GA ADOPTS 6TH COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS AND CREDENTIAL

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001127

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AORC UNGA UNGA
SUBJECT: GA ADOPTS 6TH COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS AND CREDENTIAL
COMMITTEE REPORT


1. Summary: On December 17, the General Assembly took
action on 16 resolutions recommended by the Sixth Committee
on topics ranging from universal jurisdiction to rule of law
to criminal accountability of U.N. officials and experts on
mission. All of the resolutions were adopted without a vote.
Following the action on the Sixth Committee resolutions, the
cosponsors of resolution A/64/L.27 Institutionalization of
the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force spoke on its
behalf with action scheduled for a later date. The General
Assembly then turned to the Report of the Credentials
Committee which was orally edited by the Chair of the
Committee and later adopted by consensus without a vote. End
Summary.


2. Belgium, Rapporteur of the Sixth Committee, reported to
the General Assembly on the work of the Sixth Committee,
which was divided into three priorities: promotion of justice
and international law; drug control, crime prevention, and
combating international terrorism in all its forms and
manifestations; and organizational, administrative, and other
matters.


3. The General Assembly proceeded to take action on the
following resolutions, all of which were adopted without a
vote.

- Criminal Accountability of U.N. officials and experts on
mission (A/64/446);
- Report of the U.N. Commission on International Trade Law on
the work of its 42nd session (A/64/447);
- U.N. Programme of Assistance in the Teaching, Study,
Dissemination, and Wider Appreciation of International Law
(A/64/448);
- Report of the International Law Commission on the work of
its 61st session (A/64/449);
- Report of the Special Committee on the Charter of the
United Nations and on the Strengthening of the Role of the
Organization (A/64/450);
- The rule of law at the national and international levels
(A/64/451);
- The scope and application of the principle of universal
jurisdiction (A/64/452);
- Measures to eliminate international terrorism (A/64/453);
- Revitalization of the work of the General Assembly
(A/64/461);
- Programme planning (A/64/462);
- Administration of justice at the United Nations (A/64/454);
- Report of the Committee on Relations with the Host Country
(A/64/455);
- Observer Status for the International Humanitarian
Fact-Finding Commission in the General Assembly (A/64/456);
- Observer Status for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria in the General Assembly (A/64/457);
- Observer Status for the International Conference on the
Great Lakes Region of Africa in the General Assembly
(A/64/459);
- Observer Status for the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Mediterranean in the General Assembly (A/64/567);


4. Iran took the floor during consideration of Report of the
Special Committee on the Charter of the United Nations and on
the Strengthening of the Role of the Organization (A/64/450)
in order to explain its position. Iran highlighted paragraph
2 of the resolution which "takes note" of the document
"Introduction and implementation of sanctions imposed by the
United Nations," on which it commented that sanctions can
only be introduced after the Security Council has determined
a threat to the peace. It noted the Security Council "shall
act in strict conformity with the purposes and principles of
the Charter," and that it "should be held accountable for the
consequences of unlawful sanctions applied for illegitimate
purposes or introduced under political pressure or influence
of certain permanent members." It was "concerned(over the
abuse of the provisions of the Charter, particularly those
relating to the mandate and power of the Security Council, by
certain Member States for the advancement of narrow political
interests."


5. The General Assembly then debated resolution A/64/L.27
Institutionalization of the Counter-Terrorism Implementation
Task Force with Austria, Pakistan, Burkina Faso, and Croatia,
as cosponsors, advocating on its behalf. The General
Assembly then deferred action on the draft resolution until a
later date.


6. Subsequently, the General Assembly moved to the Report of
the Credentials Committee (A/64/571). The Philippines, Chair
of the Credentials Committee, made an oral revision to the
first sentence of paragraph 11 of the Report adding "until
such a time that the Credentials Committee reviews the matter
and makes a final recommendation to the General Assembly."


The General Assembly then adopted the resolution by consensus
"as orally revised." Iran explained its position after
action, expressing reservations on any part of the report
which might be construed as recognition of the Israeli
regime. Madagascar also took the floor to thank the Member
States for their cooperation.
RICE