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Mass confusion
erupted over procedure as the Drafting Committee attempted to begin its
work. Before the meeting could get under way, conflict arose over UN rules
of procedure regarding the presence of NGO observers, and whether the
Committee was a formal body of the PrepCom. Some participants accused
the countries vehemently opposed to NGO participation of trying to sabotage
the process, and expressed the fear that attempts to exclude NGOs would
be setting a precedent for the special session, which they saw as backtracking
from Habitat II. However, others felt that a smaller group would ensure
that work is completed more effectively and efficiently. Some delegates
commented that in attempting to exclude NGOs, a whole morning of work
had already been wasted. Additional exclusionary efforts also incited
conflict in the COW, as a few countries objected to allotting speaking
slots for Habitat partners during the Plenary of the special session,
resulting in similar accusations from those with an interest in full participation.
(see photo, above). Above right: at the UN compound at Gigiri, buildings
are not separated by closed corridors, instead they are linked by open
breezeways.
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