CD/PV.544 20 March 1990CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT ENGLISH FINAL RECORD OF THE FIVE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOURTH PLENARY MEETING Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on Tuesday, 20 March 1990, at 10 a.m. President:Mr. Emeke Ayo Azikiwe (Nigeria) GE.90-60392/3083a CD/PV.544 2 The PRESIDENT: I declare open the 544th plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament. In accordance with its programme of work, the Conference begins today its consideration of agenda item 4, "Chemical weapons". In conformity with rule 30 of its rules of procedure, however, any member wishing to do so may raise any subject relevant to the work of the Conference. I have on my list of speakers today the representatives of Belgium and Peru. I now give the floor to the representative of Belgium, Ambassador Houllez. Mr. HOULLEZ (Belgium) (translated from French): First of all, Mr. President, let me say how pleased my delegation is at seeing you presiding over our work since the beginning of March. Your abilities and your authority, universally appreciated by all the participants, offer a guarantee of success for the Conference on Disarmament. Allow me also, on the same occasion, indirectly to congratulate Ambassador Wagenmakers, who brilliantly accomplished the formidable task of starting up the Conference's work in February this year. I would also like to bid welcome to all the new colleagues who have recently joined us and assure them of my delegation's desire to co-operate closely with them. The events that have been taking place in Europe over the last few months at a very fast rate have featured in the initial statements of the Conference's session, and rightly so, as a phenomenon which is unprecedented and unexpected, at least in terms of scale. The shift from military and ideological confrontation towards co-operation and trust forms the basis of an 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a record of a meeting of the Conference on Disarmament, which is a international organization focused on arms control and disarmament. The discussion revolves around the topic of chemical weapons, indicating a focus on international security and disarmament.

**Category**
International security, Defense and disarmament