FIFTH COMMITTEE APPROVES $325.7 MILLION FOR UNMIH, UNIFIL AND MINURSO
Press Release
GA/AB/3057
FIFTH COMMITTEE APPROVES $325.7 MILLION FOR UNMIH, UNIFIL AND MINURSO
19951218 Approves $19.6 Million for Management Information and Budget Implications of UNCED Follow-up, Assistance to Afghanistan, Central AmericaThe General Assembly would appropriate and/or authorize $325.7 million gross for the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH), the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) for varying periods from late 1995 to early 1996, if it adopts three draft texts approved yesterday evening by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary). The meeting considered aspects of funding peace-keeping missions and programme budget implications in relation to the proposed 1996-1997 budget.
In other action yesterday, the Committee decided to present some information to the Assembly on the costs of some of the resolutions and decisions it would consider at this session.
Under the terms of the draft texts, approved as orally revised, the Assembly would:
-- Appropriate for UNMIH a total sum of $152 million gross ($149.7 million net) for the period 1 August to 29 February 1996. Beyond that date, it would authorize up to $10 million gross ($9.5 million net) monthly for the mission from 1 March to 31 May 1996 and assess $20 million gross ($19 million net), should the Security Council extend UNMIH's mandate beyond February. It would then decide to set off against the future assessments of Member States that had paid up their dues their respective share in an unencumbered balance of some $2 million gross ($1.9 million net) for the period 1 August 1994 to 31 January 1995. The share of debtor States would be set off against their unpaid dues;
-- Appropriate and authorize for UNIFIL about $121.3 million. It would comprise of an appropriation of some $67.4 million gross ($65.2 million net) for 1 August 1995 to 31 January 1996 and a commitment authority of up to some $10.8 million gross ($10.5 million net) monthly for 1 February to 30 June 1996, should the Council extend UNIFIL's mandate beyond 31 January 1996;
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-- Appropriate for MINURSO some $22.4 million gross ($20.4 million net) previously authorized and assessed for the period 1 October 1995 to 31 January 1996.
By the terms of the draft text on the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL), the Assembly would decide that the additional $842,300 gross ($763,000 net) needed for 1 December 1994 to 31 May 1995 would be funded from savings from prior mandate periods, pending the submission of the final performance report for the Mission in 1996's first quarter.
By other texts, it would decide that there would be no need for additional appropriation for the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) and would decide to keep the unencumbered balances in the accounts of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) and the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) to finance them.
The Fifth Committee also approved a draft text that would have the Assembly endorse the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on the mock-up budget for peace-keeping operations.
Statements were made on peace-keeping-related issues by the representatives of Mexico, Indonesia, France, Netherlands, Latvia, Morocco and Bangladesh.
As it considered budgetary implications of additional activities on the proposed 1996-1997 budget, the Committee took different approaches to the various statements of financial implications. [Whenever an Assembly Main Committee recommends an additional activity for the United Nations, the Secretary-General is required to provide cost estimates for review by the ACABQ and the Fifth Committee before the Assembly can approve it.] In that connection, it approved a draft decision that would have the Assembly endorse the proposal for a temporary Under-Secretary-General post to serve as special adviser to the Secretary-General. By another draft decision, the Assembly would endorse the ACABQ recommendations on the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) project. In its report on the proposed 1996-1997 budget, the ACABQ had recommended, among other things, the approval of some $12 million for the IMIS project and $7.6 million for its maintenance -- a total of $19.6 million for 1996-1997.
Noting the Secretary-General's report on the conditions of service of the members of the International Court of Justice, the Committee endorsed the ACABQ's recommendations on the issue. The ACABQ had agreed that the annual emoluments of the Court's members be kept at current levels, pending the provision of additional information. On the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Committee approved a draft decision to have the Assembly provide a $220,000 subvention to the body.
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The Committee also approved the statements on budget implications for special assistance to Afghanistan, stressing that the appropriation would be considered by the Assembly in the context of approving of the proposed 1996- 1997 budget. In similar vein, it approved budget implications related to the situation in Central America.
Also approved were the budget implications of a special session of the Assembly to appraise the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). On the budget implications regarding activities for the protection of the global climate, the Committee decided to inform the Assembly that additional appropriations would be considered in the resumed session and would be subject to the guidelines for using the contingency fund.
The revised estimates resulting from the decisions of the Economic and Social Council would be submitted for further consultations and those on the Commission of Inquiry for Burundi would be dealt with in the context of the 1996-1997 budget.
In relation to aspects of the proposed budget, statements were made by the representatives of the United States, Canada, Uganda, Kenya, Philippines, Cuba, Algeria, Bangladesh, Netherlands, Norway, United Republic of Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Tunisia, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, Portugal, United Kingdom, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Japan, Egypt, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Chief of the Compensation and Classification Service, Keith Walton, briefed Committee members.
In another action, the Committee decided to defer to its resumed session, the agenda items on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and the Office of Internal Oversight Services to enable it to focus on the budget. That decision was made at the behest of the representatives of Egypt, China, Cuba and Algeria.
The United Nations Controller, Yukio Takasu; the ACABQ Chairman, C.S.M. Mselle; and the Fifth Committee Secretary, Joseph Acakpo-Satchivi also briefed the Committee on various matters.
The Committee is scheduled to meet again at 9:30 p.m. today to consider human resources management and the International Commission of Inquiry in Rwanda. It is also expected to consider the financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL) and of the International Tribunals for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
Statements on Proposed 1996-1997 Budget
YUKIO TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the Secretary- General's report on the revised estimates for the budget section on overall policy-making, direction and coordination (document A/C.5/50/40).
The report states that $352,200 additional appropriation would be needed to establish an Under-Secretary-General post on a temporary basis in 1996. The additional costs would be accommodated in the contingency fund to be established for 1996-1997. The Under-Secretary-General post is for a Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for the biennium 1996-1997. The amount is for salaries and common staff cost. The Special Adviser will monitor and bring to the Secretary-General's attention policy issues related to providing overall secretariat support to the General Assembly and its Main Committees and guiding and coordinating the implementation of its decisions. He will be called upon to help strengthen linkages between the Organization's political, humanitarian and social work and provide policy support to global conferences and relevant aspects of the work of the Economic and Social Council.
C.S.M. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced his Committee's report on the section on overall policy-making, direction and coordination (document A/50/7/Add.10).
The ACABQ recommends the approval of a temporary Under-Secretary-General post, as requested by the Secretary-General. Any additional appropriation required should be reflected in the performance report for the biennium 1996- 1997. On the Secretary-General's view that the remuneration for the Special Adviser be made available from the commitment authority granted him in the Assembly's resolution on unforeseen and extraordinary expenditures, the ACABQ states that the resolution was not meant for establishing positions on a continuing basis and that posts needed for continuing work should be budgeted under the regular budget for review by the Assembly.
The Committee Chairman, ERICH VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua) proposed that the Committee decide to ask the General Assembly to take note of the Secretary-General's report and endorse the ACABQ recommendations.
The Committee approved the proposal.
Statements on IMIS Project
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee had recommended the approval of the resources requested for the project in the proposed 1996- 1997 budget, including the estimates for maintaining the system. [The ACABQ had pointed out that the budget proposed for 1996-1997 was the last one for the project, bringing it to the estimated total of $63.3 million for the period from 1989 to 1997. The ACABQ had recommended the approval of the
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proposed estimates of some $12 million for the IMIS project budget and $7.6 million for maintenance; a total of $19.6 million in for 1996-1997].
He added that the system should help reduce considerably the growth of support expenditure for the Organization. The ACABQ had been informed that a preliminary total of 20 posts, including the eight redeployed within Department of Administration and Management, might be released to maintain the system. It had been indicated that 37 posts would be needed for maintenance. Before proposals were made to ask for conversion of the current temporary maintenance posts to established ones, every effort should be made to identify within existing resources, the full complement of posts to maintain the system. The Secretariat should encourage further use of the IMIS to harmonize administrative and budgetary coordination among the organizations and programmes of the United Nations system. The Assembly should take note of the progress report.
The seventh progress report of the Secretary-General on the IMIS project (document A/C.5/50/35) states that the project aims to help improve the Secretariat's efficiency in its administrative and financial functioning by enforcing consistent processing procedures and improving quality and timeliness of financial and personnel data. The budget for the project for 1996 and 1997 is estimated at some $12 million and the maintenance budget, $7.6 million. The biennium will mark the transition from the development to the maintenance phase of the system. Its purpose is to develop an integrated system for processing and reporting on administrative actions at all major duty stations. (For background, see Press Release GA/AB/3056, of 14 December.)
EDWARD KELLER (United States) said the IMIS was meant to improve internal controls and efficiency. He expressed hope that some staff savings would be derived from the system's implementation. Since nearly $20 million would be further spent on the system, he asked whether there would be saving that the system would produce to offset that amount in the 1996-1997 biennium.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the system was meant to improve timeliness of information for decisions-making. It was not meant primarily to save staff costs; however, that could emerge eventually. In 1996-1997, some savings had been identified, but the entire project costs could not be absorbed currently from savings.
At the suggestion of Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, the Committee decided to ask the Assembly to take note of the Secretary- General's report and endorse the ACABQ recommendations.
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Statements on ICSC and ACABQ Officials' Conditions of Service
KEITH WALTON, Chief of the Compensation and Classification Service, introduced the Secretary-General's report on the conditions of service of non- Secretariat officials serving the General Assembly (document A/C.5/50/12).
The report seeks to help the current Assembly session in its quinquennial review of those conditions for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and of the ACABQ Chairman. In a previous review in 1990, the Assembly decided that, effective 1 January 1991, their annual net compensation would be $112,875, with an additional special allowance of $8,000 for the ACABQ and ICSC Chairmen. The Secretary- General recommends that it should remain at the level the Assembly set in 1990, subject to some annual inflation-related adjustments. Accordingly, the Chairmen's compensation would increase to about $128,023. The special allowance of the Chairmen of the ACABQ and ICSC should remain unchanged. The Secretary-General does not propose any change in the manner of applying other conditions of service, such as education grant.
According to the report, by the terms of a previous Assembly resolution and the $128,023 projected compensation level as at 1 January 1996, the corresponding pensionable remuneration would be $164,900 for the two Chairmen and $153,100 for the Vice-Chairman.
Estimated additional requirements of $112,000 would arise in 1996-1997 if the Assembly approves the suggestions on the conditions of service. Therefore, additional appropriations would be needed in the 1996-1997 budget. They are $37,400 under section 1, on overall policy-making, direction and coordination; and $74,600 under section 27, on jointly financed administrative activities. Those requirements under the jointly financed activities would be offset by a $53,400 increase in reimbursement by other organizations to the United Nations of their share of ICSC costs.
VIRGINIA GRAHAM (United States) said the ACABQ's written recommendations should have been placed before the Committee. Until that was done, her delegation would not be able to agree to action being taken on the proposals.
SAM HANSON (Canada) supported the United States' statement.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the report had not been considered by the ACABQ and it was not on its agenda. Statements made in the Fifth Committee and in the ACABQ and the views of former Chairmen had been recorded as suggesting that the ACABQ should not consider that type of report. Rather the item should be taken up directly by the Fifth Committee. However, if the Fifth Committee insisted, the ACABQ would have no difficulty in obliging.
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The Fifth Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), proposed that the Committee should recommend that the Assembly take note of the report.
Ms. GRAHAM (United States) said the action should be deferred until the written report was submitted.
DAVID ETUKET (Uganda) said the ACABQ Chairman had stated that the matter had not been considered as it was not on the agenda. The Committee could consider the issue without postponing it.
PHILIP OWADE (Kenya) supported Uganda's proposal. The matter could be considered directly by the Assembly; it should not be postponed.
MARY JO B. ARAGON (Philippines) supported Uganda's and Kenya's views.
DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) supported the views of the previous speakers. The Committee could decide on the matter as nothing could stop it from doing so, given the fact that the resumed session would have plenty of work.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), said the matter would be considered in informal consultations to iron out the differences that had emerged.
Statements on Revised Estimates Concerning ECOSOC Texts
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the Secretary- General's report on the revised estimates resulting from the Economic and Social Council's resolutions and decisions taken at its 1995 sessions (document A/C.5/50/31), which deal with the additional requirements of those actions. The requests contained in those actions would have additional substantive requirements of $619,000 for 1996 and 1997. Subject to the guidelines for using the contingency fund, the additional appropriation is requested as follows: $408,800 for section 7A, Department for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development; $80,000 for section 13, Crime control; and $130,000 for section 21, Human rights.
The funds would be needed in relation to the Council's actions related to the implementation of the resolutions and recommendations of the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, annual sessions of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced, orally, the comments of his Committee. There was an increase in meetings for some bodies. A panel on forests would be set up and honorariums would be paid to the members of the
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Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The ACABQ generally approved the proposals.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said that proposals for additions to the proposed budget should be considered in the context of the overall review of the budget. He was interested in a more detailed review of the issue of honoraria so that a firm policy could be established as to when such honoraria should be paid.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said the matter would be discussed further in informal consultations.
Statements on International Court of Justice Premises
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the report on the extension of the premises of the International Court of Justice (document A/C.5/50/19).
The report states that, should the General Assembly approve the extension, $346,800 in appropriation would be required for the Court under the proposed 1996-1997 budget. The amount sought would be a partial reinstatement of the provisional estimate of an adjusted $484,900 included in the proposed budget.
Since its 1945 inception, the report adds, the Court has occupied the premises of its predecessor, the Permanent Court of International Justice, in the Peace Palace at The Hague, under the agreement with the Carnegie Foundation in the Netherlands, which owns and runs the Palace. An agreement dated 21 February 1946 was concluded and approved by the General Assembly in December 1946. It determined which premises the Court would occupy and how much would be paid for them.
From 1979 to 1995, an increase in the Court's work load has doubled the number of regular staff and increased those funded from general temporary assistance by four fifths, the report continues. As a result, temporary typists sometimes work in extreme conditions, such as the corridors or in shifts. In the report, the Secretary-General requests the Assembly to approve a supplementary agreement between the United Nations and the Carnegie Foundation on using the Peace Palace to permit expansion and payments. The supplementary agreement would amend two articles of an earlier agreement between the two parties. It is due to enter into force from 1 January 1997 when the Court is expected to begin occupying the enlarged premises to be provided. The draft supplementary agreement is annexed to the report.
Mr. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introduced the ACABQ's report on the conditions of services and premises expansion (document A/50/7/Add.11), which contains the Advisory Committee's comments on the Court's expansion.
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The report states that the ACABQ agrees that the additional space of 3,987 square metres is needed. The conditions under which the Foundation proposes to continue providing space to the International Court of Justice under the supplementary agreement should be accepted by the Assembly. Recalling that it had previously recommended that the provision of $457,400 related to the enlargement be deleted pending the report that is now being submitted by the Secretary General, the ACABQ recommends the appropriation of $331,400 for the additional space, to cover operating expenses only, not capital expenditures.
Mr. MSELLE drew attention to the effect of inflation on the costs estimates. In future, proper procedures should be followed and that work should not commence until the legislative authority was granted.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said in view of the Organization's financial constraints, he would like the request to be considered in the context of the 1996-1997 budget discussions.
LARBI DJACTA (Algeria) said he supported the Secretary-General's proposals on the matter. Financial constraints were not sufficient reason to limit the work of the international justice system.
SYED RAFIQUL ALOM (Bangladesh) said the item should be considered in the context of the proposed budget. He asked whether consideration had been given to the acquisition of office space in a building in close proximity to the Court's present premises and whether the Secretariat had estimated the Court's future needs for increased space.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the Court's requirements were warranted and reflected its expanded staff. Additional space should not be looked for elsewhere since a separation of the Court's offices would adversely affect the Court's work. He noted the favourable provisions being granted to the Organization for the Court by the Carnegie Foundation.
P.A. MENKVELD (Netherlands) agreed with the ACABQ on the need for legislative authority before taking action for the Court's expansion. Referring to the financial arrangements for the space, he said those arrangements were very beneficial to the United Nations. There was no need to delay consideration of the issue.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said the issue should have been brought up prior to work being started on the Court, rather than post facto.
DAVID ETUKET (Uganda) stressed the need for proper procedures to be followed. The effect of inflation should be considered.
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Mr. KELLER (United States) said the matter should be considered in the context of the proposed budget.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), said the item would be considered in the informal consultation of the 1996-1997 budget.
World Court Members' Conditions of Service
Mr. WALTON, Chief of Compensation and Classification Services, introduced the Secretary-General's report on the conditions of service and compensation for members of the International Court of Justice (document A/C.5/50/18).
The report states that their annual emoluments should be kept at their current level of $145,000. However, since the setting of the rates in 1991, the emoluments in real terms have been eroded by some 20 per cent. Therefore, the Secretary-General calls for action to restore those emoluments' real 1991 value.
The Secretary-General does not recommend any change in the current level of allowances of the Court President and the Vice-President when acting as President. Increase in the level of the education grant approved by the Assembly last year for Professional and higher staff categories should be extended to the Court's members, as from the school year in progress on 1 January 1995. The maximum admissible educational expenses would increase to $16,900 and the maximum grant, to $12,675.
Regarding pensions, he recommends a Judge's pensionable remuneration should be defined as equal to half the annual salary. Pension should constitute the pensionable remuneration of a Judge who completes a nine-year term, with a proportional reduction for a Judge who has not done so. The pension scheme should be non-contributory and surviving spouses should receive a pension equal to 60 per cent of a Judge's pension; alternate options could be arranged.
The budget implications of the changes proposed in the pension scheme and education grant are estimated at $760,500 for 1996-1997. The requirements of $748,800 related to additional pension payments are related to inflation and should be treated outside the procedures related to the contingency fund. The Secretary-General proposes that the International Court of Justice members' annual salaries should be reviewed every three years.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced the Advisory Committee's report on the conditions of services (document A/50/7/Add.11).
In its report, the Advisory Committee agrees with the Secretary-General that the annual emoluments of the Court's members should be kept at the
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current level of $145,000 and that there be no change in the level of the special allowances of the President of the Court and the Vice-President when acting as President. It also accepts an increase in the level of the education grant be extended to the members of the Court, as from the school year in progress on 1 January 1995. That would be on the understanding that it would be extended only to Court members living at The Hague.
Ms. GRAHAM (United States) said she endorsed the ACABQ's recommendation on the matter. There were still some questions to be addressed by the Secretary-General, such as the rationale for pensions and questions on outside remuneration. She said she endorsed the Secretary-General's report and was flexible on the matter.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, asked if the Committee would endorse the Secretary-General's report.
Mr. DJACTA (Algeria) asked if the Secretariat would provide more information on the matter.
Mr. WALTON, Chief of Compensation and Classification Services, said he had no further information to give at present. The item should not be deferred; the ACABQ's comments should be addressed at the resumed session.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, again asked the Committee to take note of the Secretary-General's report and endorse the ACAQB's, pending the receipt of the information requested.
The Committee decided to take note of the Secretary-General's report and to endorse the ACABQ's, pending the provision of information requested by the United States and Algeria.
Statements on UNIDIR
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the Secretary- General's report on UNIDIR (document A/C.5/50/20), which transmits the recommendation of its Board of Trustees that the current subvention of $220,000 from the United Nations regular budget be retained for 1996. No additional appropriation would be needed in the proposed 1996-1997 budget section on political affairs, if that request is granted.
The proposed 1996-1997 budget allocates $440,000 as a grant, representing the United Nations subvention to UNIDIR for 1996-1997, according to the report. The Board notes that the annual subvention of $220,000 must be retained for 1996, if the current financial situation makes it impossible to increase it. The Board submits a formal request for the 1996 subvention despite the inclusion of the necessary provision in the proposed 1996-1997 budget. It argues that the subvention is necessary to support the Institute
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adequately. Total income estimated for 1995 is estimated at about $1.5 million, from voluntary contributions ($881,800), foundation support ($322,900), interest ($25,000), miscellaneous sources ($15,000) and subvention ($220,000). Total 1995 estimated spending is $1.5 million. Requirements for 1996 are estimated at $1.1 million.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee concurred with the request for subvention.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said that a report of the Secretary-General on the funding of regional institutes and centres had stated that regular budget funding for bodies not directly under the Secretariat should be reconsidered. The UNIDIR annual subvention of $220,000 should be stopped as of the end of this year.
KJERSTI RODSMOEN (Norway) said her delegation strongly supported the Secretary-General's proposals for the annual subvention. The Institute had asked for the same amount year after year, without asking for adjustments for inflation.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) supported the statement made by the representative of Norway. The subvention was necessary and the Assembly should approve it. At this stage, no action should be taken on the report on the funding of regional institutes/centres that receive some funds from the regular budget.
ELISABETH KORNFEIND (Austria) supported Norway's statement.
S.E.S. MONGELLA (United Republic of Tanzania) supported the statements by Norway and Uganda, as well as the proposals by the Secretary-General and the ACABQ recommendations.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the Secretary-General's report on regional institutes and centres had not mentioned the support for UNIDIR -- established after the tenth special session of the Assembly on disarmament -- to undertake independent research on the questions of disarmament. Although voluntary contributions would be made to the UNIDIR, the regular budget, too, could assist, as previously stated by the Assembly.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she supported the Secretary-General's proposals and the ACABQ's recommendations. It was important to grant subvention to the Institute to discharge its functions.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), proposed a draft decision that would have the Assembly, among other things, approve the $220,000 subvention.
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The Committee adopted the draft decision to approve the $220,000 subvention for UNIDIR.
Speaking in explanation of position, the representative of the United States said he had not meant to say that the report on regional institutes directly applied to UNIDIR. However, the principles in it could apply to that Institute: the United Nations should reconsider the granting of subventions to bodies that were not directly under the Secretariat's control.
Statements on Commission of Inquiry in Burundi
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the Secretary- General's statement of budget implications on the revised estimates of the International Commission of Inquiry in Burundi (document A/C.5/50/45), which states that the estimated costs of the Commission for the six-month period 1 October 1995 to 31 March 1996 are $2.3 million net.
The report states that for the period 1 October to 31 December 1995, the ACABQ had previously authorized $1.1 million net, under the terms of an Assembly resolution on unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for the 1994-1995 biennium. Accordingly, a request for $1.1-million net appropriation has been made in the second performance report for the 1994-1995 biennium. For 1996 and 1997, a $1.2-million additional appropriation would be required for the period 1 January to 31 March 1996. The sum would fall under the budget section on political affairs. The activities relating to the Commission are of an extraordinary nature and its related requirements should be treated outside procedures associated with the contingency fund.
The Security Council adopted a resolution on 28 August 1995, asking the Secretary-General to set up the Commission, to establish the facts relating to the assassination of the President of Burundi on 21 October 1993, the massacres and other related serious acts of violence that followed and recommend measures to prevent any repetitions of similar deeds. On 15 September, the Secretary-General appointed five jurists as members of the Commission on a consultancy basis for up to six months. The Commission established its offices in Bujumbura. The staffing of the Commission would be headed by an Executive Secretary at the Principal Officer (D-1) level.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee had considered the report and concurred with the commitment of $1.1 million for October to 31 December 1995. The use of aircraft and temporary assistance should be made judiciously and attention paid to the procedure regulating the transfer of equipment among missions. The ACABQ recommended that $1.2 million should be approved under section 2 of the proposed budget for 1996-1997. It concurred that the requirements were extraordinary and should be treated outside the procedures related to the use of the contingency fund.
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Mr. KELLER (United States) supported the ACABQ views that there should be judicious use of resources such as temporary assistance and aircraft. The item should be handled in the context of the 1996-1997 budget approval.
MAMADOU SERME (Burkina Faso) said since the Secretary-General had asked for amounts that were below what was realistic, the Fifth Committee should accept his requests.
AMMAR AMARI (Tunisia) asked whether the operation fell within the regular budget.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said it would be included in the regular budget's section on political affairs.
Mr. MONGELLA (United Republic of Tanzania) endorsed the ACABQ Chairman's comments in that regard.
The Committee decided that it would consider the matter in the context of the proposed 1996-1997 budget.
Statements Concerning Central America
According to the Secretary-General's statement on the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1 on establishing peace and fashioning freedom, democracy and development in Central America (document A/C.5/50/36), should the text be adopted, an additional appropriation of $320,300 would be needed in the 1996-1997 proposed budget's section on peace- keeping and special missions. It would pay mostly for salary and common staff costs for 12 months in 1996.
According to the statement, should the General Assembly adopt the draft, the Secretary-General would, among other things, take part in negotiations between the Guatemalan Government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG). He would support the implementation of agreements already reached by, among other things, supporting and guiding the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Commitments of the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (MINUGUA) with regard to monitoring and verification functions. He would also support the Mission in El Salvador in carrying out its verification and good offices functions and devise ways to provide observers for the Nicaraguan electoral process in 1996.
Since those activities have an extraordinary nature relating to maintaining peace and security, the Secretary-General says, they should be dealt with outside the procedures related to the contingency fund. According to the provisions on the fund, revised estimates arising from the effect of extraordinary expenses such as those relating to maintaining peace and
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security shall not be covered by the fund. The Secretary-General shall however try to absorb them through savings from the budget without causing any negative impact on programme delivery or without prejudice to the use of the contingency fund.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee recommended the approval of $320,000 under the section on peace-keeping missions of the proposed 1996-1997 budget.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said the additional appropriations would pay for staff member and travel costs. His delegation had erroneously expected that no additional appropriations would be needed. It was necessary to place the resources in the context of the proposed 1996-1997 budget and evaluate them in the overall review of that budget.
Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said her delegation strongly supported the Secretary-General's proposals.
PATRICK KELLEY (Ireland) supported the Secretary-General's proposal.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) asked whether the programme budget implications were correct and whether they would be looked at in relation to the 1996-1997 biennium, not 1994-1995.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said that as of 1995, there were two Professional and one General Service temporary posts. The budget implication had stated that those resources would be needed. The activities mandated might not continue unless the resources were provided.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she supported the Secretary-General's requests and the ACABQ comments. The programme budget implications should be decided on presently.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), proposed that the Committee inform the Assembly that should it adopt draft resolution A/50/L.17/Rev.1, an additional $320,300 appropriation would be needed in the 1996-1997 proposed budget's section on peace-keeping and special missions.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said that the matter should be taken up in the context in the overall review of the 1996-1997 budget.
ERIK HAMMARSKJOLD (Sweden) supported the taking of a decision on the matter and the Chairman's proposal.
ADRIEN TEIRLINCK (Belgium) supported the Chairman's proposal.
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Mr. KELLER (United States) said he supported the Mission but he wanted to see the matter discussed in the context of the overall budget. The United States had been one of the co-sponsors of the draft text but the financial implications should be considered.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) called for quick action on the matter. As the issue was outside the procedures of the contingency fund, he said he did not see the relation with the proposed regular budget.
REGINA EMERSON (Portugal) said she would support speedy decision on the matter. When the draft text was sponsored, the sponsors had known it would have a price tag. Delegations should honour their decisions.
Following a brief recess, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said consultations would continue on the matter later.
Statements on Assistance to Afghanistan
Mr. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introduced the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on special assistance to Afghanistan (document A/50/L.60).
According to the programme budget implications on the draft (document A/C.5/50/42), an additional appropriation of $2.7 million would be required in the 1996-1997 budget section for peace-keeping operations and special missions, should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution. It would consist of $972,600 for the special mission to Afghanistan and $1.7 million for Office of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan. The missions are meant to continue efforts to facilitate national reconciliation and reconstruction in Afghanistan. The appropriation should be dealt with outside the procedures related to the contingency fund.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said, as a co-sponsor of the resolution, he would like to consider the issue in the context of the overall review of the 1996-1997 budget.
D. TOMLINSON (United Kingdom) asked that the implications be discussed in the Committee's informal consultations.
Mr. KELLY (Ireland) said he supported the Secretary-General's proposals. Noting that no provision had been made in the budget for special missions, he said the Assembly should agree to provide provision for this ad hoc mission.
The representatives of Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, France, Japan, and Cuba expressed support for the Secretary-General's proposals.
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Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, proposed that the Committee inform the Assembly that should it adopt the draft resolution on Afghanistan, an additional appropriation of $2.7 million would be required in the 1996-997 budget section for peace-keeping operations and special missions.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said the item should be considered in a way similar to the previous agenda item concerning the situation in Central America.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda), noting that the Fifth Committee would be presented with a consolidated statement of all programme budget implications at the end of the session, asked if the Committee would be able to look at that statement before the plenary adopted its decisions. If that were the case, the Committee should be able to take action at present.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said that was not the procedure. When the Assembly took decisions on programme budget implications, expenditures to be incurred for decisions such as on Afghanistan, on the situation in Central America and other political action would be outside the contingency fund, which was a policy decision by the Assembly. Only Member States could change that. The Secretary-General would only take action after Member States had made a decision on the matter.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said the Committee would continue consultations on the programme budget implications.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the delay in the Fifth Committee's consultations on programme budget implications would delay action by the Assembly on a number of texts from various Committees. The Fifth Committee should advise the Assembly that the amount involved in the adoption of a resolution, and that the costs would be considered under the proposed budget. That would give the Fifth Committee time to consider the amount in the context of the proposed budget. That procedure would avoid delaying the adoption of draft texts with programme budget implications. Such a delay would be unfortunate.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, asked if the Committee would be adopt Mr. Mselle's proposal.
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) asked for clarification on the ACABQ Chairman's proposal. The proposed budget did not include provisions for ad hoc operations and that had contributed to the present concerns.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said he was commenting specifically on the programme budget implications coming from the Assembly's Main Committees. The Fifth Committee would continue to consider the Secretary-General's proposals but in the meantime it would allow the Assembly to adopt draft resolutions
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with the knowledge that the Fifth Committee was still considering the matter. It was a way to avoid delay in the Assembly and was not a new procedure.
HISHAM ELZIMAITY (Egypt) said it was time for a decision on the matter.
DENISE ALMAO (New Zealand) said she supported Mr. Mselle's statement as a way to proceed on the item.
Mr. OWADE (Kenya) asked what the Committee's decision was regarding the situation in Central America. The matter should be agreed on without further delay. Mr. Mselle's proposal was the best approach to take "to avoid such stalemates as now prevailed in some governments".
Ms. RORIGUEZ BUERGO (Cuba) supported Mr. Mselle's proposals and stressed the need for faster progress in the Committee's work.
NAZARETH INCERA (Costa Rica) also supported Mr. Mselle's proposal.
FABIOLA ORELLANA FUENTES (Guatemala) said the decision should to be taken on both items -- the situation in Central America and Afghanistan.
Mr. KELLER (United States) asked that both the traditional formulation and Mr. Mselle's proposal for a new formulation be circulated to Committee members in writing so that a decision could be taken.
ABDUL WAHAB (Pakistan) said he supported Mr. Mselle's proposal.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ's Chairman, repeating his proposal, said it would not create difficulty. It would allow the Fifth Committee to continue discussing the item at its own pace.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, asked if the Committee would agree with Mr. Mselle's proposal.
Mr. KELLER (United States) again asked for the proposal in writing since he was unclear of the difference between Mr. Mselle's proposal and what the Committee would normally draft for the Assembly.
Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said she was still unclear of the implications of Mr. Mselle's proposal.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the proposal did not question the policy decision of the Assembly's Main Committees. However, it was part of the Fifth Committee's mandate to consider costs and give alternative proposals. Additional appropriation for Assembly decisions would only be adopted after the Fifth Committee had made its decisions.
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Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said it was still unclear whether the Fifth Committee had the mandate to change other Committees' proposals.
Mr. AMARI (Tunisia), a Committee Vice-Chairman, proposed a suspension of the meeting to allow for informal consultations on the matter.
Following those consultations, Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ's Chairman, read the following wording for the Committee's decision: "Should the Assembly adopt the draft resolution, the estimated cost would not exceed $2 million under section 3 of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997. Additional appropriation as may be necessary would be considered by the Assembly in the context of its approval of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997."
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) asked for clarification on the financial implications of the proposed text.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said each delegation could interpret the figures differently. The Fifth Committee would be informing the plenary that the resources for implementing the draft resolution would not exceed the amount as stated in the text. The Committee could decide in its informal discussions that the amount should be exceeded or that it should all be absorbed. The amounts stated in the resolutions adopted in the Assembly would not be changed.
NICK THORNE (United Kingdom) welcomed Mr. Mselle's proposals.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda), noting that the Committee would be dealing with a number of similar situations in approving programme budget implications, asked for clarification. If the language proposed by Mr. Mselle were approved, would the same procedure be followed for other programme budget implications? he asked. He also asked if a Secretariat representative could indicate what kind of language had been adopted in the Committee when it had dealt with similar situations in the past.
Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica) asked whether the procedure would also be used for the earlier item on the situation in Central America.
EL HASSANE ZAHID (Morocco), welcoming the proposal, said the Committee should not hold up the plenary's adoption of a number of resolutions. He would agree to the draft text proposed by Mr. Mselle. The Committee's proposal for the resolution should also apply to all draft resolutions and be the subject of informal consultations. That would allow the Committee to speed up its consideration of the agenda.
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Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said she was unclear as to how this situation would be resolved between the actions to be taken by the Assembly and those to be taken by the Fifth Committee.
Mr. MSELLE reassured the representative of Norway that his proposal would not change the contents of the resolution.
Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said she would accept ACABQ's Chairman assurance but the procedure was still unclear.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) proposed an alternative wording for the decision on the programme budget implications.
Mr. HANSON (Canada) said he was not comfortable with the proposals.
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) said he shared the views and proposals made by the representative of Germany.
Mr. OWADE (Kenya) asked for a response to the question asked by the representative of Uganda.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) expressed support for Germany's proposal and asked that it apply to all programme budget implications.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said that if the proposal were acceptable it could apply to all the statements of all programme budget implications. It was a dynamic proposal that would speed up the Committee's work.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) said, in view of the fact that the procedure being proposed was different from that used in the previous years, delegations should be given time to reflect on Mr. Mselle's proposal.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said Mr. Mselle's proposal was a new idea to facilitate the Committee's work. He appealed to Uganda to trust the ACABQ Chairman's proposal.
Mr. MONGELLA (Tanzania) asked if the wording of the decision would take account of the figures proposed by the Secretary-General for all programme budget implications.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the figures proposed by the Secretary- General would be used.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) said, although he had confidence in the Chairman of the ACABQ, he questioned the new language proposed in view of the fact such
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language had not been used in previous years. He appealed for a postponement of the decision to allow delegations to reflect on the new wording.
Mr. DJACTA (Algeria) also asked for more time to decide on the matter.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) said the Committee seemed to be going back to the proposal of the United States' representative to consider the programme budget implications in informal consultations on the budget. The disadvantage was that the Committee had to consider the financial implications of other draft resolutions as well. Delegations should be given time to consider the new proposal but it should not become a precedent.
Mr. RODRIGUEZ BUERGO (Cuba) said she was concerned at the slow pace of progress. However, delegations' concerns were quite legitimate and should be considered.
Mr. OWADE (Kenya) said the Committee needed a little more time to understand the new formulation.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, agreed that the Committee would be given more time to consider the proposal and deferred consideration of all statements on programme budget implications to a later time in the meeting.
Financing of UNMIH
MARTA PENA (Mexico) introduced the draft resolution on UNMIH (document A/C.5/50/L.10).
By the provisions of the draft text, the Assembly would appropriate a total of $152 million gross ($149.7 million net) for the period 1 August 1995 to 29 February 1996. That would include various sums totalling about $95.4 million gross ($93.7 million net) previously authorized for the periods 1 August to 15 December. After 29 February 1996, the Assembly would authorize up to $10 million gross ($9.5 million net) monthly for the Mission from 1 March to 31 May and assess $20 million gross ($19 million net), should the Security Council extend UNMIH's mandate beyond February.
Also by the terms of the draft text, the Assembly would apportion, as an ad hoc arrangement, an additional $3.7 million gross and net for the period 1 August 1994 to 31 January 1995. That would be in addition to about $2.3 million gross ($2.1 million net) previously apportioned. The Assembly would decide to set off against the assessments of those Member States which have paid their dues, their respective share in an unencumbered balance of about $2 million gross ($1.9 million net) for that period. The share of debtor States would be set off against their unpaid dues.
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The Assembly would also apportion, as an ad hoc arrangement, the additional sum of $67.2 million gross ($66.3 million net) for the period 1 August 1995 to 29 February 1996. That would be in addition to the $84.8 million gross ($83.3 million net) previously apportioned. It would decide to set off against the assessments of those Member States which had paid their dues, their respective share in an unencumbered balance of about $18 million gross ($17.3 million net) for the period 1 February to 31 July 1995. The share of debtor States would be set off against their unpaid dues.
The Secretary of the Committee, JOSEPH ACAKPO-SATCHIVI, said that there were two paragraphs 8 -- 8 and 8 bis. Corrections would be made before the text was transmitted to the General Assembly.
ATIYANTO PRAYONO (Indonesia) said that there were two other similar paragraphs: 12 and 12 bis.
On the Committee Chairman's proposal, the draft text was approved without a vote.
In explanation of position, the representative of France said his delegation had asked a question during informal consultations about changes in the contributions of Belarus, China and other Member States. The increase in Portugal's contributions was supposed to be offset by a cut in that of Belarus. He sought some clarifications on the footnotes on the status of contributions for the Mission.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the representative of France was correct. The understanding was that Portugal would increase its assessments over several years as approved in a resolution of last July. Belarus' relocation was approved in September. The amount that Portugal paid would affect what was charged on the permanent members of the Security Council. That was because the total paid by Member States to peace-keeping operations affected what was left over for the permanent five to pay.
The representative of Netherlands asked what happened to the plan to keep some of the payments made by Portugal in a suspense account and how they had affected the dues to be paid by the permanent five.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said there had been no decision to place the payment by Portugal in suspense account until 14 September 1995. There was a time lag between the relocation of Portugal and of Belarus. The higher amount paid by Portugal affected countries in Group (a): the permanent members of the Security Council.
The representative of Netherlands asked how the rates of the permanent five would be affected if the upgrading of one Member State was made at the same time as the downgrading of another.
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Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said he might have to wait for more specific details from the contributions section of the Secretariat. If Portugal increased its payment at the same time as when Belarus' rate was reduced, then there would be no impact on the rates paid by the permanent Council members.
Financing of UNIFIL
ULDIS BLUKIS (Latvia) introduced the draft resolution on UNIFIL (document A/C.5/50/L.11).
By the terms of the draft, the Assembly would authorize up to $10.8 million gross ($10.5 million net) monthly for the Force from 1 February to 30 June 1996 and assess $32.3 million gross ($31.5 million net), should the Security Council extend UNIFIL's mandate beyond 31 January 1996. It would decide, as an ad hoc arrangement, to apportion the assessed amount according to the composition of peace-keeping assessment group. The text would also have the Assembly appropriate $67.4 million gross ($65.2 million net) previously authorized and apportioned for the period 1 August 1995 to 31 January 1996.
The draft text on the financing of UNIFIL was approved without a vote.
Financing of UNAVEM
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the Secretary- General's reports on the financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) (document A/50/651).
In that report, the Secretary-General asks the Assembly to credit against Member States' future assessments an unencumbered balance of $537,900 gross ($502,400 net) with respect to the period 1 October 1994 to 8 February 1995. The balance for that period resulted after the Mission spent $11.3 million gross ($10.8 million net) of the $11.9 million gross ($11.3 million net) approved for the Mission for that period. The unencumbered balance comes mainly from slower deployment of both military and civilian personnel than originally planned and the inability to undertake all the planned procurement of equipment and miscellaneous supplies. Those were partially offset by unforeseen additional requirements relating to premises/accommodation, air support for reconnaissance of team sites and the deployment of military personnel and equipment.
Another report on UNAVEM III (document A/50/651/Add.1) contains the Mission's revised cost estimates for the period 9 February to 31 December 1995. It also asks the Assembly to appropriate $268.1 million gross ($264.6 million net) for that period. That would include $215.9 million gross ($211.1
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million net) previously authorized and assessed. The report then requests the Assembly to assess an additional $52.2 million gross ($53.5 million net) for 9 February to 31 December 1995, taking into account the $215.9 million already apportioned.
In another report, the Secretary-General presents the Mission's proposed budget for the period 1 January to 30 June 1996 (document A/50/651/Add.2), in conformity with the budget cycle the Assembly established in December 1994. He requests the Assembly to appropriate $171.9 million ($168.7 million net) for the six months and to assess $37.2 million gross ($36.6 million net) for the period 1 January to 8 February 1996.
For the period beginning 9 February 1996, the Secretary-General requests the Assembly to authorize and assess $28.7 million gross ($28.1 million net) monthly, should the Security Council extend the mission's mandate beyond 8 February 1996.
The sums sought for the first half of 1996 are to provide for the full deployment of 7,000 contingent personnel, 350 military observers, 260 civilian police observers, 714 civilian support staff (365 international and 349 local) and 75 United Nations volunteers.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced the Advisory Committee's related report on UNAVEM III (document A/50/814).
In its report, the ACABQ recommends that $169.4 million gross be appropriated for the period 1 January to 30 June 1996 and $36.7 million gross assessed for the period 1 January to 8 February 1996. It also recommends that the Assembly should authorize and assess no more than $28.2 million gross monthly for the period 9 February to 30 June 1996, should the Council extend the mandate beyond 8 February 1996.
The Committee decided to examine the issue in informal consultations.
Mock-up Budget of Peace-keeping Operations
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the note by the Secretary-General submitting a mock-up budget for a single peace-keeping operation (document A/50/319).
The mock-up budget attached to the note includes a mission's political mandate, operational needs, status of assessed contributions, the management of funds and cost estimates for mandate periods.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced the Advisory Committee's report on the mock-up budget (document A/50/798).
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In its report, the ACABQ welcomes efforts to modify and rationalize the format of peace-keeping budgets. According to the ACABQ, the links between a mission's political mandate and its operational needs should be established and explained. The mock-up budget should specify any support to be provided to United Nations peace-keeping operations by regional organizations. Resource requirements should be justified, not merely described.
Mr. MSELLE asked the Fifth Committee to take note of the mock-up budget and concur with the recommendations of the ACABQ.
The Fifth Committee decided to recommend that the Assembly endorse the ACABQ recommendations.
Financing of MINURSO
The United Nations Controller, Mr. TAKASU, introduced the reports on MINURSO, ONUSAL, UNFICYP, UNOMIG and UNMOT.
The ACABQ Chairman, Mr. MSELLE, introduced the Advisory Committee's report, suggesting that its recommendations be approved.
In his report on MINURSO (document A/50/655), the Secretary-General asks the General Assembly to credit against Member States' future assessments an unencumbered balance of $2.6 million gross ($2.2 million net) for the period 1 October 1994 to 30 June 1995. The balance for that period resulted after the Mission spent $37.1 million gross ($34.4 million net) of the $39.7 million gross ($36.6 million net) made available to it. The unencumbered balance resulted mainly from delays in the work of the Identification Commission and the resulting lower number of international and local staff in the Mission area. That led to savings under premises, other equipment and supplies and services. Still, $50.3 million in dues is owed to the Mission for the period from its inception to 30 September 1995. The unencumbered balance assumes that the dues would be paid up.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced the Advisory Committee's report on MINURSO (document A/50/802).
In its report, the ACABQ agrees with the proposal to credit Member States the unencumbered balance of $2.6 million gross ($2.2 million net) for the period 1 October 1994 to 30 June 1995 against their assessment for any future mandate period.
The Chairman of the Fifth Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), introduced a draft decision on MINURSO, which would have the Assembly appropriate $22.4 million gross ($20.4 million net) previously authorized and assessed for the period 1 October 1995 to 31 January 1996. It would also decide to set off against their future assessments for the period
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beyond 31 January 1996, Member States' share in the unencumbered balance of $2.6 million gross ($2.2 million net) for the period 1 October to 30 June 1995.
LUCIEN SCOTTI (France) said the draft decision should be amended to reflect that the unencumbered balance would be handled in two ways. The balances should be charged against the future assessments of Member States that had paid up their dues but used to reduce the unpaid dues of those that still owed assessments.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) asked what would happen after 31 January 1996. Another paragraph should be added to make the Assembly reconsider the financing at its resumed session in light of a mandate that the Council might decide on after that date. He said he did not want a commitment authority yet for the Secretary-General for that period. That could be considered later. A paragraph should be added to keep the item on the agenda or approve a formula for commitment of resources similar to that for the period 1 October to 31 January 1996.
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) supported the delegation of France, that the innovation adopted for the UNMIH resolution should be applied to future texts on financing of missions.
The United Nations Controller, Mr. TAKASU, said, in response to Morocco's representative, that for periods beyond 31 January 1996, the Assembly had authorized commitment for MINURSO of about $5.6 million, subject to renewal of mandates. That resolution had no terminal date. So, if the Council extended the mandate that commitment could be sought. If the mandate was expanded by the Council, the Secretary-General could seek more.
Mr. ZAHID (Morocco) thanked the Controller for the clarification, adding that he could agree with the proposals.
The Committee decided to approve the draft text on MINURSO, as amended.
In a statement in explanation of position, the representative of Bangladesh said he wanted the amendment to be repeated for clarity.
The Chairman said that the Secretary of the Committee would provide the amendment in writing to the representative of Bangladesh.
Financing of ONUSAL
On ONUSAL, the Committee had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the final disposition of the mission's property (A/49/518/Add.2). According to the report, ONUSAL assets were estimated at approximately $11.5 million, based on their original value. They have been grouped into 10
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general categories such as vehicular, communications, electronic data- processing and photocopying equipment, mobile offices, generators and furniture and fixtures.
They have been placed into three groups. Group I -- worth $10.6 million -- have been transferred to other United Nations missions and/or to the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy, for temporary storage for future use. Group II -- worth $629,700 -- have been sold to commercial entities ($624,000) and donated to the Government of El Salvador ($5,700). Group III - - worth $260,800 -- have been written off or lost.
As of 31 March, the unliquidated obligations from the Mission's inception was about $3 million, including $1.3 million for the travel of mission personnel, $585,000 for staff-related costs and $350,000 for death and disability awards, $210,100 for the maintenance of transportation equipment and $438,000 for other objects of spending.
The Secretary-General's report on financing of ONUSAL (document A/50/735) contains the Mission's financial performance report for the periods 1 December 1994 to 30 April 1995 and 1 to 31 May 1995. While the General Assembly has approved $4.6 million gross ($4.1 million net), $5.5 million gross ($4.8 million net) was spent, leading to additional requirements of $826,000 gross ($745,300 net).
As for the liquidation phase of May 1995, $113,500 gross ($95,400 net) was approved but $129,600 gross ($113,100 net) was spent, leading to additional requirements of $16,300 gross ($17,700 net). The additional requirements arose mainly from the Mission's increased activities in the last months of ONUSAL's presence in El Salvador, including the need to preserve a larger than projected number of international and local staff until the end of the mandate period.
In the report, the Secretary-General asks the Assembly to approve additional requirements for both periods but defer appropriating and assessing them until the resumed session, pending the submission of the Mission's final performance report.
As of 31 October 1995, about $22.6 million dues was owed by Member States: $10.7 million for the United Nations Observer Group in Central America and $11.9 million for ONUSAL.
In the annex to its related report on ONUSAL (document A/50/802), the ACABQ states that it understands that there was overspending of $842,300 and that the shortfall will be financed from savings from prior mandate periods. Since the final performance report on ONUSAL, including its liquidation, will be submitted in the first quarter of 1996, the ACABQ will consider and submit
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its views on them then. It will also discuss conditions that led to the additional needs of $842,300.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), proposed a draft decision on ONUSAL that, pending the submission of the final performance report for the Mission in the first quarter of 1996, the Assembly would decide that additional requirements of $842,300 gross ($763,000) for the operation of ONUSAL for the period from 1 December 1994 to 31 May 1995 will be financed from savings from prior mandate periods.
The text on ONUSAL was approved without a vote.
Financing of UNFICYP
For the financing of UNFICYP, the Secretary-General in his report (document A/50/722 and Corr.1), requests the Assembly to approve an additional $333,000 gross ($344,800 net) for the period 1 January to 30 June 1995 and that one third of that amount -- $114,933 -- be met through voluntary contributions from the Government of Cyprus. The Assembly is also asked to appropriate and assess $218,067 gross ($229,867 net) -- two thirds of the Force's additional cost for the period 1 January to 30 June 1995 -- in addition to the $11.3 million gross ($10.9 million net) previously assessed.
In its report (document A/50/802), the ACABQ states that there is no need to appropriate an additional $218,067 gross ($229,867 net) at this time, especially since the indemnity payment to locally employed civilians (estimated additional expenditures of $301,300) is under legal review. Such additional appropriation as may be necessary should be reflected in the performance report for the period July to December 1995.
The Committee CHAIRMAN introduced a draft decision on UNFICYP. By that draft the Assembly would endorse the observations and recommendations contained in the ACABQ's report on the matter.
The Committee approved the draft on UNFICYP without a vote.
Financing of UNOMIG
In his report on the financing of UNOMIG (document A/50/731), the Secretary-General requests the Assembly to retain the unencumbered balance of $2 million gross ($1.9 million net) for the period 14 January to 15 May 1995 in light of the outstanding assessed contributions.
The unencumbered balance, which assumes that all dues would be paid up, resulted mainly from savings from military and civilian personnel costs, transport operations, supplies and services and public information programmes. They were partially offset by additional needs for communication
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equipment. The report of the ACABQ (document A/50/802), states that it had been informed that, as at 15 November, $2.4 million in dues was owed out of total net assessments of $26 million.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua) introduced a draft decision on the financing of UNOMIG. It would have the Assembly retain the unencumbered balance of $2 million gross ($1.9 million net) for the period 14 January to 15 May 1995 inclusive, in the UNOMIG account because of the unpaid dues.
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) said that the unencumbered balance should be handled in the same way as that regarding UNMIH. For those who had paid up their dues, the balances should be credited to them. It should be used to reduce the dues of those who owed money.
The committee approved the text and the amendment without a vote.
Financing of UNMOT
The Secretary-General's report on UNMOT (document A/50/749) contains the performance report for the period 16 December 1994 to 16 June 1995. About $4 million gross ($3.8 million net) was provided for the period, $3.6 million gross ($3.4 million net) spent, with an unencumbered balance of $378,600 gross ($373,800 net) emerging. The balance had accrued mainly from savings under military personnel costs, transport and air operations.
The report asks the General Assembly to retain the unencumbered balance for UNMOT to fund some liaison posts and a small increase in UNMOT staff of five military observers and three civil affairs officers. Those actions had not been considered by the Assembly when it appropriated funds for 27 April 1995 to 30 June 1996.
In a related report on UNMOT (document A/50/802), the ACABQ states that, unless the Assembly says otherwise, the practice is to return such balances to Member States.
The Committee Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), introduced a draft decision on the financing of UNMOT. By its provisions, the Assembly would retain the unencumbered balance of $378,600 gross ($373,800 net) for the period 16 December 1994 to 16 June 1995 in UNMOT's account due to the additional requirements which would result from establishing posts in Vanj and Talaqan.
The draft text on UNMOT was adopted without a vote.
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Statements on Proposed Programme Budget
The Committee resumed discussing the statements on programme budget implications.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) proposed new wording for the Committee's decision on the programme budget implications for the draft resolution on Afghanistan, which reads as follows: "Should the Assembly adopt resolution A/50/L.60 an appropriation not to exceed $2.7 million would be required under section 3 (peace-keeping operation and special missions) of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997. The appropriation would be considered by the Assembly in the context of its approval of the proposed programme budget for 1996-1997 biennium."
He added that that draft text would be relevant for special missions. For other programme budget implications, the word "additional" would be inserted before the word appropriation each time it was mentioned.
Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) asked for clarification on the difference between programme budget implications for special missions and the other programme budget implications.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) explained that there were no appropriations in section 3 of the budget for special missions and hence funds would have to be appropriated. For all other budget sections, there were appropriations so an "additional" appropriation would be needed.
YUJI KUMAMARU (Japan) asked if the text on programme budget implications other than special missions would be applicable to all the programme budget implications already discussed and those to be discussed.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) said two programme budget implications would fall under section 3 -- Afghanistan and the situation in Central America. Others being considered today would fall under other sections of the budget.
Ms. RODSMOEN (Norway) said she would agree with the proposed text for Afghanistan but it might not be appropriate for other programme budget implications.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said the Committee would accept the proposal by the representative of Germany on Afghanistan alone for the moment.
Mr. ALOM (Bangladesh) asked if the principle should be applied as appropriate to the Committee's consideration of all programme budget implications.
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Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) said he agreed with Germany's proposal and asked whether the Committee could make a decision on the basis of that proposal.
The Committee approved the proposal on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution on Afghanistan made by Germany's representative.
AURELIO IRAGORRI (Colombia) asked for the same text to be adopted for the programme budget implications for the draft resolution on the situation in for Central America.
The Committee then approved the programme budget implications of the draft resolution on the situation in Central America.
Mr. KUMAMARU (Japan) said he would feel uneasy if the Committee decided on a certain formulation that would be applied to all other programme budget implications. However, he would agree with the proposal for the draft resolution on Afghanistan and Central America.
Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, said it would be more acceptable to consider the programme budget implications on a case-by-case basis.
Implementation of Agenda 21
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, introduced the statement on the budget implications of the implementation of the recommendation of the United National Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED).
According to a statement on the budget implications of a draft resolution on, among other things, a General Assembly special session to appraise the implementation of the recommendation of UNCED (document A/C.5/50/43), additional appropriations of $197,400 for 1996-1997 would be required, should the text be adopted. The session would be held for one week in June 1997. The amount needed would be subject to the contingency fund's guidelines. Under the procedures approved by the Assembly, a contingency fund is established for each biennium to accommodate additional spending due to legislative mandates not provided for in the budget.
The Committee approved the budget implications.
Protection of Global Climate
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced the statement on budget implications related to the protection of global climate for present and future generations of mankind.
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A statement of programme budget implications related to the protection of global climate for present and future generations.
The statement (document A/C.5/50/39) states that an appropriation of $3.5 million would be required under the budget section on Conference services to fund the conference-servicing costs of the meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its subsidiary bodies in 1996. As no permanent conference-servicing capacity in the Secretariat would be available to service the meetings, temporary assistance would be needed. The appropriation would be subject to the guidelines for using and operating the contingency fund.
Under the terms of a draft text (document A/C.2/50/L.33), on the protection of global climate, the Second Committee (Economic and Financial) would recommend that 12 weeks of conference servicing of the sessions of the Conference of Parties be added to the calendar of conferences for 1996-1997.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee questioned the basis on which the estimates had been prepared. The annex did not indicate how the amounts for the meetings were arrived at. The Advisory Committee therefore recommended that the estimates be considered early next year on the basis of more detailed information.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said he had not grasped all aspects of the proposal. He understood that the conference servicing costs would be reimbursed by the State parties. He asked if the proposed amounts would be offset by income expected from the State parties.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said it was not easy for the Organization to absorb $3.5 million at this stage. That amount would be accounted for on a cost sharing basis with the contracting parties.
Mr. KELLER (United States) asked if that would mean that the conference servicing costs would be charged to the contracting parties.
Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, said the Secretariat would be guided by the Assembly's decision on the matter.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) said current discussions should only be confined to the programme budget implications of the draft resolution.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said the Fifth Committee's mandate was to keep track of the expenditure in the budget. The payment for conference facilities was still an open question. It would be appropriate to suggest to the plenary that an item in the income section would be offset by the costs for conference facilities and that the Organization should bill the State parties for those costs.
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Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), Committee Chairman, proposed informal consultations on the matter.
Ms. RODRIGUEZ BUERGO (Cuba) expressed support for the resolution and for the Secretary-General's proposals.
Ms. ALMOA (New Zealand) said she was a strong supporter of the Climate Change Convention but she was unsure of what the ACABQ had recommended.
Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said the Advisory Committee had proposed that the matter be taken up in the Assembly's resumed session. Preparatory work for the meetings scheduled in the first quarter of 1996 should proceed with the understanding that it should not prejudge the decisions to be taken by the Assembly. The Advisory Committee was not recommending that the Assembly consider the programme budget implications at this time.
Mr. STEIN (Germany) said the Committee could not undo previous decisions. The draft resolution was based on a decision taken last year at which time the United States had agreed to the proposed procedure. He urged the United States to withdraw its proposal.
RAJIV RAMLAL (Trinidad and Tobago) expressed support for the statement by the representative of Germany. He had noted the apparent habit of some delegations to engage in contradictory diplomacy: agreeing to something in one forum and disagreeing with it in another. The delegation had taken part in the consensus adoption of the draft in another Main Committee but was now going back on its decision. The delegation's habit of changing its views should be discussed at some time. Trinidad and Tobago would go along with the ACABQ recommendations.
Mr. KUMAMARU (Japan) said that the conference-servicing costs were supposed to be funded from the regular budget. Japan supported such a financial measure and would go along with the ACABQ recommendations on the understanding that the preparatory process would not be impaired in any way.
Mr. ETUKET (Uganda) said he had no problems with the ACABQ comments. It would be helpful for the Committee, in its long-term interest, to continue with its usual procedures and avoid submitting programme budget implications for informal consultations.
Mr. ELZIMAITY (Egypt) associated himself with the view of Uganda as the Fifth Committee's duties were clear. He would accept the ACABQ Chairman's proposal.
Mr. KELLER (United States) said he had detected some hostility and irritation but his delegation's interventions were with good intent. While he
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supported the conference, he was now raising the issue of how to fund it: conference participants should be charged for its costs. He was ready to go along with the formulation proposed by the ACABQ Chairman, to reconsider specific dollar amounts at a later date.
The Chairman, Mr. VILCHEZ ASHER (Nicaragua), proposed that the Committee take a decision on the matter. He proposed that, should the General Assembly adopt the related draft resolution, additional appropriations would be considered in the resumed session in 1996. They would be subject to the guidelines for using and operating the contingency fund.
The draft decision was adopted.
Other Matters
Mr. MENKVELD (Netherlands) said he wanted to know when the issue of the administrative expenses of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund would be dealt with. The Secretariat had wanted the matter disposed of before the end of the current session. One of the issues was on an additional post regarding an official to handle investments.
Mr. AMARI (Tunisia) said time should be set aside to discuss provisions relating to the Pension Fund during deliberations on the budget.
Mr. OWADE (Kenya) said the matter on the Pension Fund should be addressed. However, it was difficult for countries with small delegations to sit in meetings from morning to late at night.
Mr. ELZIMAITY (Egypt) expressed doubt that the Committee could take decisions on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and the Office for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), adding that they should be deferred to the resumed session to allow the Committee to focus on the proposed budget.
JU KUILIN (China) said he agreed with the views expressed by Egypt. Those other items should be deferred; otherwise, the United Nations might be shut down due to lack of agreement in the Fifth Committee on the budget.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) agreed with the Egyptian delegation. The JIU and OIOS were important and their consideration should be deferred to the resumed session.
DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) expressed support for the view expressed by the representative of Egypt.
The Committee decided to defer the two items -- on the JIU and the oversight Office -- to the resumed session. * *** *