DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA, PROBLEMS REMAIN IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS, FIFTH COMMITTEE TOLD

Press Release
GA/AB/3215

DESPITE SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS IN CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA, PROBLEMS REMAIN IN SEVERAL KEY AREAS, FIFTH COMMITTEE TOLD

Although substantial improvements have been made in the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda since 1996, problems remained in the areas of procurement, recruitment and asset management, as well as in the security of Tribunal personnel, witnesses and documents, according to an Office of Internal Oversight Services report introduced this morning in the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).

Karl Paschke, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, introduced the report, which indicates that most of the recommendations made following the Office's 1996 investigation have been at least partially implemented. Nevertheless, concerns still lingered over a number of issues, including the need for guidelines on the use of the Tribunal's Trust Fund, he said.

A number of delegations echoed the Oversight Office's concerns about the lack of control procedures governing the use of the Trust Fund, which contained over $7 million from voluntary donations. The representative of Japan stressed the need for more transparency in the Tribunal's operations, in view of its increasing budgetary costs.

The representative of Norway said it was regrettable that administrative and other difficulties should give rise to doubts about the Tribunal's ability to implement its mandate. The international community had the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and had affirmed that the Rwanda Tribunal would contribute to the restoration of peace and the rule of law, he said.

Also this morning, the Committee discussed the use of consultants in the United Nations, as it resumed its consideration of issues relating to human resources management. The representative of Saudi Arabia urged the Secretariat to remedy the problems highlighted by the Oversight Office in its report on that issue. He cited, in particular, the need for geographical balance in the use of consultants, as well as for revised guidelines governing their use.

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Also this morning, the Fifth Committee considered reports of the Oversight Office on audits of four of the five regional commissions and on the programme management in the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division. In addition, concerns were raised regarding the United Nations official holidays for 1998.

Statements were also made by the representatives of the United Kingdom (for the European Union and associated States), Mexico, Pakistan, Romania, Poland, Algeria, the United States, Ukraine, Cuba, the Philippines, Uganda, Italy, Iran, Kuwait, Morocco, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, Portugal, Cote d'Ivoire, Uganda, Canada and Egypt.

The Fifth Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 13 March, to consider a report of the Secretary-General on the reduction and refocusing of non-programme costs, in the context of the programme budget for 1998-1999.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to resume its consideration of human resources management in the United Nations and to continue its review of the Organization's administrative and financial efficiency. (For background on the latter item, see Press Release GA/AB/3212 of 9 March.) It was also to begin discussing the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

Human Resources Management

The Committee had before it a note by the Secretary-General transmitting a report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on its audit of the United Nations use of consultants during 1996 (document A/52/814). The audit found shortcomings relating to internal controls, many of which had been noted previously by the Board of Auditors. The Oversight Office proposes revisions to the guidelines on the engagement and use of consultants.

According to the report, detailed procedures should be established to ensure that candidates are selected objectively and on a cost-effective and competitive basis, with due regard, where feasible, to proper geographical balance. A consistent approach for determining levels of remuneration is needed, as is the regular updating of computerized rosters of candidates for consultancies. There should be clear definitions of the types of personnel hired by the Secretariat, to differentiate those engaged for consultancy functions from those hired to perform regular staff or other functions.

The Oversight Office was unable to obtain precise data on the number and cost of consultants hired by the United Nations during 1996, the report states. According to the information available, 2,675 consultants were employed during 1996 -- 656 at Headquarters and 2,019 at other offices -- costing $19.4 million in fees. Of that amount, approximately $3.8 million, or 20 per cent, was charged against the regular budget, while the remaining $15.6 million was against extrabudgetary resources. Six institutional or corporate consultants were also hired, at a total cost of $0.3 million. The consultants were not engaged to perform work previously undertaken by regular Secretariat staff, according to the Oversight Office's findings. However, shortcomings in record keeping made it difficult to assess the situation with certainty.

Standard rosters and computerized logs should be established as part of the Organization's Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) and updated with data provided by user departments through the Office of Human Resources Management, the Oversight Office recommends. However, it notes that the Chief of the IMIS project had stated that several steps need to be taken before that can be fully utilized.

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Regarding disparities in remuneration levels, the Oversight Office recommends that the guidelines reflect the importance of a consistent approach to determining pay rates, while also responding to differing market rates in differing duty stations. On the matter of geographical representation, the Oversight Office recommends that the guidelines balance the importance of proper representation with the need to achieve economies through local and/or regional recruitment. Low-cost consultancies should be exempt from geographical distribution, the report states.

International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Also before the Committee is a note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (document A/52/784), reviewing the Tribunal's implementation of recommendations stemming from a 1996 investigation. The follow-up review, conducted during September and October 1997, found that most of the recommendations of the earlier investigation have been at least partially implemented. While the Secretary-General generally concurs with the Office's recommendations, subject to further review of personnel matters, the Registrar has stated that its conclusions are biased against his Office.

The report states that problems were identified in a number of areas, including security of Tribunal personnel, witnesses and documents; procurement and recruitment processes; asset management; defence counsel management; and press and public affairs. In addition, a Trust Fund containing over $7 million in voluntary contributions from Member States was administered without written policies and procedures.

Regarding the lack of security in both of the Tribunal's sites (Kigali, Rwanda; and Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania), the Oversight Office recommends that the Tribunal consider obtaining funding for suitable facilities in each of the host countries, rather than trying to adapt existing infrastructures to meet its needs.

Some $1 million was spent in 1997 for counsel for the accused, yet the Tribunal lacked policies and procedures for reviewing such expenses, the report states. The Oversight Office discovered private financial arrangements between two defence attorneys and the Registrar's legal adviser, who handled reimbursement papers. Further, attorneys selected for defence were not required to have criminal or trial experience. In light of the above, the Office recommends the formulation of guidelines for defence counsel expenses, replacement of the legal adviser, and revision of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence to require that defence counsel have relevant experience.

The Oversight Office recommends that the post of the Deputy Prosecutor be reclassified as Assistant Secretary-General, in light of his regular high-level discussions with governments in connection with investigations

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undertaken on behalf of the Prosecutor, who is an Under-Secretary-General. It also recommends that the Tribunal should be allowed to accept gratis personnel until the vacancy rate in the Prosecutor's Office has fallen to an acceptable level, or until the end of 1998, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 51/243 of 15 September 1997 on gratis personnel. All secondees had left the Tribunal by July 1997, increasing the workload of the remaining investigation teams, the report states.

Background on Rwanda Tribunal

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was created by the Security Council in 1994 to prosecute those responsible for genocide and other violations of international law in Rwanda and neighbouring States during 1994. It consists of the Chambers, the Prosecutor, and a Registry which services both. There are now 23 detainees in the Tribunal's custody. Its appropriation for 1997 was $41.5 million gross. For 1998, the Registrar proposed a budget of $65.3 million gross.

Statements on Human Resources Management

KARL TH. PASCHKE, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, introduced the Oversight Office's report on the audit of the use of consultants. He said the report had been finalized on the basis of extensive discussions with the responsible Secretariat officials, particularly of the Office of Human Resources Management, which had concurred with the Oversight Office's findings and accepted its recommendations. In fact, actions had already been initiated to implement some of them. The Oversight Office was encouraged by the positive reaction to its findings and recommendations and had assured the Office of Human Resources Management of its readiness to assist in ensuring that all the necessary improvements and corrective actions were promptly undertaken.

F.K. YAMAGIWA (Japan) said his delegation agreed with most of the recommendations in the report. Some of them, such as appropriate modifications to the IMIS, should and could be implemented immediately. Japan was gravely concerned that record keeping was cited as being less than adequate, resulting in a delay in the issuance of the report. The use of consultants was common to all United Nations bodies and should be deliberated in the overall personnel strategy of the Organization. The present report could be considered more systematically if it was done in connection with the report of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU).

AHMED FARID (Saudi Arabia) said his delegation fully supported the recommendations mentioned in the Oversight Office's report. He urged the Secretariat to remedy the problems it highlighted, particularly the need for geographical balance in the use of consultants and the need for revised guidelines on the use of consultants.

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Statements on Rwanda Tribunal

Mr. PASCHKE introduced the Oversight Office's report on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. He said that, while substantial improvements had been made since 1996, certain concerns lingered, including the need for stricter security and a continuing high vacancy rate. New concerns meriting attention included the need for procedural guidelines on the use of the Trust Fund and for determining defence counsel fees, and the need to strengthen the Tribunal's press and public affairs unit required strengthening.

TRYGGVE GJESDAL (Norway) said his country was fully committed to the successful implementation of the Tribunal's mandate. The international community had the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, and had affirmed that the Rwanda Tribunal would contribute to the restoration of peace and rule of law. It was regrettable that administrative and other difficulties should lead to doubts about the Tribunal's ability to implement its mandate.

Significant improvements had been found during the Oversight Office's review, he said. The improved interaction between the Tribunal's organs was welcomed. However, Norway remained concerned about administrative shortcomings that should be addressed by the Registry, including matters relating to the Tribunal's procurement, recruitment, witness protection and asset management practices.

Norway supported the remedial actions proposed by the Oversight Office in its report, he said. Measures endorsed by the General Assembly must be implemented without delay, and the Registrar should address identified shortcomings. His Government was conscious of the Tribunal's future needs, particularly for increased capacity of the Chambers of Judges. It would, therefore, welcome a decision by the Security Council to increase the number of Tribunal judges to avoid capacity problems, which would lead to delays in the administration of justice.

NICHOLAS THORNE (United Kingdom) spoke on behalf of the European Union and Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Cyprus and Liechtenstein. He welcomed the Oversight Office's follow-up report and expressed pleasure that most of its earlier recommendations had been or were being implemented. The staff of the Tribunal was to be commended for its efforts to rectify the problems outlined in the first Oversight Office report of last June. Great importance was attached to constructive cooperation between the Office and those to whom it gave its expert advice.

However, implementation of some of the European Union's earlier recommendations had not yet begun at the time of the second inspection, he said. General Assembly resolution 51/215 B of 13 June 1997 had requested those concerned to ensure the full and immediate implementation of those recommendations.

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The Oversight Office report had noted a number of financial and administrative irregularities, particularly in the areas of procurement, financial control, recruitment, personnel and asset management, he said. New recruitment was imperative, not only to compensate for the phasing out of gratis personnel, but also to ensure the efficient functioning of the Tribunal in key areas. The Union noted the importance of establishing a fully functioning and effective witness protection programme.

Recent figures had shown greatly increased use of the Trust Fund, he said. It was hoped that had been done in respect of programmes which accorded with the approved purposes of the Fund. The Tribunal could not be allowed to operate in anything other than the best possible way. Its infrastructure and administration must be demonstrably up to standard to ensure that it could effectively discharge its functions.

ERNESTO HERRERA (Mexico) said that the Oversight Office report constituted further proof of the professionalism of that body. Out of the 26 recommendations contained in the report, only four had not been implemented, and six had been completely implemented. Non-compliance with recommendations harmed the image of the Organization. The improved working atmosphere in the Tribunal was welcome. Mexico endorsed the recommendations in the report and would like to see in the next report on the subject that all the current recommendations had been implemented.

KAZUO WATANABE (Japan) said Japan attached great importance to the Tribunal, but felt that in view of its increased budgetary costs, more transparency was needed. An appropriate review by a third party was necessary. The Oversight Office report was welcome because, owing to geographical distance, Member States would otherwise be in the dark about activities in Kigali. The report's format and substance had been improved by including the views of the parties involved.

Qualified staff should be recruited for the Tribunal as soon as possible or the resources allocated for that would be wasted, he said. Appropriate measures should be taken against those personnel identified as having transgressed procedural norms. Consideration should be given to the possibility of sharing space with other United Nations bodies. Japan fully supported the recommendations in the report.

AMJAD HUSSAIN B. SIAL (Pakistan) welcomed the fact that the Rwanda Tribunal had implemented 22 of the 26 recommendations made by the Oversight Office in its earlier report. While improvements had been found in virtually every area, the Tribunal should take appropriate measures to address new problems. The present report included comments made by relevant parties, as well as the Oversight Office's responses. That new format made the report more transparent. It was hoped that practice would continue.

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He drew attention to the lack of control procedures concerning the Trust Fund, and fully endorsed the Oversight Office's recommendation on that matter. There were also concerns about defence council management, lack of procurement planning, and the Tribunal's irregular recruitment and appointment methods. The Oversight Office had recommended that gratis personnel be accepted until the vacancy rate fell, or until the end of 1998. General Assembly resolution 51/243, which concerned the use of such personnel, indicated that such personnel whose services were needed would be continued, but phased out by the end of 1998. Pakistan generally supported the Oversight Office's recommendations.

EUGEN MIHUT (Romania) associated himself with the views expressed for the European Union.

JAN JAREMCZUK (Poland) said his country wished to align itself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union.

DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) expressed appreciation for the careful work of the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services. Algeria had a particular interest in the question of the Tribunal in Rwanda. Chronic problems in that body had been noted in the report and Algeria was delighted that most of the Oversight Office's recommendations had been implemented. The contributions of the Department of Management and the Office of Legal Affairs to the work of the Tribunal had been considerable.

He said the Oversight Office had recommended that the contract of a particular staff member not be renewed. However, that contract had been renewed, even though the Secretary-General had also endorsed the Offices' recommendation. Clarification on that point was required from the Secretariat.

ROYAL WHARTON (United States) welcomed the report and expressed full support for the work of the Tribunal. Its findings were encouraging, and the progress made in improving the Tribunal's functioning was to be commended. There were, however, several areas that still needed improvement, including the need for guidelines with respect to use of the Trust Fund. The United States was pleased to note that the Department of Management and the Office of Legal affairs had been aiding the Tribunal.

Mr. PASCHKE thanked delegations. He said the question raised by Pakistan fell under the responsibility of the Department of Management and would have to be deferred to a later date.

Review of United Nations Administrative, Financial Functioning

IHOR V. HUMENNY (Ukraine) said that the reports of the Oversight Office demonstrated the importance of its role. Both were examples of high-quality work. They contained well-grounded recommendations and would contribute to

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the fulfilment of United Nations mandates. Ukraine was pleased to note that the Offices's recommendations had been approved by the appropriate authorities.

EVA SILOT BRAVO (Cuba), citing the Oversight Office's report on the regional commissions, said there had been a reorganization of subprogrammes in the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). There was an inconsistency between accounts, structure, and programme implementation which should be corrected. Clarification was also required on a comment in the report to the effect that 73 per cent of all the subregional activities of ECLAC were unforeseen, because when the work programme had been prepared it had not taken account of matters which later became priorities.

Regarding administrative support arrangements for the regional headquarters of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Mexico, she said that there was no official agreement defining the modalities of support. There should be a joint reassessment of the administrative arrangements, to define those modalities.

She said that the recommendations of the Oversight Office regarding the mandates of the Crime Prevention Office and a reorientation of Secretariat activities did not fall under its prerogatives. Clarification was needed on that, particularly with respect to the self-limitation of mandates and the view that the Secretariat should confine itself to those activities in which it had a comparative advantage. Citing the recommendation that some documents should be grouped in order to reduce paper, she said that was not the Office's prerogative. Member States decided what to publish.

MARY JO B. BARAGON (Philippines) said her country generally supported the Oversight Office's work. The Philippines attached great importance to the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division. According to the report on that Division, documentation services diverted resources from substantive activities. However, documentation was an important substantive activity undertaken by the Secretariat. In addition, the Secretariat's efforts relating to technical, training and advisory services, which helped increase national capacity, were also appreciated. High-level regional ministerial cooperation would advance the international community's fight against transnational crime.

Mr. THORNE (United Kingdom), speaking for the European Union, expressed appreciation to the Under-Secretary-General for his two reports. While they would be dealt with under the appropriate agenda item, he would make some preliminary comments. On regional commissions, he said that a number of earlier recommendations had been implemented and the remainder should be addressed.

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The Union attached particular importance to crime prevention, he said. The Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC) would be examining the Crime Prevention Programme in depth. The Union would like to examine the Oversight Office's report in greater detail in the context of the CPC review.

Mr. MOKTEFI (Algeria) said his country attached particular importance to the Division for Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. The observations of the Oversight Office sometimes touched upon the content of mandates which were given by deliberating bodies. That should be drawn to the Office's attention.

NESTER ODAJA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said his country wished to be associated with the earlier remarks by Algeria concerning the Rwanda Tribunal. Uganda also gave great importance to the Crime Division, a matter on which more exhaustive comments would be made later. The accounting systems of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) did not seem to be functioning well, he said. That was also a problem that could be associated with the IMIS. Punitive actions should be taken with staff members who passed fraudulently endorsed checks. Uganda looked forward to a report on that matter in which the truth would be exposed. He drew attention to problems concerning the United Nations conference centre for the ECA, particularly with respect to maintenance of its structure. Security -- a matter which should never be taken lightly -- was also an issue.

JAMES BOND (United States) thanked the Under-Secretary-General for his introduction and expressed pleasure that the Secretary-General had read and approved the Oversight Office's recommendations. It was hoped that they would be implemented speedily.

Mr. PASCHKE, addressing the presentation of ECLAC's programme of work, said that reference to the high percentage of outputs outside its programme of work of ECLAC in Mexico related to outputs of different sizes and complexities. The Oversight Office felt that ECLAC's planning could be more realistic and its actual work aligned with those plans. Regarding administrative support for UNEP in Mexico, he said that an inter-agency agreement to that effect had been concluded in October 1997.

The Oversight Office's recommendation on the Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Division clearly stated that the Commission on Crime Prevention, together with the Secretariat, should perhaps revisit the entire programme of work in a critical analysis, he said. There was assurance from the new Executive Director that such a course would be undertaken. The same applied to the periodicity of documentation. Requesting documentation and deciding on the necessary periodicity was the right of the Commission. The Oversight Office had also underlined that, in the course of its inspection, it had been impressed by the dedication and skill of the staff.

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Ms. SILOT BRAVO (Cuba) thanked Mr. Paschke for responding to concerns expressed by some delegations. However, she drew attention to a representative's comments on the distinction between programme and administrative processes. Caution was needed when making recommendations which pertained to mandates, the volume of documentation, or other matters where the boundaries between decisions by Member States and those of management were crossed.

RENATA ARCHINI DE GIOVANNI (Italy) stressed her delegation's particular concern with crime prevention activities. She fully supported the comments made for the European Union, and wished to underline what the Oversight Office's inspection had uncovered regarding staff. In the current climate of severe financial constraints, the United Nations successes often were attributable to the great dedication of its staff.

SEYED MORTEZA MIRMOHAMMAD (Iran) asked whether the Oversight Office's report would be taken up by the Commission on Crime Prevention during its April session.

Mr. PASCHKE said he believed the report would be taken up by the Crime Commission at its forthcoming session.

Statements on United Nations Financial Situation

Mr. WATANABE (Japan) said he wished to address points which were raised at the Committee's 10 March meeting. Misinformation was given by the representative of the Organization's largest contributor. The United States representative stated that the United Nations would shortly receive $152 million from that country. Japan agreed that payment of any amount was better than nothing, but the United States representative then said that its payment was larger than the contribution of the next largest contributor for the entire year. That was not correct. In 1997, Japan paid a total of $313 million in contributions to the regular budget. Clearly, that was twice the amount promised by the United States. In terms of cash payment, Japan remained the second largest contributor to the United Nations.

The statement made by the largest contributor had been incorrect, and the correction should be recorded in the Organization's official records, he said. The largest contributor should fulfil its obligations under the Charter and pay its arrears in full and on time, without conditions, rather than comparing future payments with those already made by other Member States.

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Other Matters

ZIYAD MONAYAIR (Kuwait) said that under its agenda item on the patterns of conferences, the Fifth Committee had approved a decision by which Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha would be official United Nations holidays, during which no meetings would be held and the doors of the Secretariat would be closed. The first date had been respected. However, his delegation had learned that resolution 52/214, addressing those dates, would not apply fully to the Id al-Adha holiday in early April. Why was that day being treated differently from Id al-Fitr, when the observance of both holidays had been decided upon in the same resolution?

Mr. FARID (Saudi Arabia) asked for the Office of Human Resources Management to explain why resolution 52/214 on the question of staff holidays had not been implemented in full. Why had one of the holidays been placed in the optional holiday category? Both holidays were to have been treated the same, as official holidays. Why had a calendar been issued in January showing both holidays as optional? The Assembly should monitor the implementation of its resolutions.

Ms. SILOT BRAVO (Cuba) said her delegation had on two occasions asked that a conference room paper on Assembly resolutions 52/220 and 52/221 concerning posts be circulated, and wished to repeat that request. She also asked to be informed of the date when financial authorization was given to different departments to begin the process of contracting for posts approved in the budget. When would such information be available?

ABDESALAM MEDINA (Morocco) associated his delegation with the comments of earlier delegations on the subject of official United Nations holidays. The Secretary-General was to be thanked for the partial implementation of resolution 52/214. Morocco had received a copy of an opinion poll aimed at obtaining staff opinions on the resolution. The question should be dealt with seriously at the level of the Secretariat.

IBRAHIM I. ELMONTASER (Libya) said his delegation supported the earlier statements on the subject of resolution 52/214 and wished to stress that it should be implemented.

Mr. SIAL (Pakistan) shared the concerns expressed on the issue of holidays. The Secretariat was to be thanked for the partial implementation of the resolution. An explanation was requested.

TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said his delegation had already explained its position on the subject being addressed and supported the statements which had just been made.

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ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said he wished to reiterate his request that the Secretariat respond by tomorrow to the questions which had been raised regarding documentation. On the issue of holidays, he said he was fully aware of the concern of delegations. There were actually three elements of the resolution in question. These were: ensuring that no meetings be held on those dates; ensuring that the building would not be open; and the question of staff holidays as a whole. In January, a number of delegations had asked the Chairman to find out about implementation of the resolution . The Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, Rafiah Salim, had addressed the issue promptly and tried to provide a solution. The two days had been originally stated as optional holidays; that had been partially corrected. Ms. Salim was aware of the matter and was looking into it. The main constraint she faced was the decision of the Assembly to have only nine full holidays.

RADHIA ACHOURI (Tunisia) said her delegation had noted a problem with press releases in the French version. Her delegation had been unable to find several press releases on the Internet, although the English version had been available. The two languages should be treated equally. Some statements had not been correctly reflected.

MARIA REGINA SERRAO EMERSON (Portugal) said that a staff referendum had been held on the Muslim holidays. Delegations would benefit from hearing the result of that referendum.

NARCISSE AHOUNOU (Côte d'Ivoire) supported the comments made by the representative of Tunisia. Corrections should be made.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said he supported the comments made by the representative of Tunisia. In the past, press releases had been a useful source of information; that should continue to be so. He asked whether the General Assembly or the staff decided on holidays.

SAMUEL HANSON (Canada) said he shared the concerns expressed by Tunisia's representative and others.

AHMED H. DARWISH (Egypt) supported the statement made by the representative of Tunisia regarding the accuracy of the press releases. His delegation had also noted a lack of balance in the coverage; sometimes one speaker was summarized for a full page while another received one line.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said that as far as he was aware, the General Assembly decided on the nine days of holidays. Regarding the press releases issued by the Office of Communications and Public Information (OCPI), he said he had been informed that the press releases were not official records, but were used to inform members of the media about the United Nations. However, the media should be correctly advised about

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statements that were made. The second point was that financial constraints affected the coverage. Staff members were overstretched. Still, even if abbreviated, coverage should be balanced, reflect the correct tone of statements, and bring out their main essence.

He said he had also been told that covering the Fifth Committee was both technical and political. While the Committee's jargon was often not of use to members of the media, it was important to remember that the releases were also used by delegations, he added.

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