morning elected, by acclamation, Cuba and Ecuador as its Vice-Chairmen for 1997.

The Commission will resume its 1996 organizational session at a date to be announced.

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