GA/AB/3550
13 December 2002

FIFTH COMMITTEE DEFERS ACTION ON DRAFT TEXTS

NEW YORK, 12 December (UN Headquarters) -- The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this afternoon decided to further defer action on all the remaining items on its agenda, to give delegations more time to negotiate.

The representative of Syria insisted that a sufficient number of meetings be allocated to the agenda item on the pattern of conferences. His delegation was prepared to negotiate, but the issue had not been given the needed priority and attention. If delegations were present, he said, they were obliged to participate in the negotiations. Other parties should not deny the right to take part to those who were prepared to do so.

The Committee will meet again at a date to be announced.

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