Nov. 1, 1996

Statement by Mr. Milan Beranek representative of the Czech Republic

Mr. Chairman

[...] Concerning the key question of the date of convening of the diplomatic conference, the Czech delegation is of the view that holding of the conference in 1998, as mentioned in the conclusions of the Preparatory Committee. We are therefore convinced that the current session's General Assembly resolution should unequivocally indicate the year 1998 as a firm date for the convening of the diplomatic conference, and give to the forthcoming Preparatory Committee the mandate to complete its work by April of 1998. My delegation is grateful to the Government of Italy for its generous offer to the host the diplomatic conference and considers that Italy's recently stated view according to which the month of June 1998 would be the most appropriate for the opening of the conference should be duly taken into consideration and reflected in our final decision in this respect.

[...]