NUMBER OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE KEPT TO MINIMUM, BY TERMS OF DRAFT TEXT APPROVED BY FIFTH COMMITTEE

26 March 1996

Press Release
GA/AB/3064

NUMBER OF SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVES SHOULD BE KEPT TO MINIMUM, BY TERMS OF DRAFT TEXT APPROVED BY FIFTH COMMITTEE

19960326 Committee Also Discusses Reports on UN Missions in Haiti, Guatemala

The General Assembly would request that Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali keep to a minimum the number of special representatives, envoys and related positions and ensure that their duties were more clearly defined to avoid duplication, under the terms of a draft resolution approved this morning by the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

The draft text would also have the Assembly endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). In a report on the question, the ACABQ had, among other things, cautioned that cuts in established regular budget posts should not result in procedures whereby high-level positions, which might not be linked to keeping peace and security, were funded under the provisions for unforeseen and extraordinary expenses.

After approval of the draft text, a large part of the meeting was taken up by discussions of the Secretary-General's reports on the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH) and the United Nations Human Rights Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), which were introduced by United Nations Controller, Yukio Takasu. An ACABQ report on the Missions was introduced by its Chairman, C.S.M. Mselle.

The representative of the United States said resources for the Missions should be offset by making further cuts in the budget through efficiencies in travel, less dependence on general temporary assistance and consultants and more savings in certain departments, such as the Department of Public Information (DPI). Since those and other missions would cost no more than 1 per cent of the United Nations budget for one year, non-priority areas should be cut to fund them.

The Secretariat should prepare a menu of options where cuts could be made, India's representative said. However, none should be imposed on the Organization's social and economic priorities. The costs should be absorbed in the allocations for political affairs and peace-keeping.

Fifth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

Although the Assembly had demanded cuts of $104 million in the current biennium, Cuba's representative said, there was an attempt to make even more savings through those Missions. The Secretary-General was "absolutely justified" in saying that it was impossible to absorb the amounts needed to extend the Missions and his Government could not support the view that their costs be absorbed.

The budgetary process was a zero-sum game and efficiency could not be met by simply inserting the words "within existing resources" in decisions, Singapore said. Those words could not be used indefinitely or substitute for hard decisions on financing.

The representatives of Guatemala and Haiti said that the matter should be resolved urgently.

Statements on the Missions were also made by the representatives Japan, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Italy (for the European Union), Russian Federation, Norway, Egypt, Ecuador, Poland, China, Peru, Uganda and Venezuela.

Continuing the Committee's discussion of death and disability benefits for troops serving in peace-keeping missions, Italy's representative, speaking for the European Union, said the Union was not convinced that all the aspects of the option of a "uniform global insurance scheme", including its financial implications, had been thoroughly explored by the Secretariat. More detailed and comprehensive proposals should be drafted with the help of the Office of Legal Affairs.

Norway's representative said that he preferred the global insurance option, because it would shield against the possible effects of United Nations financial crisis and other problems. It also featured standardized reimbursement rates and would allow unused funds to be carried over to subsequent years. The questions of equal treatment of Member States and the speedy settlement of claims should be given special attention, Japan's representative said.

Statements on the scale of assessments were made by the representatives of Tajikistan and Comoros, who asked the Fifth Committee to consider their countries requests.

Cuba, Canada, Tunisia and Uganda spoke on the distribution of documents at the Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva.

The Chairman of the Committee on Contributions, David Etuket (Uganda) introduced his committee's report.

The Fifth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. Wednesday, 27 March, to discuss the report of the Committee on Contributions and take up the support account for peace-keeping operations.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to consider aspects of the 1996-1997 budget and the scale for sharing out United Nations regular budget expenses among Member States. On the budget, it had before it a draft resolution on special representatives, letters from Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali and the President of the General Assembly concerning draft resolutions on the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH) and the United Nations Human Rights Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) and their programme budget implications. The Committee on Contributions' report on its special session would also be before the Fifth Committee, which will also discuss death and disability benefits. (For background on the benefits, see Press Release GA/AB/3063, of 20 March.)

Aspects of 1996-1997 Budget

The draft resolution on special representatives, envoys and related positions (document A/C.5/50/L.31) would have the General Assembly reiterate its request that the Secretary-General ensure that the number of such positions be kept to a minimum. He should also ensure that their duties are more clearly defined and streamlined, duplications avoided and current financial regulations and budgetary procedures fully complied with. The draft would also have the Assembly endorse the conclusions and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ).

In his report on the matter (document A/C.5/49/50), which was considered by the Fifth Committee on 18 March, the Secretary-General states that appointments are either as Under-Secretaries--General, Assistant Secretaries- General or at the Director (D-2) level.

In its report (document A/50/7/Add.2), the ACABQ, among other things, cautions that cuts in established regular budget posts should not lead to new procedures whereby high-level positions, which might not be linked to keeping peace and security, are funded under the provisions for unforeseen and extraordinary spending. Since some of the advisers are paid from regular budget temporary assistance funds, the use of such positions should be transparent and remain temporary. It also recommends that the Secretary- General refine the guidelines on using such funds to ensure the consistent application of relevant procedures. (For information, see Press Release GA/AB/3062, of 18 March.)

Relating to the 1996-1997 budget, a letter dated 14 March from the General Assembly President to the Fifth Committee Chairman (document A/C.5/50/56) informs the Committee that he had received a letter, dated 12 March, from the Secretary-General on MICIVIH and MINUGUA. In his letter (document A/50/891), the Secretary-General expresses deep concern about draft

Fifth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

resolutions A/50/L.67 and 68, which would extend the two missions' mandates and have their activities carried out "within existing resources".

He recalls that General Assembly resolution 50/215 of 23 December 1995 had recognized expenditures of $2.71 billion for 1996-1997 but appropriated only $2.61 billion, with cuts of $104 million due in the biennium. But in resolution 50/214, it had also decided that savings in the budget were not to affect the implementation of mandated work. "With the above-mentioned reductions to the regular budget, I have no flexibility to implement additional mandates within existing resources. The Assembly's request for the continuation of MICIVIH and MINUGUA without requisite financial resources therefore stands in danger of not being implemented."

The missions would cost an additional $24 million if extended through 1996 and an additional $28 million through 1997.

The Secretary-General recalls having stressed the need to set up procedures for funding some field missions which are neither peace-keeping operations nor activities to be financed by the regular budget. In addition to MICIVIH and MINUGUA, similar missions will need additional financing if their mandates are authorized and/or extended. They include the international commissions of inquiry in Burundi and Rwanda, the situation in Burundi, the United Nations political presence in Rwanda, the Mission of the United Nations in El Salvador (MINUSAL), the Central American peace process and the situation in Afghanistan. They would cost about $90 million for the biennium: over $40 million in 1996 and $50 million in 1997.

Since Assembly resolution 41/213 states that spending due to costs for peace and security would be treated as requirements additional to an approved budget, the Secretary-General writes that the main purpose of his letters is to alert Member States to the implications of asking him to implement extended mandates without providing adequate funding. The Assembly's decision to cut the 1996-1997 budget by $104 million makes it impossible to absorb additional spending without affecting existing programmes and activities. The mandates proposed in draft resolutions A/50/L.67 and 68 could be implemented if the Assembly chose existing programmes that should be curtailed, postponed or ended.

The letter is accompanied by statements of budget implications of the draft resolutions (documents A/C.5/50/52 and 53). They are submitted to the Fifth Committee under the Assembly's rules of procedure which provide that the Assembly shall not vote on any resolution that could cost money until the Fifth Committee has had a chance to state the proposal's effects on United Nations budget estimates.

Fifth Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

According to the statements, since MICIVIH- and MINUGUA-related activities are extraordinary, they should be dealt with outside procedures on the contingency fund, as provided in paragraph 11 of annex I to Assembly resolution 41/213 of 19 December 1986. (According to the provisions on the contingency fund, revised estimates for such extraordinary expenses as those for maintaining peace and security shall not be covered by the fund. The Secretary-General should however try to absorb them through savings from the budget without harming programme delivery or prejudice to the use of the contingency fund.

On the budget implications of MICIVIH (document A/C.5/50/52), the Secretary-General states that the Assembly had in July 1995 renewed the mandate of the United Nations participation with the Organization of American States (OAS) in MICIVIH. It is to verify Haiti's observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms and to help strengthen democratic institutions. Under draft resolution A/50/L.67, the mandate of the United Nations part of the Mission would be extended until 31 August 1996.

If the Assembly adopts the draft resolution, the Secretary-General continues, an additional sum of $3.4 million will be needed for the period 8 February to 31 August 1996. It will be impossible to absorb that amount without affecting current programmes and activities. He could implement the MICIVIH mandate "within existing resources" only if the Assembly decides that some programmes should be curtailed, postponed or ended. Failing that, additional appropriations of $3.4 million will be needed in the 1996-1997 budget section for peace-keeping and special missions to keep MICIVIH through 31 August.

According to the statement of programme budget implications on MINUGUA (document A/C.5/50/53), the Assembly would, by draft resolution A/50/L.68, extend the mandate from 31 March to 31 December 1996, adding $21.1 million to the $7.1 million previously authorized for 1 January to 31 March. The MINUGUA could cost some $28.1 million in 1996. The Secretary-General states that the sum cannot be met from "existing resources" as required by the draft text. However, MINUGUA's mandate might be implemented with "existing resources" if the Assembly decides that some programmes and activities should be curtailed, postponed or terminated. Failing that, additional $21.1 million appropriations would be needed in the 1996-1997 budget section for peace- keeping and special missions.

Scale of Assessments

The Committee on Contributions reports on its special session (document A/50/11/Add.1), held on 26 February to 1 March, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 50/207. By that resolution, the Assembly requested that body to convene for one week early in 1996 to make recommendations regarding Member

Fifth Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

States' representations on the application of Article 19 of the Charter in 1996. (Article 19 provides that a Member State shall have no vote in the Assembly if the amounts of its arrears to the United Nations equals or exceeds two years of its dues.)

The Committee agreed that its main task was to consider whether the failure of a particular Member State to pay the amount needed to avoid the loss of its voting rights was due to conditions beyond its control. The Assembly had waived the application of Article 19 in relatively few cases. The Committee, therefore, stressed the need to apply a stringent standard to requests.

The report states that the Committee considered written representations from the Dominican Republic, Georgia, Iraq, Latvia, Liberia, Republic of Moldova, Rwanda, Tajikistan and Yugoslavia and heard oral representations from Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia and Tajikistan. In addition, the Secretariat provided statistical data on the Member States. No representations were made on Azerbaijan, Sao Tome and Principe and Turkmenistan, although those Member States were mentioned in the resolution. Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan had subsequently made sufficient payments to avoid the loss of their voting rights.

A number of those Member States indicated their commitment to pay their arrears and included proposals to do so over a number of years, the report states. The Committee discussed the question of multi-year payment plans as a means of reducing the problem of arrears, recognizing that such plans could be valuable in reducing the number of Member States falling under Article 19, as well as in improving the financial situation of the Organization. However, it recognized that the question of payment plans and the terms and conditions to be applied to such plans went beyond its terms of reference. The concerned Member States cited a range of adverse experiences contributing to economic problems which were responsible for the accumulation of their arrears.

In the case of the Dominican Republic, the Committee concluded that the information available did not provide a basis on which it could advise the Assembly that that country's failure to pay the minimum amount required was attributable to conditions beyond its control. Its decision was based on recent statistical data on the country's current financial and economic situation which indicated favourable trends in a number of economic indicators. In 1994 the Dominican Republic had cited economic losses resulting from United Nations sanctions against Haiti as its reason for requesting a waiver of the application of Article 19.

For Georgia, the Committee agreed to a temporary waiver of Article 19 because that Member State indicated its intention to pay part of its arrears

Fifth Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

-- $3.6 million -- within a few months and to pay its debt completely in three months. The Republic of Moldova and Kyrgyzstan made the necessary payments to avoid the loss of their voting rights. Therefore no action was required by the Assembly. In addition, the Republic of Moldova proposed a seven-year payment schedule to eliminate its arrears while Kyrgyzstan referred to the possibility of submitting a similar plan for settling its arrears. Latvia also proposed a seven-year payment plan to settle its areas. That Member State cited overassessment of its contributions, dating back to 1991, a falling gross domestic product (GDP) and a recent banking crisis for its accumulated debt.

However in Latvia's case as well as in the cases of Iraq and Tajikistan, the Committee was unable to reach an agreement that their failure to pay the necessary amounts was due to conditions beyond their control. It was, therefore, unable to recommend action by the Assembly. Iraq based its appeal on the imposition of Security Council sanctions and the freezing of its foreign assets. Committee members continue to have divergent views on the merits of Iraq's request for a waiver of the application of Article 19. Tajikistan appealed on the basis of its civil war and recent natural disasters. The Committee agreed that it should review the case at its fifty-sixth session on the basis of any new information, either from Tajikistan or from other sources.

Regarding Rwanda and Liberia, the Committee agreed that their failure to pay the amount necessary to avoid the loss of their voting rights was due to conditions beyond their control. It, therefore, recommends to the Assembly that it permit both Member States to vote, that the waivers extend until the Assembly's next session, and be subject to review before any further extension. Rwanda's request for a waiver of Article 19 cited genocide, which affected one eighth of its population and the subsequent destruction of its economy as the factors contributing to its economic difficulties. The Secretariat provided data highlighting the extreme economic difficulties that country faced. Liberia outlined the devastating effects of the civil war it has experienced since 1989. It indicated its intention to settle its arrears as soon as the country returned to normalcy, or to reach an understanding with the Organization regarding a phased liquidation thereof.

In the case of Yugoslavia, the Committee recalled General Assembly resolutions 47/1 of 22 September 1992 and 47/229 of 29 April 1993 (on the issue of succession) and decided to defer action on the request until the succession issue had been resolved. Yugoslavia made reference to economic and financial difficulties stemming from Security Council economic sanctions and the freezing of its foreign assets.

Fifth Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

Action on Draft Text

MOVSES ABELIAN (Armenia), a Vice-Chairman of the Committee, introducing the draft resolution on special representatives, envoys and related positions, said it was the result of informal consultations.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, without a vote.

Statements on Death and Disability Benefits

LORENZO FERRARIN (Italy), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said the issue of death and disability benefits was important to all troop contributors, including the European Union. Many aspects of the Secretary- General's proposals, made in response to Member States' requests for a review of the current arrangements for compensation of death and injury for peace- keeping troops, needed clarification. The present system of compensation could be improved and the process of claims should be expedited. The Secretary-General's proposals did not constitute a comprehensive solution to the question.

The Union was not convinced that all the aspects of the option of a "uniform global insurance scheme", including its financial implications, had been thoroughly explored by the Secretariat, he continued. It expected more detailed and comprehensive proposals to be drafted with the assistance of the Office of Legal Affairs, taking into account comments of the ACABQ on the matter. The legal status of contingent personnel should be examined in light of their relationship with the Organization and their respective governments. Pending a thorough review of the current system and possible alternatives, the European Union was ready to consider favourably any practical measures aimed at its improvement.

FUMIAKI TOYA (Japan) said that the questions of equal treatment of Member States and the speedy settlement of claims should be given special attention. He supported the ACABQ view that the Secretary-General should submit detailed proposals on how to implement the proposals. It should contain details on the financial and other implications. The proposals should be drafted with the help of the Legal Office and take into consideration the views of the ACABQ.

TRYGGVE GJESDAL (Norway) said he was ready to support options 2 and 3 in the Secretary-General's report on death and disability benefits. They featured standardized rates of reimbursement. Option 2 relied on direct payments by the United Nations while option 3 would depend more on a global insurance scheme to be entered into by the Organization. The insurance scheme would allow for unused funds to be carried over. The insurance option would allow for a scheme that would be protected from the possible effects of the

Fifth Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

United Nations financial crisis and other problems. Norway would prefer the option on the global insurance scheme.

Statements on Budget Implications of Drafts on MICIVIH and MINUGUA

YUKIO TAKASU, United Nations Controller, introduced jointly the Secretary-General's statements of programme budget implications of draft resolutions on MICIVIH and MINUGUA. He said that the staffing for the United Nations component of MICIVIH would be reduced from 396 to 116.

C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), said that the Committee had noted the Secretary- General's statement that the staffing for the United Nations component of MICIVIH would be cut from 396 to 116 for the mandate period beginning 8 February. Regarding MINUGUA, the ACABQ had been informed that there was an increase of $93,400 over the Secretary-General's commitment authority of $20 million, raising total needs to some $21.1 million. The additional amount was due to an increase in the rotation travel costs of 12 military observers instead of a previous five and an increased rotation travel costs for 25 civilian police instead of the previous estimate of 10. The ACABQ recommended that the estimates for both missions should be accepted by the General Assembly.

Referring to the terms of the draft resolutions on MICIVIH and MINUGUA, which would ask the Secretary-General to carry out the mandates of the two Missions "within existing resources", he said the question of whether or not the phrase precluded recourse to the contingency fund did not arise. That was because the spending in question related to peace and security and would thus be treated outside the fund. The ACABQ was of the view the phrase "within existing resources as far as possible" would mean that although the Assembly recognized that its request or authorization in a particular resolution might eventually involve the requirement for additional resources, the Secretary- General should first exercise his best efforts to use the existing resources.

He recalled that the ACABQ had described the proposed budget submitted by the Secretary-General as an effort to achieve a more cost-effective approach to United Nations requirements. Despite that, the Assembly had asked for further significant savings in resolution 50/215 of last December. In so doing, the Assembly had not specifically indicated that costs for peace and security should be absorbed. The costs, including those for MIVICIH and MINUGUA, were estimated at $90 million for 1996-1997. In preparing his initial budget, the Secretary-General had eliminated the costs for the two Missions as part of his projected savings of $92.8 million. That had been on the understanding that should the Missions' mandates be renewed, he would seek the necessary spending authority. The ACABQ held the view that the Secretary- General could not reasonably be expected to absorb the entire sums in

Fifth Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

question. It concurred with the Secretary-General's statements that he would be able to implement the proposed mandates in the two draft resolutions if the Assembly chose which programmes should be curtailed, postponed or terminated.

The ACABQ therefore recommended that the Fifth Committee inform the Assembly that, should it adopt the drafts including the phrase "within existing resources", the phrase should be interpreted to mean that the Secretary-General should commit the sums indicated in his statement of programme budget implications and that such eventual additional appropriations as might be needed would be considered by the Assembly in the context of the first performance report for the 1996-1997 biennium.

SAM HANSON (Canada) said his country had strongly supported those Missions from their inception. The MICIVIH continued to serve an important purpose as Haitians pursue their efforts to build democracy and strengthen respect for human rights. The MINUGUA's three reports showed the essential contribution being made by that Mission to Guatemala's peace process, as well as the fragility of that process. It was necessary for that Mission to be continued. He expressed concern that the Secretary-General considered the implementation of the mandates of the two Missions to be in danger. Since both Missions had been in existence when the Assembly adopted the current biennium's budget, there was every expectation that they would continue. "It is difficult therefore to consider the associated costs as unforeseen."

The Assembly's decision that the Secretary-General should achieve $104 million in additional reductions during the current biennium remained valid, he continued. Canada did not believe that the choice proposed by the Secretary-General -- that existing programs should be curtailed or postponed -- "to be quite that dire". The mandates of the Missions could be fulfilled without affecting the full implementation of mandated programmes and activities. The necessary economies must be found in non-programme areas. The Missions' expenditure plans should be carefully examined for potential savings.

The search for savings should return to the non-programme areas of the budget, he said. Overhead costs account for a large proportion of the budget -- over 50 per cent by some definitions. "The potential for savings is commensurately large." The Assembly should, therefore, renew its request to the Secretary-General to identify the necessary savings for the Assembly's approval. Simultaneously, intergovernmental bodies could contribute to savings. A simple calculation showed that, by beginning a meeting a half an hour late, those bodies wasted over $2,000. Considering the number of meetings held in the course of a biennium, there were some impressive savings to be realized through simple punctuality.

Fifth Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

GUSTAVO ALBIN (Mexico) said his delegation had co-sponsored the draft resolution to extend MINUGUA. Mexico was unequivocally committed to the peace process in that country. That process was in an important phase. It was necessary to consolidate the gains and to give definitive support to the Guatemalan parties' commitment to peace and reconciliation. The United Nations had an essential role to play in that connection. He also expressed support for the extension of MICIVIH as another step to institutional reconstruction in Haiti.

Resources were not an end in themselves but a means to achieve objectives, he continued. It was possible to make progress within existing resources to attain peace in Guatemala. The stability of the political and peace processes in the two Member States must be the focus of Committee discussions.

DAVID BIRENBAUM (United States) expressed regret that the ACABQ had not proposed cost-saving measures in its statement. The continued presence of the two Missions was crucial to both Haiti and Guatemala and for the United Nations as well, and their extension was widely supported. Resources for them should be offset by making savings and accommodating them in the budget. Such savings could be made through efficiencies in travel, less dependence on general temporary assistance and consultants, and further savings in departments as that of the Department of Public Information (DPI). Further efficiencies should be identified to meet the needs for the Missions and it was inconceivable that an Organization with a $1.3-billion budget could not make further savings to meet their needs.

The Secretary-General and the ACABQ, he said, had not explained why the savings needed could not be made from the budget. There was no suggestion that a thorough analysis had been made before those views were expressed. The Missions would cost no more than 1 per cent of the United Nations budget for one year and less important expenses should be pruned to meet their needs. Non-priority areas should be cut to fund the Missions. The Secretary-General should make the proposals for consideration by the Committee and the Assembly. Member States would take the political decisions to fund the Missions and wait for the Secretary-General to propose the cuts to be made to meet the needs of the Missions. The implementation of the mandates should be funded within the existing resources and the Secretary-General should propose offsetting savings which would be considered in the resumed session. He asked how the ACABQ had reached its recommendations and the policies governing such matters.

Mr. MSELLE, ACABQ Chairman, said that nothing in the statement he had made had gone beyond the ACABQ mandate. The statement had been overwhelmingly approved by the members of the Advisory Committee.

Fifth Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

Mr. BIRENBAUM (United States) said he did not know what the term "overwhelming" meant and how it related to consensus approach of decision- making in the Fifth Committee. But he would leave it at that.

Mr. TOYA (Japan) said the smooth implementation of the Missions' mandates should be ensured in financial terms. On the other hand, the Secretary-General had been asked to save $104 million. The efforts to identify those savings were critical in the current financial crisis. He had noted the Secretary-General's letter about the lack of flexibility to implement additional mandates without additional resources. There should be self-discipline in implementation of the budget and implementation of the expected mandate. It was not clear whether more was needed to implement the mandates of those Missions; the Secretariat should study whether it could not meet those mandates from savings. He was ready to wait for the study and reconsider the issue later.

HENRIQUE VALLE (Brazil) expressed political support for the mandates of the two Missions, as their roles could not be overemphasized. The Secretary- General had no other alternative but to seek the guidance of Member States as to where to find the savings to help fund the Missions. He did not share the view that the Secretary-General should have identified the areas from which the resources could be found to fund the Missions. He was already putting together proposals to meet the requirements of the $104 million which he should submit by 31 March, a deadline that was fast approaching. Changes to ongoing programmes and activities were within the prerogative of the Assembly, and the Secretary-General had been right too seek its guidance.

He said he concurred with the views expressed by the Chairman of the ACABQ on the budget process. The Secretary-General could not reasonably be expected to raise the entire amount. The Assembly should not fail to appropriate the additional amounts needed for the Missions. The discussions of the budget should not be allowed to deprive the Missions of the resources they needed.

ANA SILVIA RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said her Government supported the extension of the mandates of both Missions. They were of great importance to the Latin American and Caribbean region. The ACABQ's consideration of the needs of the Missions and the Secretary-General's proposals seemed to have been very thorough. However, the Missions' continuation appeared to be in danger. The Assembly had already proposed that the Secretariat achieve $104 million in savings in the current biennium. There was now an attempt to make even more savings for those Missions. The Secretary-General's statement that it was impossible to absorb the amounts for the extension of the Missions was "absolutely justified".

Fifth Committee - 12 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

She went on to say that she could not support the request that the expenses for the two operations be absorbed. The extensions of other missions might also be adversely affected. She, therefore, supported the Advisory Committee's recommendations on the matter. The extension of the two mandates should not be presented in the light of political positions of some delegations.

VIJAY GOKHALE (India) said the issue was both urgent and important. The Committee was yet to see how the Secretariat would spread the cuts in its budget. There was a need to cut back on mandated programmes. However, Member States must bear in mind that they could not continue to propose that additional expenses be met within existing resources. Adequate resources must be made available. The Secretary-General was fully justified in seeking additional budgetary resources. He should be provided with those resources. The two Missions continued to be important to the Organization. Their success appeared feasible.

He called on the Secretariat to prepare a menu of options in areas where budgetary reductions could be made. No proposed cuts should be imposed on the Organization's social and economic priorities. The request for a menu of options, if agreed on, should deal only with the absorption of costs in the budgetary allocations for political affairs and peace-keeping.

Mr. FERRARIN (Italy) said the two draft resolutions were a commitment to the continuation of the two Missions. Regarding their financing, the European Union felt that it was not possible to have a clear understanding of the expenses that would be absorbed within existing resources. The Union could agree to the proposals to seek additional resources if it would be shown that it was not possible to support the Missions using existing resources. The Union would address the issue again during the continuation of the Committee's resumed session in May.

NICOLAI LOZINSKY (Russian Federation) said he was in favour of extending the Missions' mandates. The Secretary-General had not exhausted ways of finding resources. He was ready to assist the Secretariat to identify areas of savings.

Mr. GJESDAL (Norway) said his delegation was one of those that supported the draft text on Guatemala. There were great developments in that country and the political process there should be helped further. No step should be taken to undermine the peace process. The MINUGUA activities were helpful. Norway would join other sponsors of the draft in asking for a mandate renewal within existing resources. He agreed with the Secretary-General that a clear process should be established to finance some of the missions that were sent to various parts of the world. The wording imposed the duty on all parties to find a solution so that MINUGUA would go on with its mission. If there was no

Fifth Committee - 13 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

possibility of getting resources to fund the Missions other avenues should be exploited.

HO TENG YEN (Singapore) said the budgetary process was a zero-sum game and efficiency could not be met by simply inserting the words "within existing resources" in decisions. Those words could not be used indefinitely or as a substitute for hard decisions on financing. If the Secretary-General had exhausted all possible resources available, his report and that of the ACABQ should be given careful consideration.

HISHAM ELZIMAITY (Egypt) said that a budget had been adopted last December. If the Secretary-General could absorb the financing for MICIVIH and MINUGUA, could he do the same for missions to other countries? It was impossible to ask the Secretary-General to absorb the cost of the implementation of the mandates of MICIVIH and MINUGUA within existing resources and then ask him to absorb others that might arise later. It might not be possible to do so in a budget that was constantly shrinking. Egypt supported Brazil, Cuba and India. The Secretary-General had to state how to find the needed finances or the Fifth Committee should do so. Egypt was not prepared to renegotiate the budget or to reclassify the Organization's priorities, which had already been decided on by the Assembly. The Assembly should give the Secretary-General the financial resources to undertake those Missions.

FABIAN PALIZ (Ecuador) said the Missions were very important for Latin America and should be completed successfully. He was concerned by the Secretary-General's letter. It was necessary for the Committee to make efforts to consider all alternatives for providing the necessary resources to continue the two Missions.

JAN JREMCZUK (Poland) said he supported the position of Italy and the European Union.

ZHANG WANHAI (China) reviewed what he said was his interpretation of the Organization's budgetary procedures and programmes. If major activities contained in draft resolutions had budgetary implications, the Secretary- General must submit his remarks on such implications to the Assembly. The ACABQ would then submit its evaluation and the Fifth Committee would review both proposals and recommendations. The two draft proposals before the Committee extended the mandates of two Missions within existing resources. He asked if such an approach was consistent with the Organization's budgetary procedures.

GASTON IBANEZ (Peru) said "one could not rob Peter to pay Paul". To take resources from social and economic programmes was not a possible course of action. The Secretary-General's letters and the ACABQ's report were not

Fifth Committee - 14 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

final. He was not convinced that resources did not exist. Until the Committee received additional information on the budget it could not choose between additional or existing resources. The Committee needed the Secretary- General's proposals on programme areas in which savings could be made in order to make a final decision. The Fifth Committee was known for its ability to find consensus solutions and it should attempt to do so on the present matter.

NESTER ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said that when the Assembly adopted the 1996-1997 budget, one of the main principles emphasized was that resources should be used only for what they had been allocated. The costs of MIVICIH and MINUGUA had been expected as savings by the Secretary-General when he proposed his initial budget proposals. Therefore, there was some sympathy for both his proposals and the ACABQ's.

ROSANNA FIGUERA (Venezuela) said her delegation supported and co- sponsored both draft texts as a members of the "friends" of both States. They should be considered within the budget adopted three months ago and the possibility of funding them within existing resources considered.

MARTINI HERRERA (Guatemala) said his country had suffered from the effects of the cold war and the ideological effects that kept it in need of the international community's assistance, which the United Nations had offered throughout the mediation for peace. The MINUGUA was very important. He thanked all the delegations that had expressed their views on the Mission and on Guatemala's commitment to help it meet its mandate. The Mission should not be held hostage to making additional savings in the budget. Doubts had emerged, and there were misunderstandings that the words "within exiting resources" were anything more than efficiency goals. The ACABQ had interpreted the political sense of the Organization and all countries at the present time. The ACABQ had made a clear analysis of how things were understood. The Advisory Committee's interpretation of the phrase should be considered further and it could be included in the Fifth Committee's report to the Assembly. The Secretary-General could commit the resources as they were urgently needed. Where those would be tapped from could be awaited but the Missions' continuation should not be threatened.

PIERRE LELONG (Haiti) said it was crucial to extend the Mission in his country to consolidate the peace process and respect for human rights. The decision on the matter should be seen as an urgent matter since the mandate had ended on 7 February.

Mr. TAKASU, United Nations Controller, in response to the statements of Member States, said the two Missions were indispensable to ensure the hopes for peace in Guatemala and Haiti. The issues being discussed in relation to those Missions were fundamental to the budgetary process and to Member States' legislative authority. For that reason, the Secretary-General had informed

Fifth Committee - 15 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

Member States of the consequences of the draft resolutions. Unless he was given sufficient resources it would be difficult to carry out the mandates. His proposals were based on current budgetary procedures. If the proposals were accepted, they would change those procedures. The issue was a matter of principle on how to finance the extension of new mandates.

It was true that the Missions were not new and not unforeseen, he continued. However, the existing procedures prohibited the Secretary-General from extending the mandates of missions unless they were approved by the Assembly. The mandate of MINUGUA had already been extended to March and the budget covered that period. The Secretary-General needed the Assembly's approval for further commitment authority.

In response to the comments on whether the costs for the extension of the Missions could be absorbed, he said the Secretariat had undertaken a detailed review of the budget. In addition to the savings of $104 million, much more was expected to be saved. The raising of the vacancy factor would contribute another $50 million to the savings. Efficiency gains were also expected. All those savings would result in a reduced budget. Already $154 million dollars had been identified without affecting mandated programmes. The Secretary-General was convinced that it was not possible to absorb all the proposed costs for the Missions. Member States would decide what priorities would be affected since the budget was based on programme priorities they had agreed on. The Secretariat, therefore, expected them to decide which activities could be reduced.

Mr. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, said he noted that many statements agreed with the Advisory Committee's recommendation that the Fifth Committee adopt the draft resolutions including the phrase "within existing resources" as well as the ACABQ's interpretation of that phrase. The Advisory Committee was recommending that the Missions be allowed to continue and that authorization to commit the resources be given to the Secretary-General. The question of additional appropriations would arise later, based on the Secretary-General's analysis of the Missions' needs. Further analysis would be made in the context of the Organization's performance report for the 1996- 1997 biennium. The ACABQ analysis had not been limited to MICIVIH and MINUGUA, he continued. It had considered all missions. It was important to note that the 1996-1997 budget might be affected either positively or negatively by inflation.

Statements on Scale of Assessments

DAVID ETUKET (Uganda), Chairman of the Committee on Contributions, introduced his Committee's report and reviewed its conclusions and recommendations.

Fifth Committee - 16 - Press Release GA/AB/3064 48th Meeting (AM) 26 March 1996

SOUHROB KADYROV (Tajikistan) requested Fifth Committee members to return to the question of the provisions of Article 19 of the Charter as they affected his country. Tajikistan had not been able to pay its dues owing to circumstances beyond its control. The Committee should consider his country's plight and make appropriate recommendations.

MOHAMED ABOUD MAHMOUD (Comoros) said that the Committee on Contributions had not been able to consider his country's situation because it had received Comoros' letter late. The political situation in his country been in poor shape since the aggression of the French mercenary, Bob Denard, until the recent elections. Despite its situation, it had been able to submit a letter to the Committee on Contributions. The Comoros request should be considered by the Fifth Committee.

Ms. ABASCAL RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she had learned that documents for the Commission on Human Right in Geneva were being distributed only in English due to a decision by the Secretariat. As a result, delegates were not getting them in all official languages. That violation of Assembly resolutions should be explained by the Secretariat. Since the report of the ACABQ on the support account for peace-keeping operations had only been received today, the general debate on that account should not be ended tomorrow.

Mr. HANSON (Canada) said he shared the Cuban concerns on documents in Geneva and would like to be informed on the matter in the Fifth Committee.

AMMAR AMARI (Tunisia) expressed support for Cuba's and Canada's views.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) expressed his support for what the delegations had said on the issue of documents in Geneva. The question of language training at the United Nations should also be discussed when that of documents was raised in the Fifth Committee.

* *** *