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18 November 1998

Yesterday afternoon, the President of the fifty-third session, Dr. Didier Opertti (Uruguay), met with the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Group of 77 and the Non-Aligned Movement to inform them on the progress in the work of the fifty-third session and share his views on some issues before the Assembly. He referred to his ongoing consultations regarding the revision of the Charter, particularly with regard to the reform of the Security Council; to the preparations for the Millennium Assembly, which, he believes, should not be just a symbolic observance, but an opportunity for Member States and the Secretariat to review the priorities for the Organization at the outset of the new millennium. Finally, he also shared his strong view that the President of the General Assembly should be included, ex officio, as an observer in all deliberations of the Security Council regarding the issues affecting international peace and security.

This morning, the Assembly first took up the issue of Bethlehem 2000. Draft resolution on this item was introduced by the representative of Senegal in his capacity as Chairman of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on behalf of 28 sponsors. Eleven other speakers were inscribed to address the Assembly on this item, before action on the draft resolution (which was adopted without a vote). The Assembly then began consideration of the Situation in Central America: procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace and progress in fashioning a region of peace, freedom, democracy and development. Three reports of the Secretary-General were circulated under this item, as well as two draft resolutions, which were introduced by the representatives of Mexico (UN Verification Mission in Guatemala ) and Guatemala (The situation in Central America ). Ten other speakers were inscribed to address the Assembly on this item. Due to the number of speakers inscribed for both items being considered in the plenary this morning, the meeting will likely resume in the afternoon.

Tomorrow morning, the plenary will take up the report of the International Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The annual report of the Tribunal will be introduced by Ms. Gabrielle Kirk McDonald, President of the Tribunal. There are so far seven other speakers inscribed to address the Assembly on this matter. In the afternoon, the plenary will begin consideration of the Question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and related matters. A draft resolution on this matter, co-sponsored by 27 Member States is contained in document A/53/l.16. So far, 62 delegations have inscribed in the list of speakers.

As regards the work of the main committees, the Special Political and Decolonization Committee began this morning the general debate on the report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories. At the end of the morning session, the Committee is also scheduled to take action with regard to the Question of Guam, which had been postponed at the time of the consideration of the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples. In the Third Committee this afternoon, several draft resolutions will be introduced, including a draft on three report of the UNHCR; four drafts on the human rights questions; and one on the human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs. The Committee is also scheduled to take action on three draft resolutions on the Office of the UNHCR; two draft resolutions on implementation of human rights instruments; four on the human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms; four on the reports of special rapporteurs and representatives (Islamic Republic of Iran, Haiti, Nigeria, Kosovo); and one on the implementation of the Outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women. The Fifth Committee will take action this morning on draft resolutions on the financing of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone and on the scale of assessments. It will also open general discussion of the programme budget implications of the resolution on the scale of assessments, and continue discussion of human resources management and of the financial reports and audited financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors. It will also hold informal consultations on the Development account and this afternoon on the review of the implementation of the General Assembly resolution that established the Office of Internal Oversight Services. The Sixth Committee will hold informal consultations the whole day on measures to eliminate international terrorism.