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3 NOVEMBER 1999

The General Assembly, simultaneously with the Security Council, is holding elections for five members of the International Court of Justice for a nine-year term to the 15-member body commencing on 6 February 2000.

Just before coming to the briefing, I was informed that the Security Council had completed its voting, and that the General Assembly was proceeding to a second round.

Candidates must obtain an absolute majority of votes in both bodies to be elected. In the Assembly, the electors are the 188 Member States and Switzerland, which is a party to the Statute of the Court. As such, 95 votes constitute an absolute majority there. In the Council, eight votes constitute an absolute majority and no distinction is made between permanent and non-permanent members.

Five of the seven candidates are those whose terms of office will expire on 5 February 2000. They are: Mr. Gilbert Guillaume (France); Ms. Rosalyn Higgins (United Kingdom); Mr. Gonzalo Parra-Aranguren (Venezuela); Mr. Raymond Ranjeva (Madagascar); and Mr. Christopher G. Weeramantry (Sri Lanka). The two other candidates were: Mr. Awn Shawkat Al-Khasawneh (Jordan), nominated by seven national groups; and Mr. Mikuin-Leliel Balanda (Democratic Republic of the Congo), nominated by his country’s national group.

Before the voting commenced, the Assembly President, Theo-Ben Gurirab, announced that the Secretariat had received a note verbale dated 1 November from the Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stating that the national group of that country had withdrawn the candidature of Mr. Balanda.

Balloting will continue in the same meeting until five candidates obtain the required majority. When five candidates have obtained the required majority in one of the organs, only then will the President of that organ notify the President of the other organ of the names of the five candidates. The President of the latter organ cannot communicate such names to the members until that organ has itself selected five candidates. The related double-symbol documents are: A/54/305, 306/Rev.1 and 307; and S/1999/939, 940/Rev.1 and 941.

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) is not meeting today. Yesterday, it approved seven draft resolutions and one draft decision. There were recorded votes on three texts: the role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament (A/C.1/54/L.32); the observance of environmental norms in the drafting and implementation of agreements on disarmament and arms control (A/C.1/54/L.46); and implementation of the Declaration of the Indian Ocean as a Zone of Peace (A/C.1/54/L.45).

This afternoon, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) will take up two items under sector policy questions. On industrial development cooperation, it has before it the report of the Secretary-General on implementation of the programme for the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1993-2002). The report cites the growing concern over Africa’s marginalization in the globalization process, particularly in the globalization of industrial production. To complement the technical assistance provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and other United Nations agencies in the field of industrial development, the report proposes four private sector-oriented initiatives for the consideration of the General Assembly and donors. A report on business and development (A/54/451) states that the private sector can play a very important role in fostering economic growth and development, and it describes the twofold approach being taken by the United Nations system in facilitating an active constructive involvement of that sector in the development process.

The Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural), at two meetings today, is continuing its consideration of the item on the implementation of human rights instruments. It is also taking action on two draft resolutions. In one, the Assembly would designate 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (A/C.3/54/L.14/Rev.1). In the other, the Assembly would welcome the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants and request all Governments to cooperate fully with that individual in the performance of mandated tasks and duties (A/C.3/54/L.18/Rev.1).

Beginning tomorrow, 4 November, the Committee will hear introductory statements by the Special Rapporteurs and Special Representatives presenting reports under the item on human rights questions.

That will be preceded by a series of dialogues with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs. Mary Robinson and Dr. Kamal Hossain (Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan); Mr. Rajsoomer Lallah (Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Myanmar); Mr. Max van der Stoel (Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iraq); Mr. Roberto Garreton (Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo); Mr. Leonardo Franco (Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Sudan); Mr. Adama Dieng (Independent Expert on the Situation of Human Rights in Haiti); and Mr. Thomas Hammarberg (Special Representative on the Situation of Human Rights in Cambodia). The Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture, Sir Nigel Rodley, who was to have participated, is on his way to East Timor.

At two meetings today, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) is conducting a section-by-section examination of the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001. It is scheduled to consider sections 1-15.

Among the other Committees, the Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization) is continuing its discussion of the item on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA. The Sixth Committee (Legal) is discussing the report of the International Law Commission.

At a meeting this morning of the Committee on Information, the Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kensaku Hogen, answered delegations’ questions concerning the report of the Secretary-General on the multilingual development, maintenance and enrichment of United Nations Web sites (A/AC.198/1999/9 and Corr.1 and 2). Consultations are taking place on a "Group of 77" developing countries informal draft on the subject, which the Committee will consider on Friday as it concludes its resumed twenty-first session.

Copies of the appointments of the Assembly President are available in room 378 and can also be found on the Internet. He met with three Inspectors from the Joint Inspection Unit this morning. This afternoon, he will meet with the Permanent Representative of Finland, Ms. Marjatta Rasi (in her capacity as President of the European Union) and with her Deputy, Ms. Anna-Maija Korpi, to discuss the Millennium Assembly and other issues. The President will meet afterwards with the Permanent Representative of South Africa, Dumisana Kumalo.

Question: Regarding tomorrow’s human rights dialogue in the Third Committee, please ask if UNTV can broadcast the entire session.

Answer: I will convey your request to DPI.

Question: How many terms can judges serve on the International Court of Justice?

Answer: From the list of candidates, they obviously can serve a second nine-year term, but I will check on whether there is a term limit.