DISARMAMENT COMMISSION HOLDS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
Press Release
DC/2621
DISARMAMENT COMMISSION HOLDS ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
19981202 The Disarmament Commission adopted the provisional agenda for its forthcoming session, at an organizational meeting this morning, and elected a member of its 1999 bureau.The Commission did not decide the dates for the convening of its substantive session, pending consultations on whether it should take place before or after the session of the preparatory committee for the year 2000 Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Angelica Arce (Mexico) was elected Vice-Chairman, from the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States. Consultations continue in the regional groups on the remaining candidates, including Chairman, Rapporteur and seven remaining Vice-Chairmen.
During its substantive session, the Commission will establish working groups to consider three key disarmament issues: the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones; the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament; and guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament.
The Chairmen of two working groups were elected today. Emilio Izquierdo (Ecuador) will chair the working group on the establishment of nuclear-weapon-free zones and Michael Hoey (Ireland) will chair the working group on guidelines on conventional arms control/limitation and disarmament.
Following approval of the provisional agenda, members reviewed draft resolutions approved by the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) at the current General Assembly session that concern the Commission, including: the report of the Disarmament Commission (document A/C.1/53/L.1); consolidation of peace through practical disarmament measures (document A/C.1/53/L.31/Rev.1); and convening of the fourth special session of the General Assembly devoted to disarmament (document A/C.1/53/L.50/Rev.1).
The Disarmament Commission will meet again at a date to be announced in the Journal to elect the remaining members of its bureau and the chairmen of its three working groups.
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