A/54/PV.44 General Assembly

Before turning to the item on our agenda for this afternoon, may I, on behalf of all the members of the Assembly, extend our deepest sympathy to the Government and the people of India for the tragic loss of lives and the extensive material damage which has resulted from the recent cyclone. It was also with deep sadness that I learned yesterday of the crash of EgyptAir flight 990, which was lost in international waters during the early hours of Sunday, 31 October, off the coast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. I wish to join other world leaders and concerned people everywhere in expressing deep sorrow and profound sympathy over this terrible tragedy, and offer condolences to the bereaved families, relatives and friends of all those on board whose lives ended so tragically. I invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence.

In document A/54/234, the Secretary-General has the honour to request, pursuant to rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, the inclusion in the agenda of the fifty-fourth session of an additional item entitled “Financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone”. Owing to the nature of the item, the Secretary-General further requests that the item be allocated to the Fifth Committee. Unless there is an objection, in view of the urgency of this request, I shall take it that the General Assembly agrees that the relevant provision of rule 40 of the rules of procedure, which would require a meeting of the General Committee on the question of the inclusion of this item on the agenda, can be waived.

The Chairman of the Fifth Committee will be informed of the decision just taken.