a felr 1-rords on this occasion, and I am particularly anxious to do so in expression of my sincerest thanks to all members of the Committee for the tremendous assistance and encouragement extended to me during the thirty--seventh session. It .is by no means an e::ac.;Gero.tion to say that rJ.Y tasl~ uas considerably facilitated and also made more enjoyable because their co-·operation was very positive, constructive and enlightening. A/C.l/38/PV.2 12 ~ou,_.Sir, were one q,f the team of very able officials .who constituted our proud bureau and without whom our Committee would not have .worked so ivell. - - ' ~ < I am particularly indebted .to you, to Ambassador. ~Carasal~s of. Argentina, the oth~r Vice'.:..chairman,. and to !1r. Erdenechuluun of :Mongolia, who served. the Committee as its able Rapporteur. I wish also to express my thanks and .. · ~npreciation to the Under-Secretary-General, 11r. Ustinov, to our Assistant­ s;ecretary-Gene:r:al, Mr .. f1artem;S'n, and to the Secretary of the Connni~tee, Hr. Rather~, an?-all his other colleagues, who worked so.hard and with so much dedication ... I.am privi],eged and proud to have had the opportunity to for~e a close and enduring friendship with each and every one of them. Custom demands that I s~y a word or two about the work of the First ' Committee, and I now wish to turn to .that. He are about to commence another session of meetin~s devoted to disarmamen~_and international security ·in an atmosphere that no one would desire for our. deliberations .. Relations bet1·reen the two super-Powers, the star performers; have· worsened considerably Since 1-re concluded our work in December 1982. Many are . seized, understandably, with pessimism with _regard to our work, since it is believed t:hat the two sides may not even find it. easy to communicate with each other. Regrettable as the 