ASSEMBLY APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS IN REPORT OF WORKING GROUP ON STRENGTHENING OF UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

31 July 1997

Press Release
GA/9286

ASSEMBLY APPROVES RECOMMENDATIONS IN REPORT OF WORKING GROUP ON STRENGTHENING OF UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM

19970731 Also Extends Mandate of United Nations Component Of Haiti Mission, Adopts Resolutions on Guatemala, El Salvador

The General Assembly will consider the possibility of introducing a single term of office for United Nations Secretaries-General under one of over 100 recommendations presented by its Open-Ended High-Level Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System. The Assembly approved those proposals this morning through its adoption, without a vote, of a draft resolution contained in a report by the Group.

Under the proposals, which are to take effect from 1 January 1998, the Assembly will also seek to introduce uniform, four-year terms of office, renewable once, for the executive heads of United Nations programmes, funds and other bodies of the Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. The Secretary-General, too, will be encouraged to consider term-limits for senior management appointees and asked to streamline the functions and number of Under- and Assistant Secretaries-General and of Special Representatives.

In other action this morning, the Assembly decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH) until 31 December. It also adopted resolutions on the situation in Central American -- specifically, in Guatemala and El Salvador.

By its resolution on El Salvador, the Assembly decided to close as a separate entity the support unit for the Secretary-General's envoy in that country. In its place, it will assign two international Professionals and two local consultants to work in a unit under the umbrella of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Verification and good offices would be carried out through periodic visits by a high-level envoy from New York.

Another resolution concerned the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA). In it, the Assembly encouraged the Guatemalan Government, the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) and all Guatemalans to help implement all steps in the second phase of the Agreement on the Implementation, Compliance and Verification Timetable for the Peace Agreements, until 31 December.

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Speaking on the reform measures, Assembly President Razali Ismail (Malaysia) said that while the results of the Working Group's efforts were not earthshaking, they contained specific measures to improve the workings of the Assembly and its subsidiary bodies as well as the Secretariat. Among them was a reduction of the Assembly's general debate from three to two weeks. However, the Group had been unable to reach agreement on a number of issues, including establishment of a post of Deputy Secretary-General, the Secretary- General's term of office and participation by non-governmental organizations.

The representative of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said the Working Group's report contains little in the way of innovative ideas or grand plans for the reform and strengthening of the system. It did not entirely do justice to the Group's mandate, which was to specify ideas and proposals to revitalize, strengthen and reform the United Nations system. The process should continue, he said.

The Working Group had also been unable to reach consensus on the use of the veto in selecting the Secretary-General or on the use of gratis personnel loaned by governments to the United Nations, the representative of Colombia said. He was speaking for the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement and the "Group of 77" developing countries and China.

According to the representative of the United States, the Working Group's report was a comprehensive review of the Assembly and the Secretariat -- perhaps the most far-ranging ever undertaken by Member States. Its recommendations, together with the Secretary-General's "track II" reform proposals, highlighted the fact that a reform culture had taken hold in the United Nations.

Also speaking on the Working Group report were the representatives of Argentina, Russian Federation and Japan. The representatives of Venezuela, Haiti, Luxembourg (for the European Union and associated States), Canada, France, United States, Guatemala (for the Central American States) and Bangladesh spoke on the situation in Haiti. The representatives of Mexico, Luxembourg (for the European Union and associated States), Norway, Spain, Brazil, Guatemala and El Salvador spoke on the situation in Central America.

All of today's actions were taken without a vote.

At the outset of today's meeting, the Assembly President expressed shock and horror over the deaths and injuries resulting from yesterday's bombing incident in Jerusalem. He expressed condolences to the families of the bereaved, adding that there was a need for all to reach out for peace and reconciliation.

The Assembly will meet again at a date to be announced in the Journal.

General Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this morning to consider the situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti, the situation in Central America, the strengthening of the United Nations system and proposals for reforming the Organization.

Situation of Democracy and Human Rights in Haiti

In his report on the situation in Haiti (document A/51/935), the Secretary-General recommends that the Assembly extend for five months the mandate of the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH) when its mandate expires today, 31 July. The three functions performed by the 64 international members of MICIVIH from the United Nations and the Organization of American States (OAS) are: to monitor human rights impartially; to contribute to institution-building by helping to reform the judiciary; and to promote democratic values through training in human rights and conflict resolution.

Apart from his recommendations, the Secretary-General provides an overview of the human rights situation, assesses the functioning of the Haitian National Police, the judiciary and the prisons and outlines MICIVIH's work promoting human rights.

Reviewing political developments in the country, the Secretary-General says that Haiti's situation has deteriorated since his 2 December 1996 report. Divisions in the ruling Lavalas movement have deepened in circumstances of a stagnating economy, high unemployment, rising prices of goods and widespread disillusionment with the Government's inability to address those ills. There have been calls for general strikes, protest marches and street demonstrations, some of which turned violent. In the Parliament, the Government survived a no-confidence motion on its performance.

Despite the situation, human rights and freedoms were widely enjoyed, the Secretary-General states. The monitoring of human rights remained an important MICIVIH activity, as it investigated allegations of human rights violations by State agents and intervened on behalf of victims. Cases reported by the Mission included more than 20 fatal shootings by police between January and May, at least three allegations of summary executions and reports of a detainee dying from severe beating. By the end of May over 100 individuals had alleged that they were hit. Despite that, the treatment of detainees remained good overall. Violations of the right to due process arising from prolonged pre-trial detentions and from arbitrary arrests remained widespread.

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The Haitian National Police continued to make slow progress, the Secretary-General says. The installation of supervisory officers late last year in each geographical department improved discipline and control in some areas, and most cases of serious abuse reported by MICIVIH were investigated. In some cases of fatal shootings and police brutality, the Office of the Inspector General immediately imposed temporary sanctions pending inquiries. Thirteen police agents and one commissaire were dismissed from the force, bringing the total number of dismissals to 114 since the deployment of the Haitian National Police. For its part, MICIVIH continues training Haitian police officers and has provided 3,500 police agents with human rights training since September 1995.

Also before the Assembly was a 19-Power draft resolution on the situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti (document A/51/L.77/Rev.1), which would renew, until 31 December, the mandate of the United Nations component of MICIVIH. By its terms, the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to continue developing appropriate means for identifying resources for MICIVIH within the approved 1996-1997 budget, and to continue coordinating the United Nations system's efforts in providing humanitarian aid and contributing to Haiti's development.

Under recommendations in a report from the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) (document A/51/956), the Assembly, in renewing the mandate, would authorize the Secretary-General to commit up to $2.8 million gross ($2.6 million net) for the United Nations component of MICIVIH.

Situation in Central America

In a report on the peace process in El Salvador (document A/51/917), the Secretary-General states that implementation of the country's peace accords had advanced to a stage that allowed him to recommend the closure, as a separate entity, of the support unit for his Special Envoy in El Salvador at the conclusion of its mandate on 30 June. However, since the accords in the socio-economic area had not been implemented, he proposed employing two international Professionals and two local consultants for six months to follow up on outstanding elements of the peace accords. They would serve as a unit under the administrative umbrella of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and be funded from balances in the trust fund for the United Nations Mission in El Salvador.

In his wide-ranging report, the Secretary-General also recommends that a democratic public security model, established in the peace accords, should be constituted as national policy. The model, with a democratic National Civil Police at its centre, should be defended by the authorities as the instrument for confronting the country's crime wave. With discontent regarding the administration of justice mounting, priority should be given to quickening the

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vetting of corrupt or ineffective judges and officials, the processing of criminal cases and the introduction of special procedures against organized crime.

Legislative reforms to decentralize the Supreme Court's functions should be approved promptly and electoral reforms implemented to ensure that the 1999 presidential elections are held within a transparent system, the Secretary-General states. He also recommends the approval of laws to provide victims of human rights violations and their families with just compensation.

A related draft resolution on El Salvador (document A/51/L.76) would have the Assembly close, as a separate entity, the support unit for the Secretary-General's Envoy in El Salvador. In its place, the draft would have the Assembly assign the two international Professionals and two local consultants proposed by the Secretary-General. Verification and good offices would be carried out through periodic visits to El Salvador by a high-level envoy from New York. The envoy would brief the Secretary-General, who would then keep the Assembly informed.

United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala

A report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA) (document A/51/936) describes the results of the Mission's verification of the fulfilment of commitments under the first phase of the country's Timetable Agreement, which covers the period from 15 January to 15 April 1997). Those commitments refer to such agreements between the Guatemalan Government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) as the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights, the Agreement on Resettlement of the Population Groups Uprooted by the Armed Conflict, the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Agreement on the Strengthening of Civilian Power.

Those peace agreements have created a comprehensive agenda for Guatemala's development, the Secretary-General states. The agenda is to overcome the root causes of social, political, economic, ethnic and cultural conflict and the consequences of civil war. Despite that, there are perceptions that the benefits of the peace agreements will be felt only by the Government and the URNG. There is concern that unless the agreements have a tangible impact on the most needy, disillusionment could set in.

To confront those difficulties, he says it is important to ensure that implementation of the agreements continue creating opportunities for broad sectors of the population to manage their affairs and the peace process. The commitments envisaged in the second phase of the timetable -- from 15 April to 31 December -- offer possibilities for reinforcing the sense of responsibility towards Guatemala's challenges.

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A six-Power draft resolution on MINUGUA (document A/51/L.75) would have the Assembly encourage the Guatemalan Government, the URNG and all sectors of Guatemala's society to help implement all steps in the second phase of the Agreement on the Implementation Compliance and Verification Timetable for the Peace Agreements, until 31 December. The draft is sponsored by Colombia, Mexico, Norway, Spain, United States and Venezuela.

Strengthening of United Nations System

The report of the Open-Ended High-Level Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System (document A/51/24) transmits a draft resolution that would have the Assembly adopt and implement a series of specific measures beginning 1 January 1998. The draft would also call upon relevant intergovernmental bodies to implement those measures to strengthen the work of the United Nations system, particularly the Assembly and the Secretariat. The Secretary-General would be asked to implement the annexed measures that fell within his competence. Other principal organs, specialized agencies and bodies of the United Nations system would be invited to implement those measures falling within their competence.

The 25-part annex to the working group's report contains the proposed measures for strengthening the United Nations system. One of them would have the Assembly consider the option of a single term of office before appointing the next Secretary-General, in the year 2001. Regard would be given to regional rotation and gender equality in appointing the best candidate to succeed Secretary-General Kofi Annan. To ensure smooth transition, the Secretary-General should be appointed as early as possible, preferably no later than a month before the end of an incumbent's term of office.

The Working Group also recommends that the Assembly should introduce uniform, four-year terms of office, renewable once, for executive heads of United Nations programmes, funds and other bodies of the Assembly and of the Economic and Social Council. The specialized agencies, too, are encouraged to consider both uniform terms and term limits for their executive heads.

The functions and number of Under-Secretaries-General, Special Representatives of the Secretary-General and Assistant Secretaries-General should be streamlined, according to the Working Group. The Secretary-General is encouraged to consider uniform terms and term limits for appointees to senior management posts, with consideration given to geographical distribution and gender balance.

Further steps to rationalize and streamline the General Assembly's agenda -- based on the Guidelines on the Rationalization of the Agenda of the Assembly agreed to in resolution 48/264 of 29 July 1994 -- are also recommended. Specifically, it should make more use of clustering,

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biennialization or triennialization of agenda items. In addition, there would be no time-limits or specified themes for the general debate, but 15-minute limits would be introduced for other meetings of the plenary and for the Main Committees.

The Working Group also recommends that the Assembly should avoid micro-managing the Secretariat, so as to enable it to work efficiently. Relevant bodies should request external and internal oversight mechanisms to report on the practices used in employing consultants, short-term contract employment, recruitment, senior-level appointments and the awarding of contracts.

With respect to general staffing, the working group recommends that the Secretary-General should be encouraged to ensure a mix of contract and tenure appointments, in order to maintain a balance between institutional memory and independence and the ability to bring in fresh insights and expertise. He would also be encouraged to dismiss non-performing staff.

The Working Group was established on 14 September 1995, with the aim of improving the Organization's ability to meet Member States' aspirations for it. The Group has focused on improving the capacity of the Assembly to discharge its functions and powers and that of the Secretariat to carry out its mandates effectively.

Situation in Haiti

RAMON ESCOVAR SALOM (Venezuela) introduced the draft resolution on MICIVIH on behalf of the "Friends of the Secretary-General on the question of Haiti". He said its adoption would help Haiti move forward in its development.

PIERRE LELONG (Haiti) said human rights and freedom of speech were guaranteed in his country, and Haitians were now free to express their views without fear. The media was free to write what it wanted without fear of persecution. Efforts were being made to restore faith in the justice system and to reform the judicial system. Specific measures had been adopted to improve the treatment of prisoners, and progress was being made in the organization and work of the Haitian National Police, with the help of the international community.

Even though the democratic system had been tested, respect for democracy and human rights was gaining ground, he said. The supremacy of the law was becoming paramount in Haiti. Tribute should be paid to MICIVIH, which was a good example of cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of

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American States (OAS). The Assembly should support the Mission's efforts by unanimously adopting the draft resolution.

JEAN-LOUIS WOLZFELD (Luxembourg) spoke on behalf of the European Union and Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as for Cyprus, Iceland and Norway. He expressed concern that the political situation in Haiti had deteriorated and the economy was stagnating. The Union had noted the adjournment of the second round of partial elections, announced on 12 June, and the resignation of Prime Minister Rosny Smarth on 9 June. It welcomed the recent appointment of a new Prime Minister, Eric Pierre. It was disquieted by the climate in which the electoral process had taken place and hoped the Haitian people would soon be able to express their will in free, honest and transparent elections.

At such a critical moment, the presence of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti remained crucial to the consolidation of democracy there, he said. The United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) had contributed to establishment of the rule of law in Haiti through human rights monitoring and the promotion of democratic values. However, the absence of a strategy for judicial reform had so far blocked the development of institutions. That, in turn, had compromised the development of police and prison institutions. It was hoped that the new Law and Justice Reform Commission, whose creation was financed by the Union, would encourage the preparation of a judicial reform project, as well as the strengthening of institutions in that sector.

He said the Union was determined to continue its support for strengthening of the rule of law in Haiti. Between October 1994 and the end of 1996, the European Community, through the European Commission, had contributed ECU 310 million ($352 million) for that purpose. Since then, other funds had been made available, in particular through the national indicative programme signed in April. That programme had provided for an additional ECU 148 million ($168 million). The Union supported the draft resolution.

ROSS HYNES (Canada) said his country welcomed the Secretary-General's assessment that despite the sometimes troubled political situation in Haiti, individual rights and fundamental freedoms had been widely enjoyed. That signalled a tremendous change in Haitian society. The Haitian police were one of the most important actors in that regard, and its continued professionalization was one of the underpinnings of the generally positive trend described by the Secretary-General. It was hoped that the Haitian police would continue to register steady improvement.

While the International Civilian Mission to Haiti was engaged in a broad range of activities, its support for judicial reforms was assuming ever- greater significance, he said. That was particularly true as the police

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became more effective in the prevention and investigation of crimes. Canada welcomed the steps taken by the Government to set priorities in the area of judicial reform, and the fact that the international community was already engaged in providing considerable support to Haitian authorities in that area.

HUBERT LEGAL (France) said financial pressures had earlier forced the Assembly to extend MICIVIH's mandate only until 31 July, rather than to the 31 December expiry date as had been requested by the President of Haiti. The Mission had been playing a very important role in promoting human rights and democracy in Haiti and should continue its work there. France had joined in preparing the draft resolution before the Assembly and had provided assistance to Haiti in its efforts to re-establish the rule of law.

BILL RICHARDSON (United States) said that in June, his country had joined other States in the OAS in extending the mandate of the OAS component of MICIVIH through the end of the year. Despite the obstacles, that Mission had helped Haiti take dramatic strides forward since the restoration of democracy. For example, Haiti now had the best police force in its history, and agents and commissaires who violated the trust placed in them had been sacked. Training provided to the police by MICIVIH, UNSMIH, the United States and other donors had put the force on the right track. As an impartial monitor of human rights, MICIVIH had encouraged respect for the fundamental freedoms of the Haitian people. Its mandate should be extended, to assure the Haitian people that the international community stood by their efforts to build a tolerant, just and democratic society.

JULIO ARMANDO MARTINI HERRERA (Guatemala), speaking for Central American States and as Chairman of the Central American Integration System, expressed hope that the Assembly would unanimously authorize the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations component of MICIVIH through the end of the year.

SYED RAFIQUL ALOM (Bangladesh), speaking as Chairman of the Fifth Committee, introduced that body's report on the budget implications of the draft resolution on Haiti. He said the Committee had noted that since MICIVIH's mandate would extend for one month beyond that of the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti, the administrative support for MICIVIH for December might need to be reviewed.

The draft resolution on extending the mandate of the United Nations component of MICIVIH was adopted without a vote.

Situation in Central America

GUSTAVO ALBIN (Mexico) introduced the draft resolution on MINUGUA. He said that Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua,

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Portugal, Russian Federation, Singapore, Sweden, Uruguay, Austria, Ireland, Canada and Argentina had joined in sponsoring the text.

Mr. ALBIN also introduced the draft resolution on the peace process in El Salvador. He said that Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Portugal, Russian Federation, Sweden, Uruguay and Argentina had joined in sponsoring the draft.

Mr. WOLZFELD (Luxembourg) spoke on behalf of the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as for Cyprus. He said the member States of the Union were the co-sponsors of the two draft resolutions. The Union welcomed the progress made so far in applying the peace agreements signed by the Guatemalan Government and the URNG. The first phase of the agreement on a timetable for implementing, executing and verifying application of the peace agreements, which primarily concerned the cease-fire and the demobilization of members of the URNG, had been carried out successfully. The entry into force of the second phase now faced the Government, the URNG and the society with a major challenge.

It was vital that all sectors of Guatemalan society identify themselves with the peace process and benefit from it, he said. The Union was concerned with the human rights situation and with institutional weaknesses in the country. Although progress had been made in the area of human rights, violations of those rights were still being committed too frequently. In that context, the Commission set up by the Oslo Agreements of June 1994 to investigate human rights violations was welcome. The Union appreciated the manner in which the United Nations had contributed to the Guatemalan peace process.

He said that nearly half of the European Community's aid to Guatemala so far had been applied to aspects of the peace plan. At the meeting of the Consultative Group for Guatemala last January, the Community undertook to support the peace agreements by an additional contribution of ECU 200 million.

With respect to El Salvador, he said the Union welcomed the establishment of conditions which had served as a basis for the progressive consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. It also endorsed the recommendations in the Secretary-General's report. However, implementation of the peace process was incomplete in certain areas, and additional reforms were needed in the area of public security, particularly on the development of national civilian police. Additional efforts must also be made to reform the electoral system.

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Although tensions remained, the Union welcomed the major advances made in the field of human rights, he said. That applied in particular to the reduction in the number of arbitrary or politically motivated executions. The Union attached particular importance to the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, which must continue to consolidate in order to become an institute of national scope. It was vital that the Office receive the necessary budgetary resources to carry out its task.

DAG WERNO HOLTER (Norway) said that it was encouraging that the demobilization of combatants in Guatemala had proceeded smoothly and according to schedule. Norway, a member of the "Group of Friends", had on 3 January signed an agreement with the UNDP to make available $3.6 million for the demobilization and reintegration of combatants. The commission set up by the Oslo Agreement of June 1994 to investigate human rights violations during the conflict was taking up its work, to which Norway would contribute $1 million. The country's contributions to Guatemala this year would reach $20 million.

He went on to say that five years after the signing of the Chapultepec Agreements in El Salvador, the international community had witnessed a fruitful process of peace-building in that country, with the United Nations playing a crucial role. Norway had contributed to the Organization's presence in El Salvador and continued training its National Civilian Police Force. Electoral reforms were necessary before the next presidential elections in 1999. Norway supported the Secretary-General's proposal to create a small unit in El Salvador within UNDP's structure.

ARTURO LACLAUSTRA (Spain) said that as a member of the "Group of Friends" of the peace process in El Salvador and Guatemala, his country wanted to see two draft resolution adopted unanimously. He welcomed the Secretary- General's proposal to send some staff to the unit in El Salvador under a UNDP umbrella. The proposed arrangements would help maintain follow-up to the outstanding agreements reached in El Salvador. The consolidation of the hopes for peace and progress rested with the Salvadorians; the international community should assist their efforts towards development.

With respect to MINUGUA, he said that the international community was satisfied with the commitment to peace shown by the Guatemalan Government and the URNG. The international community should continue following the progress of the agreements signed in Guatemala and helping its people. Constitutional and agrarian reforms that would be undertaken in the near future were important and should be supported. Reforms in the cultural, ethnic, economic and political areas should also be encouraged, to consolidate the country's peace agreements.

CELSO LUIZ NUNES AMORIM (Brazil) said the countries of Central America were consolidating peace and moving towards democracy, human rights and

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development. The people of Brazil were proud to have sent military and police personnel to United Nations missions in El Salvador. Brazil also had some personnel within MINUGUA and was a co-sponsor of the draft resolutions on El Salvador and Guatemala.

Despite the progress being made in Central America, there was a continuing need for the international community to help El Salvador and Guatemala consolidate peace, he said. International cooperation should be maintained to address developments in both countries -- something Brazil was ready to help in.

The draft resolutions on MINUGUA and El Salvador were adopted without a vote.

Mr. MARTINI HERRERA (Guatemala) said that his Government was committed to the efforts needed to ensure that the region's peace process was successfully concluded. He expressed appreciation for the international community's support for his country's peace process and thanked the sponsors of the resolution. Guatemala was committed to the peace process and would try to ensure the success sought by all.

GUILLERMO A. MELENDEZ-BARAHONA (El Salvador) said that five years after the signing of El Salvador's peace agreements, progress had been made in human rights, politics and economics. The country had been demilitarized, the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) had been reintegrated to civilian life, a climate of tolerance had emerged and democracy and human rights were being consolidated. Nevertheless, some matters still had to be addressed, including some structural problems relating to the economy.

He said El Salvador supported the Secretary-General's proposal to close the separate United Nations unit in the country and replace it with some international and local staff who would work under a UNDP umbrella. El Salvador would strive to be a model of democracy and would pursue equitable and sustainable development.

Strengthening of United Nations System

Mr. WOLZFELD (Luxembourg) spoke on behalf of the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia as well as for Cyprus and Iceland. He said the Union had actively participated in the efforts of the High-Level Working Group on the Strengthening of the United Nations System over the past two years. Several of its members had also contributed substantially to the trust fund established to assist the Group in its work. After long and intense negotiations, a document containing a number of useful proposals had emerged.

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It would bring practical improvements in the Organization and would render the work of the Assembly and the Secretariat more efficient.

Nevertheless, the proposals contained little in the way of innovative ideas or grand plans for the reform and strengthening of the system, he said. The document did not entirely do justice to the Group's mandate, which was to specify ideas and proposals which it deemed appropriate for the purpose of revitalizing, strengthening and reforming the United Nations system. The Union did not wish the comments to be taken as criticisms of the work of the Vice-Chairmen, but rather as a signal for continuation of the process.

FERNANDO ENRIQUE PETRELLA (Argentina) said the work carried out by the Working Group had been arduous, complicated and of far-reaching importance. Its report sent a significant message -- that the United Nations was not immune to self-criticism and self-evaluation -- and represented an important contribution to the organization of the Assembly's work.

The Assembly needed to set priorities, he said. On the issue of reducing bureaucracy and staff, it was important not to discourage career appointments and to provide proper incentives for performance. The representation of Latin America and the Caribbean in the Secretariat should be increased. The matters raised in the Working Group report should be examined as soon as possible; the democratic nature of the Organization needed to be enhanced.

Mr. RICHARDSON (United States) said the Working Group's report was a comprehensive review of the functioning of the Assembly and the Secretariat -- perhaps "the most far-ranging ever undertaken by Member States". Its more than 100 recommendations represented a very constructive means of improving the United Nations. Together with the Secretary-General's "track II" reform proposals, they highlighted the fact that a reform culture had taken hold throughout the United Nations. The report and the Secretary-General's proposals should drive the reform process further and should be considered quickly by the Assembly at its forthcoming session.

He said United Nations reform was not primarily about paperwork or process. "It is not about reshuffling the chairs or arbitrarily lopping off limbs and organs from the institution for the sake of a neater organizational chart", he said. "Nor should our ends be driven solely by the balance sheet, essential as financial concerns are to all our governments and people." Reforms should relate to what Member States wanted the Organization to do.

Efforts to improve the Organization's work must ensure a proper fit between form and function, he said. A more streamlined, better focused, smoother-running United Nations would be more efficient in achieving its

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priorities. In carrying out reforms, Member States should preserve what was essential, not what was merely encrusted.

ALEJANDRO BORDA (Colombia) spoke for the Joint Coordinating Committee of the Non-Aligned Movement and for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China. He said the Working Group's report represented compromise by various sides. Its important recommendations would lead to a more efficient Assembly, enabling that organ to live up to its democratic ideals. The proposals on the Security Council highlighted the need for interaction between that body and the Assembly. Under the proposals, the length of the general debate would be reduced to free up time for more substantive discussions and negotiations, while the recommendations on staffing would help make the United Nations more efficient and participatory.

The Working Group had not been able to reach consensus on the use of the veto in selection of the Secretary-General, or on the use of gratis personnel loaned by governments to the United Nations, he said. As a result, those issues would have to be discussed in the Assembly. The Groups' deliberations should be kept in mind when considering the Secretary-General's "track II" proposals, since it had already discussed some of his suggestions. The Group's recommendations should be implemented beginning 1 January 1998.

ALEXANDRE S. GORELIK (Russian Federation) said that despite its very broad mandate, the Working Group had been able to focus on the most vital issues. Its report contained a number of recommendations to improve the work of the Organization. His country supported the draft contained in the report and considered some of its suggestions to be innovative.

He stressed the importance of implementing the proposals and drew attention to the complementary nature of the Working Group's efforts and the recommendations made by the Secretary-General this month. It was important to keep the recommendations of the Working Group in mind when going through the Secretary-General's reform proposals.

YUKIO TAKASU (Japan) welcomed the successful conclusion of the Working Group's efforts. The Group had agreed on a number of issues, including matters pertaining to streamlining and consolidating the work of the United Nations. In the process, Member States had found common views on several points. Emphasizing that adequate and predictable resources should be provided to support the United Nations system, he said that resources released through reform should be channelled towards activities relating to development.

The draft resolution contained in the report of the Working Group was adopted without a vote.

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RAZALI ISMAIL (Malaysia), Assembly President, said he wished to record his appreciation to Ambassadors Prakash Shah of India and Hans Jacob Biorn Lian of Norway, Co-Vice-Chairmen of the Working Group, for successfully steering it to a productive outcome. While the results were not earthshaking, they contained specific measures to improve the workings of the Assembly and its subsidiary bodies, as well as the Secretariat. The general debate had been formally reduced from three to two weeks. In addition, the President, Vice-Presidents and Chairs of Main Committees were to be elected early so as to enable the substantive session to begin in all earnestness.

He said important decisions had also been taken on such important issues, such as: the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the Organization; the budget process and the fulfilment of mandates; technology; oversight and accountability of the Secretariat, including external and internal mechanisms; the process of selecting a Secretary-General and matters pertaining to senior management; and the independence of the Secretariat. All those decisions would take effect from 1 January 1998.

It was also important to note that consensus had not been achieved on a number of issues. Those included: the use of loaned personnel; establishment of a post of Deputy Secretary-General; public information; the Secretary- General's term of office; in-depth review and rationalization of subsidiary bodies; and participation by non-governmental organizations. The sub-group on NGOs, after 10 formal meetings, had been unable to reach agreement.

The fact that no delegation had expressed any reservation about the contents of the report or its draft resolution was a considerable achievement, he said. The members of the Assembly, through an open-ended and transparent process, had demonstrated a willingness to reconsider their working methods and their relationship to the Secretariat and other principal organs. The Working Group had not reached any startling or radical conclusions, but it had produced a solid, sensible package of measures that constituted a sturdy foundation to build on in the coming years.

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