United Nations

 NEW YORK, 30 November (UN Headquarters) -- Noting with regret the resignation of the President of the International Court of Justice, Judge Stephen Schwebel, the Security Council this afternoon decided that the election to fill the vacancy resulting from Judge Schwebel's resignation should take place on 2 March 2000, at a meeting of the Security Council and at a meeting of the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session.

 The Council took this action by adopting, without a vote, resolution  1278 (1999) which read:

 "The Security Council,

 "Noting with regret the resignation of Judge Stephen Schwebel, taking effect on 29 February 2000,

 "Noting further that a vacancy in the International Court of Justice for the remainder of the term of office of Judge Stephen Schwebel will thus occur and must be filled in accordance with the terms of the Statute of the Court,

 "Noting that, in accordance with Article 14 of the Statute, the date of the election to fill the vacancy shall be fixed by the Security Council,

 "Decides that the election to fill the vacancy shall take place on 2 March 2000 at a meeting of the Security Council and at a meeting of the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session."

  The Council acted after its consideration of a note from the Secretary-General informing it of Judge Schwebel's resignation, effective 29 February 2000. The Secretary-General stated that he would invite nominations for the vacancy immediately after the Council set the date for the election.

 The President of the Council, Danilo Turk (Slovenia) said that Judge Scwebel had been elected as a member of the court from 15 January 1991 and was re-elected as from 6 February 1997.  His current term of office would have expired on 5 February 2006.