FIRST COMMITTEE APPROVES DECISIONS TO STREAMLINE UNITED NATIONS DISARMAMENT MACHINERY
Press Release
GA/DIS/3103
FIRST COMMITTEE APPROVES DECISIONS TO STREAMLINE UNITED NATIONS DISARMAMENT MACHINERY
19980629 The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) this morning approved two draft decisions on revitalizing and streamlining the disarmament machinery of the United Nations.During its resumed fifty-second session, the First Committee approved a draft decision by which the General Assembly would decide that, as of the Assembly's next regular session, the First Committee would conclude its substantive work within five weeks, if possible. Also by the draft, introduced this morning by the Committee's Acting Chairman, Sudjadnan Parnohadininagrat (Indonesia), the Committee would hold no less than 30 meetings.
By the terms of a second draft concerning the 1998 Report of the Disarmament Commission, the Committee recommended that the Assembly decide that, as of its substantive session in the year 2000, the Commission's agenda should comprise two agenda items per year, including one on nuclear disarmament. Also by that draft, the Commission's substantive session would be reduced to three weeks from its current five weeks.
The two draft decisions were introduced at the meeting, and although 24 hours should normally be allowed to pass before action is taken, there were no objections from the Committee to moving on, and the Acting Chairman of the meeting allowed action to be taken on both drafts. Both were approved without a vote.
The first draft, on the rationalization of the work and reform of the agenda of the First Committee (document A/C.1/52/L.51/Rev.2), was a revised draft decision submitted by the Chairman of the First Committee. It had been left over from the last session of the Committee, which concluded on 17 November 1997. The latest revision to that draft inserted the provision that the Committee would hold no less than 30 meetings.
Under other terms of the text, the Assembly would have the Committee combine the existing phases of its work: "Structured discussion of specific subjects on the adopted thematic approach on disarmament and international security agenda items" and "Consideration of all draft resolutions submitted under all agenda items", provided that sufficient time was allowed for informal consultations and discussions on draft resolutions.
First Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/DIS/3103 25th Meeting (AM) 29 June 1998
Under further terms, the Committee Chairman would conduct consultations regarding rationalization of the work and reform of the agenda, and report to the Assembly at the beginning of its fifty-third session.
Concerning the meeting schedule of the First Committee, the Committee Secretary said the arrangements outlined in the draft would not prejudice the provision of the General Assembly that stated: "The First Committee and the Fourth Committee shall not meet simultaneously and may consider meeting in a sequential manner during the regular session of the General Assembly."
The draft decision on the Report of the Disarmament Commission (document A/C.1/52/L.53) was submitted by Algeria, Belarus, Croatia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Luxembourg, Peru, South Africa, Spain, Syria and Uganda. It was based on recommendations put forward by the Chairman of the Disarmament Commission, after the General Assembly had requested that deliberations on the issue be concluded before the end of the fifty-second session.
Under other terms of the text, the possibility of a third agenda item would be retained if there were consensus to adopt such an item. Substantive agenda items would be considered in the Commission for three years. Other options for the duration of consideration of an item, according to its specificity, may be adopted on an ad hoc basis by consensus.
At the end of the meeting, the Acting Chairman declared the fifty-second session of the First Committee closed.
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