GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS 18 MEMBERS TO FILL VACANCIES IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
Press Release
GA/9645*
GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS 18 MEMBERS TO FILL VACANCIES IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL
19991029Assembly Also Adopts Eight Resolutions, Including Texts On Procurement Reform, Financing UNAMET, Development Account
In five rounds of balloting in two meetings held this morning and afternoon, the General Assembly elected 18 members to fill the corresponding vacancies in the Economic and Social Council. They will begin their three year terms on 1 January 2000.
During the first round of voting, Angola, Austria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Costa Rica, Greece, Portugal and Sudan were elected as new members. Cuba, France, Germany and Japan were re-elected. Bahrain was elected as a new member in the second round. After the third round of voting, Fiji and Suriname were elected as new members. During the fourth round, Croatia was elected as a new member. Mexico was re- elected after the fifth round.
The elections were for seats being vacated by members of the following regional groups on 31 December: five from the African States; 3 from the Asian States; one from the Eastern European States; four from the Latin American and Caribbean States; and five from the Western European and other States.
The Member States who remained on the Council prior to the elections were: Algeria, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, China, India, Indonesia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Viet Nam, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Russian Federation, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Saint Lucia, Venezuela, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and United States.
In other action this afternoon, the Assembly, acting in each case without a vote, adopted eight resolutions contained inside reports of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).
General Assembly Plenary - 1a - Press Release GA/9646 42nd and 43rd Meetings (AM and PM) 29 October 1999
By the terms of a resolution on the financial reports and suited financial statements and reports of the Board of Auditors, the Assembly endorsed all the Auditors recommendations except two - on reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment and on the financing peacekeeping mission - which it decided to consider.
By adopting a resolution on the Programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999, the Assembly decided to establish a special multi-year account for supplementary development activities based on the priority objectives of the programmes of the medium-term plan. It emphasised that the efficiency measures and the transfer of savings should not lead to a process of budgetary reduction and should not result in the involuntary separation of staff. It also emphasised that efficiency measures and the redeployment of savings to the Development Account should not adversely affect the full implementation of all mandated programmes and activities.
By other terms of the resolution, the Assembly decided that savings to be achieved as a result of the efficiency measures shall be identified in the context of budget performance reports and should be transferred to the Development Account section with the prior approval of the Assembly. It also decided that the savings transferred to the Development Account section shall form the maintenance base for that section in future proposed programme budgets.
By the terms of a resolution on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU), the Assembly took note of the Unit's annual reports for 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 and various other reports. It recognized improvements made in the JIU's functioning and asked that efforts to improve continue. The Assembly endorsed the system of follow-up annexed to the Unit's 1996- 1997 report and invited the JIU to send reminders about the implementation of recommendations to executive heads, and to include information on approved recommendations not implemented in subsequent reports.
By the terms of another text, on the financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA), the Assembly took note of the Secretary-General's report on the Office of Internal Oversight Service's findings on that subject, and noted with concern that one of the Office's recommendations was based on incomplete information. It asked the Secretary-General to carefully examine the internal audit recommendations before taking remedial action, and, expressing concern over inconsistent application, asked that audit recommendations regarding fraud and financial abuse be consistently implemented.
By the terms of a resolution on the financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991): United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), the Assembly asked the Board of Auditors to undertake as a matter of priority a comprehensive audit
General Assembly Plenary - 1b - Press Release GA/9646 42nd and 43rd Meetings (AM and PM) 29 October 1999
of the Mission, in particular the payment of subsistence allowance. It also asked the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report on the issue within three months of the adoption of the resolution, for consideration in the fifty-fourth Assemblys first resumed session, and decided to continue its consideration at that resumed session. Pending its decision, the Assembly decided that all actions on the issue should be held in abeyance.
By adopting a text on reformed procedures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment, the Assembly endorsed the recommendations of the Phase IV Working Group on Contingent-owned Equipment. It also endorsed those of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), except for certain recommendations relating to reimbursement levels in cases of hostile action or forced abandonment and for damage during transportation, for tentage and accommodation, and for the use of outside expertise in the establishment of generic value.
By the terms of a draft on the financing of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET), the Assembly decided to revise the level of appropriation to the Special Account for the mission for 5 May to 30 September to a total of some $54.4 million gross (about $52.9 million net), for the first phase of the mission. It decided to apportion the amount of some $7.1 million gross (about $5.7 million net) among Member States according to the normal formula, and authorized the Secretary- General to enter into commitments up to about $28 million gross, in addition to the $10 million previously authorized, for the second phase of the mission.
Also this morning, the Assembly was informed by its President, Theo-Ben Gurirab (Namibia), that the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Seychelles had made the necessary payments to reduce their arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.
[Article 19 states that a Member State which is in arrears in the payment of its financial contributions to the Organization shall have no vote in the Assembly if the amount of its arrears equals or exceeds the amount of the contributions due from it for the preceding two full years.]
This afternoon the President informed the Assembly that he had received a note from the Secretary-General requesting the inclusion of an additional item entitled "financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone", on the agenda of the fifty-fourth session.
The representatives of Guyana (on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China) and Finland (on behalf of the European Union) spoke in explanation of vote after the adoption of the text on the programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999. The representative of Indonesia spoke in explanation of vote after adoption of the draft on the financing of UNAMET.
General Assembly Plenary - 1c - Press Release GA/9646 42nd and 43rd Meetings (AM and PM) 29 October 1999
The Assembly will meet again on Monday 1 November at 3 p.m. to consider the request of the Secretary-General for the inclusion of the new item on the financing of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone.
**FOOTNOTES**
[1]:( Pages 2 to 12 should indicate 42nd and 43rd Meetings, AM and PM and pages 1a 12 should be Press Release GA/9645.
Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly met today to fill 18 vacancies on the 54-member Economic and Social Council and to consider eight reports submitted by its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary).
Election of Members of Economic and Social Council
One-third of the members of the Council retire each year. Candidates to fill their seats are elected by secret ballot to three-year terms usually beginning on 1 January and ending 31 December. A two-thirds majority of votes cast is required for election.
The Council makes or initiates studies and reports with respect to international economic, social, cultural, educational, health and related matters. It makes recommendations on such matters to the Assembly, to members of the United nations, and to the specialized agencies concerned. The pattern for the geographical distribution of seats is: 14 members from African States; 11 from Asian States; six from Eastern European States; 10 from Latin American and Caribbean States; and 13 from Western European and other States.
The elections today are for seats being vacated on 31 December this year by Cape Verde, Djibouti, Gambia, Mozambique, Zambia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Latvia, Chile, Cuba, El Salvador, Mexico, France, Germany, Iceland, Spain and Turkey.
Member States who remain on the Council are: Algeria, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, China, India, Indonesia, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Viet Nam, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Poland, Russian Federation, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Saint Lucia, Venezuela, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, United Kingdom and United States.
Fifth Committee Reports
Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of the Board of Auditors
By the terms of a draft resolution contained in the report of the Fifth Committee on: the reports of the Board of Auditors (document A/54/506), the Assembly would endorse all the Auditor's recommendations (see document A/53/5), except two (on reimbursement of contingent-owned equipment and on financing peacekeeping missions) which it would decide to consider.
Review of efficiency of administrative and financial functioning of United Nations
By the terms of the draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee's report on the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations (document A/54/511), the Assembly would recognize improvements in United Nations procurement made by the Secretary-General and ask him to consider ways to increase the transparency of procurement decisions.
The text would call for greater efforts to expand the geographic base of the countries of origin of vendors who supply goods to the United Nations, and ask the Secretary-General to develop a tighter definition of exigency -- the circumstances in which the standard procurement rules are not applied.
It would also request the Secretary-General to further improve the competitive bidding process in order to ensure that vendors are granted reasonable time for submission of bids. It would also request the Secretary-General to continue to explore ways to increase procurement of goods and services from developing countries, in particular from least developed and African Countries, and to report thereon to the Assembly at its fifty-fifth session.
Programme Budget for the 1998-1999 Biennium
By the terms of a draft resolution contained in the report of the Fifth Committee on the Programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999 (document A/54/508) the Assembly would decide to establish a special multi-year account for supplementary development activities based on the priority objectives of the programmes of the medium-term plan. It would emphasize that the efficiency measures and the transfer of savings should not lead to a process of budgetary reduction and should not result in the involuntary separation of staff. It would also emphasize that efficiency measures and the redeployment of savings to the Development Account should not adversely affect the full implementation of all mandated programmes and activities.
By the terms of the text, it would decide that savings to be achieved as a result of the efficiency measures should be identified in the context of budget performance reports and shall be transferred to the Development Account section with the prior approval of the Assembly. The Assembly would also decide that the savings transferred to the Development Account section shall form the maintenance base for that section in future proposed programme budgets.
Further by the text, the Assembly would reaffirm that the Development Account should be operated strictly in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and the Regulations and Rules Governing Programme Planning, the Programme Aspects of the Budget, the Monitoring of Implementation and Methods of Evaluation. The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to ensure that all budget proposals are fully commensurate with related mandates in order to ensure their full and effective implementation.
Joint Inspection Unit
Also before the Assembly was a draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee report on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) (document A/54/507). By its terms, the Assembly would take note of the Unit's annual reports for 1995-1996 and 1996-1997 and various other of its reports. It would recognize improvements made in the JIU's functioning, ask that efforts to improve continue and decide to revert to the issue at its fifty-sixth session.
By other terms, the Assembly would endorse the system of follow-up annexed to the Unit's 1996-1997 report. The JIU would be invited to send reminders about the implementation of recommendations to executive heads, and to include information on approved recommendations not implemented in subsequent reports. It would ask the JIU to give priority to reports requested by participating organizations, and to report on experience with the system.
United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III)
According to another draft, contained in the Fifth Committee report on Financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola, (MONUA), (document A/54/504), the Assembly would take note of the Secretary-General's report on the Office of Internal Oversight Service's findings on this subject, and note with concern that one of the Oversight Office's recommendations was based on incomplete information. It would ask the Secretary-General to carefully examine the internal audit recommendations before taking remedial action, and -- expressing concern over inconsistent application -- ask that audit recommendations regarding fraud and financial abuse be consistently implemented.
It would look forward to his report on procurement of goods for UNAVEM III quartering areas, and would call for additional information on measures being taken to improve procurement in the context of a previously requested report on management irregularities causing financial loss to the Organization. It would ask the Secretary-General to submit a concrete plan to correct procurement-related problems in peacekeeping operations, which should include all remedial measures taken regarding identified problems in missions, standardization of corrective measures across existing and future operations, and descriptions of how accountability was, and would be, pursued in cases where individuals had engaged in fraud, mismanagement and abuse.
Financing of activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991): United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission
The Assembly also had before it a draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee report on the financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991) UNIKOM (document A/54/510). By the terms of that draft, the Assembly would ask the Board of Auditors to undertake a comprehensive audit of UNIKOM, in particular the payment of mission subsistence allowance, as a matter of priority.
It would also ask the Secretary-General to submit a comprehensive report on the issue within three months of the adoption of the resolution, for consideration in the fifty-fourth Assemblys first resumed session, and decide to continue its consideration at that resumed session. Pending its decision, it would decide that all actions on the issue should be held in abeyance.
Administrative and budgetary aspects of financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations: financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations
By the terms of a draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee report on reformed procedures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent- owned equipment (document A/54/509), the Assembly would endorse the recommendations of the Phase IV Working Group on Contingent-owned Equipment. It would also endorse those of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), except for certain recommendations relating to reimbursement levels in cases of hostile action or forced abandonment and for damage during transportation, for tentage and accommodation, and for the use of outside expertise in the establishment of generic value. The Assembly would emphasize that the new procedures were intended to ensure equitable reimbursement while protecting the interests of Member States and the Organization. It would approve a policy whereby the United Nations could only assume financial responsibilities in accord with Assembly decisions. The Secretary-General would be asked to avoid double payments while implementing the reformed procedures, and the Assembly would reaffirm that only the reformed procedures should apply to missions started since 1 July 1996. It would emphasize that the manual for contingent-owned equipment should be constantly revised.
The Assembly would ask the Board of Auditors to continue to audit implementation of the reformed procedures, and also ask the Secretary-General to take all measures to ensure full-participation in the Phase V Working Group.
Financing of the United Nations in East Timor
By the terms of a draft contained in the report of the Fifth Committee on financing United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) (document A/54/505), the Assembly would decide to revise the level of appropriation to the Special Account for the mission for 5 may to 30 September to a total of some $54.4 million gross (about $52.9 million net), for the first phase of the mission.
It would also decide to apportion the amount of some $7.1 million gross (about $5.7 million net) among Member States according to the normal formula, and it would authorize the Secretary-General to enter into commitments up to about $28 million gross, in addition to the $10 million previously authorized, for the second phase of the mission.
Among other terms, the Assembly would reiterate that the expenses of the Organization should be borne by Member States as apportioned by the Assembly, and note that the voluntary cash contributions to the Trust Fund for the settlement of the question of East Timor thus far totalled some $43.8 million and in-kind contributions were valued at about $3.4 million.
Elections to Fill Vacancies in the Economic and Social Council
The results of the first round of voting were as follows:
African States (5 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 174 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 174 Abstentions: 4 Number of members voting: 170 Required Majority: 114
Number of votes obtained:
Cameroon 168 Angola 165 Benin 165 Burkina Faso 165 Sudan 161 Burundi 1 Tunisia 1 Uganda 1
Asian States (3 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 174 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 174 Abstentions: 0 Number of members voting: 174 Required Majority: 116
Number of votes obtained:
Japan 122 Bahrain 106 Fiji 72 Thailand 69 Kazakhstan 63 Sri Lanka 54
Eastern European States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 174 Number of invalid ballots: 1 Number of valid ballots: 173 Abstentions: 2 Number of members voting: 171 Required Majority: 114
Number of votes obtained:
Croatia 73 Lithuania 64 Hungary 34
Latin American and Caribbean States (4 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 174 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 174 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 173 Required Majority: 116
Number of votes obtained:
Costa Rica 130 Cuba 119 Mexico 110 Uruguay 106 Suriname 103 Ecuador 80 El Salvador 6
Western European and other States (5 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 174 Number of invalid ballots: 4 Number of valid ballots: 170 Abstentions: 6 Number of members voting: 164 Required Majority: 110
Number of votes obtained:
France 161 Greece 157 Portugal 155 Germany 153 Austria 152 Malta 3
The results of the second round of voting were as follows:
Asian States (2 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 175 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 175 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 174 Required Majority: 116
Number of votes obtained:
Bahrain 125 Fiji 88 Thailand 61 Kazakhstan 44
Eastern European States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 175 Number of invalid ballots: 1 Number of valid ballots: 174 Abstentions: 2 Number of members voting: 172 Required Majority: 115
Number of votes obtained: Croatia 90 Lithuania 82
Latin American and Caribbean States (2 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 175 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 175 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 174 Required Majority: 116
Number of votes obtained:
Mexico 110 Suriname 94 Uruguay 91 Ecuador 36
Prior to the third round of voting, MARIO ALEMAN (Ecuador) and ASDA JAYANAMA (Thailand) announced withdrawal of their candidatures for the elections.
The results of the third round of voting were as follows:
Asian States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 173 Number of invalid ballots: 4 Number of valid ballots: 169 Abstentions: 2 Number of members voting: 169 Required Majority: 112
Number of votes obtained:
Fiji 165 Thailand 2
Eastern European States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 173 Number of invalid ballots: 1 Number of valid ballots: 172 Abstentions: 2 Number of members voting: 170 Required Majority: 114
Number of votes obtained: Croatia 93 Lithuania 77
Latin American and Caribbean States (2 vacancies)
Number of ballot papers: 173 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 173 Abstentions: 2 Number of members voting: 171 Required Majority: 114
Number of votes obtained:
Suriname 115 Mexico 107 Uruguay 97 Ecuador 1
After the third round of voting, OSKARAS JUSYS (Lithuania) announced withdrawal of his countrys candidature.
The results of the fourth round of voting were as follows:
Eastern European States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 171 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 171 Abstentions: 5 Number of members voting: 166 Required Majority: 111
Number of votes obtained: Croatia 160 Lithuania 6
Latin American and Caribbean States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 171 Number of invalid ballots: 0 Number of valid ballots: 171 Abstentions: 1 Number of members voting: 170 Required Majority: 114
Number of votes obtained:
Mexico 106 Uruguay 64
After the fourth round of voting, JULIO BENITEZ SAENZ (Uruguay) announced withdrawal of his countrys candidature.
The results of the fifth round of voting were as follows:
Latin American and Caribbean States (1 vacancy)
Number of ballot papers: 159 Number of invalid ballots: 1 Number of valid ballots: 158 Abstentions: 7 Number of members voting: 151 Required Majority: 101
Number of votes obtained:
Mexico 145 Uruguay 4 Ecuador 1 Guatemala 1
Action on Fifth Committee Reports
The rapporteur for the Fifth Committee JAN JAREMCZUV (Poland), introduced the eight reports of the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) on the agenda items dealt with at this stage of the fifty-fourth session of the Assembly. He noted that during the first three weeks of the main part of the fifty-fourth session of the General Assembly, the Fifth Committee had devoted its time to complete consideration of issues deferred from the fifty-third session.
Financial reports and audited financial statements, and reports of Board of Auditors
The Assembly, acting without a vote then adopted the draft resolution contained in report of the Fifth Committee (administrative and Budgetary): the reports of the Board of Auditors (document A/54/506).
Review of efficiency of administrative and financial functioning of United Nations
Also acting with a vote, the Assembly adopted the draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee's report on the review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations (document A/54/511).
Programme Budget for 1998-1999 Biennium
The Assembly then adopted the draft resolution contained in the report of the Fifth Committee on the Programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999 (document A/54/508) without a vote.
Explanation of vote
GARFIELD BARNWELL (Guyana), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, said that a spirit of cooperation and understanding in seeking consensus on the issue of modalities and sustainability of the Development Account had been demonstrated. Negotiations on the matter had been difficult and lengthy but he hoped that the spirit of cooperation would be continued in the future. He reaffirmed that the Group would like the operation of the Development Account to be in accordance with the relevant regulations and rules of the United Nations since it was part of the regular budget. It should not be a budget or a staff reduction exercise.
He stressed that the correlation being sought between the Development Account and efficiency measures was not appropriate. Improved efficiency and effectiveness were essential to strengthen the Organizations capacity to fulfil its role and should therefore not be trivialized. The Group also felt that arbitrary proposals for savings during the formulation and implementation phases of the budget should be avoided since they could have an adverse effect on programme delivery. The exercise of improving efficiency in the Organization should therefore ensure the full implementation of all mandated programmes and activities.
He asked the Secretary-General to submit proposals for the use of the funds during the current session as recommended by the Committee for Programme and Coordination. The projects approved should be fully implemented in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the Organization.
JARMO SAREVA (Finland), speaking on behalf of the European Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta and Norway, welcomed the adoption by consensus of the resolution . The preservation of consensus in the Fifth Committee on budgetary matters was of great importance to the Union since it worked to the advantage of all Member States and served the common good of the United Nations.
He said that the European Union had supported the concept of the Development Account and the Secretary-Generals proposals on the modalities and sustainability of the Account. The resolution reflected adequately those proposals. Moreover, the Account was of a multi-year character, which provided for increased flexibility in the use of funds. It did not amount to a budget or staff-reduction exercise and it did not require an ex ante approval of the efficiency measures. The adoption of the resolution would enable the Secretary-General to come up with detailed proposals for the projects to be funded from the Account during the next biennium.
MARIA BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said her delegation fully supported the establishment of the Development Account. It was clearly understood that all savings accumulated as a result of efficiency would be transferred to the Development Account with the approval of the Assembly and would represent a basis for the next programme budget. She stressed that the resources under this section should not be used to fund activities which were usually financed by extra- budgetary resources. The Implementation of the Account should also not lead to any reduction in the general budget level.
Joint Inspection Unit
The draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee report on the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) (document A/54/507) was also adopted without a vote.
United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III)
Once again acting without a vote the Assembly adopted the draft, contained in the Fifth Committee report on Financing of the UNAVEM III and the MONUA (document A/54/504).
Financing of activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991): United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission
The draft resolution contained in the Fifth Committee report on the financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991) UNIKOM (document A/54/510) was also adopted without a vote.
Administrative and budgetary aspects of financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations: financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations
Again acting without a vote the Assembly adopted the draft contained in the Fifth Committee report on reformed procedures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment (document A/54/509).
Financing of the United Nations Mission in East Timor
The Assembly also adopted, without a vote, the draft contained in the report of the Fifth Committee on financing the UNAMET (document A/54/505).
Explanation of vote
DJAUHARI ORATMANGUN (Indonesia) said his delegation welcomed the adoption of the text. Its adoption was critical to enable UNAMET to conduct its activities in a timely manner. He believed that it was the obligation of all Member States to safeguard the good name and credibility of the United Nations. It was critical that the Organization , with its responsibility to Member States, should be able to conduct its activities in the field. The success and failure of the Mission would depend on the staff, he noted. If they conducted their work in an impartial manner it would benefit the Organization. He stressed that for the Mission to be successful, it had to be well organized at both Headquarters and in the field. As the Host Country for the Mission, Indonesia was fully committed to its success. He hoped their contribution would be reflected in the next progress report.
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