FIFTH COMMITTEE BEGINS CONSIDERING CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UN STAFF

Press Release
GA/AB/3218

FIFTH COMMITTEE BEGINS CONSIDERING CODE OF CONDUCT FOR UN STAFF

The United Nations code of conduct proposed by the Secretary-General included provisions to prevent conflict of interest, for required financial disclosure statements by senior officials, and for managerial accountability, the representative of the United States told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning, as it began considering the draft code. He added that the proposed code balanced the rights and duties of staff and staff representatives.

The President of the Coordinating Committee for International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA), Rosemarie Waters, stressed that due process rights must be respected, and managers must be held fully and individually responsible for the manner in which they carried out their responsibilities.

A representative of the Federation of International Civil Servants Associations (FICSA), Hannah Puhlmann, said the rights of staff representatives were not sufficiently protected by the document. Speaking on behalf of Alvaro da Silva Durao, General Secretary of FICSA, she said a strict interpretation of certain provisions of the Staff Regulations would violate the right to association and representation, including the right to demonstrate.

She added that internationally recognized labour rights, in particular the right to freedom of action, expression and criticism, must be accorded to staff representatives.

A code of conduct was about ethical standards; it confused the issue to talk about human rights on that score, New Zealand's representative said. Her delegation found no hidden agenda behind the proposed code of conduct. Needless politicizing of the exercise should be avoided. The United Nations code of conduct should represent the highest standards in the world, she added.

The draft code contained too many rights and too few obligations, Uganda's representative said. Strict codes must be put in place to achieve efficient and effective implementation of the Organization's activities.

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The proposed code of conduct was a new version of article I of the United Nations Staff Regulations, and chapter I of the Staff Rules, said Rafiah Salim, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, as she introduced the Secretary-General's report on the subject. As such, the code was not intended for direct use by the various specialized agencies of the United Nations common system.

As the Committee considered the Organization's pattern of conferences, it addressed subjects including the upgrading of conference rooms and interpretations booths, the timely and accurate issuance of documentation and the need to put all official languages on an equal footing. It also focused on implementation of General Assembly resolution 52/214 on pattern of conferences.

By some of the terms of that five-part resolution, the two holidays of Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha should be observed as official holidays. On those days, the United Nations buildings are to be closed to the public, and no United Nations meetings should be held.

The representative of Syria noted, however, that United Nations buildings would remain open on the upcoming holiday of Id al-Adha, which fell on 7 April. Other religious holidays were officially observed by the United Nations. Given the universal nature of the Organization, there should be no discrimination among United Nations staff in that regard.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Indonesia (on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China), Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Kingdom (on behalf of the European Union), Ghana, Canada, Kuwait, Cuba, Algeria, Libya, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco and the Russian Federation.

The Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division, Warren Sach, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on measures to ensure the necessary resources for the upgrading of conference rooms and interpretation booths.

The Assistant-Secretary-General, Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services, Federico Riesco, responded to questions raised by delegates on pattern of conferences.

The Fifth Committee was scheduled to meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 20 March, to begin considering the administrative and budgetary aspects of peacekeeping operations. In addition, it would take up the financing of four peacekeeping operations -- United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO); United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT); United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH); and United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III). It was also scheduled to take action on a draft text on office accommodation at the Palais Wilson.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to consider pattern of conferences, the proposed code of conduct for United Nations Staff and a draft decision on office accommodation at the Palais Wilson in Geneva.

By the terms of the draft text (document A/C.5/52/L.23), the General Assembly would approve the proposal of the Secretary-General to accept the offer of the Swiss Authorities to place office accommodation at the Palais Wilson in Geneva at the disposal of the United Nations.

The Assembly would also note that the cost estimates of the move would amount to some $5.1 million, of which the contribution from the Government of Switzerland would amount to approximately $3.8 million. The balance of just under $2 million would be covered from existing resources available for the provision of accommodation at Geneva and thereby no additional resources would be required for the 1998-1999 biennium. No resources would be diverted from any other approved budgetary allocations.

The Assembly would urge the Swiss Authorities to ensure the extension of the rent-free arrangement beyond the year 2000 and request the Secretary-General to continue his efforts in that regard. The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to submit to its next session a cost- benefit analysis on the use of the conference rooms at both Palais des Nations and Palais Wilson.

The Secretary-General's report on the proposed United Nations code of conduct (document A/52/488) contains his proposals to the General Assembly to implement the code through revisions to article I of the Staff Regulations promulgated by the Assembly and the related changes that he intends to make to chapter I of the Staff Rules. The provisions in those Regulations and Rules will govern the conduct and performance of staff, ensure their accountability in that regard, as well as set forth their rights and obligations.

The report states that although referred to as a "code of conduct", the provisions constituting the code are an integral part of article I of the Staff Regulations and chapter I of the 100 series of the Staff Rules. After amendments to the other series of Staff Rules, it will also apply to project personnel and staff members specifically recruited for conference and short-term services.

The code of conduct is in four parts. The first part reiterates provisions from the Charter and the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations; the second deals with the status of United Nations staff; the third deals with the core values expected from

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international civil servants and sets out the basic rights and obligations of staff; and the fourth part deals with expected performance and ensures that staff will be accountable for their performance, and also provides that learning and development programmes will be made available to them.

The major proposed changes to the existing Staff Regulations and Rules include the following: a provision on the duty of the Secretary-General to ensure that the rights and duties of staff members as well as those of staff representatives are respected; a provision on the duty of the Secretary-General to strive for conditions of service necessary to attract staff of the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity; and enunciation of the core values of the international civil service.

Also included are a specific provision on financial disclosure to enable the Secretary-General to ascertain potential conflict of interest situations, and provisions to ensure that staff are not directly or indirectly associated with profit-making or other business concerns if it were possible for them or the concern to benefit from the staff member's position in the United Nations.

Among other provisions are those on accountability of staff, particularly managerial accountability, and those concerning the obligation of staff members to respond to requests for information in investigations on possible misuse of funds, waste or abuse.

The report states that the code is accompanied by a commentary designed to explain individual provisions and place them in their overall context. Also, the requisite standards of conduct will be common to all staff members of the Organization, including staff members of all of its principal and subsidiary organs, even those with entirely separate administrative arrangements. To ensure this result, it is recommended that the General Assembly add a sentence to that effect to the scope and purposes provision of the Staff Regulations.

The Secretary-General recommends that the Assembly be asked to approve the present report and to adopt, effective 1 January 1998, the amendment to the scope and purposes provision and article I of the Staff Regulations annexed to the report. The Assembly is also asked to take note of the text of chapter I of the Staff Rules, to be promulgated, effective 1 January 1998, by the Secretary-General. It is also asked to request the Secretary-General to prepare for its consideration a text of the Staff Regulations drafted in gender-neutral terms and to present that text to the Assembly at its fifty-third session.

Under the item on pattern of conferences, the Committee had before it a report of the Secretary-General on measures to ensure the necessary resources

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for the upgrading of conference rooms and interpretation booths (document A/52/829).

The report states that in accordance with the systematic modernization programme endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 37/14E of 16 November 1982, resources for improvements to conference rooms have progressively been included in successive proposed programme budgets. For the biennium 1998-1999, resources amounting to approximately $600,000 have been included for the refurbishment of Conference Rooms 6 and 10. Further resources estimated at some $1.3 million for the refurbishment of a further two conference rooms and all interpretation booths are intended to be proposed for inclusion in the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001.

Statements on Code of Conduct

RAFIAH SALIM, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, introducing the report of the Secretary-General on the code of conduct, said the text before the Committee was in fact a new version of article I of the United Nations Staff Regulations, and chapter I of the Staff Rules. The "code" was really a revision of those "rules" and was therefore not intended for direct use by the various specialized agencies of the United Nations common system, since the Code was a revision of the Secretariat's rules. A separate code for the Secretary-General and a code for officials and experts on mission, which were both derived from the text, would be issued shortly.

She said it was particularly important to note the extent of consultation which had taken place between staff and management during the preparation of the code and which had ultimately led to the current draft. Early drafts of the code had appeared in February and May 1997. All points raised by the staff had been extensively discussed. Indeed, some 42 changes had been made to the 15 May draft, which itself had already included 52 changes from the prior version.

ROSEMARIE WATERS, President of the Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations of the United Nations System (CCISUA), said a background paper containing the CCISUA's views on the proposed code of conduct had been issued. The code should be strengthened by ensuring that universally recognized norms and principles relating to the rights and responsibilities of management and staff were fully integrated into the document. In addition, due process rights must be respected, and managers must be held fully and individually responsible for the manner in which they carried out their responsibilities. The Fifth Committee would benefit from hearing the wisdom of the Sixth Committee (Legal) on the issue prior to taking any decision.

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Highlighting some provisions of a human resources management resolution adopted by the Assembly at its last session, particularly on managerial accountability, she said staff recognized that the Assembly had put a powerful tool in the hands of the Secretary-General by adopting that resolution. Respect for staff-management consultative mechanisms was clearly indicated in the same resolution. However, she was concerned about the term limits for staff representatives. It took time to develop the substantive and leadership skills of individuals in the staff unions and associations. Limitation on terms should not be enforced. She appealed to the Committee to allow staff to decide, through voting, the terms of their elected representatives.

Staff of the Office of Internal Oversight Services should be subject to the United Nations human resources management process, particularly in respect of the placement and promotion, she said. On recent proposals to identify programme and non-programme costs with a view to achieving savings and directing them to a development account, she said the staff felt strongly that savings should not be affected in existing, viable programmes that would impair mandates. The continued and increasing use of consultants was another cause for concern. A recent report indicated that there were 2,500 consultants currently employed in the Secretariat. That number should be minimized and the work performed by such staff should not contain any core elements, for the same reasons that the use of gratis personnel had been decided against.

Career appointments were an essential element in an independent international civil service, she said. The international civil service was founded on two principles -- that staff owed allegiance to the international organization alone and that Member States must respect the exclusively international character of the staff. Those principles could not be realized where staff were uncertain about their future.

Staff representatives were having a difficult time obtaining the information they needed to perform their work, she said. The implications of the decision that staffing tables should only be given to staff representatives in selected circumstances, due to concerns about confidentiality, was offensive. An opinion poll conducted by the Staff Union earlier in the year, on official holidays, had not been intended to circumvent the authority of the Committee or the General Assembly. However, due to the constraints of a maximum of nine official holidays, staff members needed to be consulted. The continued tensions about the holidays could be resolved if the Fifth Committee approved an additional holiday. The comparator government awarded 10.25 holidays, in contrast to the nine days of the United Nations.

HANNAH PUHLMANN, Research and Liaison Officer, Federation of International Civil Servants Associations (FICSA) speaking on behalf of Alvaro da Silva Durao, General Secretary of FICSA, said the main objective of any

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code of conduct was to promote ethical conduct at an individual and organizational level. The Federation believed that the most appropriate way to ensure that international civil servants uphold the principles and values of the United Nations was to adopt an integrated approach which balanced the responsibility of the staff member and the obligations of the employing organization. That was not the case with the current document, which used strong mandatory terms for staff members and weaker language for Management.

Furthermore, codes of conduct should be more than simplistic statements of rules if they were to answer the complex ethical dilemmas faced by staff, she said. The present document regrettably relied heavily on statements of rules and an oversight mechanism to ensure compliance. The Federation did not feel that the proposed document reflected a balanced approach to the issue of promoting ethical conduct within the United Nations and doubted therefore whether the proposed changes to the Organization's Staff Regulations and Rules would fully achieve that aim.

The Federation was most concerned that the United Nations had developed the code of conduct without due consultation with the other United Nations agencies common system, despite assurances given at the level of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) last spring, she said. Executive heads of the system had expressed the wish to be involved, particularly in view of the potential repercussions for different governing bodies arising from the introduction of the code.

She said the Federation did not believe that the rights of staff representatives were sufficiently well protected by the document. A strict interpretation of certain provisions of the Staff Regulations would violate the right to association and representation, including the right to demonstrate. Internationally recognized labour rights, in particular, the right to freedom of action, expression and criticism, must be accorded to staff representatives.

The Federation was aware that the proposed code of conduct was central to the Secretary-General's reform process, which would have wide repercussions on the whole United Nations system of organizations, she said. Hence, the Federation would propose that, before its adoption by the General Assembly, the draft code of conduct be submitted to the Sixth Committee and to the specialized agencies, in particular the International Labour Organization, for their comments.

PRAYONO ATIYANTO (Indonesia), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the Group attached particular interest to discussion of the code of conduct. The Fifth Committee should give a thorough review of the Secretary-General's report. Members of the Group would individually offer their comments on various elements contained in the report.

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AMJAD HUSSAIN SIAL (Pakistan) said he agreed with the Secretary-General that although referred to as a "code of conduct", the code was an integral part of the Staff Regulations and Rules. A large part of the proposal comprised existing Staff Regulations and Rules, with some amendments and realignment to foster better understanding of and improvement in the present rules and regulations. The new elements might be conducive to bringing about a qualitative change in the conduct and performance of staff, ensuring their accountability in that regard, as well as setting forth in concrete terms their rights and obligations.

The major changes proposed by the Secretary-General would be in the interest of the staff members and the Organization, he said. The objective of facilitating efficiency should enjoy unanimous support. The Staff Regulations and Rules should maintain a balance between rights and privileges, and obligations and accountability.

WEN CHIN POWLES (New Zealand) said her delegation welcomed the proposed code of conduct. It was entirely appropriate that United Nations staff should abide by a code of conduct. The maintenance of proper standards of integrity was in line with most systems of international civil service. A code of conduct sought to protect staff, not impugn them.

The code of conduct should represent the highest standards in the world, she said. Divergent views on the code had been expressed. A code of conduct was about ethical standards. It confused the issue to talk about human rights on that score. New Zealand found no hidden agenda behind the code of conduct. It was irresponsible to suggest otherwise.

New Zealand was opposed to the proposal that the draft be sent to the Sixth Committee for review, she said. Such a move would delay its consideration and go against the wishes of the Assembly. If the Fifth Committee was concerned about the legality of the code, a legal representative could come to the Committee to discuss any concerns. The Code could not be the vehicle for every single concern of management or staff. If there were still concerns, informal channels between management and staff could be opened, where concerns could be expressed. Needless politicizing of the exercise should be avoided.

JAMES BOND (United States) said his delegation supported the Secretary- General's proposed code of conduct. While there could be any number of quibbles about what was or was not included in such a code, the United States found that the current code followed from and improved on the 1954 report on the standards of conduct in the international civil service.

The proposed code balanced the rights and duties of staff and staff representatives and enumerated core values of the international civil service,

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he said. Significantly, the code included provisions to prevent conflict of interest with reference to staff members and profit-making businesses, required financial disclosure statements for senior officials and explicitly addressed managerial accountability. As a host country, the United States warmly welcomed the requirement for staff members to "comply with local laws and honour their private legal obligations, including, but not limited to, their obligation to honour orders of competent courts".

AHMED DARWISH (Egypt) said the issuance of the proposed code was a step in the right direction to improve the Organization's general financial and administrative efficiency. The code should complement other regulations, laws and criteria regarding privileges and duties of staff members. There should be no conflict between those documents.

He reaffirmed his appreciation for the efforts of the United Nations staff members. Having had the honour to be a staff member for a short time, he was particularly appreciative of their efforts in light of the lack of opportunities within the United Nations, combined with the burdens of understaffing. Mistakes happened from time to time, but those were exceptions. The code should not be viewed as limiting staff members' freedoms. Rather, it was an encapsulation of duties and represented an effort to stop any gaps in recruitment practices and other matters. He supported the statement that the code should be considered in the Fifth Committee and not the Sixth.

AHMED FARID (Saudi Arabia) said the Secretary-General's report covered a variety of issues. His delegation would agree in general to increase the number of official staff holidays from nine to 10 days. However, regarding Id al-Fitr and Id al-Adha, the Assembly had passed a resolution recognizing them as official holidays. As a result, both days must be observed as official holidays. All employees must take those days off. The coming holiday of Id al-Adha must be observed.

RADHIA ACHOURI (Tunisia) said her delegation welcomed measures aimed at guaranteeing that the United Nations staff met the highest criteria of integrity. The most important concerns for Member States as employers was improving the staff's output, efficiency and productivity, to ensure that mandated activities were fully implemented. Another important concern was the strengthening of accountability.

If those two imperatives were to be achieved, she continued, staff must have a favourable environment in which to work. Much had been said recently regarding staff morale. There was a feeling of insecurity among staff in the Organization. In addition, staff were suffering from the effects of the reform process, particularly post reductions. Other matters that affected them were the use of gratis personnel and consultants. Staff were to be

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available to the Secretary-General 24 hours a day. That was acceptable as a matter of urgency, but systematizing the practice to justify staff cuts and at the same time ensuring that mandates were implemented was another matter. A fair balance must be established between the rights and obligations of staff to best serve the interests of the Organization. Moreover, the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) should be consulted on the draft code, even if it was not to be used system-wide.

She then reminded Committee members of questions posed by the representative of the Russian Federation regarding what disciplinary measures had been adopted by the Secretariat to settle arbitration disputes and what were the Secretariat's measures to ensure accountability. An answer her delegation had received from the Secretariat indicated that the draft code was being used prior to its adoption. She asked for clarification, and stressed that the code must not be used prior to its adoption.

NICHOLAS THORNE (United Kingdom), speaking for the European Union, noted that the draft code had been the result of extensive consultations with the staff. The Union had listened carefully to the views put forth by the staff representatives. The Code should have been developed within the purview of the Secretary-General, but because Staff Regulations and Rules had to be changed, the matter had to come to the Fifth Committee. The Code should not go to the Sixth Committee.

The Union had concerns about contradictions with existing rules, he said. Human rights must be protected. However, there was always the possibility of consulting lawyers where their advice was needed. Ms. Salim had said that the code was not for the direct use of the specialized agencies, but the Committee might benefit from hearing the views of the ICSC.

TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) reiterated his support for United Nations staff members, including the move in recent years for a salary increase. However, Syria could not hide its concern for the United Nations Staff Union for circulating an opinion poll regarding staff holidays. The staff had not understood the Committee's resolution on that issue. Who had been responsible for circulating the opinion poll? he said.

The code of conduct was good in principle, he said. Some points, however, required further discussion. The code could be referred to the ICSC and the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). Their opinions would be useful. The Fifth Committee was the only place to deal with the question, as the representative of New Zealand had stressed. He supported the statement of the representative of Saudi Arabia regarding holidays.

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HENRY HANSON-HALL (Ghana) said his delegation wished to pay tribute to the United Nations staff. As it was said in Ghana, it was water that makes the fish proud. Staff members were the water of the Organization.

Ghana welcomed the introduction of the code of conduct. The United Nations needed such a code, in order to guide itself and its employees. Such a document should be the result of exhaustive consultation with all parties concerned. The document had raised many important issues affecting rights and responsibilities. The question needed the sober reflection and deliberation of the Fifth Committee. It was the Fifth Committee that had the authority to deal with the question. The ICSC, also, could be consulted.

SAMUEL HANSON (Canada) said the international public service was drawn from 185 countries; its members represented the broadest possible range of nationalities and cultures. It could not be taken for granted that each of them on appointment would automatically be aware of standards that apply to all international public servants. A code of conduct was therefore a necessity.

His delegation agreed in particular with what New Zealand had said on the subject, he said. Canada had a rather large code of conduct. It was an issuance of the employer; compliance with it was a condition of employment. Guidelines in the code included provisions that employees had an obligation to act in a manner that would bear the closest public scrutiny. Conflicts of interest should be avoided.

The code of conduct was an issue of human resources management and was the responsibility of this Committee, he said. Canada had not objection to consulting the ICSC, the Office of Legal Affairs or even the ACABQ. The Committee's consideration of the matter should focus on the staff Regulations and the extent to which they might require amendment.

ZIAD MONAYAIR (Kuwait) said he would speak in more detail on the subject during the informal consultations. Most of the views of Kuwait had been mentioned by other delegations. He emphasized that the question of the code of conduct fell exclusively within the scope of the Fifth Committee.

EVA BRAVO SILOT (Cuba) said a number of points raised by the staff representatives should be taken into account. A wide range of views had been expressed on the code of conduct, and concerns about its effect on staff must be considered. Seeking clarification from the Secretariat regarding the current status of the code, she said she particularly would like to know how it affected the staff of other United Nations organs, and whether there were contradictions which might affect the common system.

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NESTER ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said earlier speakers, particularly the representatives of Pakistan, New Zealand and Canada, had expressed his views, as had the representative of Indonesia, speaking for the Group of 77 and China.

The draft code contained too many rights and too few obligations, he said. Strict codes must be put in place to achieve efficient and effective implementation of the Organization's activities. He noted that a separate code for the Secretary-General and a code for officials and experts on missions would soon be available. He shared the views expressed regarding staff of the Oversight Office, the need to maintain the Organization's international character, abuse of power, use of consultants and gratis personnel, and the conceptual thinking of what comprised programme and non- programme activities. Noting that an Assembly decision regarding holidays was subject to polls of the staff, he asked whether it was normal to subject a decision that affected staff to a poll of staff opinion.

While appreciating the concerns experienced by the representatives of FICSA, he expressed the belief that in daily life, certain codes were needed. His own country, which was emerging as a young democracy, was implementing strict rules of codes of conduct. Last week, two ministers had lost their posts because they had lied about their assets. The request for information on assets was not a violation of human rights. An acceptable code could be established by taking into account different views; the Committee would benefit from hearing the views of the ICSC. The code was strictly a Fifth Committee concern.

Ms. SALIM, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources Management, assured the Committee that the draft code would not be applied until it was adopted by the General Assembly. The Secretariat's response about accountability had mentioned the draft code, to show that in the future, the Organization would seek to strengthen the accountability of staff and managers through the proposed code. It was hoped that the proposed code become the Organization's code of conduct.

Ms. WATERS, President CCISUA, said there had been a great deal of confusion regarding the resolution on holidays. The Staff had thought that within the nine holidays there would be choice. Many staff members had opted to follow the local civic holidays because of the impact on their families. The opinion poll had been undertaken to provide guidance for the staff in its discussion with management. Unfortunately, the poll had been conducted after the General Assembly had taken its decision on the subject. The staff was in no way questioning that decision, and the poll was for information purposes only.

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ALVARO DA SILVA DURAO, General Secretary of FICSA, thanked the Committee for allowing staff representatives to express there views on the subject. It was hoped that the views of the staff, the chief asset of the United Nations, would be taken into consideration during informal consultations.

Mr. MONAYAIR (Kuwait) said that his delegation, at the last meeting on human resources management, had posed certain questions in the hope of receiving clarifications from the Assistant-Secretary-General. When could clarification be provided? he asked.

ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said the Assistant Secretary-General could be present on Monday to address those concerns.

Statement on Pattern of Conferences

WARREN SACH, Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on measures to ensure the necessary resources for the upgrading of conference rooms and interpretation booths.

NORMA GOICOHEA ESTENOZ (Cuba) said her delegation was concerned that the introduction just made disregarded the political settlement that had led to adoption of paragraph 26, on conference rooms, of Assembly resolution 52/214 B. The understanding of the Assembly when it adopted resolution 52/214 B had been completely different from what the Committee had just been told. That called into question the credibility of the informal consultation process. The report of the Secretary-General could not be accepted.

Mr. SULAIMAN (Syria) said the Secretary-General's report on improving the conference rooms and interpretation booths, which comprised a page and a half, did not fully meet Member States' expectations Mr. Sachs' statement was not sufficient. The Secretariat had not afforded the full importance to the subject as was required.

During the last session, the Committee had discussed delays in the issuance of documents, such as the summary records, as well as resolutions adopted by the Committee, he said. Those resolutions must be translated into all official languages. There was no justification for their delay; they should have been issued with the resumed session. In January, the Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names had been held, but documents had only been available in English, French and Spanish. All documents should have been translated into the official languages on an equal footing. Language was the very topic of that Conference. How could the accuracy of a geographical name be checked in Chinese, for example, by reading its translation in English? he asked.

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On the optical disk system, he said his delegation had studied the report and noted that it indicated that new users must be attracted to the system. What was that new category of users? he asked. Regarding discounts to certain groups, he noted that least developed countries and other countries had been adopted as two categories to receive discounts; there should have been only two classifications: developing countries and other countries. Scientific and research foundations should use the system free of charge.

On the matter of press releases, he said two problems needed particular attention. There were contradictions between the French and English versions. While different people prepared the two releases, there should be some sort of harmonization or revision process. In some cases, the English and the French text focused on different subjects. Syria's statement on the programme budget at a recent meeting had been reported differently in the press releases. Another problem was that the releases in the two languages were numbered differently.

On official holidays, he said that his delegation had not wanted to raise the matter again. However, the Secretariat's implementation of resolution 52/214 had necessitated a return to the subject. The Secretariat's interpretation was different from the resolution, which said that United Nations buildings must be closed during the holidays of Id al-Fitr and Id al- Adha. Yet information had been released that the United Nations building would remain open on the upcoming holiday. Delegations had explained during the Assembly's main session that the two days were not optional and should not affect other holidays. There was no sense in having optional religious holidays. There should not be discrimination among United Nations staff, in light of the universal nature of the Organization. That universal nature applied to religious holidays. Other religious holidays were officially observed, rather than made optional. Agreement should be reached on the resolution.

Ms. GOICOCHEA ESTENOZ, (Cuba) noting that the report on upgrading conference services had been published on 13 March, asked why the Secretariat had been unable to produce such a document within the six-week rule. The Committee would be interested in hearing the reasons for the delay. Could the Secretariat confirm the figure put forth in informal consultations regarding the $900,000 for modernizing conference rooms? she asked. It might be possible to take a decision on the matter, bearing in mind that over $18 million was in the contingency fund.

DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria) said he fully shared the concerns and questions raised by the Cuban delegation about implementation of Assembly resolution 52/214 B. Its delegation was not satisfied with the Secretary-General's report. Efforts should be made to ensure that the best possible environment

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was created for debates. He also supported questions posed regarding the two Muslim holidays.

ALI SUNNI MUNTASSER (Libya) said his delegation was watchful of non- implementation of resolution 52/214, especially given the problems raised by representatives of Cuba, Algeria and Syria. He drew attention to the concerns expressed in the resolution regarding improving the technical and audio quality of some conference rooms. The implementation of the provisions on Muslim holidays was a serious concern. He hoped the Secretariat would provide prompt and clear explanation about why the resolution was not being implemented.

Mr. ATIYANTO (Indonesia) emphasized the need to observe all United Nations holidays on an official basis. Also, he noted the recommendation made by the representative of CCISUA regarding an additional holiday.

Mr. MONAYAIR (Kuwait) said a document issued in Arabic during a recent conference on equipment for peacekeeping forces had been illegible. It had been a large document and could have caused delay if Member States had insisted on receiving better copies. It was hoped that such problems would be avoided in the future.

Documentation on geographical names should also be more accurate, he said. Many errors had been noted. Regarding the religious holidays, Syria had felt that this was a question under the purview of Conference Services. They were two holidays that must be treated on equal footing. It was simply a question of implementing the resolution.

Mr. FARID (Saudi Arabia) said that two holidays had been clearly negotiated, and it was hoped that the resolution would be fully implemented. Both holidays should be considered official holidays.

Mr. SULAIMAN (Syria) said Syria had also regretted the mediocre quality of documents in Arabic at the recent conference on peacekeeping equipment. Had Syria been present at the meeting, it would have insisted that the documents be better presented. The issue should be resolved.

NARCISSE AHOUNOU (Cote d'Ivoire) said that his delegation's concerns had been expressed by Cuba and Algeria. Resolution 52/214 must be implemented. Who was responsible for setting the holidays -- the Assembly or the Secretariat? he asked. How could all parties work together in order that the resolution be implemented? The holidays should be implemented fully without discrimination.

He said some delegations to the recent meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women did not have English as their working language, but documents

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had been only in English. Within conference services something must be done. If it was a question of funds, the Committee needed to know.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said the Secretary General's report on measures to ensure the necessary resources for the upgrading of conference rooms and interpretation booths was currently under discussion.

ABDESALAM MEDINA (Morocco) said, as had been pointed out by Cuba and Algeria, there was concern about the incomplete application of the Assembly resolution on the pattern of conferences. The resolution referred to the fact that there were certain conference rooms that needed attention, but no funds were available. However, the Secretariat still expected that the work be done. Was there a mistake in the Arabic document? How did the Secretariat expect to implement that provision of the resolution? Countries that spoke in languages other than English had always suffered from translation.

Mr. SACH, Director of Programme Planning and Budget Division, said that clarification had been sought with regard to figures concerning the cost of refurbishment of two of the conference rooms. The Committee's attention was drawn to the last sentence of paragraph 2 of the Secretary-General's report. The figure that appeared there -- $1.3 million -- was different from the figure available to delegations at the time of informal consultations of delegations on the subject. The earlier figure had been rapidly put together. The best estimate currently available was the $1.3 million rather than the $900,000 available at the time of the consultations. Facilities did very much need refurbishment. There was no argument on the subject.

As to the timing of the Secretary-General's report, he said that in a more orderly world, the report would have been issued more quickly. A certain amount of consultation had been required. It was a short report but a good deal of technical work was behind it. It was trusted that its current availability would allow the Committee to complete its deliberations.

Regarding the provision of additional funds, he stated that it was not anticipated that they could be provided for in the current biennium. Everything in the programme of work for construction as it currently stood was of a priority nature that could not be deferred.

FEDERICO RIESCO, Assistant Secretary-General, Department of General Assembly Affairs and Conference Services, said that reference had been made to a document in Arabic -- issued at the conference on peacekeeping equipment -- that had appeared in an illegible form. Apologies were issued. Some 20,000 documents a year were produced. All efforts were made to assure their quality. When there were mistakes, corrections were made as quickly as possible.

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He said he would have to conduct further research regarding the use of geographical names. Reference had been made to the optical disk system, and the subject would be referred to his colleagues who were more versed on the topic. The representative of Saudi Arabia had correctly recalled that the issue of holidays had appeared under the item of pattern of conferences. Those holidays were of vital interest; official holidays affected the whole Secretariat. The representative of Cote d'Ivoire had referred to documents issued for the Commission on the Status of Women. Those documents had been issued in all official languages. It was possible that the reference was to texts used in informal consultations.

Ms. GOICOCHEA-ESTENOZ (Cuba) said the statement made by Mr. Sach had been unacceptable. The Secretariat could not be guided by political considerations. The different roles of the Secretariat and the Assembly were clearly defined. The interpretation of the resolution regarding the contingency fund was a matter of serious concern. That issue must be further deliberated.

Mr. MEDINA (Morocco) said reassurance of the importance of the implementation of provisions of the resolution on religious holidays was called for. With respect to the working group on peacekeeping operations, he asked whether the printing department had a special section for Arabic documents. Similar problems had been raised before by the Russian Federation. Translations of reports should be carried out in a timely and accurate fashion. Morocco would make further comment later on the standardization of geographical names.

Mr. FARID (Saudi Arabia) said he was not satisfied with the Assistant- Secretary-General's answers regarding the two holidays. The Assistant- Secretary-General had been personally consulted on the language. Official holidays were those days when the Organization's buildings were closed. He then asked about the status of the cost-accounting report related to the resolution on pattern of conferences, which was due on 31 July.

He recalled that his delegation had made two requests for information during the Assembly's main session. First, it had requested information on the name and number of employees transferred from the regular account to the support account, and the name and number transferred back to the regular account. Also, it had asked details about the posts to be abolished that pertained to developing countries. His delegation was waiting for answers.

AMANY FAHMY (Egypt) said she had listened to the Secretariat's comments about Arabic texts in the meetings on geographical names and on peacekeeping. She had noticed redundancies and repetition in those texts. She recalled that at the beginning of the Assembly's fifty-second session, delegations had complained about the poor printing of Arabic language documents.

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On access to the optical disk system, she said that the two categories should have been developing countries and other countries. Particular consideration should be given to developing countries, which constituted the majority of the Member States.

At the 13 March meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women, delegations had voted on a resolution without translation, she said. That was an unprecedented occurrence. At the same meeting, the delegate of France had to make all his statements without interpretation. The report of the Chairperson of the Commission would reflect those events. There should have been better collaboration in the Secretariat. Such a situation should not recur.

On the issue of holidays, she said there was need for a clear answer from the Secretariat. Which body should implement the Assembly's resolutions in the Secretariat? she asked. The Secretariat should provide written information on its interpretation of the Assembly's resolution. Upon receipt of that answer, the Committee might have to take an additional decision. At the beginning of January, a circular had been issued indicating that the two holidays were not official. After Member States had intervened, a second circular had been issued to the effect that one of the two holidays would be official.

Mr. THORNE (United Kingdom) said that the European Union was conscious of the importance that delegations attached to the issue of official holidays. At the same time, it was aware of the Secretariat's efforts to address the issue. The Union attached great importance to refurbishing conference rooms. He suggested that the Committee meet in an informal meeting with Mr. Sach, to work out where the Committee might go with the issue.

NIKOLAI LOZINSKY (Russian Federation) said that during discussions leading to the resolution on the pattern of conferences, agreement had been arrived at with great difficulty. Many delegations had spoken before or after the vote on the text. If anyone had forgotten how the agreement had been reached, summary records should be reviewed.

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