FIFTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS $2.8 MILLION COMMITMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR UNITED NATIONS COMPONENT OF MICIVIH THROUGH 31 DECEMBER
Press Release
GA/AB/3157
FIFTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS $2.8 MILLION COMMITMENT AUTHORIZATION FOR UNITED NATIONS COMPONENT OF MICIVIH THROUGH 31 DECEMBER
19970730 The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning recommended that the General Assembly authorize the Secretary-General to commit up to $2.8 million gross ($2.6 million net) for the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH), should the Assembly decide to extend its mandate. The funds would be used to cover additional requirements for the period from 1 August to 31 December.Acting without a vote, the Committee also stated that, following procedures adopted by the Assembly, any related adjustments to the current 1996-1997 appropriations would be reflected in the context of the second performance report on the 1996-1997 United Nations regular budget, to be submitted to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session
Speaking prior to today's action, Norma Goicochea (Cuba) said the Committee's recommendation must clearly state that additional appropriations might be required later. It should also call attention to the fact that there would be a month's difference between the mandates of MICIVIH and of the proposed United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH).
That difference might create a need for appropriations to finance administrative support for MICIVIH, a service to be provided by UNTMIH up to 30 November, she said. If approved by the Security Council, UNTMIH would last until 30 November, while MICIVIH would last through December. The Secretariat should also say how much would be saved as a result of the increase in the value of the United States dollar and from the delay in lifting the Organization's recruitment freeze.
Addressing that question, United Nations Controller Jean-Pierre Halbwachs said the Organization would save at least $40 million as a result of the 12 per cent increase in the value of the United States dollar compared to the Swiss franc. He added that no problems were expected with respect to MICIVIH's backstopping beyond November, since the United Nations presence in Haiti would not end immediately.
In taking today's action, the Committee had before it a statement by the Secretary-General (document A/C.5/51/54) on the programme budget implications
Fifth Committee - 2 - Press Release GA/AB/3157 71st Meeting (AM) 30 July 1997
of a draft resolution which would extend until 31 December the mandate of the United Nations component of MICIVIH (document A/51/L.77). In it, he noted that no provision has been made in the 1996-1997 programme budget for the commitment authorization being requested, the Secretary-General states. However, he believes the amount can be absorbed within the $2.603 billion revised budget appropriation for the biennium, owing to a significant increase in the value of the United States dollar since December 1996.
The MICIVIH is operated with the joint participation of the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS), the Secretary-General states. Its responsibilities during its next mandate period would include supporting expected efforts at judicial reform. It would also contribute to institution-building and the strengthening of democracy through technical assistance, as well as through its monitoring and human rights and civic education activities.
Also before the Committee was a recommendation by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), approving the commitment authorization requested by the Secretary-General. The ACABQ's views were presented by its Chairman, C.S.M. Mselle.
The Fifth Committee will again meet at a date to be announced in the Journal.
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