PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN'S SPECIAL SESSION
CONTINUES DISCUSSION ON DRAFT OUTCOME DECUMENT.

Children and Armed Conflict,HIV/AIDS among Issues
Highlighted:
 The Preparatory committee for the General Assembly's
special on children continue its discussion of the
draft provisional outcome document yesterday,with
speakers highlighting,among others,children in armed
conflict,HIV/AIDS,the rights-based approach,and
international legal obligations.
 A 16-page draft text-entitled "A World Fit for
Children"-was prepared by the committee's Bureau this
afterday for consideration at the current session,the
second of three in preparation for the special
session,which is scheduled for 19-21 september the
year.
Olara Otunnu,the Secretary General's special
representative for children and Armed Conflict,said
that children affected by armed conflict were among
the most vulnerable in the world,next to those
affected by Aids.It was time for some bold and
imaginative action to help those children,and the
special session represented a unique opportunity for
action.In that spirit,he had put together an agenda
for action for war-affected children.At the same
time,on the issue of resources aimed at such
children,there had been more lip service than actual
commitment.
 Speaking on behalf of the European Union, Ambassor
Permanent Representative of the the Swedish Prime
Minister H.E.Mr.thomas Hammarberg said that,although
he agreed with the emhasis on a number of issues in
the draft document,including the rights-based
approach,he felt that there was need for
improvement.The final document had to give clear
priorities and not be allinclusive.
 The representative of Colombia,speakink on behalf of
the Rio Group,said that the draft document should be
easy to understand.The decument should have a strong
legal basis,guided by the convention on the rights of
the child.
 Paulo david,of the office the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights,said that the cause of
children everywhere would be strengthened if the
approach of the special session was based on clear
links to international legal preparatory committee 6th
meeting obligations,on mechanism to ensure
accountability,on broader participation and
empowerment,and on the duty to prevent and avoid
discrimination.
 Also speaking at yesterday's meeting were the
representatives of Guatemala,Iran,Egypt,Sudan,Russian
Federation,Venezuela,Iceland,Ecuador,Norway,republic
of Korea,turkey,thailand,China,India,Israel and
Bolivia.A representative of the World Health
Organization {WHO} and several non-governmental
organizations also addressed the meeting.

In another developments,i happened to lay my hands on
the records contained the full text of speeches
delivered by the security council 4264th meeting dated
thursday,25 January 2001,10 a.m about the diamonds
situation in Sierra Leone involving Gambia and
Liberia.I will post it to the G-L when the session is
over and promised to send it to The gambia media.
Thanks
Saihou

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