TROOP-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO CARRY UNLIMITED LIABILITY FOR EXPENSES INCURRED DURING UN PEACEKEEPING, FIFTH COMMITTEE HEARS

17 May 1999

Press Release
GA/AB/3295

TROOP-CONTRIBUTING COUNTRIES CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO CARRY UNLIMITED LIABILITY FOR EXPENSES INCURRED DURING UN PEACEKEEPING, FIFTH COMMITTEE HEARS

19990517 Committee Concludes Discussions of Reimbursement for Contingent-owned Equipment, Management Irregularities Causing Financial Losses to Organization

Troop-contributing countries could not be expected to carry unlimited liability for expenses incurred when they responded to United Nations' calls to protect international peace and security, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) was told this morning, as it concluded its general discussion on reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment.

The United Nations' financial liability for loss or damage of equipment provided by Member States for peacekeeping missions should not be limited, the representative of Pakistan continued. The maintenance of international peace and security was a collective responsibility of all Member States.

Regarding reimbursement for loss or damage of equipment as a consequence of hostile action or forced abandonment, the representative of the United States questioned proposals to limit liability to the lesser of generic fair market value or residual value. The residual value of such equipment would be impossible to determine, so reimbursement should always be set at the generic fair market value of the list of damaged goods.

The representative of Canada, speaking also on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, said the recently reformed reimbursement system was an unqualified success and a significant development in managing peacekeeping operations. There was no need for a major overhaul of the reformed system, although, for any system to remain relevant, it must evolve and be refined.

She regretted that the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) had only been issued very recently, and that delegations had not had time to examine it thoroughly. As there might not be adequate time for the type of substantive discussion that was warranted, further consideration of the reimbursement system should be deferred until after the next phase of expert consideration.

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The representatives of Germany, speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, also spoke on the subject, as did the representative of Norway. The Committee heard from C.S.M. Mselle, ACABQ Chairman, who introduced that body's report and responded to questions, from Hocine Medili, Director of the Field Administration Logistics Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations,and from Yeo Bock Cheng, Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division, Department of Management.

Also this afternoon, the Committee concluded its general discussion of management irregularities causing financial losses to the Organization. The representatives of Japan, the United States and the Russian Federation spoke on the issue.

At its next meeting, at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 19 May, the Committee is scheduled to consider the Development Account, the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships, and the peacekeeping reserve fund.

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to continue discussing administrative and budgetary aspects of peacekeeping operations, and to resume its discussion of human resources management and the review of United Nations administrative and financial efficiency.

Administrative and Budgetary Aspects of Peacekeeping Operations

The Secretary-General's note on the reform of procedures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment (documents A/51/967 and Corrs.1 and 2) relays a revised model Contribution Agreement between the United Nations and States contributing to peacekeeping operations. He proposes to replace the term "Contribution Agreement" with "Memorandum of Understanding". The note contains a copy of the 15-article Memorandum and its annexes.

According to an annex on personnel, governments would be reimbursed for troop costs at $988 per month per contingent member, $65 a month for each member for clothing allowance, and $5 a month for each soldier for personal training ammunition. An allowance for specialists at the rate of $291 per month equivalent to 10 per cent of the personnel of an infantry unit would also be paid out. Contingent personnel would receive directly from the peacekeeping mission a daily allowance of $1.28, plus a recreational leave allowance of $10.5 per day for up to seven days of leave taken in a six-month period. The model Memorandum also spells out conditions for providing equipment and sets standards of performance.

The Committee also had before it a letter, dated 13 February 1998, transmitting the report of the Phase IV Working Group on reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment (document A/C.5/52/39). On the issue of levels of reimbursement for losses or damage to contingent-owned equipment from hostile action or forced abandonment, the Working Group recommends that, in cases of loss or damage from a single hostile action or forced abandonment, the United Nations assume liability for each item of major equipment when the collective generic fair market value equals or exceeds the threshold value of $250,000. It also recommends that no upper limits be placed on justified claims, and that the Secretariat should recommend appropriate measures for handling large claims.

In regard to the settlement of disputes concerning contingent-owned equipment arrangements between the United Nations and troop-contributing countries, the Working Group recommends that procedures be developed which clarify the first level of dispute resolution to include two levels. At the first level would be staff level representatives for the chief administrative officer and the Contingent Commander. Should the dispute not be resolved, it would be referred to the permanent representatives of the Member States and

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the Under-Secretary-General, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, at Headquarters. At the second level, Permanent Missions and the Under-Secretary- General or his representatives will seek resolution.

With respect to the responsibility of the Organization for loss or damage during transportation, the Working Group recommends that transportation be interpreted to mean all transportation arranged by the United Nations. In this regard, it also recommends that the loss or damage issue be clarified and implemented by the Secretariat to ensure that troop-contributing countries are reimbursed where significant damage occurs to contingent-owned equipment during transportation.

On the universality of mission factors, the report states that the Working Group recommends that when mission factors are applicable to a specific mission, all troop-contributing countries taking part in the mission should be entitled to claim the same mission factor rates regardless of their location in the mission area. In the third month of a newly established mission, it recommended that a review of mission factors is to be completed.

On period of reimbursement, the Working Group recommends that a mission drawdown plan should be developed to coordinate the timely departure of troop contingents and equipment following the termination of a mission, the report states. Troop reimbursements should continue at full rates until departure, in accordance with the drawdown plan. Reimbursement for major equipment leases would be paid at 50 per cent of the former level until the equipment departure date. Reimbursement for self-sustainment rates would be reduced by 50 per cent and would be calculated upon remaining deployed troop strengths until all contingent personnel have left the mission area.

The Committee also had before it a report of the Secretary-General on implementation of reform measures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment (document A/53/465). The report responds to a General Assembly request, following its approval of reformed procedures for reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment, that the Secretary-General report on the new arrangements after one full year of their operation. It provides comparative data on recommendations of the Working Groups of technical experts from troop-contributing countries which the Secretariat did not endorse.

After one full year's operation, the Secretary-General reports that eight claims totalling $645,201 have been submitted for inland transport under the new provision whereby actual costs of transportation are reimbursed. Under the Secretariat's alternative policy, there would have been no reimbursement. If these claims are indicative, then the Secretariat believes that these costs can be included in the budget. It will review this at the next rate review to attempt to establish a predictable standard rate for such reimbursement. No claims have been made under changed procedures whereby if the United Nations did

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not meet its lease liabilities fully, it would assume total responsibility for loss or damage of equipment due to no-fault incidents; however, the Secretariat still believes this would result in double payment for equipment.

The report states that a direct comparison of its and the Working Groups' recommendations on changes to liability for loss or damage to major equipment valued at or over $250,000 or major equipment collectively valued at or over $250,000, as a consequence of hostile action or abandonment, was not possible, as the Secretariat had not proposed a set figure for compensation. However, some $50 million in claims had been received under the new arrangements. The Secretariat had previously pointed out the high-liability exposure the change created, and the difficulty in predicting such costs when preparing budgets.

In some instances, the report notes, claims based on the new procedure of paying generic fair market value of the equipment exceeded the in-survey value of the same equipment. The Secretary-General recommends that the United Nations pay the lower of residual value or generic fair market value in such circumstances. After reviewing the new procedure whereby two sets of environmental and operation conditions were established to set mission factor payments, the Secretary-General agrees with this policy.

The report concludes that the revised procedures accomplish the goal of simplifying reimbursement and providing a more logical basis for calculating mission budgets. However, the Secretary-General has several major issues of concern, including the unlimited liability for loss of equipment due to hostile action or forced abandonment, and retrospective application of the new procedures. The report recommends the General Assembly consider a financial limitation on claims arising from hostile acts or forced abandonment. It suggests a study on practicability and cost be undertaken before approving responsibility for loss or damage of equipment during transport, and that, given that procedures exist for "as necessary" reviews of mission factors, an obligatory three-month review might not be necessary.

The report also recommends the Assembly approve policies whereby: troop-contributing countries are paid $36 per month per soldier when troops are quartered longer than six months in tents, as against the $56 per month; the introduction of new procedures for existing missions would be determined by a plan to be presented at this General Assembly session; no additional financial responsibilities result from United Nations' inability to pay troop contributors or from no-fault losses where an insurance factor has been included in the agreed usage charge; the basis for reimbursement for hostile action or forced abandonment losses would be the lesser of generic free market or residual value of lost equipment; it authorizes the convening of the Phase V Working Group to conduct an initial review of 1999 rates for inclusion in mission budgets from 1 July 2000.

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The related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (document A/53/944) contains a number of specific comments and recommendations in response to the above two reports. For example, taking into account the limited experience in processing large claims by the United Nations, and the fact that no budgetary provision is made for contingent liabilities owing to their unpredictability, the Committee is of the opinion that, at this stage, a case has not been made to set a financial limit for loss or damage in cases of hostile action or forced abandonment. It recommends that the Secretariat submit proposals to the General Assembly on the handling of large claims. With respect to the method of calculating amounts to be reimbursed, the Committee agrees with the proposal of the Secretary-General that reimbursement for an item of equipment would be the lesser of the generic fair market value or the residual value of the equipment lost.

According to the report, issues requiring additional discussion and decision are: financial limitation for claims resulting from losses of contingent-owned equipment due to hostile action or forced abandonment; United Nations responsibility regarding loss of, or damage to, equipment during transportation; universality of mission factors -- requirement for review of mission factors in the third month of the mission; dual payments for accommodation and tentage; additional United Nations financial responsibilities to cover "no-fault" losses in the event the United Nations is not meeting its full liability under the leasing system; basis of reimbursement for equipment lost or damaged as a result of hostile action or forced abandonment; and review of major equipment standards -- proposed date for Phase V Working Group review.

Human Resources Management

The Fifth Committee also had before it the Secretary-General's report on management irregularities causing financial losses (document A/53/849). It defines management irregularities as those resulting from fraudulent conduct, gross negligence or wilful disregard of rules, regulations and policies. In these cases, the Organization makes every possible effort to recover the loss incurred.

Actions leading to financial loss can be divided into three categories: mistakes, intentional disregard of rules or gross negligence, and fraud, the report states. They can result from inadvertent error, oversight, simple error or inability to foresee negative consequences of an action -- a category the report calls mistakes. The Secretary-General reports it would be unrealistic to expect perfect judgement at all times, and that mistakes occur even when decisions are taken in good faith and with due diligence. To seek recovery in these cases would be counterproductive and would inhibit motivation and initiative. Mistakes made, or inability to exercise good judgement, would have appropriate career repercussions through the Performance Appraisal System.

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The second category involves losses incurred as a consequence of intentional disregard of rules or gross negligence, according to the report. Disciplinary action could result, as could action to obtain recovery of losses, as set out in chapter X of the staff rules and article X of the staff regulations. Mechanisms for determining "gross negligence" and the level of financial responsibility need to be established.

In cases of fraud, the staff member may be summarily dismissed or subject to other disciplinary action, as well as being subject to the Organization's efforts to recover losses, the report states. In addition, a decision would be made, on a case-by-case basis, to involve the local legal system. Evidence may not be always satisfactory to satisfy national legal standards of criminal proof.

Upon prima facie evidence of wrongdoing and after reporting to the Controller, a matter may be referred to the Office of Human Resources Management for appropriate disciplinary action, in accordance with procedural requirements and the due process rights of the staff member concerned. Where there is no doubt of serious misconduct or fraud, staff are summarily dismissed, and termination indemnities and repatriation grants are forfeited. Otherwise, measures ranging from written censure to separation of service may take place, in accordance with staff rule 110.3.

Recovery procedures include deductions from salary and withholding of termination benefits, the report states. Virtually all cases of recovery are achieved this way. Where disciplinary procedures are undertaken, staff may be suspended pending investigations to limit further loss. Actions to effect recovery are subject to the internal appeals processes.

The report notes that where the relevant staff members' salary and emoluments are insufficient to cover losses, no other internal mechanism for recovery exists. A decision would then be taken as to the cost-effectiveness of using national legislative means to pursue recovery. In some instances, the amount the Organization may expect to recover will not warrant the expense of the proceedings.

For the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998, the Office of Internal Oversight Services reports total recoveries of $6 million out of a potential $10.3 million. Of this, $100,000 related to fraud. This information is included in the Office's reports and fraud is also reported in the Auditors' reports.

In a related report (document A/53/954), the ACABQ states that it believes the Secretary-General's report is preliminary and does not clearly show developments since 1994, when the Secretariat's comprehensive overview of alleged cases of fraud (document A/AC.243/1994/L.3) was issued. The ACABQ notes that procedures have yet to be established for determining whether there is gross negligence in a specific instance and what financial responsibility

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should be incurred by those negligent. It recommends a more detailed report be prepared, to include procedures for determining gross negligence and financial responsibility.

In the view of the Advisory Committee, the Secretary-General needs to take further preventive measures to identify the risk factors that expose the Organization to management irregularities, so that improvements in internal control and accountability can be instituted, the report states. A discussion of this aspect should be included in the next report of the Secretary-General.

The Committee also had before it a conference room paper (document A/C.5/53/CRP.2), issued in response to a request by the United States delegate to be informed about the Secretariat's action against the Chief, Administrative Service of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), who had "abnegated his supervisory responsibility and had been promoted instead of being disciplined". According to the paper, UNCTAD's administrative services had been reorganized and were being reviewed on an ongoing basis. Secondment for the staff member had been approved, which did not entail a promotion. Upon return to the Secretariat, that staffer will revert to his original grade and future prospects for promotion will depend on possible further findings and remedial action. Any further action deemed necessary can and will be pursued, according to the text.

Statements

C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introduced the body's report on determining the level of reimbursement to States for contingent-owned equipment (document A/53/944). In response to questions posed by Member States last week, he said the Board of Auditors had written of increased costs resulting from the new methodology for reimbursement, and had called for a review of retroactivity, not for a review because of increased costs. It made no recommendation that the new system be changed in that regard. The Phase IV Working Group also recommended a study on retroactive payment, according to the ACABQ reading of that body's findings.

Regarding the question from the representative of Pakistan last week concerning the need for outside expertise in a review of the process, the ACABQ had recommended such expertise to place the independence of outcomes of such a review beyond question, not because it sought to question the level of expertise available in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

GERHARD KUNTZLE (Germany), speaking on behalf of the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Cyprus, said Union States had participated in various working groups leading to the reform of the methodology of

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reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment, so he was pleased that the Secretary-General had stated that the new system was simpler and effective. The Union believed the reformed procedures were far superior to the old, although some further elaboration was still needed. Many of the Secretary- General's comments and those of the ACABQ were both valid and useful -- where necessary, a decision on them should be taken.

Regarding retroactive application of the new system, the Union noted the Auditors' comments, he said. While they deserved scrutiny, he agreed with the ACABQ that the problems were transitional and, therefore, a comparative study, even if it were possible, would not serve any useful purpose. All efforts to avoid double payments should be made and sufficient data should be obtained to allow analysis of the impact of retroactive application.

The Union also noted the call, which was warranted, for a review of fair market value, he said. The Union wished to emphasize the importance of good preparation needed for the Phase V Working Group and sought the cooperation of the Secretary-General and of Member States to that end. It urged the Phase V Working Group to analyse the issues recommended by the Phase IV Group. On the backlog of cases before the Property Survey Board regarding write-offs, he would like to be informed of the composition of the Headquarters' board and the number and kind of outstanding claims.

GABRIELLE DUSCHNER (Canada), speaking also on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, said the new system was an unqualified success. The realization of the new contingent-owned equipment arrangements was a significant development in managing successful peacekeeping operations. She was committed to the new process simply because it worked.

For any system to remain relevant it must evolve, and refinements should take place, she said. There was no need for a major overhaul, but some development and clarification were needed. The Phase IV Group had reviewed the new system and submitted a comprehensive report. In addition to its specific recommendations it also recommended the establishment of the Phase V Group.

It was regrettable that the ACABQ report had only been issued very recently, as the delegations she spoke for had not had time to examine it thoroughly, she said. She was concerned that there might not be adequate time for the substantive discussion that was warranted. She also felt the Committee should avoid taking a piecemeal approach to the issue, and she did not believe it would be fruitful to discuss some aspects of the issue but not others. The recommendations of the technical experts of the Phase V Working Group would benefit the Committee's discussion.

Three responses from the Committee to the time problem could be identified, she said. Her preferred course of action would be that

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consideration of the item be deferred until the completion of the Phase V Working Group consideration. An alternative could be that the Committee could adopt the recommendations of the Phase IV Working Group as a whole, however, this would not allow it to account for the concerns of Secretary-General or the ACABQ. The third option -- to only adopt those recommendations where the Secretary-General and Phase IV Group agreed -- would be to take a piecemeal approach.

She recognized the need for the Phase V Working Group to review the rates for reimbursement, as well as other issues that arose, she said. The Secretary-General should begin planning for Phase V and convene it in the spring as the ACABQ recommended.

AMJAD HUSSAIN SIAL (Pakistan) commended the quality of the Phase IV Working Group report. He believed the process of contingent-owned equipment reimbursement reform should have been completed by March 1998, as per the original resolution. The main cause for delay seemed to be the lateness in issuance of the Secretary-General's reports on Phase III and Phase IV, which led to delay of the ACABQ reports.

In its resolution 49/233 A, the Assembly asked the Secretary-General to convene the Working Groups and to submit their recommendations to the Assembly, he said, not to make recommendations about changes to the Groups' proposals. Pakistan would like to receive an explanation of the Secretariat's actions on that. If that practice was extended to other bodies it would undermine the decisions of legislative bodies. He hoped the proper process would be followed in future.

The Secretary-General's comment on limiting the Organization's financial liability for equipment owned by Member States caused him serious concern, he said. Was there any rationale to limit the United Nations liability for contingent-owned equipment, thereby imposing unlimited liability on Member States? Troop-contributing countries had already agreed to bear financial liability for equipment losses or damage up to $250,000, but they could not be expected to carry unlimited liability for expenses incurred when they responded to United Nations calls to protect international peace and security. The maintenance of international peace and security was a collective responsibility of Member States.

Certain other comments by the Working Group seemed not to be understood by the Secretariat, he said. The Working Group had made a minor suggestion to improve the current system regrading loss or damage occurring during transportation, and the Secretary-General had responded by calling for a study of the financial implications. The change would involve the establishment of a threshold of 10 per cent of the value of equipment for claims, and therefore would reduce the number of claims.

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The Group had not recommended a review of mission factors every three months, as the Secretary-General seemed to believe, he said, but had recommended that a time limit of three months following the start of a mission be set for such a review. This would not be needed if such a review had been done prior to the commencement of the mission. Regarding tentage and accommodation, that issue should be considered by the Phase V Working Group.

Pakistan agreed with the ACABQ that the Phase V Working Group should be convened in the spring of 2000, he said. However, it sought clarification of the related ACABQ observations on reviewing peacekeeping budgets for 2000- 2001. He also sought clarification of Secretary-General's reference to additional financial responsibilities arising from the Organization's inability to make payments due to lack of funds, and asked whether this should refer to delays in payment rather than inability to pay.

Regarding the cut-off dates by which all missions would be operating under the new system, he said information on progress on this should be given to the Committee. He endorsed the ACABQ opinion that the manual on reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment should be revised after the completion of the Phase V Working Group consideration.

ANNE MERCHANT (Norway) said the new system was a major step towards effective management of peacekeeping operations, but it needed further development. She supported the statement made for the Canada, Australia, New Zealand group that the Fifth Committee might not have adequate time to discuss the outstanding issues. More technical issues would be better dealt with by the Phase V Working Group.

Norway would prefer deferring the agenda item until the Phase V Working Group had concluded its work, she said. Despite that, however, it would be possible to adopt the report of the Phase IV Working Group as a whole, although that would not take into account the concerns raised by the Secretary-General and the ACABQ. She recognized the need to review reimbursement rates, procedures and standards, and concurred with the ACABQ that such a review should be undertaken in 2000.

JAMES BOND (United States) said that on the level of reimbursement for loss or damage in cases of hostile action or forced abandonment, his delegation questioned the ACABQ's concurrence with the Secretary-General's proposal to limit reimbursement to the lesser of generic fair market value or the residual value of the equipment. The new procedures did not provide for a residual value and, in any case, it would be impossible to determine. The purpose of the new system was to prevent such arbitrary decisions. Reimbursement should be set at the generic fair market value.

A cut-off date should be set for implementing the new system for current missions, he said. He agreed with the ACABQ that there was no point in

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conducting a comparative study between the two systems retroactively. On tentage, his delegation believed that each case should be looked at individually. On the manual, the Secretariat should start revision as soon as possible. He questioned the fact that it would take a year to rewrite.

HOCINE MEDILI, Director of the Field Administration Logistics Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, said the Secretariat would respond to questions and comments in detail during informal consultations. The Secretariat was committed to making the system work. The system offered simplicity and standardization, and provided the Secretariat with rapid deployment capacity.

The system had to be simple, he stressed. It had to depart from the complexity of the old system. As it was improved, the notion of retaining its simplicity was crucial. The main issue about implementing it was how long it would take to develop and execute plans to bring all missions into the new system.

The cut-off date for submission of a report would be provided early next year, he continued. In the meantime, plans were being worked out and various missions visited. In deciding the cut-off date, consideration had to be taken on what kind of equipment the United Nations had acquired and deployed and when it would become obsolete, as well as at what level it would be considered obsolete.

As new units were inducted into the mission area, they would come into the new system, he said. As equipment that had been deployed became obsolete and needed to be replaced, that would also happen under the new system. The idea was to implement a process to enable the Secretariat to make full use of its deployed equipment and transfer to the new system as quickly as possible.

YEO BOCK CHENG, Director of the Peacekeeping Finance Division, Department of Management, said the Secretariat would respond in writing to the question posed by the European Union on the headquarters property survey board during the next informal consultations on the subject.

Review of Efficiency: Management Irregularities

MOVSES ABELIAN (Armenia), Fifth Committee Chairman, drew attention to the relevant reports.

KOJI YAMAGIWA (Japan) asked for information on measures taken with regard to the ACABQ's recommendation to explore the feasibility of recovering losses from the pension benefits of the individuals concerned. A recent report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (document A/53/811) had indicated that a staff member from the United Nations Conference on Trade and

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Development (UNCTAD) had agreed to pay the lump sum pension payment he had received as partial restitution for losses to the Organization.

The staff rules contained possible measures to impose in cases of unsatisfactory conduct, he said, and asked for statistics on the number of such actions taken in recent years. Further preventive measures should be taken to improve internal control and accountability. There was need to adequately train staff members with important financial functions, he added.

THOMAS REPASCH (United States) asked whether the reports would be introduced.

The CHAIRMAN said the ACABQ report would not be introduced because it was self-explanatory. The Secretary-General's report on the subject had been introduced earlier. The conference room paper would not be introduced.

Mr. REPASCH (United States) said the ACABQ report was not self- explanatory. It should be reissued to comply with applicable rules. For example, recommendations were supposed to be printed in bold. The report made it difficult to ascertain what exactly the ACABQ was recommending. In lieu of reissuing the report, the ACABQ could list its recommendations separately. He emphasized the need for compliance with the relevant rules.

On the conference room paper, he said the word "abnegated" in the first paragraph should be "abrogated". The document seemed to state that since the Office of Internal Oversight Services had not made any recommendation about the supervisor in question, the Secretariat had not taken action against that person, who had "sat there" while his subordinate took money from the Organization for nine years. Also, while the report indicated that the individual had not received a promotion, according to his delegation's information, he had received two promotions.

Did the Secretariat believe that the supervisor had abrogated his responsibilities? he asked. Based on that information, his delegation would make further comments.

The CHAIRMAN said that when he had said the ACABQ report was self- explanatory, he had been repeating what the ACABQ Chairman had told him. The conference room paper was not to be introduced because it had been prepared at the request of one Member State. The word "abnegate" should become "abrogate".

NIKOLAI LOZINSKI (Russian Federation) asked which department of the Secretariat had prepared the conference room paper.

The CHAIRMAN said that, according to his information, it had been the Department of Management. He would get the details.

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