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9 December 1998

This morning, it was announced in the plenary that, following consultations with the regional groups, the President of the General Assembly appointed Algeria, Austria, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal and the United States of America as members of the Committee of Conferences for a three-year term beginning on 1 January 1999. The Assembly also decided this morning that the main part of the fifty-third session will be extended until 17 December to allow the Fifth Committee to complete this stage of its deliberations. The Assembly also decided to take up the reports of the Second Committee on Tuesday, 15 December in the morning.

This morning, the Assembly resumed consideration of item 20: with the sub-item Emergency international assistance for the peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan, together with item 45: The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. Three reports of the Secretary-General were before the Assembly and a draft resolution contained in document A/53/L.66, which was introduced by the representative of Germany on behalf of 57 sponsors. There were eleven other speakers in the debate and the Assembly will take action on the draft resolution before it at a later date.

The message by the President of the fifty-third session on occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was issued as a press release this morning. In his message, the President stated that the adoption of the Universal Declaration constituted not only a giant step forward in the development of the system for protection of human rights, but above all a milestone in the history of our civilization. On the occasion of its fiftieth anniversary, he suggested that this occasion be used by all to renew, in ideas and in action, our ongoing commitment to the cause of human rights.

This afternoon, the Assembly will take up the reports of the Third Committee. (A summary of draft resolutions before the Assembly is available in the Spokesman's Office).

Tomorrow morning, of course, the plenary will observe the fiftieth anniversary f the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At the opening meeting, to begin at 10:00 am, the President of the fifty-third session, the Secretary-General, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights will speak. The President's statement at the observance will be issued as a press release tomorrow morning. The Secretary-General will then award the 1998 human rights prizes, which, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 2217 (XXI) of 19 December 1966, resolution 51/88 of 12 December 1996 and 52/117 of 12 December 1997 will be awarded for outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Following the award ceremony, the plenary will move to conference room 4 and hear statements by representatives of 114 Member States and six observers, in a morning, afternoon and evening sessions. There is a five-minute limit to the length of statements, as agreed by the Assembly. The list of speakers is scheduled to close at 12:30 pm tomorrow. At the end of the observance, the Assembly is scheduled to take action on draft resolution A/53/L/67, submitted by the President and entitled Fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Fifth Committee is holding informal consultations on a series of issues before it and meeting this morning, this afternoon, this evening and again tonight -- until 12:30 am.