News

12 October 1998


Press Release
DC/2614



AD HOC GROUP CHARGED WITH ELABORATING REGIME TO VERIFY BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION CONCLUDES TWELFTH SESSION

19981012
(Reissued as received.)

GENEVA, 12 October (UN Information Service) -- The Ad Hoc Group of States parties to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and Their Destruction concluded on Friday night, 9 October, its twelfth session at the Palais des Nations, which had started on 9 October.

During the four-week session, the Ad Hoc Group engaged in intensive negotiations on a draft rolling text of a compliance and verification protocol to the Convention. The issues discussed included measures to promote compliance and investigations; measures relating to article X of the Convention (scientific and technical cooperation for peaceful purposes); legal issues; organization/implementation arrangements; confidentiality; national implementation and assistance; and definitions of terms and objective criteria.

Progress was made on all issues examined. The outcome of the discussions will be reflected in a new rolling text which will be submitted to the thirteenth session of the Ad Hoc Group, to be held from 4 to 22 January 1999.

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