GA/DIS/3180

FIRST COMMITTEE BEGINS SECOND STAGE OF WORK PROGRAMME

The First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) met this afternoon to open the second stage of its work, namely, a thematic discussion on all items related to disarmament and security, as well as the introduction and consideration of all draft resolutions. The discussion will take place from 16 to 23 October.

The subjects to be covered are as follows: nuclear weapons; other weapons of mass destruction; the disarmament aspects of outer space; conventional weapons; regional disarmament and security; confidence-building measures, including transparency in armaments; disarmament machinery; other disarmament measures; and, related matters of disarmament and international security.

Also this afternoon, the Committee heard a final right of reply to statements made during the general debate from the representative of Israel.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Monday, 16 October.

Right of Reply

JEREMY ISSACHAROFF (Israel), responding to the statement made earlier today by the Syrian delegation, said that the Israeli delegation was very well informed about its Government�s policies. The proposals made in Geneva had been far- reaching and designed to reach agreement with Syria. The fact that Syria had rejected those proposals was a matter of public record, so he was not sure what the Syrian delegate was arguing about.

Regarding the expressed interest by the Syrian delegation in peace, he said he would urge him to make peace with Israel. Regarding the incidents in the territories, he really felt that Syria should let the Palestinians speak for themselves. He had no trouble speaking about the events, but he was not sure that it was the right time and place. It was particularly objectionable to receive letters on those issues by Syria just after three Israeli soldiers were brutally murdered.

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