FIFTH COMMITTEE TAKES UP FINANCING FOR MISSIONS IN KOSOVO, EAST TIMOR, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Press Release
GA/AB/3378

FIFTH COMMITTEE TAKES UP FINANCING FOR MISSIONS IN KOSOVO, EAST TIMOR, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

The Secretary-General is seeking $461.4 million for the financing of the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, the United Nations Controller, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs, told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning, as it commenced its consideration of the financing of that mission.

Of that amount, about 71 per cent of resources would pay for civilian personnel costs, 21 per cent would be operational costs and nearly 2 per cent would pay for military personnel, he added.

However, C.S.M. Mselle, on behalf of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), recommended about $220 million be approved, to allow the UNMIK to continue through 31 December 2000, and that its requirements be re-examined in September, given rapid and significant change in the mission area. The re-examination could take into account a review of the mission to be held in early autumn.

For the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) the Secretary-General requested about $584.14 million for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, about 33 per cent of which would be for civilian staff costs, with operational costs accounting for about 19 per cent and military personnel costs for 44 per cent.

The ACABQ recommended the General Assembly authorize the Secretary-General to spend $292.1 million gross, pending a review of the mission also scheduled for the autumn. While no staffing table for UNTAET had yet been approved, it recommended that the mission be allowed to employ staff on one year contracts, to avoid disruption to UNTAET operations.

The Committee also took up financing proposals for the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). A decision on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was postponed, as consensus had not yet been reached. It also continued its consideration of the expert review of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and of the administration and financing of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM).

Fifth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/AB/3378 72nd Meeting (AM) 26 May 2000

The representatives of the United States, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria (on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China), Lebanon, Portugal (on behalf of the European Union) and Kuwait addressed the Committee. David Woodward, Director of External Audit of the United Kingdom (speaking on behalf of the United Nations Board of Auditors), and Warren Sach, Director of Budget Division, answered Member States’ questions.

The Committee will meet again at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 30 May.

Fifth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/AB/3378 72nd Meeting (AM) 26 May 2000

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to continue its discussion of the financing of the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It also consider the financing of several peacekeeping missions, including the, the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). (For background on the financing of the two International Tribunals and UNIKOM, see Press Release GA/AB/3377 of 25 May.)

MINURCA

Also before the Committee was the report of the Secretary-General on the financial performance of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) (document A/54/851) for 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999. The Assembly, in June of 1998 and 1999, appropriated $63.41 million gross (about $62.23 million net), excluding voluntary contributions in kind of $2.86 million. Expenditure for the period totalled $60.22 million gross (about $58.9 million net), resulting in an unspent balance of $3.2 million gross ($3.24 million net).

The Secretary-General states that the unspent balance resulted mainly from the lower deployment levels of military and civilian personnel and reduced operational requirements under premises/accommodation, air operations and other equipment. He asks the Assembly to decide on the treatment of the unspent balance.

The Committee had before it the Secretary-General's revised budget for MINURCA (document A/54/857) for 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, including requirements for its liquidation and the cost estimates for the continuation of liquidation activities at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The revised 1999-2000 budget amounts to $41.1 million gross (about $40.1 million net), exclusive of budgeted voluntary contributions of some $736,300, and represents an increase of $7.73 million compared with the initial budget of the Mission. That increase is due to additional requirements arising from the extension of the Mission's mandate until February 2000. Of the total revised budget, 25 per cent accounts for operational costs, 46 per cent for military personnel, 26 per cent for civilian personnel and 3 per cent for staff assessment.

Regarding the 2000-2001 period, the Secretary-General requests provision of some $115,800 gross (about $102,800 net) for six work-months of staff activities at United Nations Headquarters and for a Board of Auditors' liquidation audit of the Mission. He asks the Assembly to appropriate and assess the additional amount of $7.73 million for the Mission for 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, inclusive of the commitment authority of $6.7 million granted by the ACABQ. He also asks the Assembly to appropriate and assess the amount of $115,800 gross for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.

In a related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ)(document A/54/865), that body recommends that the unspent balance of $3.2 million gross for 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 be credited to Member States in a manner to be decided by the Assembly.

On the revised budget for 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000, the Advisory Committee also recommends that the Assembly appropriate the amount of $115,800 gross ($102,800 net). It notes that while troop costs of some $28.6 million had been reimbursed up to 31 December 1999, the amount owed was $1 million for the period from 1 January to 11 March 2000. On contingent-owned equipment, some $96,300 had been reimbursed at the end of April 2000. The estimated amount owed was $10 million as at 31 March 2000 and unliquidated obligations for contingent-owned equipment amounted to $7.9 million. For death and disability compensation, two claims paid amounted to $100,000 and unliquidated claims for one pending claim amounted to $596,100 at the end of April 2000.

The ACABQ also states that the Mission's cash position at 1 May 2000 amounted to $5.9 million and current loans amounted to $17.2 million. At 15 April 2000, assessments amounted to $113.8 million, payments received totalled $77.2 million and $36.6 million was outstanding. Total unliquidated obligations for 1 July 1998 to 30 June 1999 were $9.2 million at 20 April 2000. In view of this information, the ACABQ does not think an assessment is necessary at this stage.

UNMIK

The Committee also had before it the Secretary-General's proposed budget for the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) (document A/54/807) for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001. He proposes $461.4 million gross be made available (about $434.9 million net). Of the total budget, 71.3 per cent of resources would be used for civilian personnel costs, 21 per cent for operational costs and 1.8 per cent for military personnel cost. Staff assessment comprises 5.7 per cent of the total. The Secretary-General proposes that the Assembly appropriate the amount of $461.4 million gross for the maintenance of the Mission and assess that amount at a monthly rate of $38.45 million gross ($36.25 million net).

In a related report of the ACABQ (document A/54/842), that body recommends that requirements for UNMIK be re-examined in September 2000. Taking into account the need for additional funding prior to the review of proposals for the Mission in early autumn of 2000, the ACABQ recommends that the Assembly authorize commitment with assessment of $220 million gross to allow the Mission to continue its activities through 31 December 2000. The Advisory Committee recommends, however, that the funding be granted without prejudice to recommendations that it might make to the Assembly in the fall and the decisions that the Assembly might take with regard to budgetary and administrative matters, including posts. In order to avoid disruption of operations, the ACABQ recommends that there be authority to enter into contractual arrangements for staff for up to one year. Should it be necessary, staff employed against posts which are eventually not approved can be accommodated against vacancies until the expiry of their contracts.

The Advisory Committee goes on to say that, as the staffing table has not yet been approved, the Secretary-General should be allowed to proceed with the redeployment of posts among the various offices of the Mission. In recruitment of staff (for up to one year), the Committee places priority on the selection of additional language assistants commensurate with the deployment of civilian police.

UNTAET

Before the Committee also was the Secretary-General's first full 12-month proposed budget for the Untied Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) (document A/54/769/Add.1) for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, in which he seeks $584.14 million gross (about $567.4 million net). [In his report A/54/769, the Secretary-General provides detailed budget requirements for the Mission for the seven-month period from 1 December 1999 to 30 June 2000.]

Of the total 2000-2001 budget, civilian personnel costs account for 33.4 per cent, operational costs account for 19.1 per cent and military personnel costs account for 44.6 per cent. Staff assessment comprises some 2.9 per cent of the total. Subject to the extension of the Mission's mandate beyond 31 January 2001, the Secretary-General requests that the Assembly appropriate and assess an amount of $584.14 million gross for the maintenance of the Mission for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.

In a related report of the ACABQ (document A/54/875), that body recommends that pending submission of UNTAET's budget for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001 the Assembly authorize commitment authority of $292.1 million gross ($283.7 million net). However, taking into account an estimated unspent balance at the end of May 2000, the Advisory Committee recommends that the Assembly authorize assessment of $200 million. The ACABQ also recommends that the funding be granted without prejudice to recommendations that the Committee might make to the Assembly in the autumn of 2000 and any decision that the Assembly might take with regard to budgetary and administrative matters, including posts, concerning UNTAET.

The Advisory Committee also recommends that authority be granted to enter into contractual arrangements with staff for up to one year to avoid disruption in the conduct of UNTAET operations. Staff employed against posts which eventually are not approved would be accommodated against vacancies until the expiry of their contracts, if necessary. Although the staffing table has not yet been approved for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, the ACABQ recommends that the Secretary-General be allowed to proceed with the redeployment of posts among various offices of the Mission.

MONUC

The Committee also had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the financing of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) (A/54/872). The Secretary-General explains that, pursuant to the Security Council resolution of February 2000 that extended MONUC's mandate until 31 August 2000 and authorized its expansion to consist of up to 5,5327 military personnel, including 500 military observers, he requested that the Assembly approve some $200 million, so that immediate steps could be taken to establish the support infrastructure for the Mission, to acquire the necessary additional equipment and supplies and to enter into the necessary contractual arrangements in anticipation of the early phased deployment in the country of the authorized strength of the Mission's military component, together with the additional civilian staff.

He goes on to say that the requested amount of $200 million was intended to cover initial resource requirements for the Mission for the period ending 30 June 2000, as well as for the first part of the 2000/2001 financial period. It is now estimated that the requirements for the Mission for 6 August 1999 to 30 June 2000 will amount to some $58.7 million gross. On that basis, the amount of $141,319,000 gross representing the balance of the commitment authority of $200 million granted by the Assembly for 1999-2000 will be carried over and used to meet the Mission's estimated initial requirements for 2000-2001.

The Secretary-General requests that the Assembly reduce the commitment authority granted by the Assembly for 6 August 1999 to 30 June 2000 from $200 million to $58,681,000. He also asks it to approve the amount of $141,319,000 gross ($140,827,100 net) for the period from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, pending submission of the financing report of MONUC requested by the Assembly.

Statements

THOMAS REPASCH (United States) said he appreciated the work of the Expert Group on the International Tribunals, and the comments made by others on their recommendations. The United States support for the Tribunals was stronger than ever. They had made considerable contributions to international law, including the first conviction by an international tribunal of genocide. In light of the accomplishments, he thanked the staff and others involved.

However there were still problems that needed attention., he said, such as pre-trail delays, prolonged trials, excessive motions and others. By and large, the United States supported the Expert Group recommendations and was pleased to note the Tribunals had taken steps to implement some. On the format of the report, he said the United States supported the statement by the United Republic of Tanzania that it should have distinguished between the recommendations that applied to the Rwanda Tribunal and those that applied to the Former Yugoslavia Tribunal. They were independent entities working in different environments. It was unreasonable to expect each recommendation would apply to both.

He was pleased to note administrative and budgetary improvements, including better coordination and speedier processes, he said. He noted more attention given to support services and management of courtrooms, and that efforts were made to ensure other aspects improved. He appreciated the efforts of the Oversight Office and the Board of Auditors in keeping Member States informed on Tribunal matters. The United States sought issuance of the Board of Auditors report on the Tribunals as stand-alone documents, and asked when those could be available.

He agreed with the ACABQ comments on the difficult circumstances faced by the Tribunals, he said. The ACABQ should take its own advice and visit the Tribunals on its next field trip. The United States agreed with the ACABQ recommendation that the effort should be made to employ existing resources to implement the recommendations before new resources were requested..

He understood the various viewpoints of parts of the Tribunals, and the desire of each to have its administrative and support services was understandable. However, he agreed with other Member States that the unified administration and support structure should remain, and that the registries should continue to try to improve the support they provide. The United States also agreed with the ACABQ that the Secretary-General should report on efforts to implement them.

He sought more information on the status of efforts to meet the concerns raised by the Oversight Office on the Former Yugoslavia Tribunal, and also on the nature of the documents translation problem that plagued the appeals process in The Hague, and efforts that had been taken to address them. He asked about the status of the posts of courtroom coordinator, chief of support services and deputy registrar, and whether those posts had been filled.

He noted that the Rwanda Tribunal had been hampered by problems with finance and procurement functions, he said, and asked whether a qualified person had been found to handle those. He also wished to be informed as to whether the relevant procurement rules were being followed. Like other Member States, the United States was concerned about the large and growing costs of defence counsels. Given that many tried were former senior officials, he was surprised by the pleas of poverty they were making, leading to appointment of free counsel, and asked what efforts were made to investigate them. He had personally visited the Rwanda Tribunal, he said, and was impressed by the dedication of those who had worked hard to build a structure where there was none. He looked forward to a similar visit to The Hague later this year.

WARREN SACH, Director of the Programme Planning and Budget Division of the Office of Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts, said in response to Member States questions that the Board of Auditors reports for the two Tribunals would be issued as separate documents to the Assembly at its fifty-fifth session. They would be separate volumes with separate audit reports.

On the issue of translation, he said that there had been specific difficulties relating to the required language combinations. Staff at the Tribunals had to work in languages other than the official United Nations languages. The number of staff that could translate into English and French, the working languages, was limited. It was often the case that large volumes of documents were captured and needed to be translated immediately. Scheduling was not easy.

In response to questions on senior level staff at the Rwanda Tribunal, a Deputy Prosecutor was currently in place, but the post would become vacant at the end of May, he said. Regarding the senior administrative post, that had been advertised. Given the response to the advertisement, it was determined that the post should be re-advertised. Potential candidates were currently being reviewed to fill that important position. On the question of procurement and defence, he did not have the information necessary to respond to Member States queries, but would ensure that the information would be available at informal consultations.

The Committee than turned its attention to the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

MANLAN AHOUNOU (Côte d’Ivoire) advised that although every effort had been made to arrive at a consensus on that resolution, unfortunately consensus had not been reached.

HASSAN MOHAMMED HASSAN (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries, said that it had been the Group’s wish that consensus would have been reached, but that had not been possible. He asked delegations to consider the draft resolution before them in the most positive manner.

The CHAIRMAN proposed that the Committee plan to approve a draft resolution next week.

HOUSSAM ASSAD DIAB (Lebanon) said that he wanted to remind the Committee how important the issue before them was, and how important it was to keep peacekeeping forces viable. Out of respect for the lives that had been lost at Qana, he stressed the importance of that incident. The Committee should not let an aggressor purposely bomb a United Nations banner where civilians had taken refuge without bearing responsibility for that action. He asked that other members support the resolution in the same way that the Group of 77 had.

JEAN-PIERRE HALBWACHS, United Nations Controller, then introduced the reports of the Secretary-General on the financing of United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK), the United Nations Transitional Administration for East Timor (UNTAET), and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC).

C.S.M. MSELLE, Chairman of the ACABQ, introduced that body’s reports on the financing of the peacekeeping missions under consideration. He advised that he had previously introduced the ACABQ’s report on the Kosovo interim administration.

The report on financing MONUC was introduced orally. He advised that the ACABQ recommends acceptance of the Secretary-General’s proposal. The commitment previously granted should be reduced from $200 million to some $58.68 million. The Assembly should also approve a commitment authority of some $141.32 million for 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, pending the submission of the Secretary-General’s financing report.

EDUARDO RAMOS (Portugal), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that the Union had welcomed the establishment of UNTAET. The mission's mandate, like that of the Kosovo mission, was wide, novel and important. It was important that it be provided with the resources it needed to meet its mandate. The Union concurred with the ACABQ recommendation that the Secretary-General submit a report on UNTAET’s financing following the review of the mission he had mentioned in his report to the Security Council. The next UNTAET pledging conference would be held soon, he said, and he encouraged donor countries to honour their pledges as soon as possible.

The European Union shared the ACABQ’s concerns about slow deployment of civilian police, he said. The role of those civilian police was critical, so he agreed that quick and full deployment should receive attention and priority. Attention should also be given to recruitment of language assistants in parallel with the deployment of police. A review of the arrangements for deployment of civilian personnel was also required, and the problems the mission faced here were not exclusive to it. There was clearly also a need to examine the structure, role and capacity of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations Civilian Police Unit.

The Committee then turned its attention to financing of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM).

DAVID WOODWARD, the Director of External Audit of the United Kingdom, answered a question on the time period during which the mistaken payment of

mission subsistence allowance occurred, raised yesterday by the representative of Kuwait.

He advised that, in some cases, UNIKOM military observers would take leave in advance of their entitlement. Those people were improperly paid mission subsistence allowance for that leave. Some $1.49 million paid was paid under such circumstances from May 1991 to September 1996. The entire amount paid in that way was eventually earned by the military observers concerned.

ZIAD MONAYAIR (Kuwait) said he sought to determine the responsibility for that overpayment, and to ensure that relevant parties were held accountable.

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