CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT APPOINTS SPECIAL COORDINATOR ON ISSUE OF LAND-MINES
Press Release
DCF/305
CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT APPOINTS SPECIAL COORDINATOR ON ISSUE OF LAND-MINES
19970701 (Delayed in transmission; reissued as received.)GENEVA, 26 June (UN Information Service) -- The Conference on Disarmament approved this afternoon the appointment of John Campbell of Australia as a "Special Coordinator" to explore possibilities under which the group might begin negotiations on a potential international ban on anti-personnel land mines.
The appointment followed a consensus decision this morning that a special coordinator should be chosen -- action ending in part a deadlock over what the Conference should do in this year's session, now half over. Australia had formally tabled the proposal that a coordinator be named.
A further plenary was set for Friday at 10 a.m. following requests for decisions on several other proposed appointments of ad hoc committees and special coordinators.
Some national delegations -- echoing remarks heard at the end of the morning plenary -- continued to call for a further decision to take steps leading to negotiations on global nuclear disarmament, in particular appointment of an ad hoc committee on the topic as recommended by the Group of 21 non-aligned countries.
A representative of Sri Lanka called for a decision on appointment of such an ad hoc committee, and for further decisions on establishment of ad hoc committees on the topics of negative security assurances to non-nuclear-weapons States; prevention of an arms race in outer space; and transparency in armaments. In addition, the representative sought action on proposed appointments of special coordinators on the subjects of expansion of Conference membership; development of an agenda; and improved and more effective functioning of the Conference. All were contained in a proposed programme of work tabled early this month by the Group of 21.
Germany, in addition, requested action on a proposal for appointment of an ad hoc committee on possible negotiation on a cut-off convention on production of fissile materials for weapons purposes.
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After lengthy discussion it was decided to pursue informal open-ended consultations and to give delegations time to obtain instructions from their capitals, and to continue those consultations Friday morning if necessary.
The Conference still has not adopted a programme of work for the year.
Mr. Campbell is asked under the terms of this morning's decision to consult with member delegations with the intent of reporting back to the Conference -- when it resumes work in August -- on how potentially to proceed on the topic of land mine negotiations.
Mr. Campbell, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the Conference on Disarmament, was at another meeting related to land mines being held in Brussels, an Australian representative said, adding that the Australian delegation would energetically undertake the task assigned to it.
In other action, the Conference approved a request of Georgia to attend its meetings as an observer.
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