A/48/PV.3 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 3.35 p.m.
ITEM 129 OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA (continued) S C A L E O F A S S E S S M E N T S F O R T H E APPORTIONMENT OF THE EXPENSES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (A/48/414/Add.1) (continued)
Before turning to the item on our agenda for this meeting, I should like to draw the General Assembly’s attention to document A/48/414/Add.1. In his letter contained in that document, the Secretary-General informs me that since the issuance of his communication dated 21 September 1993, Cambodia and the Niger have made the necessary payments to reduce their arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter. 2. May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information? It was so decided.
ORGANIZATION OF WORK OF THE FORTY- EIGHTH REGULAR SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA AND ALLOCATION OF ITEMS: FIRST REPORT OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE (A/48/250 AND ADD.1)
This afternoon the Assembly will consider the first and second reports of the General Committee (A/48/250 and Add.1). I shall refer to specific
This record is subject to correction. Corrections should be sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned within one week of the date of publication to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Section, Room C-178, and incorporated in a copy of the record. NEW YORK sections and paragraphs of the reports which contain recommendations for consideration by the Assembly. 4. The General Committee, in paragraph 2 of its report, draws the attention of the General Assembly to the provisions reproduced in annexes V, VI, VII and VIII of its rules of procedure. 5. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of these provisions? It was so decided.
Friday, 24 September 1993 at 3 p.m.
In paragraph 3, the General Committee took note of General Assembly resolution 47/233 of 17 August 1993, whereby the Assembly, inter alia, established a new Special Political and Decolonization Committee and recommended that, pending further consideration of the revitalization process, the agenda items previously allocated to the Special Political Committee and the Fourth Committee should be allocated to the new Special Political and Decolonization Committee. 7. In paragraph 4, the General Committee also took note of the statement made by the Secretary-General to the Fifth Committee, on 26 August 1993, regarding the current financial situation of the United Nations and the need to introduce certain measures affecting conference services. 8. We shall now examine section II of the report, which deals with the organization of the session. 9. We turn first to section II B, dealing with the rationalization of work of the General Assembly. 10. In paragraph 7, the General Committee draws the attention of the General Assembly to the fact that meetings requiring services to be held at Headquarters will be limited to those that can be serviced within the regular personnel establishment. This will allow no more than 63 meetings a week with services; 10 meetings per week will be kept for the Security Council, leaving 53 meetings for the General Assembly. There will be little possibility of servicing
Distr. GENERAL
A/48/PV.3 1 October 1993
ENGLISH
Mr. President, I beg your indulgence, but I should like to express my very human feeling when I confess that, like all people, we often do not really miss something until we do not have it. 12. The General Committee emphasized this morning that the fact that missions are to be provided with only two copies of documents would make the work of the General Assembly in particular and of our delegations in general extremely difficult. I should like in the same vein to say that this very morning I took part in the work of a group of delegations of 128 Member States at which no interpretation service was available, pursuant to the decision — that has already been taken — that as of now meetings of regional or other groups are to be allowed few support services. 13. We are aware of the financial crisis, but we believe that with the technical knowledge and the commitment that the Secretariat and even the Member States themselves can dedicate to prioritizing agenda items we can determine who must cede to whom and what to what. This is why, when I was at the meeting of the General Committee — and I should like to say that at that time we had not yet gone through what we have today — I did not offer any objection. 14. I should like my delegation’s emphatic reservations on this aspect of paragraph 7 of document A/48/250 to be noted.
My delegation would like to make a statement which is very much along the lines of the one made by the previous speaker, from Guatemala, and which deals in effect with both paragraph 7 and paragraph 27. I shall not repeat what I have to say when paragraph 27 is discussed, but the intent of my statement in both cases is the same. 16. The General Committee had the occasion to consider a number of steps, proposed by the Secretary-General, aimed at reducing the operating costs of the Organization during the work of the General Assembly. Thus I, along with others, had occasion to indicate to the General Committee that some of those steps were likely to seriously impede the proper progress of our work. I referred in particular to the setting of a maximum number of meetings and limiting the time slots when Secretariat services would be available. 17. There is another question to which we attach even greater importance: this is the one referred to in paragraph 27 — and I shall not touch on this again when it is discussed — bearing on the distribution of documents. This question itself has two aspects: the preparation of
My statement will be very brief. I do wish to say that my delegation agrees with the statements made by the representatives of Guatemala and France. 23. The truth is that my delegation fails to understand why these measures have been embarked upon so swiftly when, at the various meetings of the General Committee and in the various forums where there has been occasion to discuss them, not a single voice was raised in their support. The attitude being taken towards delegations with these restrictive measures was called "unacceptable" and "intolerable". The measures themselves are what we call "small beer", and will help the United Nations not one whit in getting out of this difficult situation. But the harm they are doing to the various delegations, and to the very work of the Organization, is much greater. 24. Therefore, Mr. President, it would be a good thing if you and the other members of the General Committee could make known how unacceptable the measures being taken by the Secretariat have been and have appeared to the various delegations. In any case, we cannot imagine that these measures will continue to be implemented without the
Like the preceding speakers, the representatives of Guatemala, France and Colombia, I should like, on behalf of my delegation, to express very serious reservations about the content of paragraphs 7 and 27. Over and above those aspects that have been so eloquently stressed by the previous speakers, there is another, which seems to be very serious indeed. When I read in paragraph 7 that "... There will be little possibility of servicing informal consultations or working groups, or meetings of regional or other groups of Member States. ..." (A/48/250, para. 7), I immediately think about my own particular bailiwick, the Second Committee, which traditionally, and without exaggeration, carries out at least 65 or 70 per cent of its work in unofficial consultations. The same is true, moreover, of the Fifth Committee. I do not know whether by some miracle those two Committees will be enabled to work properly this year. I do not know whether this measure that is now being handed down is in fact to be applied to the Second and the Fifth Committees. If it is, I think that we can terminate the session in one week and say that we cannot deal with the items on the agenda. 26. This, I think, conveys the full seriousness of the situation. You, Mr. President, promised at the first meeting of the General Committee that you would use your good offices with the Secretariat in order to try to find a solution to these problems that I and others have touched upon. 27. We make a further appeal to you, Sir; we very respectfully request you to use your good offices with the Secretariat to the full in order to resolve the problem: otherwise, the forty-eighth session will go down in history as a non-session.
I too wish to speak in connection with the problem touched on by previous speakers, relating to paragraph 27 and the limited distribution of documents, and to make not a formal proposal, but a reasonable suggestion. Perhaps those countries which over the years have paid their assessed contributions in time and in full should be accorded the privilege of receiving the normal number of documents. I do not think that is an unreasonable request.
Before coming to a determination on this item, I hasten to assure the Assembly that as President I am fully sensitive to the concerns expressed here and earlier by the General Committee with regard to the provision of adequate documentation and services in the
In paragraph 8 the General Committee took note of the fact that measures introduced to reduce costs relating to overtime would be strictly enforced. 34. In Section II C, which relates to the closing date of the forty-eighth session, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the forty-eighth session recess not later than Tuesday, 21 December 1993, and close on Monday, 19 September 1994. 35. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
In the same paragraph the General Committee further recommends to the Assembly that all the Main Committees should make every effort to complete their work by Friday, 3 December 1993. 37. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to section II D, concerning the schedule of meetings. 39. With regard to paragraph 10, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that morning meetings should start at 10 a.m. promptly for all plenary meetings and meetings of the Main Committees. May I add that I attach the greatest importance to this measure. I will do my utmost to be here punctually at 10 a.m. and will thank those who
In paragraph 11 the General Committee draws the attention of the Assembly to the fact that services will not be available beyond 6 p.m. for weekday meetings of the Assembly - plenary meetings and Main Committees - or for meetings on weekends. 42. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of paragraph 11? It was so decided.
It should be noted also that these measures will not apply to plenary meetings during the general debate. 44. In paragraph 12 the General Committee recommends that in order to avoid the late start of meetings the General Assembly should waive the requirement of the presence of at least one third of the members to declare a plenary meeting open and permit the debate to proceed, and of at least one quarter of the members to declare a meeting of a Main Committee open and permit the debate to proceed. I hope in this connection that I will not be forced to take the Draconian measures that some of my predecessors have had to take in this regard. 45. May I take it that the General Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
None the less, I should like to endorse strongly the practical suggestions that were made at previous sessions for each delegation to designate someone to be present at the scheduled time. I genuinely hope that all delegations will cooperate in this practical measure to allow us to get off to an early start. 47. In paragraph 13 the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that delegations should be reminded of the utmost importance of punctuality. I again underscore this. 48. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
In section II E, concerning the general debate, the General Committee recommends that the general debate begin on Monday, 27 September, and end by Thursday, 14 October 1993. The General Committee also
In view of the very large number of speakers whose names are already inscribed on the list, I urge representatives to speak in the order in which they appear on the list of speakers. Those who are unable to speak at the scheduled time will be relegated to the end of the list for that day. 52. In paragraph 15 the General Committee draws the General Assembly’s attention to a previous decision of the Assembly to prohibit the practice of expressing congratulations inside the General Assembly Hall itself after a speech has been delivered. The General Committee recommends that this provision should also apply during the forty-eighth session. May I add that I intend to enforce this fairly rigidly. 53. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
The General Committee also recommends to the General Assembly that after delivering their statements speakers in the general debate should leave the General Assembly Hall through room GA-200, which is located behind the podium, before returning to their seats. 55. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
We now turn to section II F. 57. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the provisions concerning explanations of vote and right of reply contained in paragraph 16? It was so decided.
May I further take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to limit points of order to five minutes, as recommended in paragraph 17? It was so decided.
May I take it that the Assembly also takes note of the provisions regarding the length of statements contained in paragraph 18? Here I urge that we try faithfully to respect those circumscribed limits. It was so decided.
Section II H concerns concluding statements in the General Assembly and the Main Committees. 63. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of this section? It was so decided.
Section II I concerns resolutions. 65. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 24? It was so decided.
In this connection, in the same paragraph the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the Assembly should exercise maximum restraint in making requests or proposals that may incur additional expenditure for the Organization. 67. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Section II J concerns documentation. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provision relating to reports of the Secretary-General or of subsidiary organs, contained in paragraph 25? It was so decided.
The General Committee took note of paragraph 26, where the Secretary-General drew the Committee’s attention to the fact that, despite the provisions adopted by the General Assembly to control and limit documentation, the volume of pre-session documentation had consistently increased in recent years, without any strengthening of resources, thus contributing to serious delays in the issuance of documentation. 70. In paragraph 27, the General Committee further took note of the fact that, in view of the current grave financial crisis facing the United Nations, only two copies of official documents would be distributed to Permanent Missions and
In paragraph 30, concerning sub-paragraph 13 (d) of decision 34/401, the General Committee draws the Assembly’s attention to the observations by the Secretary-General that the preparation of a statement of programme-budget implications by the Secretary-General might take a few days. In addition, the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Fifth Committee need adequate time to review the programme-budget implications of a draft resolution before the latter can be acted on by the Assembly. 76. The Secretary-General thus considers it desirable that Member States submit proposals involving statements of programme-budget implications sufficiently in advance to avoid the cancellation of meetings and the postponement of the consideration of items. 77. May I take it that the Assembly takes note of the observations of the Secretary-General contained in paragraph 30? It was so decided.
Section II L concerns observances and commemorative meetings. 79. We turn first to paragraph 31. The General Committee recommends that, allowing for the necessary flexibility and with the exception of the anniversary of the United Nations, the General Assembly should adopt the following format for commemorative meetings: statements by the President of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General; and
May I take it that the Assembly also approves the recommendations contained in paragraph 32 regarding the scheduling of observances and commemorative meetings? It was so decided.
I now invite the General Assembly to turn to section II M, which refers to special conferences. 84. May I take it that the Assembly approves the recommendations referred to in paragraphs 33 and 34? It was so decided.
In section II N, concerning meetings of subsidiary organs, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly, on the strict understanding that meetings would have to be accommodated within available facilities and services, that the subsidiary organs referred to in paragraph 35 be authorized to meet during the forty-eighth session. 86. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to section III, which contains observations and proposals on the organization of future sessions of the General Assembly. 88. In paragraph 37, the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that it consider whether the rationalization of its meetings between January and August is possible, to permit advance planning for delegations and the Secretariat. 89. May I take it that the General Assembly approves the recommendation contained in paragraph 37? It was so decided.
We turn now to section IV of the report of the General Committee, relating to the adoption of the agenda. This section starts with paragraph 38. 91. I would first recall rule 23 of the rules of procedure, which provides that:
We now turn to paragraph 40. The General Committee decided to recommend that the wording of item 38 of the draft agenda should be changed to read "Elimination of apartheid and establishment of a united, democratic and non-racial South Africa". 95. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
In paragraph 41, the General Committee decided to recommend that the wording of item 41 of the draft agenda should be modified to read "Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan". 97. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
In paragraph 42, the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 89 of the draft agenda be deferred to the forty-ninth session and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session. 99. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
In paragraph 43, the General Committee recommends that the consideration of item 121 of the draft agenda be deferred to the forty-ninth session and that the item be included in the provisional agenda of that session. 101. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
102. The PRESIDENT: We turn now to paragraph 44. The General Committee decided to recommend the inclusion of item 157 of the draft agenda as a sub-item of item 109 of the draft agenda.
In respect of paragraph 45, the General Committee decided not to recommend the inclusion of item 158. 105. We turn now to the agenda which the General Committee recommends for adoption by the General Assembly. 106. In accordance with past practice, we shall follow the numbering given in paragraph 46 of the General Committee’s report (A/48/250) and, where it seems appropriate, we shall consider items in groups. I should like to remind members once again that at present we are not discussing the substance of any item, except when such discussion can assist the Assembly in deciding whether or not to include an item in the agenda. 107. Items 1 to 6 have already been dealt with. 108. We turn to items 7 to 24. May I remind members that we are dealing only with the question of the inclusion of the items. 109. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We come now to item 25. 111. May I take it that this item is included in the agenda? It was so decided.
May I take it that item 46 is included in the agenda? It was so decided.
May I take it that item 47 is included in the agenda? It was so decided.
May I take it that items 48 to 56 are included in the agenda? It was so decided.
I now invite Members to turn to items 57 to 75, relating to disarmament. 118. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We now turn to items 76 to 90. 120. May I take it that these items are included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We come now to items 91 to 106, relating to international economic cooperation. 122. May I take it that these items will be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
Items 107 to 115 relate to social and humanitarian questions. 124. May I take it that these items will also be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
May I also take it that items 116 to 137 are to be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We turn now to sub-item (b) of item 138. 127. May I take it that the sub-item is included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We now turn to items 139 to 149. 130. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that these items, too, are included in the agenda. It was so decided.
Item 150 is entitled "Observer status for the Economic Cooperation Organization in the General Assembly". 132. May I take it that this item is also to be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
Item 151 is entitled "United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation". 134. May I take it that this item is to be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
Item 152 is entitled "Question of responsibility for attacks on United Nations and associated personnel and measures to ensure that those responsible for such attacks are brought to justice". 136. May I take it that this item is also included in the agenda? It was so decided.
We turn now to item 153, entitled "Observer status for the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the General Assembly". 138. May I take it that this item is to be included in the agenda? It was so decided.
May I take it that items 154 to 160 are included in the agenda? It was so decided.
Next, we turn to item 161, entitled "Review of the procedure provided for under article 11 of the statute of the Administrative Tribunal of the United Nations". 141. May I take it that the Assembly recommends the inclusion of this item? It was so decided. 142. The PRESIDENT: In paragraph 3 (a) of the addendum to document A/48/250, the General Committee
We now turn to section V, on the allocation of items. 145. May I take it that the General Assembly takes note of the provisions contained in paragraph 47? It was so decided.
The modifications indicated in paragraph 48 are reflected in the proposed allocation. We shall therefore consider them when we come to the relevant items under paragraph 49. 147. Before we proceed, may I remind Members that the item numbers refer to the agenda in paragraph 46 of the report (A/48/250) before us. 148. I now invite Members to turn to the list of items recommended by the General Committee for consideration in plenary meeting. 149. We shall first turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (i) concerning item 18. 150. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts this recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (ii) relating to item 38. 152. May I take it that we adopt this recommendation? It was so decided.
I should like to indicate also that paragraph 48 (a) (iii), regarding items 41 and 45, is superseded by paragraphs 2 (a) and 2 (b) of the addendum to document A/48/250. 154. In view of the recommendations of the General Committee concerning the allocation of item 41, its allocation will be dealt with when we consider the items recommended for allocation to the Second Committee. 155. In view of the recommendation concerning the allocation of item 45, the General Assembly will now turn to paragraph 2 (b) of the addendum to document A/48/250. 156. The General Committee recommends that item 45 be considered directly in plenary meeting. 157. May I take it that the General Assembly adopts this recommendation? It was so decided.
In connection with paragraph 48 (a) (v), relating to item 54, "Question of Cyprus", the General Committee recommends to the General Assembly that the item be allocated at an appropriate time during the session. 161. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (vi) concerning item 150, "Observer status for the Economic Cooperation Organization in the General Assembly". 163. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Next, we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (vii) concerning item 151, "United Nations initiative on opportunity and participation". 165. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (viii) concerning item 153, "Observer status for the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the General Assembly". 167. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
I should like to indicate that paragraph 48 (a) (ix) relating to item 154, "United Nations interim offices", is superseded by paragraph 2 (c) of the addendum to document A/48/250. 169. In view of the General Committee’s recommendation concerning the allocation of item 154, its allocation will be dealt with when we consider the items recommended for allocation to the Second Committee. I shall at that time read out a slight correction to the text of the General Committee’s decision.
We now turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (xi) concerning item 157, "Observer status for the Latin American Parliament in the General Assembly". 173. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (a) (xii) concerning item 158, "Observer status for the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe in the General Assembly". 175. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted regarding the allocation of specific items for consideration in plenary meeting, may I now consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items listed in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee for consideration directly in plenary meeting? It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the First Committee. 178. First, we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (b) (i) relating to item 71 - specifically, the report of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 179. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (b) (ii) relating to item 156, "Rationalization of the work and reform of the agenda of the First Committee".
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items proposed for the First Committee in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
We turn now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Special Political and Decolonization Committee. 184. Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Special Political and Decolonization Committee in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
We come next to the list of items which the General Committee has recommended for allocation to the Second Committee. 186. The Assembly will now turn to paragraph 2 (a) of the addendum to document A/48/250 relating to item 41, "Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan". 187. The General Committee recommends that the item should be allocated to the Second Committee on the understanding that it will be introduced in plenary meeting and considered in the Second Committee. 188. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
We now turn to paragraph (2) (c) of the addendum to document A/48/250 relating to item 154, "United Nations interim offices". 190. There is a slight correction to the text which makes clear its purpose. I suspect that the documentation services may not have had time to make the necessary corrections in the other languages, so I shall read out this correction very slowly: "The General Committee recommends that the item should be allocated to the Second Committee, on the understanding that it could seek the views of other Main Committees on aspects of the question which might be outside the competence of the Second Committee." 191. This is in line with the decision that was taken earlier on today.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I consider that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items proposed for the Second Committee in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
We come now to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Third Committee. 196. We turn first to paragraph 48 (c) (i) relating to sub- item (b) of item 108, "Effective realization of the right of self-determination through autonomy". 197. The General Committee recommends that the sub-item should be allocated to the Third Committee on the understanding that it would be introduced in plenary meeting and considered in the Third Committee. 198. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation contained in paragraph 48 (c) (ii) concerning item 109, specifically the International Year of the Family. 200. May I take it that the General Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Next we turn to the recommendation contained in paragraph 48 (c) (iii) regarding item 111, "Advancement of women". 202. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Now we turn to the recommendation contained in paragraph 48 (c) (iv) regarding item 112, "International drug control". 204. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation contained in paragraph 48 (c) (v) regarding
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Third Committee as proposed in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
Next, we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for allocation to the Fifth Committee. 209. We turn first to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (d) (i) concerning item 125. 210. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
We turn now to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (d) (ii) relating to sub-item (b) of item 138, "Relocation of Belarus and Ukraine to the group of Member States set out in paragraph 3 (c) of General Assembly resolution 43/232". 212. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
The General Assembly will now turn to paragraph 3 of the addendum to document A/48/250 relating to the item on the financing of the United Nations Observation Mission in Georgia. The General Committee recommends that the item be allocated to the Fifth Committee. 214. May I take it that the Assembly approves that recommendation? It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of items to the Fifth Committee as proposed in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
Lastly we come to the list of items which the General Committee recommends for the Sixth Committee.
Next we turn to the recommendation in paragraph 48 (e) (ii) relating to item 161. 220. May I take it that the Assembly approves this recommendation? It was so decided.
Taking into account the decisions just adopted, may I take it that the General Assembly approves the allocation of the items proposed for the Sixth Committee in paragraph 49 of the report of the General Committee? It was so decided.
The General Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of the first and second reports of the General Committee. I wish to thank the members of the Assembly for their cooperation and patience. It was rather ritual - I felt more like an auctioneer or an announcer at the races - but I am glad that we have come to the end of this necessary procedure. 223. Each Main Committee will receive the list of agenda items allocated to it so that it may begin its work as soon as possible, in accordance with rule 99 of the rules of procedure. ORGANIZATION OF WORK
Now that we have adopted the agenda, in the days ahead we will endeavour to give the items listed in it thoughtful consideration. In this connection, I request the sponsors of new items to be prepared for early consideration of the new items to be considered in plenary meetings. 225. The programme of work of the Assembly is now being drawn up, and I should like to schedule as many items as can be ready for consideration during the month of October, after the conclusion of the general debate. I therefore encourage sponsors of new items to circulate their draft resolutions as early as possible. Similarly, I request the Member States that will be submitting draft resolutions under the various other items also to circulate their draft resolutions as early as possible in order to allow delegations time to examine them. 226. I should also like to make a special request to the Chairmen of the regional Groups, who I know have been very busy this month, to continue making every effort to
The meeting rose at 4.40 p.m.