GA/AB/3190

FIFTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERING HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, 1998-1999 BUDGET SECTIONS

11 November 1997


Press Release
GA/AB/3190


FIFTH COMMITTEE CONTINUES CONSIDERING HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, 1998-1999 BUDGET SECTIONS

19971111 Begins Discussing Board of Auditor's Reports

The authors of the Secretary-General's report on the privileges and immunities of United Nations officials should apologize for their biased and revisionist approach to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, that country's representative told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning as it continued discussing human resources management and sections of the proposed 1998-1999 budget.

During that period, he said, hundreds of Rwandans worked as local United Nations staff; a number of them were killed by their colleagues, who were also staff of the Organization. Rwandans, therefore, had to question the ethical standards and recruitment policy of the United Nations system.

Referring to the report on the performance appraisal system, China's representative said that, while the system could help introduce a new management culture, it should be refined so that it could serve as a staff incentive. It must be adaptable to differences in the work of the Secretariat's various departments.

Non-monetary recognition for excellence should be encouraged by the United Nations before it explored cash awards, the representative of the Republic of Korea said. He expressed concern about the deaths of 22 staff members since 1 July 1996.

Some delegations drew attention to the need to phase out the use of gratis personnel. Use of such personnel could lead to conflicts of interest since those officers were not answerable to the Organization.

The parts of the budget considered by the Committee this morning were on public information, common support services, internal oversight services, jointly financed administrative activities, capital expenditures and staff assessments. Even though it substantially concluded debate on the budget sections, it decided to keep its review open, pending the submission of information requested by its members.

The representatives of the United States, Japan, Thailand, Cuba, Algeria, Egypt, Philippines, Syria, Belgium and Pakistan also spoke.

Fifth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

The United Nations Controller, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs, responded to States' questions.

As the Committee took up audited financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors, the Chairman of the Board, Sir John Bourn, introduced its reports.

The Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), Conrad Mselle, introduced that body's views on the reports of the Board.

On the Committee's meeting schedule, the representatives of Belgium (for the European Union), Pakistan, Syria, Cuba, Egypt, Togo, New Zealand, Ireland, Côte d'Ivoire, Singapore, Pakistan, Australia and Kenya spoke. The Fifth Committee's Vice-Chairman, Nazareth Incera (Costa Rica), also spoke.

The Fifth Committee is scheduled to meet again at 10 a.m., tomorrow, 12 November, to continue considering the reports of the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the review of the United Nations efficiency.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to continue to take up audited financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors. It was due to continue discussing human resources management and the sections of the Secretary-General's proposed 1998-1999 budget.

(For background information on human resources management reports, see Press Release GA/AB/3186 of 6 November and on the latest budget sections, see GA/AB/3188, of 10 November.)

Financial Statements and Reports of Board of Auditors

In a report on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) (document A/52/5/Add.4), the Board of Auditors recommends that the Institute should liaise with United Nations Headquarters to agree on how to handle some long-standing charges of $94,382 for expenditure incurred at Headquarters on UNITAR's behalf. The Institute has not yet accepted the amounts, since they were incurred after its 1993 move from New York to Geneva.

Responding through the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of the Board's recommendations (document A/52/381), UNITAR's executive head says that the March session of the Institute's Board of Trustees considered the sums and concluded that the writing off of UNITAR's charges before its restructuring applied to all of its former debts.

Again, the Auditors recommend that UNITAR review whether some of the amounts pledged by its donors could really be collected and act to clear those it deemed uncollectible.

The Institute replies that, of the six projects with amounts outstanding as of 31 December 1996, four related donors had fulfilled their contributions early this year. Two projects were expected to receive assistance from donors -- the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the United States (NASA) -- to pay off their amounts. If that does not happen, the related balances would be cancelled.

The Board of Auditors recommends that UNITAR should reconcile its computer inventory of non-expendable property with what was maintained by the Purchase and Transportation Section of the United Nations Office at Geneva. In their 1995 report, the Auditors had identified discrepancies in up to 33 per cent of the items listed in the two sets of records. They also recommended that UNITAR compile a comprehensive inventory of non-computer equipment as early as possible.

Responding, UNITAR says reconciliation was achieved last July and would be undertaken yearly. An inventory of non-computer equipment should follow by the autumn of 1997, at the latest.

Fifth Committee - 4 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

Commenting overall on UNITAR, the Auditors say the secretariat had reported no cases of fraud and presumptive fraud related to the 1996 financial year. They give an unqualified opinion on UNITAR's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 1996.

In 1996, according to the Board, UNITAR General Fund's administrative spending rose to $977,987 while its income fell to $723,354, giving rise to a $254,633 shortfall.

Established in 1965 for training and research, UNITAR is governed by a Board of Trustees and led by an Executive Director. Supported by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations and other non-governmental sources, it develops training programmes in international affairs management and economic and social development. The Institute conducts training in multilateral diplomacy and international cooperation for diplomats accredited to the United Nations and for national officials engaged in United Nations-related work.

Writing on the Auditors' views on UNITAR, the ACABQ dwells mainly on the unresolved issue of that Institute's debt to the United Nations, which stood at $11.6 million at 31 December 1992 (document A/52/518). It asks the United Nations to ascertain whether the sum in question constituted a UNITAR debt and to seek the advice of the Office of Legal Affairs in order to settle the matter.

In a report of the voluntary funds administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (document A/52/5/Add.5), the Board of Auditors recommends that UNHCR ensure that audit certificates were submitted by its implementing partners -- such as governments and non-governmental organizations -- in sufficient time to give assurance about the regularity, compliance and propriety of the spending engaged in by the partners. It should urgently review the system by which those partners recorded their expenditure.

Transmitting its response to the Board through the Secretary-General's report on the implementation of Auditors' recommendations (document A/52/381), the Office of the High Commissioner states that it had made the audit certification clause mandatory for all projects as of 1 January. In relation to that, UNHCR was setting up a comprehensive, non-governmental organization database that would include financial information on those entities, especially their ability to comply with UNHCR audit needs.

Regarding programme management, the Board of Auditors recommends that UNHCR establish norms for the costs of delivering programmes and of administration in the budgets of its country programmes. The programmes' objectives should be clearly quantified to prevent any conflict between objectives and inputs and to ensure that executing agencies have clear ideas of the targets to be met.

Fifth Committee - 5 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

Disclosing the measures it has taken on those recommendations, the Office says that the costs had been reviewed and that it was considering proposals to get a more realistic picture on them. On the identification of objectives, the UNHCR says it was the responsibility of all offices that prepare subagreements to make sure that implementing partners know what was expected of them. UNHCR's new operations management system would place greater emphasis on working by objectives in all stages of programme planning and implementation.

Commenting on the selection of vendors, the Auditors say that the UNHCR had established some selection criteria and set up procedures for registering potential suppliers. It had also informed the Board that it had weeded out 516 non-performing vendors and added 1,281 to bring its roster up to date. The Board expressed appreciation for UNHCR's increasing use of suppliers from developing countries. But, it notes that, in 1996, out of 705 vendors asked by UNHCR headquarters to submit quotations, 522 (74 per cent) were from 13 developed countries and some 75 per cent of the value of the contracts was awarded to suppliers there. UNHCR also hired 226 consultants in 1996 at a total cost of $4.5 million.

Continuing, the Auditors say they received a report of one case of fraud in 1996. An employee in Mozambique, who had misappropriated $39,892, of which $16,579 had been recovered, was dismissed and placed on trial.

According to the Auditors' report, UNHCR had total 1996 income of some $992.7 million and spent about $1.145 billion. It had assets totalling some $477.8 million and liabilities of about $208.9 million.

A note by the Secretary-General transmits a summary of the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Auditors (document A/52/261) in relation to UNITAR and the UNHCR.

A report from the ACABQ on the UNHCR (document A/52/518) asks the High Commissioner to examine the asset management system recently developed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations in order to determine which of its aspects can be adapted by the UNHCR, considering the need to track assets throughout their life cycles.

Also, the ACABQ recommends that the UNHCR immediately review its contracting policy on the use of consultants, prepare more precise terms of reference and establish and maintain an updated central roster. Management should ensure that travel claims are submitted and settled more quickly.

Statements on Human Resources Management

JAMES BOND (United States) welcomed the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Rafiah Salim, to her post. Turning to the report on implementation of the United Nations performance appraisal system, he said

Fifth Committee - 6 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

it was heartening that the system had been received positively by staff and managers. The difficulties cited in the report should be used to improve the system. He asked for further detail on the number of staff appraised in the first year of the system's implementation, as well as the length of time anticipated for all managers to be trained and the system fully functioning. Further, he asked for information on the procedures used to evaluate the system to determine its efficacy.

He then turned to the Secretary-General's proposal for a family leave programme. His delegation was generally pleased with the programme proposed. It allowed flexibility in the use of uncertified sick leave, and it recognized the importance of both maternity and paternity leave. He asked for clarification of the phrase "exceptional circumstances" regarding the possible extension of parental leave without pay beyond two years. The United States also supported the proposed step-by-step approach to the implementation of monetary rewards for recognition of superior performance.

KOJI YAMAGIWA (Japan) expressed concern about the proposed reduction of posts related to the national competitive examinations, which might adversely affect the manner in which those examinations functioned as recruiting elements. He welcomed the implementation of the new performance appraisal system, and asked the Secretariat to provide additional information on those departments and offices which had not implemented the system, as well as the reasons for that situation.

While the new system of performance appraisal had problems, he was generally optimistic about it, and considered the problems identified as remediable, he said. The system should not lead to an undesirable rigidity. The Secretariat should study similar systems that had been successfully implemented in various national civil services, with a view to introducing effective practices to the United Nations management. Technical modifications in the system should be made as needed.

Implementation of the performance appraisal system was not an end in itself, he said. Rather, it was one element of overall efforts to introduce a results-based culture of performance to the United Nations. The new system should contribute to merit-based career development and more transparent personnel management.

BONG HYUN KIM (Republic of Korea) said the performance appraisal system should be simplified through modifications, and staff training must be continued to enhance comprehension of its principles and procedures. In order to simplify the system, the steps involved should be reduced; forms and guidelines spelled out in simple language; the planning cycle made to coincide with that of the budget; and incentives and rewards linked to the use of the system. A subsequent results-based culture of performance should be synchronized with that of the results-based budgeting proposed in the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations reforms, in order to optimize their effects.

Fifth Committee - 7 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

Since the performance appraisal system was not yet positioned to support a monetary award system, he said that at the primary stage, non-monetary recognition for individual or team excellence should be encouraged. At the second stage, the possibility of cash awards or bonuses could be explored.

On the safety and security of staff, he expressed concern that 22 staff members had died since 1 July 1996. The Republic of Korea was currently in the process of ratifying the Convention on the Safety of United Nations and Associated Personnel. The principle of equitable geographical representation should be applied to ensure the recruitment of staff from Member States that were represented below the mid-point. National competitive examinations should be used to select candidates.

PIERRE-EMMANUEL UBALIJORO (Rwanda) said the Secretary-General's report on the privileges and immunities of officials of the United Nations and specialized agencies had stated that some locally recruited United Nations staff had been illegally detained in Rwanda. He said he was saddened to note that the authors had pursued a biased, revisionist and insensitive approach to the genocide that occurred in Rwanda in 1994 following the irresponsible withdrawal of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), when 1 million Rwandans were left at the mercy of their killers.

During the genocide, he said, hundreds of Rwandans had been working as local United Nations staff and many of them pleaded in vain for protection from their employers, while foreign nationals were withdrawn by the United Nations. A number of local staff members were killed by their colleagues, who were also staff of the Organization. He asked why the Organization did not weigh in a balanced manner the values of the lives of the local and the international staff; implying that the lives of the local staff were less important. The people of Rwanda were compelled to question the ethical standards and recruitment policy of the United Nations system. Why did the locally recruited United Nations staff take part in the murder of their compatriots? Was a genocidal mind-set a prerequisite qualification for recruitment to the United Nations? Those who had written the report in question should apologize to the people of Rwanda, who were still waiting for some compensation from the United Nations system.

ANUSON CHINVANNO (Thailand) expressed his delegation's support for the new Assistant Secretary-General. The implementation of the performance appraisal system was a positive step for the Organization's reform. It was a management tool which could be used to achieve more effective work performance. He noted the trend towards decreasing the number of junior posts in the Secretariat, and stressed the importance of recruiting qualified young personnel. Noting with extreme concern the fatalities suffered by United Nations staff members, he called on host governments to make every effort to ensure their protection.

Fifth Committee - 8 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

LIU YANGUO (China) noted with pleasure that the United Nations now had another senior-level female expert in the new Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management. The performance appraisal system was a management tool which could assist in the introduction of a new management culture. Its success or failure would affect staff members' motivation and efficiency. In view of the system's importance, he welcomed the Secretary-General's report reflecting the feedback of those staff and managers who had implemented it. The system must be improved so that it could really serve as a staff incentive.

Because work conducted in various departments differed in nature, the performance appraisal system must be adaptable, he continued. Great human and financial resources had already been invested in the system, and further efforts were needed for its full implementation. The Secretariat should take practical steps to ensure the system's further refinement.

China was extremely concerned about the security of the Organization's staff members, he said. United Nations departments, and most especially the host countries concerned, must strictly abide by the Organization's Charter and the relevant conventions on privileges and immunities of United Nations officials. He supported the proposed family leave programme, which could encourage staff members to work harder.

Statements on Financial Statements and Board of Auditors' Reports

Sir JOHN BOURN, Comptroller and Auditor-General of the United Kingdom, Chairman of the Board of Auditors, introduced that body's reports on the UNHCR and UNITAR and highlighted some of their contents. On the UNHCR, he said that the Board had recommended that steps be taken to obtain audit certificates for expenditures incurred by implementing partners in 1995. It should also issue guidance on the preparation of terms of reference on the recruitment of consultants, some of whom were repeatedly engaged. A central consultants' roster should be kept up to date.

The Board had asked UNITAR to discuss with the United Nations Headquarters the nearly $100,000 in charges that were a cause of dispute between them.

He reminded the Committee that the Board had stated its views on the implications of extending the term of office of its members to either four or six years. The Board had favoured six years to bring the period of appointment into alignment with the biennial accounting cycle and to ensure a smooth pattern of rotation. Such an arrangement would also give each member of the Board adequate time to become familiar with the audited organizations and make effective contributions. The issue was still pending before the General Assembly. The output of the Board had risen markedly, as it was now required to submit 24 reports to governing bodies each biennium, compared with 16 in the 1994-1995 period.

Fifth Committee - 9 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

CONRAD S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introduced his Committee's report. The debt issue that had arisen between the United Nations and UNITAR should be resolved with the help of the Office of Legal Affairs.

Statements on Budget Sections

DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba), commenting on the budget section concerning public information, said there were violations of the Assembly- mandated principle of multilingualism. Another point of concern was that the proposed budget report had indicated that the Department of Public Information (DPI) would produce press releases for the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE), while other regional commissions were not mentioned.

She asked for written information on proposed staffing cuts in the Department (28 posts of the Professional level, 24 General Service, 29 other categories mentioned in paragraph 26.5), including details on the responsibilities of those positions, as well as the impact their abolition would have on mandated activities. The United Nations Chronicle was not being translated into Russian, Chinese and Arabic. Resources must be increased for subprogramme 4, publications.

The focus of the Department's efforts was imbalanced, she said. Excessive attention was paid to non-governmental organizations while certain priority areas of the Organization received insufficient attention. While the Department paid great attention to the maintenance of international peace and security, another priority area -- international cooperation for development - - did not receive adequate focus. What policy was being followed in that regard? she asked.

She noted with concern the difficulties in the application of the United Nations policy of multilingualism. She asked for further information on the Organization's policy regarding participation in film festivals. She hoped the Secretary-General's report on the comments of the Task Force on the Reorientation of United Nations Public Information Activities would be issued promptly.

JEAN-PIERRE HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said he would return with the requested information. Regarding the Department's issuance of press releases for ECE, he explained that the Commission, unlike the others, did not have its own information service. The budget narrative included information on the information service of each Commission.

DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria), speaking on the budget sections concerning common support services, said the delegation of authority should be defined clearly in writing to enable programme managers to assume responsibilities fully; Training programmes should be supported. Gratis personnel were taking part in the Organization's procurement processes, and the Secretary-General

Fifth Committee - 10 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

proposed to continue using such personnel in the 1998-1999 biennium. The use of those personnel could lead to conflicts of interest, especially when those officers were not staff members of the United Nations and were not answerable under the Organization's regulations. He supported the view of the ACABQ on the use of gratis personnel for procurement activities. Adequate publicity should be used to ensure that tenders were sent to the United Nations from many parts of the world to ensure equitable geographical representation in the use of vendors and suppliers.

Under the budget subsection on support services, he said, like the ACABQ, he supported neither the proposal to convert to established posts the 29 currently against general temporary assistance nor the reclassification of the post at the Principal Officer level (D-1) to the level of Director (D-2). The incumbents of the 29 posts had not been subjected to equitable geographical distribution.

Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the significant cuts in almost all segments in the budget part on common support services seemed to demonstrate some inconsistency. The offices proposing those staff cuts had also complained of difficulties in related workload. While proposing staff reduction, the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts turned around to tell the Fifth Committee that it could not submit some of the reports requested due to the pressure of work. The Office had informed the Committee that it would not be able to submit reports on, for instance, the use of gratis personnel because it had a heavy load to cope with. As a result, the Committee had had to ask repeatedly and wait for the submission of crucial reports on gratis personnel. The justification for the abolition of all of the posts under common support services should be submitted in writing.

The section on conference services was a cause of concern, as about 6 per cent of its resources would be cut, she said. Since her delegation had spoken on the need for adequate provision of conference services under the agenda item on the pattern of conferences, she would not delve into further details. All posts abolished as a result of the application of net budgeting should be restored until the Assembly discussed that concept.

EVA SILOT BRAVO (Cuba), speaking on the budget section on internal oversight, noted the substantial increase being proposed in the level of resources for the section. According to the report of the ACABQ, the resources represented a 16.9 per cent increase in resources from the regular budget, as compared to the current biennium. The resources for travel were more than forty per cent higher than the current biennium. The Assembly had not deemed the Office a priority activity for the Organization in its medium- term plan. She was concerned that priority areas had not received comparable increases in funds. Adjustments must be made to ensure that allocated resources were consistent with the priorities established by the Assembly.

Fifth Committee - 11 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

Inasmuch as the Office of Internal Oversight Services had recommended efficiency measures for other bodies in the system, it should set an example, she said. There was a low level of resources for the subprogramme on evaluation compared to other activities. She asked for clarification on the distribution of resources for the Office's programme of work. She was concerned about the plans to continue using gratis personnel at the Professional level (P-3 and P-4). She supported the recommendation of the ACABQ that, in light of the Office's responsibilities, such personnel should not be used. Regarding the subprogramme on evaluation, she said she was deeply concerned about the reference to Programme modification by the Office. She expressed strong support for proposals expressed by other delegations to change the wording of the paragraph which referred to that responsibility.

AHMED DARWISH (Egypt), speaking on the same section, said that in view of the specificity of the work of the Office, gratis personnel should not be used, in order to avoid conflicts of interest. He asked for the reasons for the continued use of gratis personnel in the upcoming biennium, and for the continued use of consultants.

He asked for information on the anticipated number of cases of fraud, listed as 450 cases in the budget, in view of the fact that in 1996 there had been less than 200 cases. The budget's narrative, referred to the Office's ability to make programmatic changes. The Office's mandate included no such powers. He appreciated its efforts to restore financial discipline in the Organization, and the savings which had resulted from its work.

Mr. HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said the Secretariat could not accurately predict how many fraud cases would be discovered in forthcoming years. It could only provide estimates.

THOMAS REPASCH (United States), speaking on the budget section on jointly financed activities, said that the impact of the comments of the ACABQ on that section should be included in the compilation of ACABQ observations. Also, it should state the implications of its view on the concept of netbudgeting. Turning to the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), he said the Secretariat should explain how some positions would be abolished but others created in the Unit.

Mr. MOKTEFI (Algeria), speaking on the same section, expressed concern regarding the concept of netbudgeting, which had led to reductions under the budget. He supported the views expressed on that concept by the ACABQ in the first chapter of its report on the 1998-1999 budget. He asked how the Organization advanced money to the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and other bodies. Written explanations should be provided to his questions. The Office of Legal Affairs might need to be involved in the process of explanations and actions. It was disheartening to note that the proposed budget included cuts for the Unit, while similar bodies had not suffered the same fate. He supported the ACABQ recommendation that the Assembly accept the proposal to establish 19 posts for the JIU.

Fifth Committee - 12 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the section of the ACABQ's report concerning net budgeting indicated that the Secretary-General was to seek approval, prior to the submission of the proposed programme budget, by way of a policy paper detailing the implications of using that system. That had not been done. The concept of net budgeting could not be applied prior to submission of relevant information to the Assembly, and careful consideration of that matter. She supported the statement made by the representative of Algeria.

Mr. HALBWACHS said that the Secretariat's report on net budgeting would be issued either today or tomorrow. Hopefully, it would demystify the concept of net budgeting. In all cases, where a post was being abolished, the staff member concerned would have to be redeployed within the Organization.

Mr. CHINVANNO (Thailand), speaking on the section on capital expenditures, welcomed the emphasis given to health and safety issues, as well as to addressing the condition of the building occupied by the Organization. Last evening, in the Delegates Lounge, a lighting fixture had almost fallen on those sitting below it. Programmes of preventive maintenance and repair had not received sufficient funds in the past. However, in the long run, preventive measures were more cost-effective than were major maintenance. Cuts in preventive measures did not really result in savings. Focus on interior air quality and provisions for the handicapped should include those attending meetings and visitors. He fully supported the proposals contained in this budget section.

Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) drew attention to reductions in resources allocated to building management, which could exacerbate existing problems regarding construction, alteration, improvement and major maintenance. She asked when the renovation of the garage would be completed.

MARY JO ARAGON (Philippines) said she supported the view expressed by Thailand's representative on the budget section and the proposal to improve access of the disabled to the Organization's buildings and premises.

Mr. HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, said he would relay to the Committee any information he could obtain on when the construction of the garage would be completed. As for the $5.4 million increase sought by the Secretary-General for the section, the amount would only partially restore what had been slashed in a previous biennium from the provisions for construction, alteration and maintenance.

Mr. REPASCH (United States) said his delegation wanted to receive the document containing the listings of the impact of the ACABQ's recommendations and observations.

TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) reminded the Controller to provide the requested information on the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), the

Fifth Committee - 13 - Press Release GA/AB/3190 27th Meeting (AM) 11 November 1997

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and other bodies. He could not go into informal consultations without the information requested by his and the Egyptian delegations.

Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said all requests for information by her delegation should be met by the Secretariat. It had not responded to requests for information on net budgeting even though she appreciated the information provided in the conference room this morning by the Secretariat. As the Controller himself had alluded, the concept was mystifying to her delegation. Member States were mystified by the concept, which had all along been in the hands of the Secretariat. It could have avoided any mystification by giving States information on the concept in advance. She reiterated her delegation's request for information on the impact of the delayed lifting of the recruitment freeze.

Mr. MADDENS (Belgium), speaking for the European Union, said that if consideration of the 1998-1999 budget was to be deferred to another meeting, the Union might take the floor again.

AMJAD HUSSAIN SIAL (Pakistan) said he supported keeping the issue open. He and others had stressed the need to consider reports on the use of gratis personnel concomitantly with the matter of staff reductions.

Mr. SULAIMAN (Syria) said various delegations had asked the Secretariat to provide summary records in Arabic and Chinese, as was done for the other four languages of the Organization.

* *** *

For information media. Not an official record.