the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Ambassador Ri Tcheul, for his statement and for his kind words regarding the President. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland, Mr. Ochsner. Mr. OCHSNER (Switzerland): Mr. President, first of all please accept our delegation's congratulations on your assumption of the presidency during the month of August. We can hardly ignore major events outside of the conference room and continue as if nothing has happened. While we were quietly doing our paperwork, the situation in the Middle East has seriously deteriorated in a way that discussions on the details of a chemical weapons convention could become partially obsolete for the time being. Once the situation is redressed however - a difficult and dangerous process to be carried out by people other than by disarmament and arms control specialists of diplomacy - it could be indicated to continue the negotiations, and we will need an inventory of what has been accomplished hitherto. Some political obstacles may hopefully have been removed by then. That is why from our point of view the Conference has to finish its work of the 1990 session in the field of chemical weapons according to pre-planned dispositions whatever happens. Mr. President, being close to the end of my assignment as an observer to the Conference on Disarmament, I would like to give you some personal opinions and confine my intervention just to two points - in the field of the chemical weapons sector and the role of non-Members - points of practical significance, and I would be very much obliged to you if you would be kind enough to allow me the floor for a couple of minutes. Beforehand, however, I set great importance on expressing my 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a speech given by a representative of Switzerland at a conference on disarmament, specifically discussing the situation in the Middle East and the progress made in the field of chemical weapons. The speaker is emphasizing the importance of completing the work on the chemical weapons convention despite the current situation in the Middle East.

**Category**
International relations, Humanitarian aid and relief