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21 October 1998

This morning, the plenary took up the report of the Security Council, contained in document A/53/2. The report was introduced by the President of the Council for October, and so far 34 additional speakers have been inscribed to address the plenary on this issue, both this morning and this afternoon.

Tomorrow morning, the plenary will meet in conference room 3, so that the General Assembly Hall can be prepared for the UN Day concert to be held on Friday. It will consider the note by the Secretary-General contained in document A/53/357, and concerns the notification by the Secretary-General under article 12, paragraph 2 of the Charter, which stipulates that "The Secretary-General, with the consent of the Security Council, shall notify the General Assembly at each session of any matters relative to the maintenance of international peace and security which are being dealt with by the Security Council...". The plenary will also take up the issues of cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States (27) and between the United Nations and the Organization of American States (21). Two draft resolutions on these items will also be before the plenary. The plenary will then take up the issue of cooperation between the United Nations and the Latin American Economic system, and finally it is also expected to take action on two reports of the Fifth Committee, dealing with gratis personnel and the support account for peacekeeping operations.

Regarding the work of the Main Committees, the First Committee heard this morning the final seven speakers in its general debate, and this afternoon will begin consideration of the rationalization of its work and reform of its agenda. In the Second Committee this morning a draft resolution on operational activities for development was introduced and the Committee then began consideration of the issue of environment and sustainable development. The Third Committee is today continuing the general discussion of the promotion and protection of the rights of children. The Fifth Committee began this morning with the discussion of the pattern of conferences, before proceeding with informal consultations on the development account. This afternoon, it will hold informal consultations on development planning.The Sixth Committee began today the consideration of the establishment of an international criminal court.