SIXTH COMMITTEE COMPLETES ELECTION OF OFFICERS, ADOPTS PROGRAMME OF WORK

Press Release
GA/L/3105

SIXTH COMMITTEE COMPLETES ELECTION OF OFFICERS, ADOPTS PROGRAMME OF WORK

The Sixth Committee (Legal), at an organizational meeting this morning, elected its Vice-Chairmen and Rapporteur, and adopted a programme of work for the current session of the General Assembly.

The three new Vice-Chairmen are: Andres Franco Vasco (Colombia); Victoria Hallum (New Zealand); and Hiroshi Kawamura (Japan). Josko Klisaovic of Croatia was elected Rapporteur.

The programme approved this morning comprises 10 agenda items allocated to the Committee by the General Assembly, scheduled for consideration as follows:

-- report of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, 11 and 12 October;

-- report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization, 13 to 15 October;

-- United Nations Decade of International Law, 18 to 19 October;

-- establishment of an International Criminal Court, 20-22 October;

-- report of the International Law Commission, 25 October to 5 November;

-- convention on jurisdictional immunities of States and their property, (to be considered by a working group), 8 to 9 November;

-- review of the Statute of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal, 11 November;

-- measures to eliminate international terrorism, 12 to 16 November.

Finally, the report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country, and the United Nations Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study, Dissemination and Wider Appreciation of International Law, are to be taken up from 18 to 19 November.

In another action, the Committee elected chairpersons for three of its working groups. Philippe Kirsch (Canada) will chair a working group which is to

Sixth Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/L/3105 2nd Meeting (AM) 27 September 1999

consider two draft conventions -- one on the suppression of acts of nuclear terrorism, the other on suppression of the financing of terrorism. Gerhard Hafner (Austria) will chair the group considering draft articles on jurisdictional immunities of States and their property. Socorro Flores Liera (Mexico) will chair the group on draft resolutions related to the United Nations Decade of International Law (1989-1999).

Chairman’s Statement

Phasoko Mochochoko (Lesotho), elected on 14 September as Chairman of the Committee, said that his country, as a small least developed country and a relative latecomer in the field of international law, recognized that the objective of promoting acceptance of and respect for international law, and encouraging its dissemination, were essential for its effective participation in the Committee and for the continued relevance of international law in today’s environment.

The Committee adjourned early, allowing its working on terrorism to meet. That group is scheduled to conclude its work on 8 October. The Committee will meet next at a time and date to be announced.

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