FIFTH COMMITTEE SUSPENDS FINAL MEETING OF RESUMED SESSION FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON GRATIS PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT ACCOUNT

29 May 1998

Press Release
GA/AB/3234

FIFTH COMMITTEE SUSPENDS FINAL MEETING OF RESUMED SESSION FOR FURTHER CONSULTATIONS ON GRATIS PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT ACCOUNT

19980529 Texts on Financing of Peacekeeping Operations Approved; Amounts to Be Appropriated Held in Abeyance

Lack of agreement in informal consultations on texts on gratis personnel and the support account for peacekeeping operations prevented the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) from concluding the second part of its resumed fifty-second session Friday night, 29 May, although its meeting was suspended for hours to enable the consultations to proceed.

The drafts are closely connected, in that the timing of the phasing out of gratis personnel is linked with the Secretary-General's request for additional posts under the support account. Further, the support account directly affects texts on financing individual peacekeeping operations for the period 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999, since the cost of the account is prorated among the budgets of those missions.

During the course of the meeting, which was suspended until after dawn on Saturday, 30 May, the Committee took the unusual step of approving 15 draft resolutions and two draft decisions on the financing of individual peacekeeping operations which contained blanks for many of the amounts. Those numbers will be filled in following decisions on the support account and gratis personnel.

On individual peacekeeping operations, two votes were held on a draft resolution on the financing of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). First, the Committee decided to include the first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16, concerning Assembly resolution 51/233, in which it decided that Israel should pay the costs resulting from the 1996 incident at UNIFIL headquarters in Qana, Lebanon. That decision was taken by a vote of 51 in favour to two against (Israel and United States) with 38 abstentions. (For details, see Annex I.) It then approved the text as a whole by a vote of 89 in favour to 2 against (Israel and United States) with 1 abstention (Iran). (See Annex II.)

The representatives of Indonesia (for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China), Iran, United States, United Kingdom (for the European Union and associated States), Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, New Zealand, Australia, Yemen, Japan and Kuwait spoke in explanation of position.

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On Africa, the Committee approved drafts for financing the following peacekeeping missions: United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) and the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM); United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO); United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ); and United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA).

For financing missions in Asia, drafts were approved for the financing and liquidation of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) and for the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT).

For missions in Europe, the Committee approved drafts on the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNPROFOR); United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP); United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG); United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH); United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) and United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP).

For the Middle East, action was taken on drafts for the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM); United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL); and United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

The Committee also approved two drafts on United Nations missions in Haiti.

The representatives of Germany, Kuwait, Uganda, Ireland, Ghana, Morocco, Syria, Ukraine, Japan, Cyprus, Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia and Cameroon made statements on the draft texts on financing peacekeeping operations.

The Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division, Department of Management, Yeo Bok Cheng, and the Chief of the Finance Management and Support Service, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Compton Persaud, responded to delegates' questions.

Regarding the Development Account, to be funded through savings obtained via administrative streamlining in the Secretariat, the Committee approved a draft by which the Secretary-General would be requested to submit a detailed report on the Account's sustainability, modalities, purposes and performance criteria. The report is to include an analysis of the impact of such efficiency measures on the Organization's staffing levels and its delivery of mandated activities.

The representative of Japan spoke in explanation of position.

By a text on third-party liability, the Assembly would decide not to compensate for claims submitted after six months from the time of injury or

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after one year from the termination of the mandate of the related peacekeeping operation. Compensation would not exceed $50,000 per individual for economic loss and burial expenses.

A draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi, Italy, would have the Assembly approve cost estimates of some $7.1 million for maintaining the Base from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999.

In other business, the Committee recommended the appointment of Mochamad Slamet Hidayat (Indonesia) to the United Nations Staff Pension Committee for a term of office beginning on 1 January 1998.

The Committee recommended that the Assembly take note of the Secretary-General's reports on death and disability benefits and those on proposed budgetary requirements of peacekeeping operations for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998.

It deferred until its next resumed session its consideration of its working methods; the code of conduct proposed for United Nations staff; reports of the Office of Internal Oversight Services and the Joint Inspection Unit; and the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. It decided to take up strengthening oversight mechanisms during the Assembly's fifty-third session.

Earlier in the meeting, the Chairman drew the Committee's attention to a document containing updated information on groupings of Member States for the apportionment of costs for peacekeeping operations.

The Fifth Committee will meet again at a time to be announced in the Journal.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to conclude the second part of its resumed session. It planned to take action on a number of draft texts pertaining to the financing of United Nations peacekeeping missions; the use of personnel loaned to the United Nations by Member States and other entities; the Logistics Base in Brindisi, Italy; the support account for peacekeeping operations; third party liability; and death and disability claims.

In addition, it was scheduled to take action on texts on the code of conduct proposed for United Nations staff; reports of the Office of Internal Oversight Services; the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU); and recommend appointments for the Staff Pension Committee.

Statement

ANWARUL KARIM CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said that a document containing updated information on groupings of Member States for the apportionment of costs for peacekeeping operations, which had been requested at a previous meeting, was now available.

He then suspended the meeting.

Appointment to Staff Pension Committee

When the Committee resumed its meeting at 8:30 p.m., Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said the Committee had before it a note by the Secretary-General (document A/C.5/52/11/Add.4) informing the Assembly that the Government of Indonesia had nominated Mochamad Slamet Hidayat for appointment to the United Nations Staff Pension Committee for a term of office beginning on 1 January 1998 until 31 December 2000.

The Committee recommended, by acclamation, to the General Assembly, the appointment of Mr. Hidayat.

Financing of UNIFIL: Action on Draft Text

NAZARETH A. INCERA (Costa Rica), Committee Vice-Chairperson, introducing the draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) (document (A/C.5/52/36) said she regretted to inform the Committee that it had not been the subject of consensus in the informal consultations. She had done her utmost to reach agreement including numerous bilateral consultations, but that had not borne fruit. The Chairman would know how to proceed.

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Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, expressed his appreciation for the Vice-Chairperson's efforts. He drew the attention to the draft text (A/C.5/52/L.52) that had been submitted previously by the representative of Indonesia on the same subject. (For background, see Press Release GA/AB/3233 of 28 May.)

The representative of the United States called for a vote on the first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16.

[By those paragraphs, the Assembly would express its deep concern that the Government of Israel did not comply with General Assembly resolution 51/233, and stress, once again, that it should strictly abide by that resolution's terms. It would request the Secretary-General to take the necessary measures to ensure the full implementation of paragraph 8 of the resolution stressing that Israel pay the amount of $1.8 million resulting from the incident at Qana of 18 April 1996. It would decide that the additional requirement of $639,356, which relates to the incident for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, would be treated in accordance with the terms of resolution 51/233.]

The representative of Syria said his delegation wished to express its views on the matter before the vote. The report of the Secretary-General on UNIFIL had demonstrated that Israel had failed to comply with resolution 51/233, which had determined, among other things, that Israel was responsible for refunding the costs arising from the attack on the United Nations headquarters in the region. That was a relatively small amount to pay.

It was hoped that Member States would act justly and support the rule of international law by supporting the draft submitted by the Group of 77, he said. Israel should pay for its act of aggression. It should also be responsible for financing the Force itself, as Israel's occupation of Lebanon was the real reason for its existence.

Syria would be monitoring the implementation of the resolution until full compliance was achieved, he said. The credibility of the United Nations was involved in implementation of its resolutions. Israel should not be allowed to remain outside the confines of international law; it should respect the spirit of the resolution.

The representative of Uganda noted that numbers were still missing in the draft.

YEO BOCK CHENG, Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division, Department of Management, said the Secretariat was not able to provide amounts that were inclusive of the costs for the support account, since the Committee's consultations on the support account had not been concluded. If

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the draft was approved with blanks, and at the end of the evening a decision was taken on the support account, the Secretariat could provide the numbers shortly. Pending action on the draft on the United Nations Logistics Base in Brindisi, Italy, numbers relating to the Base would also remain missing.

The CHAIRMAN asked whether the Committee wished to approve the draft subject to conclusion of consultations or to defer the matter.

The representative of Indonesia, speaking for the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said the Committee could proceed, with the understanding that adjustments would be made at a later stage and bearing in mind the results of consultations on the support account and the Brindisi Base. He also drew attention to a technical correction on the format of the resolution.

The representative of Syria asked for confirmation that the figure to be included in paragraph 11 on appropriations for the period from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 would reflect all expenditures, less the $1.8 million resulting from the incident at Qana.

The representative of the Netherlands drew attention to ways in which the text submitted by Indonesia differed from other drafts on peacekeeping operations and said changes should be made to it to ensure uniformity. A footnote had been deleted in the other drafts (referring to the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)); the word "endorses" had been changed to "takes note" regarding the reports of the ACABQ in the other drafts; and, regarding paragraph 11 on appropriating amounts for the period from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999, all the other texts had the words "as an ad hoc arrangement" after the word "decides".

Mr. YEO, Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division, said that he wished to confirm that there was no provision in the proposed budget for 1998- 1999 for the financial implications of the incident at Qana. In paragraph 7 of resolution 51/233, the Assembly had authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitments to cover the amount of $1.8 million. A later paragraph had indicated that Israel was responsible for that amount. The money had not been appropriated.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, summarizing the comments of delegates relevant to the draft text, asked if the sponsor of the draft agreed to the changes proposed by the representative of the Netherlands.

The representative of Indonesia said that as the changes seemed to be standard ones, the Group did not object.

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The Committee then voted on the first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16 of the draft.

The Committee decided to retain the first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16 by a vote of 51 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 38 abstentions. (See Annex I.)

The Committee agreed to the changes to the draft as proposed by the representative of the Netherlands. It also agreed that the blanks appearing in the text would be filled in at a later stage of the meeting.

The representative of the United States said he wished to clarify that the United States would have asked for a vote on the entire draft, but that the Chairman had read his mind.

The Committee then approved the draft as a whole, as orally amended, by a vote of 89 in favor to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 1 abstention (Iran). (See Annex II.)

The representative of Indonesia, speaking after the vote on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, said his delegation welcomed the approval of the draft. The Group regretted that the draft had not been approved by consensus. The Secretary-General was requested to implement the draft.

The representative of the Iran said his delegation had abstained on the whole draft because it believed that the financial requirements of the Mission should be borne by the aggressive party.

The representative of the United States said the United States remained deeply concerned by paragraph 7 and 8 of resolution 51/233. [By the terms of those paragraphs, the Assembly authorized the Secretary-General to enter into commitments of almost $1.8 million to cover the costs resulting from the Qana Incident and decided that the amount should be borne by Israel.] The United States had hoped for a consensus text that did not, among other things, politicize the technical task assigned to the Fifth Committee which was the financing of UNIFIL.

The representative of the United Kingdom spoke for the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Iceland. The Union's position on the financial aspects of the Qana incident was based on several elements: the costs were of a special kind; an appeal to have the costs financed by voluntary contribution would be welcome; costs should be kept in the budget; and the financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations should be a collective responsibility.

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Members of the Union abstained in the vote on the first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16 because they considered the text inappropriate in the context of a resolution dealing with UNIFIL's financing, he continued. The political aspects of the events had been debated during the General Assembly's plenary session, resulting in resolution 50/22C of 25 April 1996. Consultations in the Fifth Committee should have been confined to the budgetary aspects.

The representative of Saudi Arabia said he was pleased with the result of the vote. A Member State had attacked United Nations headquarters in Lebanon, and then refused to pay for the damage. He urged that State to comply with the second General Assembly resolution that had just been approved, and pay the minimal amount contained in the resolution. The money must be paid by the aggressor to compensate for the deliberate and savage attack.

The representative of Lebanon welcomed the Committee's decision, saying that UNIFIL was a peacekeeping operation that sought to secure peace in the region. He reserved his right to explain his position in the General Assembly.

The representative of New Zealand said the Assembly had delegated to the Fifth Committee the tasks of ensuring that the costs of peacekeeping operations were borne by Member States in the agreed manner. Since the paragraphs that had been voted on departed from the United Nations peacekeeping formula, her delegation had not voted in favour of them. However, it had voted in favour of the draft as a whole.

The representative of Australia said his delegation was pleased that the resolution provided a continuation of financing for UNIFIL. He regretted, however, that a consensus had not been possible, and remained concerned that the resolution, as last year, contained political elements that were inappropriate in a financing resolution. For that reason, his delegation had abstained in the vote on the paragraphs, and voted in favour of the draft as a whole.

The representative of Yemen) said his delegation reserved its right to vote in the General Assembly. It had paid its minimal assessments 10 days earlier.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), said the Committee would note that information.

The representative of Japan said his delegation regretted that the draft had been voted on, and had thus abstained in the vote on the paragraphs. However, because all Member States had a collective responsibility for

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financing peacekeeping operations, his delegation had voted in favour of the draft as a whole.

The representative of Kuwait said his delegation supported the statement made for the Group of 77 and China in explanation of vote. He had hoped the draft would be approved without a vote. The Qana incident was a horrendous crime against the United Nations, against Lebanon and against humanity.

The Committee decided to withdraw draft resolution A/C.5/52/L.36.

Review of Organization's Administrative and Financial Efficiency

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, recalled that the Committee had been holding informal consultations on a paper on the Committee's working methods. Delegates' views in those consultations would be taken into account in the preparation of a revised text. Action might then be taken at the third resumed session. He would be sharing the revised text in the course of the next 10 days, and its availability would be announced in the Journal.

The Committee decided to defer the matter to its third resumed session.

Gratis Personnel

SHARON BRENNEN-HAYLOCK (Bahamas), coordinator for consultations on gratis personnel, said that consultations were ongoing. Only a few items remained outstanding. It was hoped that over the course of the evening a positive report could be made.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said the Committee would return to the item later.

Financing of UNDOF: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) (document A/C.5/52/L.35), the Assembly would decide that States' share in the estimated other income of $15,000 for the upcoming 12-month period would be set off against the apportionment among Member States. For those States that had fulfilled their financial obligations to the Force, their respective share in a surplus balance of almost $1.1 million for the period from 1 December 1994 to 30 November 1995 would be set off against the above apportionment, while the share of States that had not fulfilled their financial obligations would be set off against their outstanding obligations.

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The Assembly would urge all Member States to make every possible effort to ensure payment of their assessed contributions to the Force in full and on time, and invite voluntary contributions to the Force in cash, services and supplies.

Ms. INCERA (Costa Rica), Committee Vice-Chairperson, introduced the draft. She proposed editorial changes to the text.

The representative of the Netherlands said his delegation had noted additional changes that needed to be made, just as with the previous resolution he had commented on.

The Committee then approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

The representative of Germany said his delegation had joined the consensus on peacekeeping financing resolutions with reservations. Budget amounts would not be fully covered by Member States contributions, since one State had in 1995 announced its intention to reduce its contributions to an amount that it found convenient. Germany was not prepared to stand up for the non-payment by other States, nor was it ready to accept a change in its assessments.

Financing of UNIKOM, Action on Draft

By another draft resolution, on the United Nations Iraq- Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) (document A/C.5/52/L.38), the Assembly would express itself deeply concerned that the overpayment of mission subsistence allowance has been drastically increased from $988,443.5 to about $6.3 million, and also for the delay in reporting the matter to the Assembly. The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to ensure that voluntary contributions towards the budgeted cost of UNIKOM should be utilized only in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the Organization. The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to recover the overpayment of mission subsistence allowance and to submit a separate report to the Assembly at its fifty-third session on developments related to the issue of overpayment and compensatory time off, including measures taken with respect to those responsible for the overpayment on the basis of the conclusion of the inquiry.

ERICA-IRENE DAES (Greece), Committee Vice-Chairperson, introduced the draft and read out changes that had been accepted during informal consultations. In paragraph 6, the word "endorses" would be replaced by "takes note of".

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Paragraph 6 bis would be added as follows:

"Decides to examine the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions for 5 per cent across the board reductions of the budget proposals of the Secretary-General in light of the next series of relevant financial performance reports;"

The existing operative paragraph 15 would be replaced by:

"Expresses deep concern about the overpayment of mission subsistence allowance at present calculated at $6,312,201.53 as well as the inaccuracy of the earlier estimated amount of $988,443.50 which represents a drastic increase of $5,323,758.03, and the delay in reporting the matter to the General Assembly;"

Operative Paragraph 16 would read:

"Requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures to ensure that voluntary contributions to the budgeted cost of the Observation Mission should be utilized only in accordance with the procedure and practices of the General Assembly;"

Paragraph 17 bis would read:

"Requests the Secretary-General to review the recovery process taking into account the results of the inquiry and bearing in mind various aspects of these measures;"

Operative Paragraph 18 would read:

"Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that all managers exercising financial responsibilities are issued with the revised and updated version of the financial regulations and rules;"

Operative Paragraph 18 bis would read:

"Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that every official of the United Nations is responsible to the Secretary-General for the regularity of the actions taken by him or her in the course of his or her official duties. Any official who takes any action contrary to these financial rules or to the administrative instructions issued in connection therewith may be held personally responsible and financially liable for the consequences of such actions;"

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The representative of Canada said her delegation wished that, as in the previous draft resolutions, the reference to the report of the ACABQ be deleted.

The representative of the Netherlands said the last part of the last line of paragraph 8, concerning employment of locally recruited staff, should now read, commensurate "with the requirements of the Mission". The Netherlands had also noted that a paragraph dealing with the 5 per cent across the board reductions had been dealt with in a paragraph read out by the Coordinator. That paragraph appeared in only one other draft text. It was hoped that it would be implicit that the paragraph would apply to all the other relevant missions.

The representative of Uganda said his delegation was concerned by the new approach used to handle resolutions. While he understood the circumstances, this current procedure should not be the rule, it should be the exception. He had been under the impression that consultations were still ongoing. Uganda would not block consensus, but thought that the approach was not correct and should not be continued in the future. All delegations should know exactly what decisions had been made.

The representative of Kuwait said that the new paragraph 17 bis should be paragraph 18.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, summarizing the proposed amendments to the text, said he agreed with the representative of Uganda with regard to the procedure. The circumstances, however, were exceptional.

The Committee then approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

The representative of Kuwait, speaking in explanation of position, said the main question was that of the amount spent in excess of what should have been spent. A report on the recovery of that amount was awaited, so that justice would be done.

The representative of Uganda said that some of the new paragraphs did not accurately reflect the wishes of Uganda.

Financing of MONUA and UNAVEM III: Action on Draft

Another draft resolution, on the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) and the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) (document A/C.5/52/37) would have the Assembly decide to authorize the Secretary-General to utilize about $2.2 million -- from the unencumbered balance of almost $3.6 million gross for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30

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June 1997 -- to meet incurred expenses for the same period which have not yet been recorded.

For Member States that had fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, the draft would have their respective share in the unencumbered balance for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 be set off against their apportionment for the upcoming period. For those States that had not fulfilled their obligations, their share of the unencumbered balance would be set off against their unpaid obligations.

FRANK SMYTHE (Ireland) introduced the draft resolution and read out some changes that had been agreed to during informal consultations.

Operative paragraph 7 would read as in all the peacekeeping texts.

Operative paragraph 8 would read as follows:

"Takes note of the Secretary-General's note and its annex containing observations and recommendations of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on the audits of the procurement process at the United Nations Angola Verification Mission;"

Operative paragraph 11 would read:

"Further requests the Secretary-General to exercise the utmost discipline in financial management to ensure compliance with the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations, including Rule 114.1 on personal responsibility, in which it is stated that every official of the United Nations may be held personally responsible and financially liable for the consequence of any action taken contrary to those financial rules or the administrative instructions issued therewith;"

Operative paragraph 12 would read:

"Recalls its request to the Secretary-General in its resolution 49/218 of 23 December 1994 to include full implementation of the financial regulations and rules of the United Nations as a specific performance indicator in the performance appraisal of all managers;"

Operative paragraph 13 would be deleted and replaced by the following two paragraphs:

"Recalls the budgetary process contained in Assembly resolution 49/223A of 23 December 1994 on administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peacekeeping operations;"

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"Notes that the recommendation in paragraph 5 of the report of the ACABQ deviates from Assembly resolution 49/233a of 23 December 1994;"

After that addition, the subsequent paragraphs would be renumbered, he added.

The Chairman of the Committee, Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh) clarified that the square brackets around operative paragraph 10 would be removed.

The Committee approved the text, as orally amended, without a vote.

Financing of MINURSO: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution on the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) (document A/C.5/52/39), the Assembly would also decide that for Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, there shall be set off against their apportionment their respective share in the unencumbered balance of about $2.6 million gross (around $2.2 million net) for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997. Member States that have not fulfilled their obligations would have their share of the unencumbered balance set off against their outstanding obligations.

HENRY HANSON-HALL (Ghana) introduced the draft. He said that the brackets should be removed from the second footnote and that the reference to Add.8 should be deleted. The words "operational and substantive" should be removed from operative paragraph 7, as well as the square brackets. He also said that the reference to the Brindisi Base in paragraph 8 should be deleted, as had been done with other resolutions. The reference to some $1.3 million in paragraph 10 should be deleted.

The Committee approved the draft text, as orally revised, without a vote.

The representative of Morocco, speaking after the action, drew the Committee's attention to a technical error in the document.

Financing and Liquidation of UNTAC: Action on Draft

A draft resolution on the financing and liquidation of United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) (document A/C.5/52/L.40) would have the Assembly decide to apportion, as an ad hoc arrangement, among Member States the amount of about $32.6 million gross (some $25.7 million net), to be offset by an equal amount from miscellaneous income. The Assembly would also decide to appropriate to the special account for the United Nations Advance Mission in Cambodia and the Transitional Authority the amount of some $17.7 million gross (about $21.2 million net), to meet the additional requirements

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of the Transitional Authority, to be apportioned, as an ad hoc arrangement, among Member States.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would decide that Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Transitional Authority shall be credited with their respective share in the balance of the cumulative miscellaneous income of about $1.8 million and of any surplus arising from the eventual liquidation of the remaining obligations in the special account for the Transitional Authority. The Assembly would further decide that for Member States that have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Transitional Authority, their share in the balance of the cumulative miscellaneous income and of any surplus shall be set off against their outstanding obligations.

TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) introduced the draft and read out amendments. In operative paragraph 13, after the word "dollars", the words "of the cumulative interest income of $6,944,000" should be added.

Paragraph 15, concerning accumulated interest income, should be deleted and replaced by:

"Takes note of the views expressed by Member States on the treatment of the cumulative interest income and the special account for the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia".

The Committee approved that draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

Financing of UNPROFOR: Action on Draft

A draft decision on the financing of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR), the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia, the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP), and the United Nations Peace Forces Headquarters (document A/C.5/52/L.41) would have the Assembly express its deep concern regarding the observation of the ACABQ in paragraph 6 of its report (document A/52/868) regarding the use of gratis personnel as negotiators for the United Nations wet lease arrangements.

The draft would also have the Assembly take note of the Secretary-General's report on the final disposition of assets, and request the Board of Auditors to examine that report. Further, the Auditors would be requested to report on the issue of control over usage of petrol, oil and lubricants as reflected in the accounts of the United Nations peacekeeping operations for the biennium ending 31 December 1995.

Also by the text, the Assembly would decide that in future, detailed information and justification on written off and lost items should be provided in the final disposition of assets of all peacekeeping operations. It would

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defer consideration of the treatment of the unencumbered balance arising in respect of the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997, pending the submission of the final performance report for the Peace Forces.

NESTER ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) introduced the text and changes. Paragraph (c) of the draft decision should read as follows:

"Takes note of the concern of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) expressed in paragraph 6 of its report regarding the use of gratis personnel as negotiators for the United Nations for wet-lease arrangements".

The Committee approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

Financing OF ONUMOZ: Action on Draft

A draft resolution on the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) (document A/C.5/52/L.42), would have the Assembly decide that Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Operation shall be credited with their respective share of the unencumbered balance of just under $37 million gross (about $35.7 million net) in respect of the period ending 31 March 1995 and their respective share of the miscellaneous income of about $10.3 million. For Member States that have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Operation, their share of the unencumbered balance for the period in question and their respective share of the miscellaneous income shall be set off against their outstanding obligations.

The Assembly would further decide that the full amount of the accumulated interest income of just under $5 million shall be credited only to Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Operation in full as at 15 May 1998 in proportion to their effective rates of assessment for the financing of peacekeeping operations.

IHOR V. HUMENNY (Ukraine) introduced the draft and proposed amendments. At the end of paragraph 9 the phrase "and interest income of just under $5 million" should be added. That phrase should also be added to paragraph 10. Paragraph 11 would be deleted and replaced by the following: "Takes Note of the views expressed by Member States on the treatment on the accumulated interest income in the special account of the Operation." The brackets on paragraphs 9, 10 and 11 could then be deleted.

The representative of Canada asked for clarification from the Secretariat regarding the retroactive application of the new procedures for contingent owned equipment.

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The representative of Italy said her delegation was very much interested in that matter.

The representative of Uganda proposed technical changes to paragraph 7. Like the representative of Canada and Italy, Uganda wished to know more about the retroactive application of the new procedure.

COMPTON PERSAUD, Chief of the Finance Management and Support Service, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said that Member States had the option of using either the new or old procedure for missions that had been activated prior to 1 July 1996. The Secretariat had indicated, and States had agreed, that once a country had opted for one method, the decision could not be rescinded. The processing of claims was time consuming. All requests had been recorded and the Secretariat had reviewed almost all of the backlog. The system had been tested, on a trial basis, with UNPROFOR, he said.

Retroactive claims had been submitted for a number of missions, he said. Two claims had been paid and a memorandum of understanding had been signed in eight cases. Negotiations had been completed in six. Twenty-five cases were being processed and 2 were being reviewed. The Secretariat was guided by the decisions of the Committee in interpreting the requests for reimbursements.

The Committee then adopted the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

Financing of UNFICYP: Action on Draft

By the terms of a draft resolution on financing the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) (document A/C.5/52/L.43), the Assembly would decide to appropriate to the special account for the Force an amount of $602,900 gross ($647,400 net) in addition to the almost $45.1 million gross (about $43.1 million net) already appropriated for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997. Taking into consideration the Government of Cyprus' voluntary contribution of one third of the cost of the Force -- equivalent to $215,800 -- the Assembly would decide, as an ad hoc arrangement, to apportion the additional amount of $387,100 gross ($431,600 net), also taking into account the $45.1 million gross ($43.1 million net) already authorized for that same period.

KAZUO WATANABE (Japan), coordinator of the draft resolution, said one additional brief informal consultation was needed to clear up some remaining issues.

The Committee Chairman, Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), asked which parts of the text were outstanding.

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Mr. WATANABE (Japan) said informal consultations had been conducted and agreement had been reached on all but two paragraphs: 15 and 16, which could be deleted, and the subsequent paragraphs renumbered.

The representative of the Netherlands said that the word "and" should be deleted in the second footnote, as should, on page 3, paragraph 7, the words "operational and substantive".

The Committee then approved the text, as orally amended, without a vote.

The representative of Cyprus thanked the coordinator of the draft, as well as Committee members and those of the Secretariat who had contributed to the draft's approval without a vote.

Financing of UNOMIG: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution on the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) (document A/C.5/52/L.44), the Assembly would take note of the status of contributions to the Mission as at 15 May, including the contributions outstanding in the amount of $6.4 million, and express concern about the financial situation with regard to peacekeeping activities, in particular as regards the reimbursement of troop contributors.

DJAMEL MOKTEFI (Algeria), Committee Rapporteur, introduced the draft. In line with other texts, paragraph 7 would have the words "operational and substantive" deleted, to read as follows:

"Also request the Secretary-General, in order to reduce the costs of employing General Service staff, to continue efforts to employ locally recruited staff for the Observer Mission against General Service posts, commensurate with the requirements of the Mission".

The Committee approved the text, as orally revised, without a vote.

Financing of Mission in Haiti

A draft decision on financing of the United Nations Mission in Haiti (document A/C.5/52/L.45) would have the Assembly decide to defer consideration of the treatment of an unencumbered balance arising in respect of the period from 1 to 31 July 1996, pending submission of a final performance report.

MANLAN AHOUNOU (Cote d'Ivoire) introduced the text.

The Committee approved the draft without a vote.

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Financing of UNMOT: Action on Draft

By the text of a draft resolution on financing the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) (document A/C.5/52/L.46), the Assembly would decide that, for those States that had fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, their respective share in the unencumbered balance of some $1.5 million gross ($1.3 million net) for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 would be set off against the apportionment for the upcoming period. For those that had not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, their share of the unencumbered balance would be set off against their outstanding obligations.

By other terms of the draft, the Assembly would approve, on an exceptional basis, the special arrangements for the Mission regarding application of article IV of the financial regulations of the United Nations, whereby appropriations required in respect of obligations owed to governments providing contingents and/or logistic support to the Mission shall be retained beyond the period stipulated under the Organization's financial regulations. An annex to the draft explains the terms of those special arrangements further.

Mr. MOKTEFI (Algeria), Committee Rapporteur, introduced the draft and proposed amendments. The phrase, "operational and substantive" should be deleted from operative paragraph 8. The reference to the report of the ACABQ (document A/52/860) should also be deleted.

The Committee approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

Statements on Financing of Rwanda Tribunal

SAMUEL HANSON (Canada), coordinator for consultation on the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, said that informal consultations had been attended by the Registrar and by the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), who had responded to delegates' questions. While the dialogue with the representative of the Secretary-General had been fruitful, consultations were ongoing.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) said that the meetings that had taken place during the session had been extremely productive and better structured than previous ones. However, due to inadequate time, it had not been possible to exhaustively discuss a number of the issues that had come up. Delegations had been unable to offer their views on how to proceed on the item. If there had been 10 or 15 extra minutes there might have been a different result.

Uganda would have wished for a four-part decision on the item, he said. By that decision, the Assembly would: acknowledge that the report of the

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Office of International Oversight Services had been extensively considered by the Assembly; take note of the OIOS appreciation and positive comments on the overall improvement in the Tribunal's administration; call on the Secretary- General to ensure that the Tribunal, to the extent possible, was managed similarly to the other Tribunal; stress that issues pertaining to personnel matters in the report should be reviewed within the context of the budget for the Tribunal.

The number of days spent by the Prosecutor in Arusha was a matter for concern, he said. As the prosecutor was hardly ever there, perhaps it was time for the Assembly to reconsider its decision. It was hoped that the issue could be reconsidered at a later stage.

Questions posed to the Secretariat were done in good faith, to enable delegations to make informed decisions, he said. Uganda had been perturbed with some of the comments made in response to questions. His delegation wished to repeat its comment that the OIOS, in conducting its investigations, should ensure that its sources were reliable and that they could not be doubted.

The Committee decided to defer its consideration of the item until its third resumed session.

Financing of UNMIBH: Action on Draft

By a draft text on the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) (document A/C.5/52/L.47), the Assembly would decide that, for Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, there shall be set off against the apportionment their respective share in the unencumbered balance of about $33 million gross (some $30.7 million net) for the period ending 30 June 1997. The Assembly would also decide that for Member States that have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Mission, their share of the unencumbered balance for the period shall be set off against their outstanding obligations.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) introduced the text and made an amendment: the words "operational and substantive" should be deleted from paragraph 6 bis.

The Committee approved that draft, as orally amended, without a vote.

Financing of UNTAES: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution on the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) (document A/C.5/52/L.48), the Assembly would decide to continue to use the special

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account for UNTAES for the Civilian Police Support Group beginning 16 January 1998. The Assembly would also decide to reduce the appropriation provided by the General Assembly in its resolution 51/153 B in the amount of $275.3 million gross (about $266.2 million net) for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998, to about $134.8 million gross (around $129.2 million net).

The Assembly would also decide to reduce the apportionment at a monthly rate of about $23 million gross (some $22.2 million net), subject to the decision of the Security Council to extend the mandate of UNTAES, to the amount of $111.8 million gross ($107.6 million net) for the maintenance of UNTAES for the period from 1 July 1997 to the end of its mandate on 15 January 1998.

Also by the text, the Assembly would decide, as an ad hoc arrangement, to apportion the amount of some $23 million gross (about $21.6 million net) for the liquidation of the Transitional Administration and the maintenance of the Support Group for the period from 16 January to 30 June 1998 among Member States.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda), introducing the draft, said that the words "operational and substantive" should be deleted from paragraph 6 bis.

The Committee then approved that draft, as orally amended, without a vote.

Financing of UNPREDEP: Action on Draft

According to the terms of a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) (document A/C.5/52/L.49), the Assembly would decide that for Member States that have fulfilled their financial obligations to the Force, their respective share in the unencumbered balance of about $1.3 million gross ($560,300 net) in respect of the period ending 30 June 1997 shall set off against their apportionment for the upcoming period. The Assembly would also decide that for Member States that have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the Force, their share of that unencumbered balance shall be set off against their outstanding obligations.

Mr. ODAGA-JALOMAYO (Uganda) introduced that draft text and said that the same words "operational and substantive" should be deleted from paragraph 6 bis.

The Committee then approved that draft, as orally amended, without a vote.

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Financing of UNSMIH: Action on Draft

By the terms of a draft resolution on financing of the United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) (document A/C.5/52/L.50), the Assembly would decide to appropriate and apportion among Member States -- as an ad hoc measure -- some $13.2 million gross (about $12.6 million net) for the maintenance of UNSMIH, the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH), and the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH) for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998. That amount would be in addition to about $15.1 million gross (almost $14.5 million net) already appropriated, and inclusive of some $9.2 million gross ($8.8 million net) already authorized by the Advisory Committee.

For those Member States that had fulfilled their financial obligations to the Support Mission, their respective share of the unencumbered balance of $9.1 million gross ($8.3 million net) would be set off against their apportionment, while those States that had not fulfilled their financial obligations would have their share of the balance set off against their outstanding obligations.

Mr. AHOUNOU (Côte d'Ivoire) introduced the draft.

The representative of the United States proposed that the phrase "operational and substantive" in paragraph 8 be deleted.

The Committee then approved the draft, as orally amended, without a vote.

Third-Party Liability: Action on Draft

By the draft resolution on temporal and financial limitations on liability to third parties (document A/C.5/52/L.7), the Assembly would decide that temporal and financial limitations proposed by the Secretary-General shall apply to third-party claims against the Organization for loss or damage relating to activities by members of peacekeeping operations. It would thus decide that the Organization would not pay compensation for third-party claims submitted after six months from the time an injury or loss occurred or was discovered, or after one year from the termination of the mandate of the related peacekeeping operation.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would decide that such third- party claims for personal injury, illness or death shall be limited to economic loss, such as medical and rehabilitation expenses, loss of earnings or financial support, transportation costs associated with the injury, illness or medical care, and burial expenses. No compensation shall be paid for non-economic loss, such as pain and suffering or moral anguish, or for punitive

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or moral damages. Compensation for injury, illness or death of any single individual shall not exceed $50,000, provided that within such limits, the actual sum will be determined by reference to local compensation standards.

The Assembly would further decide that compensation for third-party claims for property loss or damage based on non-consensual use of premises shall be calculated on the basis of fair rental value, based on the local market prices that prevailed before the deployment of a related peacekeeping mission. Alternatively, the amounts could be based on a maximum ceiling payable per square metre or hectare, as established by a United Nations pre-mission technical survey. The Secretary-General would decide on the appropriate method for calculating compensation at the conclusion of that survey.

The draft would also have the Assembly decide that compensation for damage to personal property of third parties arising from the activities of a peacekeeping operation or in connection with the performance of official duties by its members would cover the reasonable costs of repair or replacement.

By other terms of the text, the Assembly would ask the Secretary-General to ensure that the terms of reference of local review boards that check claims include the temporal and financial limitations on the Organization's liability, as contained in the draft. He would be asked to ensure that those boards should base their recommendations for compensation on those limits.

LOVEMORE MAZEMO (Zimbabwe), introducing the draft, proposed an additional paragraph, sub-paragraph 9 (e), which reads as follows:

"In exceptional circumstances, the Secretary-General may recommend to the General Assembly, for its approval, that the limitation of $50,000 provided in sub-paragraph (d) above, be exceeded in a particular case if the Secretary- General, after carrying out the required investigations, finds that there exist compelling reasons that warrant exceeding the limitation."

There was a need to further refine the definition of the term "operational necessity", he added.

The Committee then approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

Budgetary Requirements for Peacekeeping Operations

The Committee decided to recommend to the Assembly to take note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the six-month update of information on the proposed budgetary requirements of each peacekeeping operation for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998 contained in documents A/C.5/52/44 and Corr.1 and A.C.5/52/52.

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Financing of Logistics Base: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi (document A/C.5/52/L.53) the Assembly would approve the cost estimates for the Logistics Base in the amount of some $7.1 million for the period from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999, inclusive of the amount of $829,000 for the completion of two start-up kits. It would also decide to apply the unencumbered balance of about $2 million for the period from 1 July 1996 to 30 June 1997 to the resources required for the period from 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 and to prorate the balance of about $5.1 million among the approved appropriations of the individual active peacekeeping operation budgets to meet the financing requirements of the Logistics Base for the period ending 30 June 1999.

Also by the draft, the Assembly would authorize the Secretary-General to provide for a civilian establishment consisting of 10 Professional, 10 Field Service and 28 locally recruited staff. It would also approve the resourcing policy proposed in the report of the Secretary-General regarding the inclusion in future liquidation budgets of provision for the cost of repair, refurbishment and preservation equal to 30 per cent of the total depreciated value of the equipment to be transferred to the Logistics Base.

Mr. MAZEMO (Zimbabwe) introduced the text and read out some oral amendments. In the second footnote, reference to the report A/52/860 should be deleted, and in the second line of the third preambular paragraph, reference should be made to the related report [rather than "reports"] of the ACABQ.

The Committee approved the draft resolution, as orally amended, without a vote.

Reports on Death and Disability Benefits

The Committee Chairman, Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), drew attention to the second and third quarterly reports on clearing the backlog of claims (documents A/C.5/52/37 and A/C.5/52/50). The Committee decided to recommend that the Assembly take note of the reports.

Financing of MINURCA: Action on Draft

By the draft resolution on the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) (document A/C.5/52/L.51), the Assembly would appropriate and apportion among Member States -- as an ad hoc measure -- some $18.6 million gross (about $18.3 million net) for the establishment and operation of the Mission for the period from 27 March to 30 June, inclusive of about $12.8 million gross (nearly $12.5 million net) previously authorized by

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the Advisory Committee, and request the Secretary-General to establish a special account for MINURCA.

RADHIA ACHOURI (Tunisia) introduced the draft. She proposed that paragraph 5 be harmonized with previous drafts: "operational and substantive" should be deleted.

The Committee approved the draft text, as orally revised, without a vote.

The representative of Cameroon, speaking in explanation of position, said his delegation was pleased that the Committee had given the necessary financial means to the new Mission; it was hoped that those means would indeed be made available to make it possible for MINURCA to carry out its mandate. Cameroon was also pleased by the flexibility of delegations at the introduction of operative paragraphs 2 and 3, relating to reports of the Secretary-General and of the ACABQ, although it would have preferred that the provisions in those paragraphs be set out more clearly.

The representative of Uganda, said it was Uganda's hope that the new mission would be provided with the requisite resources. He noted that elections were expected to take place in August of September, but that no estimates had been given to the Committee regarding the role to be played by the United Nations in the elections process. It was hoped that the United Nations would be involved. It was also hoped that necessary support would be given to the trust fund for the Mission.

Development Account: Action on Draft

By a draft resolution submitted by the Chairman on the Development Account (document A/C.5/52/L.56), the Assembly would request the Secretary-General to submit -- no later than 31 July 1998 -- a detailed report on the sustainability, modalities, purposes and performance criteria of the Development Account requested in its resolution 52/12B and decision 52/477. That report should include identification of the types and areas of efficiency measures to be implemented and estimates of the amounts of the possible savings to be achieved. It should include an analysis of the impact of such efficiency measures on the Organization's staffing levels and its delivery of mandated programmes and activities, as well as the sustainability of the Account beyond the year 2003.

The report should also include specific proposals on the Account's programmatic objectives and direction, in accordance with the priorities set out in the Organization's medium-term plan, and taking into account the complementary of the Account's activities with other relevant sections of the programme budget.

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By other terms, the Assembly would emphasize that efficiency measures should not adversely affect the implementation of all mandated activities, and that they should not lead to a process of budgetary reduction or result in the involuntary separation of staff. The Assembly would note that the amount of $200 million suggested by the Secretary-General was an indicative target and that no time-frame should be specified for reaching that target. It would request the Secretary-General to make proposals on the use of the funds available in section 34 of the 1998-1999 programme budget on Development Account to be presented no later than 31 July 1998.

Under other provisions, it would regret that the quality of documents before it did not provide substantive information and clear direction to enable it to take a final decision, and also regret the non-issuance of the document on the exact use of the $13 million already allocated to the Development Account. It would decide to return to issues related to the Account for consideration and action at the third part of its resumed fifty- second session.

The representative of China drew attention to inaccuracies in the Chinese-language version.

The representative of Cameroon said his delegation had problems with operative paragraph 1, which referred to the quality of documents. Since "reports" meant the content, and "documents" meant the paper, how could the poor quality of a sheet of paper be regretted? he asked. Instead of regretting the quality of documents, the resolution should read that the Assembly regretted the quality of reports.

The representative of Egypt said that her delegation had the same concern. Reports, not documents, were being discussed. The problem also existed in the Arabic version.

The representative of Côte d'Ivoire supported the proposal of the representative of Cameroon. He also pointed out a change to be made to the French version of the text.

The representative of Ukraine said that one of the documents was a report, one was a note. That should be reflected correctly if a change was made.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said that it might be accurate to use the term "document" which referred to both report and note.

The representative of Cameroon) said the terms document and report in French meant two different things.

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The representative of Côte d'Ivoire proposed a change to the French version.

The representative of Egypt suggested that the two documents be identified separately.

The Committee then approved the draft, as orally revised, without a vote.

The representative of Japan said the draft was a small step forward. Prior to informal consultations, several delegation had felt that the Committee's consideration would have to be deferred because of the poor quality of the reports. During the course of informal consultations, Member States' differences of opinions had become apparent. That was useful. As for the mechanism on financing the Account, reaching agreement might require more time because a careful decision was needed. Regarding documentation, he stressed the importance of quality documents being issued in time.

Gratis Personnel and Support Account

Ms. BRENNEN-HAYLOCK (Bahamas) reported on the status of document A/C.5/52/L.55 on gratis personnel. Consultations had been carried out while the Committee was meeting. There was now consensus on about 75 per cent of the text, and with a little additional time, the remaining areas could be bridged.

MILES ARMITAGE (Australia), Coordinator of the informal consultation on the Support Account, said that the draft text on the account was in a less advanced stage than the text on gratis personnel. He was still trying to obtain consensus on the level of posts and the appropriation, and, with a little more time, agreement could be obtained. Then, time would be needed to work through some aspects of the draft, which would be better done after the text on gratis personnel was finalized. Without completing the text on the support account, the information for other documents on peacekeeping had to be held in abeyance.

Mr. CHOWDHURY (Bangladesh), Committee Chairman, said without that draft there would be many blanks in the draft texts on individual peacekeeping operations. He proposed that the Committee suspend for further informal consultations.

(annexes follow)

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Fifth Committee Press Release GA/AB/3234 68th Meeting (PM) 29 May 1998

ANNEX I

Vote on Preambular and Operative Paragraphs of UNIFIL Text

The first preambular paragraph and operative paragraphs 3, 4, 5 and 16 of the draft text on the financing of UNIFIL (document A/C.5/52/L.52) was approved by a recorded vote of 51 in favour to 2 against, with 38 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Uruguay.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia.

(END OF ANNEX I)

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Fifth Committee Press Release GA/AB/3234 68th Meeting (PM) 29 May 1998

ANNEX II

Vote on UNIFIL Text

The draft resolution on the financing of UNIFIL as a whole (document A/C.5/52/L.52) was approved as orally amended by a recorded vote of 89 in favour to 2 against, with 1 abstention, as follows:

In favour: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Syria, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Zimbabwe.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: Iran.

Absent: Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bolovia, Burkina Faso, Comoros, Croatia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, El Salvador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fedrated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Iceland, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Monaco, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Tajikistan, The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Zambia.

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