The Conference of the 18-nation Committee on Disarmament opened here

this afternoon at the Palais des Nations. Delegations participating in the work of the Conference were welcomed on behalf of the Acting Secretary-General of the United Nations by his Special Representative, Mr. Omar Loutfi.

A view of a section of the conference chamber during the open part of the meeting. Among the representatives seated at the desk at right are

Mr. Dean Rusk (l.) and Mr. Arthur H. Dean (2nd from left), Secretary of State and Ambassador, respectively, of the United States of America; the Earl of Home (3rd from left) and Mr. J .B. Godber , Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of State, Foreign Office, respectively, of the United Kingdom.