to the documents for agenda item 5 (b) was still being investigated. 28. Mr. TUrk resumed the Chair. 29. Mr. YIMER said that the most difficult problem to be faced was that of the definition of a minority. Mr. Eide had treated the issue in paragraph 13 of his study in which he had illustrated the difficulties involved in definition and had pointed out that three elements were involved, namely, the numerical, the issue of non-dominance and differences from other members of society. In that connection, he would like to know whether it would be possible to proceed to a substantive discussion of possible ways and means of facilitating peaceful and constructive ways of solving problems relating to minorities without a definition. 30. Mr. EIDE replied that a definition of a minority was not indispensable. If it had been, it would not have been possible to prepare the study. His position was made clear in paragraph 5 of the questionnaire contained in annex I to his progress report. Ever since 1947 the Sub-Commission had been trying to define a minority. For the moment he would draw on material supplied by Governments to see how they had understood the term. 31. Mr. GONDOR (Observer for Hungary) said that the present discussion, Mrs Palley's working paper, Mr. Eide's progress report, the results of the work done by an open-ended working group of the Commission which had completed E/CN.4/Sub.2/1990/SR.8 page 7 the first reading of the draft declaration on the rights of persons belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, and the project on ethnic conflict and development being undertaken by the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development were all indicative of a very promising trend. His delegation agreed with those who stressed the re-emergence of the minority problem, especially in Europe, and the risk of 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing a topic related to international relations, specifically the definition of a minority and its implications for peaceful and constructive ways of solving problems. The language used is formal and diplomatic, indicating that it may be a meeting of an international organization or a UN body. The text does not mention any specific economic, environmental, or scientific issues.

**Category**
Humanitarian aid and relief, Culture