FIFTH COMMITTEE TAKES DECISIONS ON BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF TEXTS RELATED TO SMALL ARMS, CENTRAL AMERICA AND INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION
Press Release
GA/AB/3350
FIFTH COMMITTEE TAKES DECISIONS ON BUDGET IMPLICATIONS OF TEXTS RELATED TO SMALL ARMS, CENTRAL AMERICA AND INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMISSION
19991209Also Takes Decision Related to Report of Economic and Social Council
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) decided this morning to inform the General Assembly of the programme budget implications of draft resolutions before it on small arms, on the use of mercenaries, on Central America, and on the International Law Commission. It also recommended that the Assembly take note of the chapters of the report of the Economic and Social Council allocated to the Fifth Committee. All the decisions were taken without a vote.
Regarding the text on small arms, his Committee decided to communicate to the Assembly that an additional $753,100 would be required should the Assembly adopt a draft resolution on the holding of a small-arms conference. It also decided to recommend that the Secretary-General be asked to exceptionally provide summary records for those meetings of the conference where decisions would be taken.
The Committee also considered the programme budget implications of a draft resolution establishing a new mission - the International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti (MICAH), but did not come to a decision.
The representatives of Cuba, the United States, Canada, Finland (on behalf of the European Union), Venezuela, Mexico, Norway, Mozambique, Japan, United Republic of Tanzania, South Africa, Brazil, Syria and Italy spoke on matters related to the programme budget and to the report of the Economic and Social Council.
Procedural aspects of the Committees programme of work were also discussed during the meeting.
C.S.M Mselle, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions, introduced the ACABQs comments on a series of Secretary- Generals reports, mostly responding to concerns raised by that body in its consideration of the proposed programme budget.
The Director of the Budget Division, Warren Sach, answered Member States questions on the statements of programme budget implications.
The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, when it will commence its consideration of the financing of the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the peacekeeping assessments of new Member States (Kiribati, Tonga and Nauru), and the question of death and disability benefits.
Committee Work Programme
The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to discuss the programme budget implications of various draft resolutions currently before the Assembly and other matters under its agenda item on the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001. It was also expected to consider sections of the annual report of the Economic and Social Council.
The Committee had before it a statement of programme budget implications of a draft resolution on the situation of democracy and human rights in Haiti for the biennium 2000-2001 (document A/C.5/54/38). The Secretary-General states that should the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution (document A/54/L.36), according to which the mandate of the International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH) would be extended for the first part of 2000 and thereafter a new mission called the International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti (MICAH) would be established until 6 February 2001, the estimated requirements of some $10.35 million (about $9.17 million for MICAH and some $1.18 million for MICIVIH) would be charged against the $86,200,000 provision for special political missions under section 3, Political affairs, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.
Also before the Committee was a statement (document A/54/604) on the programme budget implications a Third Committee draft resolution on the use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights and impeding the exercise of the right of peoples to self-determination.
The draft contained in (document A/54/604) would have them High Commissioner for Human Rights publicize the adverse effects of the activities of mercenaries on the right to self-determination and render advisory services to States that are affected by the activities of mercenaries. It would also ask the Secretary-General to invite Governments to propose clearer legal definitions of mercenaries, and ask the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to convene expert meetings to study and update the international legislation in force and to propose a clearer legal definition to allow for more efficient prevention and punishment of mercenary activities.
In order to reflect the provisions of the resolution, the Secretary-General advises that the narrative of section 22 (Human Rights) of the proposed 2000-2001 programme budget would be modified. The modifications are listed in the statement.
If the resolution is approved, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights would issue a booklet, prepared by a consultant and translated and published in all six official languages, to publicize the effects of the mercenaries' activities and convene two expert meetings, for five working days each, to update the international legislation and to propose a clearer legal definition. A total of 10 academic experts would be invited to each meeting.
Additional resources requirements under the human rights budget section would total $184,600, which would include three work-months general temporary assistance at the P-3 level, costing $31,000 and three work-months at the G-S-Other level, costing $23,100, and the hiring of one consultant for two work-months, at $25,000. It would also require $105,500 under this section for travel of the travel and subsistence of 20 academic experts from different regions. As no provision was made in the budget proposal for the travel and daily subsistence allowance of experts or for general temporary assistance and consultant services, should the General Assembly adopt the draft, an additional $184,600 would be required for section 22. This would be charged against the contingency fund and so a related additional appropriation for that fund would be required.
Costs under the General Assembly Affairs and conference services (Geneva) budget area would total some $435,000, with $65,600 required for meeting services requirements (five days, 10 meetings annually); $220,600 required for pre-session documentation (20 documents, 300 pages); $74,400 needed for in-session documentation (10 documents, 100 pages); and $74,400 needed for post-session documentation.
As provision has been made in the budget proposal for meetings not yet authorized, provided that the number and distribution are consistent with the pattern of past years, no additional appropriation would be required under the Conference services section 2 of the proposed budget.
A statement (document A/C.5/54/34) on the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on Central America was also before the Committee. According to that statement, should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/54/L.24/Rev.1, requirements of $187,700 would arise under section 3, Political affairs, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.
The General Assembly decided last December that a provision of $86.2 million should be included in the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001 for special political missions. This amount would therefore be charged against that provision.
This amount would, in accord with the draft resolution, be used to continue to provide good offices, substantive support and political guidance to the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), continue verification and good offices for the peace agenda in El Salvador and continue support for initiatives and activities of the Central American Governments to consolidate peace, comprehensive sustainable development and to establish the Central American Union.
The Secretary-Generals statement (document A/C.5/54/35) on the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on the report of the International Law Commission on the work of its fifty-first session was also before the Committee. By the terms of that draft (document A/C.6/54/L.7/Rev.1), approved by the Assemblys Sixth Committee, the next session of the International Law Commission would be a split session held at the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1 May to 9 June and from 10 July to 18 August 2000. The Secretary-General reports that no modifications to the relevant medium-term plan programmes would be necessary as a result of the text.
The Secretary-General advises that provision has been made in the proposed 2000-2001 programme budget for annual 12-week sessions at Geneva. The requirements for honoraria and travel for members of the Commission and for travel of Secretariat staff for the bienniums proposed two 12-week sessions at Geneva were estimated at $1.96 million. The holding of a split session would result in additional costs totalling $105,200 under programme budget section 8, Legal affairs, for travel of the Chairman and members of the Commission ($90,000) and travel and subsistence for members of the Secretariat ($15,200). No additional resources would be required for the provision of conference services for the Commission.
The Committee had before it a Secretary-Generals note (document A/C.1/54/L.42/Rev.1) on the programme budget implications of a draft resolution approved by the Assemblys First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) on general and complete disarmament: small arms.
If the draft resolution (document A/C.1/54/L.42/Rev.1) is passed, according to the statement, it is envisaged that conference-servicing costs would amount to some $1.60 million at full cost, assuming that the meetings for the conference and preparatory committee would be convened in New York. In accordance with relevant Assembly resolutions, neither the conference nor its preparatory committee would be entitled to summary records, the cost of which would have been about $448,900. The full cost of temporary assistance would be $313,400 ($166,100 in 2000 and $147,300 in 2001). Full consultancy costs are estimated to be $71,200, including travel and daily subsistence allowance. The total estimated costs for public information activities would amount to $338,500.
As provision is made under the relevant section for conference services of the programme budget for 2000-2001, for meetings authorized subsequent to the budgets approval, provided the number and distribution of such meetings are consistent with the patterns of past years. Therefore, no additional appropriation would be required for conference services unless summary records were required. Additional appropriations of $723,100 would be required under section 4, Disarmament ($384,600); and under section 26, Public information ($338,500). In addition, $56,500 would be required under section 32 , Staff assessment, to be offset by the same amount under income Section 1, Income from staff assessment for the additional staff for the Department for Disarmament Affairs.
The Committee also had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the construction of additional conference facilities at Addis Ababa (document A/54/431). Earlier this year, the Secretary-General informed the General Assembly that the negotiations with the host Government had been successful in leading to the release of items from the Customs Department on 16 December 1998 and that the contractor had commenced the works necessary to correct deficiencies in the telecommunications system within the warranty period, due to end on 24 February 1999. The issue of deficiencies that had been identified was resolved to the mutual satisfaction of all the parties concerned.
According to the report, after a review of additional claims by the contractor it was agreed that the United Nations would pay $34,756.53 for work performed at the request of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and out of the scope of the contract (fiber connection to the computer room ($17,956.53) and telephone/data outlets ($16,800.00)). In addition, the contractor agreed to deduct from its invoices the amount of $15,000 as compensation to the United Nations for minor damage to the ceiling in Africa Hall. According to the terms of the contract, shipping of the equipment and related insurance costs had to be paid separately. Based on the invoices submitted, the United Nations reimbursed the contractor $263,094.
Under the agreed settlement the contractor also agreed not to make any further claims either for extra works or for compensation for work-time loss. As part of the agreement, the contractor was to ship some minor power distribution boards and equipment related to the uninterrupted power supply system. In order to protect the interest of the Organization, $52,266.08 was retained from the final payment. Upon receipt of the equipment by the ECA and the issuance of the certificate of completion, that amount will be released.
The total cost of the construction of the additional facilities at Addis Ababa has been completed within the General Assembly-approved budget amount of $115,228,494 and all claims, disputes and deficiencies have been fully settled, the report said. As of 30 June, total disbursements amounted to some $114.08 million, leaving a balance of about $1.14 million which includes payment for the telecommunications system in the amount of $552,266.08 still to be completely processed and reflected in the construction account. All remaining accounts, in particular those relating to the new telecommunications system, will be finalized within the biennium 1998-1999 to enable the construction-in-progress account to be closed and the project capitalized. No additional resources are being requested by the Secretary-General for the project in Addis Ababa.
In related comments from the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)(document A/54/7/Add.5), the ACABQ recommends that the Assembly take note of the Secretary-Generals report.
The Committee also had before it a report of the Secretary-General on unforeseen and extraordinary expenses (document A/C.5/54/29), in which, following a recommendation from the ACABQ, he proposes a review of the levels specified in the biennial resolutions of the General Assembly on unforeseen and extraordinary expenses.
The Secretary-General recommends that his authority to commit without prior concurrence of the ACABQ be increased from $5 million to $10 million for activities relating to the maintenance of peace and security. He also proposes the revision of commitments that the President of the International Court of Justice certifies relate to the designation of ad hoc judges (from $300,000 to $330,000), the payment of pensions and travel and removal expenses of retiring judges and travel and removal expenses and installation grant of members of the Court (from $180,000 to $410,000) and the holding of sessions of the Court away from The Hague (from $50,000 to $25,000).
He also suggests that, should the need arise for the Secretary-General to enter into commitments relating to the maintenance of peace and security following a decision of the Security Council, he be authorized to enter into commitments, with the prior concurrence of the ACABQ, up to $25 million.
The ACABQs related report (document A/C.5/54/29) recommends the Secretary- General be authorized to commit, without prior concurrence of the ACABQ, up to $8 million. It recommends the acceptance of the Secretary-Generals proposal regarding the authority of the President of the International Court of Justice, and recommends against a proposed increase in the amount the Secretary-General can commit to without the prior approval of the General Assembly.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on the proposed abolition of two General Service posts under income section 3, Services to the public (document A/C.5/54/14). In view of the relatively high personnel costs incurred under the present arrangements for operating the bookshop at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the note recalls, the Secretariat explored the possibility of engaging an outside contractor to assist in running the bookshop. However, the note says it would appear appropriate to retain one General Service post within the Sales and Marketing Section. The related costs would amount to $157,600 for the biennium 2000-2001.
The ACABQ recommends approval, in its related observations (document A/54/7/Add.5), of the Secretary-Generals revised proposal to abolish one General Service post.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on the internal and external printing practices of the Organization (document A/C.5/54/18). The report, describing itself as provisional, covers the current printing practices of the Organization and compiles the cost information and other financial data that are readily available. It also describes the process that the Secretariat intends to follow in order to provide the requested information in a more comprehensive way at a later date, as recommended by the Advisory Committee.
The note points out that the Secretariat intends to submit a comprehensive report to the General Assembly at its fifty-fifth session, involving data gathered in both New York and Geneva. It was expected that the information compiled during that exercise will provide a sufficient basis for any decision on the printing policies of the Organization that the General Assembly may wish to take.
The ACABQ, in its related report (document A/54/7/Add.5), states that, in that bodys opinion the Secretary-Generals report only partially addresses the ACABQs request for more information. It expects that a comprehensive report will be submitted to the fifty-fifth Assembly session, in which all its questions will be addressed.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on temporary assistance for meetings: requirements for 2000-2001 (document A/C.5/54/19). Estimated conference-servicing workloads for the biennium 2000-2001 project a level of demand for conference services broadly equivalent to the servicing requirements addressed in the current biennium, the note says. On the assumption that the services provided in 1998-1999 have been adequate to support the Organizations conference and meetings activities during the period, the note proposes that the staffing of conference services at Headquarters, the United Nations Office at Geneva and the United Nations Office at Vienna, both permanent and temporary, be maintained during the next biennium at its current levels. Consequently, actual expenditure for temporary assistance for meetings in 1998-1999 was considered a sound basis to estimate requirements for the biennium 2000-2001.
Perceived problems in the delivery of conference services are being addressed through managerial efforts to enhance quality control and utilization of capacity, the note says. Some shortcomings have causes that are outside the area of responsibility of conference services. While increased levels of temporary assistance could help overcome those problems, it concludes, this approach would have to be considered in relation to relevant provisions of General Assembly resolutions and to concerns about cost-efficiency.
In a report on this note (document A/54/7/Add.5), the ACABQ states that it does not address its concerns, nor reflect the specific problems faced by the Department. It states that the proposed budget level seemed to reflect concern to reduce the budget rather than an assessment of need.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on the rental of United Nations premises by press and other entities (document A/C.5/54/25). The Advisory Committee had requested the Secretary-General to survey the terms of agreements under which the press and other entities occupied space in buildings owned and rented by the United Nations free of charge or at less than commercial rates and report to the General Assembly by December 1999. Following this review of the practices at main United Nations locations relating to the rental or free use of space, the Secretary-General is of the opinion that these practices are based on established policies and take into account the nature of both the tenant and local conditions. The note says that he therefore intends to continue to apply these practices.
In its related comments (document A/54/7/Add.5), the ACABQ states that the criteria used to determine rent levels is too general and open to interpretation. It also points out that it asked for a survey of tenants, rather than a summary of tenants, and states that it will revert to the matter when it receives full information on United Nations tenants.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001 Section 26, Public Information (document A/C.5/54/27). This recalls that the Secretary-General had submitted a report to the Committee on Information in May outlining three proposals of a general nature aimed at addressing the issue of equitable treatment of all United Nations official languages, together with an indication of the magnitude of the resource requirements for the development, maintenance and enrichment of United Nations Web sites.
Of the three proposals on the continuous development, maintenance and enrichment of the United Nations Web sites, proposal A would seek to achieve full parity among all United Nations official languages by the end of 2001. The resource requirement for that proposal was estimated at $560 million as a one-time investment during the biennium 2000-2001 and approximately $26 million per biennium, excluding staff costs, for recurring expenditures thereafter. Proposal B would seek to achieve parity of all other United Nations official languages with the English-language site on an incremental basis. The resource requirements for proposal B would be equivalent to those of proposal A, but the estimated one-time investment of $560 million would be spread over a longer period of time. Proposal C would seek to balance the need for parity and the realistic availability of resources. Efforts would be concentrated on bolstering the existing set-ups. Under this proposal, the United Nations Web sites would be developed in all official languages as staff and other resources permit, and parity would be introduced in modules.
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General and the three proposals presented therein, the Committee on Information requested him to further develop his proposals pertaining to proposal C in a cost-effective manner and with a focus on textual content, including programme budget implications.
The ACABQ, in its related comments (document A/54/7/Add.5), recommends the Assembly note the Secretary-Generals report.
The Committee also had before it a note by the Secretary-General on the use of general temporary assistance for specific positions (document A/C.5/54/33). The Advisory Committee had requested that specific information be provided to the General Assembly early in its fifty-fourth session on the disposition of resources for the specific general temporary assistance positions reflected in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, with proposals for either temporary or established posts or an explanation of why continued use of general temporary assistance would be necessary.
The note says General temporary assistance has and continues to be used for the replacement of staff on maternity or sick leave or to ensure adequate staffing during peak workload periods. In addition, specific positions proposed to be funded through general temporary assistance resources are identified in the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001. These positions range from relatively long-term arrangements to new proposals for the biennium 2000-2001. Generally such positions have been associated with some degree of uncertainty.
The note contains specific information on general temporary assistance in the areas of the Integrated Management Information System, the United Nations Office of the Special Coordinator in the Occupied Territories, human rights bodies and the subregional development centres and the United Nations Office at Nairobi.
The ACABQ provides detailed related comments on this matter (document A/54/7/Add.5). It believes that general temporary assistance should only be used to replace staff on sick or maternity leave and for periods of peak workload. No general temporary assistance was used to replace sick staff or those on maternity leave. The funding of ongoing positions from this category of funds inhibited transparency and was a departure from approved budgetary practice.
The Committee also had before it the report of the Economic and Social Council for 1999 (document A/54/3), to consider chapters I (Matters calling for action by the General Assembly or brought to its attention), VII section B (Coordination, programme and other questions), VII section C (Implementation of General Assembly Resolutions 50/227 and 52/12B), and IX (Organizational matters).
Report of Economic and Social Council
The Committee recommended that the General Assembly take note of the Chapters in the report of the Economic and Social Council which were allocated to the Committee.
Programme Budget Implications
The Chairman of the ACABQ, C.S.M. MSELLE, presented that bodys report on the programme budget implications of the International Civilian Support Mission in Haiti (MICAH). The Advisory Committee, in its report, recommended that the Committee inform the General Assembly that should it adopt the resolution contained in document A/54/L.36, the requirements of $10,353,200 ($9,173,100 for MICAH and $1,180,000 for the International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH)) would be charged against the provision for special political missions. The Advisory Committee had concurred in a request from the Secretary-General for commitment authority up to the amount of $2,201,284 gross in order to meet the additional cost of the extension of United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH).
DULCE BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the resources for MICAH should be pro- rated among all Member States. She also asked why it was proposed that technical cooperation be financed by voluntary contributions, and what were the differences between technical cooperation between the two missions. She asked how the technical cooperation activities of MICIVIH were financed. Cuba reiterated that only the pro-rated contributions gave a substantial basis for the Mission. The means of financing suggested seemed to reinforce the replacement of assessed contributions with voluntary contributions. The MICAH needed a solid financial basis which enabled it to meet its mandate fully. She asked the Secretariat to indicate how the support of Latin American States had been and what the prospects of further support were.
MARC COLLINS (United States) said his delegation intended to make several voluntary contributions of its own. First, it would make available to MICAH all of an estimated $7.2 million in prior contributions belonging to the United States Government that remained in the United Nations Trust Funds for the enhancement of the United Nations Support Mission in Haiti, UNSMIH, and the United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH). The United States would also make additional voluntary contributions to the MICAH Trust Fund in the coming months, and it would also work with others to see if there were ways to have continued helicopter support for the Mission.
MAE JOHNSON (Canada) said it was important to approve this programme budget implication to allow the Assembly to adopt a resolution which would enable the Secretariat to set the new Mission up. The Mission was requested by the President of Haiti and would pull existing missions together. She urged Member States to support it.
WARREN SACH, Director of the Budget Division, said there was a substantial component of technical cooperation in the new Mission, and in this it differed from the previous mission. It was the change of balance towards technical cooperation that had led to the proposal that the new Mission be funded in part from extrabudgetary sources. There had been no extrabudgetary funding for the current Mission.
He explained that the shortfall in extrabudgetary funds was expected to disappear with anticipated voluntary contributions, but if it did not, the Fifth Committee would be informed.
There was no Organization of American States (OAS) component in the new Mission, he said. Of what was once a sizeable team, there was only a single OAS staff still working with the current Mission. They had been phased out.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said she was not yet satisfied with the information she had received. More detail on the changeover was needed. She hoped in an informal format she would have the opportunity to seek more information on the proposal.
The Acting Chairman, AMJAD SIAL (Pakistan) proposed informal consultations on the matter at the end of todays meeting.
JARMO SAREVA (Finland) said that, given that the related ACABQ report was not available in all languages, he was not yet ready to commence informal consultations.
Ms. JOHNSON (Canada) said that last week the programme budget implications on Guatemala had been approved with only an oral report.
CLAUDIA PETROSINI (Venezuela) said it supported the quick approval of the work of the Mission. She was flexible, but the workload of the Committee must be borne in mind.
ERNESTO HERRERA (Mexico) said he wished to resolve this matter as soon as possible. It the ACABQ text was in English and could not be available in all languages, he would be prepared, very exceptionally, to work with the English text.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN then proposed to hold informal consultations at which a decision on how to proceed could be made, rather than hold a procedural debate in a formal meeting, and the Committee so decided.
The Committee then turned its attention to the programme budget implications of a draft resolution on the use of mercenaries.
The Chairman of the Advisory Committee, Mr. MSELLE, then presented that bodys observations on the programme budget implications of the draft. He said the Secretary-General had estimated the requirement at $184,600, and that this amount should be considered in the context of the use and operation of the contingency fund.
The Committee then decided to inform the General Assembly that should it adopt the draft, an additional requirement of $184,600 would arise under section 22, Human Rights, of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.
SUSAN SHEARHOUSE (United States) said the human rights budget was already in the range of $42 million and she found it incredible that the Secretariat was unable to accommodate this requirement within the proposed level.
The Committee then turned its attention to the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/54/L.24/Rev.1: The situation in Central America.
It decided to inform the General Assembly that should it adopt that draft, the requirement of $187,700 would be charged under the provision of $90,387,200 for special political missions requested in section 3 of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.
The Committee then turned its attention to the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.6/54/L.7/Rev.1: Report of the International Law Commission.
It decided to inform the General Assembly that should it adopt that text, an additional requirement of $105,200 would arise under section 8, Legal affairs, of the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001.
Ms. SHEARHOUSE (United States) said the Committee should continue to pursue the capacity for absorbing additional costs in their existing provisions.
The Committee then turned its attention to the programme budget implications of draft resolution A/C.1/54/L.42/Rev.1.
ANNE MERCHANT (Norway) said that in the draft resolution the Secretary- General was asked to carry out the Expert Group meeting within available resources and with assistance from Member States. She sought to know the total estimated cost of convening the Ad hoc Expert Group meeting and whether any extrabudgetary resources for it been forthcoming. She also noted that the Expert Group meeting was included in the programme budget proposal, yet in the programme budget implications statement it was suggested that no such request had been made, she sought an explanation of this.
CARLOS DOS SANTOS (Mozambique) said the conference would be one of the most important international meetings on disarmament, with direct and immediate impact on civil society. Bearing this in mind, and with due respect to the guidelines, he proposed that summary records be provided, but only for those meetings where decisions were taken. He understood that the Secretary-General could provide summary records for those meetings and that no additional appropriations would be required for this. Although it would constitute an exception to Assembly rules on the provision of summary records, it would be understood that this would not establish a precedent.
JUICHI TAKAHARA (Japan) said he hoped the conference would be meaningful. Its importance was understood, as were the problems of the illicit trade in small arms. This would be largest international conference to date on conventional weapons.
He was aware, however, that according to Assembly rules summary records should not be provided, he said. Japan supported the proposal made in the statement of the representative of Mozambique that they be provided for decision- making meetings. Japan expected that the proposed arrangement would be received favourably by all, in a spirit of compromise. He was ready to consider the proposed budgetary implications, except those related to summary records.
MUHAMMAD YUSSUF (United Republic of Tanzania) expressed his countrys support for the statement made by the representative of Mozambique. He wished to convince the Member States of the importance of the conference and that necessary support should be provided for it.
JEAN PHILIP DU PREEZ (South Africa) said that he, too, supported the proposal made by the representative of Mozambique. As stated previously, he did not see the value of summary records for all the meetings, but did see the value of such records where decisions were taken. Given that the Secretariat had stated this could be accommodated within existing resource requests, he supported the proposal and hoped it would be agreed to.
ALEXANDRE KOTZIAS PEIXOTE (Brazil) said he, too, supported the proposal suggested by Mozambique.
Mr. SACH, Director of the Budget Division, said regarding the Ad Hoc Expert Group meeting, no extrabudgetary funds had been received and no intimation of potential pledges had been heard. A component of the amount sought in the programme budget implication statement related to the Ad Hoc Expert Group. That overlapped with a provision anticipated in the programme budget. The amount in the proposed programme budget must be deducted from the amount requested here to get the actual amount of additional resources required. This would reduce the amount actually needed in addition to that already requested in the proposed programme budget to $723,100 for non-conference servicing requirements.
In response to a question about the modalities, he said there were specifications in the draft resolution about the appointment of government experts on the basis of geographical distribution. These experts would serve in their individual capacity.
Regarding summary records, he said that, on the strict understanding that they would only be provided for meetings where decisions were taken, it would be possible to provide them at no extra cost.
Regarding the provision of press kits in all official languages, as discussed at a previous meeting, this would add $30,000 to the overall resource requirements, and therefore a total $753,100 for non-conference servicing costs would be required.
Mr. SAREVA (Finland) said the European Union supported the proposal of the representative of Mozambique.
Ms. MERCHANT (Norway) said that Norway strongly supported the convening of the conference and attached importance to curbing the trade on small arms.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN then read out the following draft decision:
"Should the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A/C.1/54/L.42/Rev.1, an additional requirement of $753,000 would arise in the proposed programme budget for 2000-2001 under section 4, Disarmament ($384,600), and under section 26, Public Information ($368,500). In addition, an amount of at least $56,000 would be required under section 32, Staff assessment, to be offset by the same amount under income section 1, income from staff assessment. These requirements will be considered in the context of the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001.
"The Committee also decides, without prejudice to paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 37/14-C, to recommend to the General Assembly that it take note that if option 4 of paragraph 9 of A/C.5/54/31/Add.1 is agreed, the requirements for summary records would be minimal. Such requirements, if necessary, would be reported in the context of the budget performance report.
Mr. TAKAHARA (Japan) said the decision on the provision of summary records should be more clear. He proposed the following alternative wording:
The Committee also decides without prejudice to paragraph 8 of General Assembly resolution 37/14-C to recommend to the General Assembly that the Secretary-General be requested to provide summary records for those meetings at which decisions would be taken.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) asked for a proposal in writing. She said she was confused about the exact terms of the decision now being proposed.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN asked for clarification from the budget director.
Mr. SACH said there were two cost components, one relating to the substantive servicing of the conference, and one relating to the provision of summary records. There had not seemed to be support for full provision of summary records. Should there be an unusually high demand for summary records, this would be reflected in the budget performance report.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN then repeated the alternative decision proposed by Japan.
Mr. YUSSUF (United Republic of Tanzania) said he wished to support the Japanese proposal. But he asked for confirmation that the cost of summary records would be absorbed within existing provisions.
Ms. SHEARHOUSE (United States) proposed additional words at the end of the Japanese proposal: and that the requirement for these records would be minimal.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said this would pre-judge the decision for the use of summary records. She therefore opposed it.
TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said summary records for meetings of the group of experts were essential for all meetings, not just those where decisions were taken. The United States proposal also complicated matters -- it limited even further resources available for summary records.
When the meeting resumed, the ACTING CHAIRMAN stated that the brief suspension had been fruitful. He then read the agreed decision.
The first paragraph would remain unchanged from that previously put to the Committee. The second paragraph would now read:
The Committee also decides, without prejudice to paragraph 8 of Assembly resolution 37/14C, to recommend to the General Assembly that the Secretary-General be requested to provide summary records for only those meetings at which decisions would be taken.
The Committee then approved this decision without a vote.
Ms. SHEAROUSE (United States) said the United States had not blocked the decision because of the importance of the conference. However, she intended to address the resource requirements under section 4 and 26 of the budget in discussions of the programme budget. She said the Committee had a responsibility to ensure the most effective use of resources. On the summary records compromise, she had agreed on the understanding that there would be no additional resource requirements.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) said the concern of Cuba was, as always, that all additional resources necessary to fulfill new mandates be guaranteed. This was a priority and a key role of the Fifth Committee which she would continue to pursue, so that all necessary resources would be found in the budget.
Report on Proposed Programme Budget
The Committee then turned its attention to a series of reports on questions related to the programme budget. The reports were on Addis Ababa; unforeseen and extraordinary expenses; the proposed abolition of two General Service posts; internal and external printing; temporary assistance for meetings; rental of United Nations premises by press and others; the public information section of the proposed programme budget; and the use of general temporary assistance.
Mr. MSELLE introduced the ACABQs views on these reports, all but one of which had been produced in response to ACABQ requests arising from consideration of the proposed programme budget.
RENATA ARCHINI (Italy) said she was particularly satisfied that the Committee had successfully completed its work relating to the Economic and Social Council. She welcomed the return of the Council to its Chamber, progress on poverty eradication and development in Africa, and enhanced working relations with the Bretton Woods institutions.
Ms. BUERGO RODRIGUEZ (Cuba) wished to know from Mr. Mselle when further information on the issue of general temporary assistance would be made available.
Mr. MSELLE said there had sometimes been problems getting relevant reports from the Secretariat. If the information was not available in time for a formal session it could be made available at informal sessions.
Other Matters
The representative of Morocco asked questions and began a statement about the Committees programme of work.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN provided clarification on the work programme.
The representative of Morocco said he had rejected the current programme. The bureau was continuing to ignore the views of his delegation and a certain number of other delegations. He asked what the logic was underlying the proposal for programming a formal meeting on the weekend.
The representative of Cameroon said he wished to make a statement about small arms. In Africa it was small arms, not atomic weapons, which posed a threat. The Committee for Programme and Coordination report dealt with several budget sections which were of great interest to Africa and the Committee needed to hold a meeting on programme planning. The CPC was going to review the medium-term plan in a few months. He felt there was a need for a resolution on programme planning.
The ACTING CHAIRMAN said a meeting would be scheduled, particularly on those issues which were considered essential.
The representative of Syria also did not understand the logic of holding a formal meeting at the weekend.
The representative of Kuwait reminded the bureau of the need for sensitivity about the issue of Ramadan.
The representative of the Philippines asked that the interests of her delegation on the agenda item on human resources management be taken into account in the programme of work.
The representative of Israel said he was unhappy that a formal meeting was being scheduled on Saturday.
The representative of Morocco said he had not had an answer to his questions and he would wait for a meeting of the bureau to raise them again. He asked for any decision on the programme of Work to be taken in a formal meeting. He said that if the bureau continued to ignore his concerns, it would bear the responsibility for any additional delays. The Moroccan delegation would not consider itself bound by any decision taken outside normal working hours and would re-open any such decision as it saw fit.
The representative of Cuba suggested a meeting to discuss the programme of work for the following week.
The representative of Côte dIvoire said he agreed with the concern about the formal meeting on Saturday. Ramadan needed to be taken into account.
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