CD/PV.551 12 April 1990CONFERENCE ON DISARMAMENT ENGLISH FINAL RECORD OF THE FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-FIRST PLENARY MEETING Held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva, on Thursday, 12 April 1990, at 10 a.m. President : Mr. Ahmad Kamal (Pakistan) GE.90-60694/1798B CD/PV.551 2 The PRESIDENT : I declare open the 551st plenary meeting of the Conference on Disarmament. In accordance with its programme of work, the Conference continues today its consideration of agenda item 8, "Comprehensive programme of disarmament". However, in conformity with rule 30 of its rules of procedure, 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 China, the Republic of Korea, Japan and the German Democratic Republic. I now give the floor to the representative of China, Ambassador Hou Zhitong. Mr. HOU (China) (translated from Chinese) : It gives me great pleasure to make my first statement at a plenary meeting in the month of April. At the outset, on behalf of my delegation, I would like to extend warm greetings and congratulations to Your Excellency Ambassador Kamal, the eminent representative of my country's friendly neighbour, non-aligned Pakistan, on your taking up the important post of President of the Conference for the last month of the spring session. I am confident that with your erudition, rich experience and outstanding diplomatic skills you will surely guide our work towards fruitful results and contribute to new progress in our deliberations and negotiations. You can.count on my delegation's full and constructive co-operation with you and with the other delegations. I would also like to pay tribute to your predecessor, Ambassador Azikiwe of Nigeria, and thank him for his skilful guidance of our work in March and for his remarkable efforts and accomplishments.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be a record of a meeting of the Conference on Disarmament, a international organization focused on disarmament and arms control. The language used is formal and diplomatic, with references to rules of procedure and statements from ambassadors. The topic of the meeting is "Comprehensive programme of disarmament", which suggests that the focus is on reducing or eliminating weapons and military capabilities.

**Category**
International relations, Security and defense