ENB:14:14
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WORKING GROUP II
Chair Irene Freudenschuss (Austria) opened the Group s consideration of bracketed text in the section on armed conflict. In 144(b) (peace keeping), the EU proposed deleting the reference to observer missions. The G77/China accepted references to peace keeping, all stages of peace monitoring and negotiations. The EU, supported by Canada, objected to a reference to equitable geographical distribution in peace keeping missions. Cuba objected to a reference to the S-G s plan to improve the status of women in the Secretariat. In 144(c) (gender balance in international judicial bodies), delegates lifted the outer brackets, but maintained brackets around references to foreign occupation and war crime tribunals. India s proposed reference to terrorism was bracketed. An Israeli call for gender balance in "nominating" as well as promoting candidates was accepted. In 144(d) (training of officials), India proposed a reference to terrorism. The US bracketed India s proposal and retained brackets on "foreign occupation." The EU removed brackets from integrating a gender perspective into the work of officials handling cases involving violence against women.
In 145(a) (conversion of military resources), a G77/China proposal to use "development and peaceful" purposes was accepted. Cuba proposed a reformulation of 145(c) (UN Register of Conventional Arms). The EU, supported by the US and others, proposed deleting the paragraph. Botswana and others objected. In 145(d) (military expenditures and trade), the bracketed text was deleted because it was repetitious. In 145(e) (land-mines), the EU proposed ratification of the referenced Convention and Protocol, promotion of assistance in mine clearance, and adoption of a moratorium on the export of land-mines. References were suggested to: promote scientific research (Japan); transfer mine clearance technology (Cuba); eventually eliminate land-mines and strengthen the Convention (Canada); and avoid stockpiling (Mexico). In 145(f) (elimination of weapons of mass destruction), Morocco proposed references to chemical, radiological and bacteriological weapons. The EU, supported by the US, proposed a new formulation. The G77/China supported the original. India proposed a reference to the greater adverse effect of such weapons on women and children. Cuba proposed references to prohibition, elimination and safe international control. South Africa objected to EU references to specific conventions. Syria proposed a reference to prohibiting the production of such weapons.
In 147(b) (peaceful settlement of disputes), the G77/China proposed deleting the reference to preventive diplomacy and lifting the brackets. The EU agreed to delete the outer brackets, but retained the reference to preventive diplomacy.
Delegates deleted 147(c) (UN unit for conflict prevention and resolution) and accepted the G77/China reformulation of 147(e) (rape as a war crime), with references to crimes against humanity and acts of genocide.
In 147(g) (terrorism), Turkey, supported by Cuba and others, proposed replacing the paragraph with Vienna language. The EU, the US and G77/China preferred the original wording. The original version with an added reference to "all forms" of terrorism was accepted. The phrase "and legitimacy" and brackets were removed from 147(k) (effect of economic sanctions). A G77/China reformulation of 148(e) (peace education programmes) was accepted, referring to a culture of peace and focusing on conflict resolution and tolerance.
In 149(d) (right of refugees to return), the G77/China amended a reference to "safe and voluntary return." An alternative proposed by Norway and supported by Canada, adding the principle of non-refoulement of refugees and their safety and dignity, was accepted. In 149(f) (resources for refugees) Norway, supported by Canada and Slovenia, proposed a shortened alternative to bracketed text. The G77/China supported the original paragraph.
In 149(i) (persecution aimed at women), the G77/China proposal to lift brackets from "support and promote efforts" and delete "consider" was accepted. The G77/China proposed unbracketing 149(l) (training and rehabilitation for refugees). Canada, supported by the EU and the US, proposed deleting a reference to increasing contributions to refugee programmes. The G77/China opposed. The US deleted a reference to providing special measures. The G77/China proposed unbracketing 149(n) (support services for displaced women). The EU, supported by Australia, bracketed references to the causes of displacement.