SEABED COUNCIL RESUMES DEBATE ON MEETINGS FOR 2000

Press Release
SEA/1646

SEABED COUNCIL RESUMES DEBATE ON MEETINGS FOR 2000

(Received from the International Seabed Authority.)

KINGSTON, 25 August -- The Council of the International Seabed Authority, meeting in Kingston this afternoon, held a further inconclusive discussion on the Authority's meeting plan and budget for 2000. Regional groups agreed to meet separately tomorrow morning, 26 August, to re-examine ways of reaching a compromise on the main issue, whether the Authority should hold one or two sessions next year.

The renewed debate was touched off by a statement by Australia, on behalf of the Group of Western European and Other States, restating its resolve to have one three-week session next year. Many other delegates repeated their strong preference for two two-week sessions, as initially stated when the Council took this matter up yesterday.

Council President Charles Manyang D'Awol (Sudan) said he had thought there was consensus at yesterday's informal meeting between heads of regional groups, over which he had presided, on the holding of two sessions, each lasting two weeks. He felt the only outstanding issue was the new alternative budget figure of $5,275,200, which some members of the Western European and Others Group wanted reduced to $5,175,200.

Responding to comments urging the Authority to improve its methods so as to speed its work, Secretary-General Satya N. Nandan outlined the list of items proposed for the next session and suggested some procedural changes. He identified next year's primary goal as the adoption of the mining code for polymetallic nodules in the international seabed area. According to his plan, the session would utilize informal consultations among groups, prior to meetings of the Council, to resolve pending issues related to the text.

The Council will meet again tomorrow, 26 August. For the remaining two days of the current session, it still has pending, in addition to the budget, the rules of procedure of the Legal and Technical Commission and the financial regulations of the Authority. Informal consultations are under way among delegations on a compromise text for a rule governing attendance of States at Commission meetings.

- 2 - Press Release SEA/1646 26 August 1999

Speakers this afternoon largely repeated positions voiced yesterday. Members of the African and the Latin American and Caribbean Groups favoured two sessions on the basis that this would speed progress on the mining code, while the Western European and Others Group members cited budgetary costs and the expenses of delegations as their main reason for choosing the one-session option. The Eastern European and Asian Groups remained flexible on the issue and offered to meet briefly to confirm their position.

Most delegations agreed that the decision on the number of sessions was linked to the method to be employed in completing the program of work for 2000. A number of delegates pointed to the "disappointing" record of achievement on the mining code. Chile said the cost of travel and accommodation was a concern for many delegations, but felt sacrifices should be made in the interest of completing work on the code, which could be approved in two sessions. Nigeria warned that if a budget was not adopted the Authority would have no legal basis for its financial operations next year.

Cameroon, Sudan and the Russian Federation suggested that the budget and related issue be referred to the Assembly for a decision. Mexico, however, thought the Council should try to resolve the matter.

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