BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 2003-2004 FINANCING FOR MISSIONS IN TIMOR-LESTE, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, LIBERIA

Fifty-eighth General Assembly

Fifth Committee

22^nd Meeting (AM)

BUDGET COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS 2003-2004 FINANCING FOR MISSIONS IN TIMOR-LESTE,

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO, LIBERIA

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning made recommendations to the General Assembly on the financing of United Nations missions in Timor-Leste, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Liberia, as well as the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM).  The texts on the missions were among the nine draft resolutions and six draft decisions approved –- all without a vote -- by the Committee today.

The Committee recommended appropriating some $23.83 million for the maintenance of the United Nations Support Mission in Timor-Leste for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, in addition to the amount of $193.34 million already appropriated under the terms of resolution 57/327.  Further by the text, upon completion of the Mission’s mandate, the Assembly would approve the donation of its assets, with a total inventory value of up to $35.26 million dollars and corresponding residual value of up to $15.88 million, to the Government of Timor-Leste.

For the same financial period, the Committee recommended appropriating $59.04 million for the operation of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to the amount of $582 million already appropriated under the terms of its resolution 57/335.

For the new Liberia Mission, the General Assembly would appropriate some $564.49 million for the period from 1 August 2003 to 30 June 2004, inclusive of $47.46 million previously authorized by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) for the period from 1 August to 31 December 2003.

By the decision on the financing of United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM), the Assembly would take note of the reports on the matter and decide to keep the agenda item under review.  [According to the documents before the Committee, as the Mission was unable to fulfil its mandate, it had been extended for a final six-month period until 6 October, and no estimates were submitted for the rest of the period ending on 30 June 2004.]

In other action, the Committee approved a draft resolution, by the terms of which the Assembly would note with concern the findings of the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) on problem areas in the functioning, administration and accountability mechanisms of the Investment Management Service of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund.  The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to ensure that all the recommendations of the OIOS are fully and expeditiously implemented.  A report on that matter would be submitted to the Assembly at its resumed fifty-eighth session.

Also today, the Committee addressed the conditions of service of United Nations officials in bodies outside the Secretariat.  By one draft, it recommended that the Assembly amend the regulations governing the retirement of the members of the International Court of Justice and the judges of the International Criminal Tribunals for the Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.  By a related text, the Assembly would decide, at this time, not to change the current salary and retirement allowance of the Secretary-General and salary and pensionable remuneration of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme.

By two other drafts, the Committee recommended that the International Criminal Court be admitted to membership in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, with effect from 1 January 2004, and that formal authority in matters of personnel of the United Nations Population Fund be delegated by the Secretary-General to the Executive Director of the Fund.

The Committee also made recommendations on information and communication technology strategy, which is being developed by the Secretary-General.  By the draft resolution approved today, the Assembly would welcome the steps being taken to address all requests contained in its resolution 57/304 and reiterate the need to indicate the return on investment for planned and proposed major projects in terms that are as quantitative as possible.

By other texts, the Assembly would take note of several reports examined by the Fifth Committee, including those on the implementation of projects financed from the Development Account; the proportion of General Service staff in the regional commissions; the comprehensive review of the post structure of the United Nations Secretariat; and the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships.

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on additional expenditures deriving from inflation and currency fluctuations and the related report of the ABACQ, the Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to explore the possibility of establishing a reserve fund to utilize currency gains and to report on that matter at its sixtieth session.

Also this morning, as the Committee considered the administration and management of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Italy’s representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union, stressed that the Organization’s activities in the human rights and related areas should receive adequate and consistent funding by Member States.  At the same time, the United Nations management of support activities in that crucial sector must also comply with general efficiency criteria, in order not to waste resources.

Also supporting adequate financing of human rights activities as mandated by intergovernmental bodies, Cuba’s representative pointed out that resources were requested for specific reform measures without prior approval of the Member States.  Some measures described in the Secretary-General’s report went beyond the scope of the objectives specified in the Medium-Term Plan and the draft budget.  Her delegation rejected such approaches, which were designed to promote concepts on which there was no intergovernmental agreement.  She also objected to the fact that the Secretariat had already established a Chief of Staff post for the Office without a decision by the General Assembly.

There was also a debate regarding the nature of the United Nations operations in Côte d’Ivoire, with many speakers wondering about the criteria for determining if the operation there was a peacekeeping or a special political mission.  In that connection, Japan’s representative said that no responsible explanations had been provided on how the mandates for peacekeeping operations and special political missions were decided upon in the Security Council and what kind of discussions were taking place.  That was extremely regrettable.  Objecting to “sending only a bill without any explanation”, he said that peacekeeping operations and special political missions needed to be fully accountable to the international community.

The representative of Botswana, on behalf of the African Group, said that, in view of the complexity of the situation, his delegation would prefer that a full-fledged peacekeeping mission be established in Côte d’Ivoire.

Also taking part in the discussion were representatives of the United States, Nigeria, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Cameroon.  United Nations Controller, Jean-Pierre Halbwachs and Dennis Thatchaichawalit, Chief of the Political Coordination Unit, Programme Planning and Budget Division, responded to questions and introduced several reports before the Committee.  Other documents were introduced by Catherine Pollard, Director of the Peacekeeping Financing Division; Controller’s Special Assistant, Sharon Van Buerle; and Chairman of the ACABQ, Conrad S.M. Mselle.

The Committee will hold its next formal meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, 1 December.

Background

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this morning was expected to take action on a number of draft proposals (see action on drafts, below) and consider a number of reports related to the budget for the next biennium.  The Committee was also scheduled to continue its consideration of the financing of the new mission in Côte d’Ivoire (for background on this issue, see Press Release GA/AB/3593 of 20 November.)

Proposed Programme Budget for Biennium 2004-2005

The first document before the Committee was a note by the Secretary-General (document A.C.5/58/3) on a request for a subvention of $227,600 to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) resulting from the recommendation of the Board of Trustees of the Institute on the work programme for 2004.  The subvention is to be used to cover the costs for the Director and administration.  For 2004, as has been the case since 2002, the subvention has been cost-adjusted to take into account inflation and currency fluctuations.

In a related report (document A/58/7/Add.4), the Advisory Committee recommends that the Assembly approve the request of $227,600 for UNIDIR for 2004.  No additional provision would be required under a related section of the proposed budget for 2004-2005, as it already contains a provision for $473,700 representing a United Nations subvention to UNIDIR for the coming biennium.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive and resumed substantive sessions of 2003 (document A/C.5/58/10).  The document details budgetary requirements resulting from resolutions and decisions adopted by the Economic and Social Council at its substantive and resumed substantive sessions of 2003 relating to:  public administration and development; sustainable development; human rights; non-governmental organizations; science and technology for development; and the ad hoc advisory groups on African countries emerging from conflict.

The expenditure requirements arising as a result of the resolutions and decisions are estimated at $2,040,400, of which $1,197,700 could be absorbed either within the 2002-2003 or the 2004-2005 bienniums.  The remaining requirements of $842,700 for 2004-2005 would be subject to the procedures established by the General Assembly in its resolutions 41/213 of 19 December 1986 and 42/211 of 21 December 1987 for the operation of the contingency fund.

Should the General Assembly agree with a proposal to schedule meetings of the Social Forum during the sessions of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, costs of up to $226,200 could be avoided.

The related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (A/58/7/Add.8) recommends that the Fifth Committee take note of the estimate of $842,700, on the understanding that such appropriations as may be necessary will be requested by the Secretary-General in the context of a consolidated statement of programme budget implications and revised estimates to be submitted to the General Assembly.  The Committee points out that, should the General Assembly decide to proceed with the scheduling possibilities for the meetings of the Social Forum, appropriation requirements for 2004-2005 would amount to $616,500 rather than $842,700.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) (document A/58/544).  In order to compensate the Institute for its expenditures relating to the provision of training in multilateral diplomacy and international affairs management to the diplomatic personnel of the missions to the United Nations, it is proposed to provide UNITAR with an annual subvention in the amount not exceeding its annual rental and maintenance costs ($165,630 in 2002).  In this case, an additional provision of $331,300 would be required over and above the resources proposed under section 29, Management and central support services, of the biennial programme budgets.

Commenting on this issue in its related report (document A/58/7/Add.8), the ACABQ states that providing UNITAR with an annual subvention is a policy matter to be decided by the Assembly.  Should such a decision be made, an additional provision of $331,300 would be required over and above the resources proposed under section 29, Management and central support services, of the proposed programme budget for 2004-2005.  This provision would represent a charge against the contingency fund.

At the same time, the Advisory Committee notes that, since 1993, UNITAR has been able to carry out and expand its activities with no deficit, utilizing voluntary contributions and special purpose grants.  While both expenditures of and contributions to the UNITAR General Fund have been declining, expenditures under the Special Purpose Grants Fund and the related programme support costs have increased.  Upon enquiry, the Advisory Committee was informed that interest on the Special Purpose Grants Fund for the period from 1993 to 2003 amounted to approximately $1.8 million and that this amount had been credited to the programme fund.

Regarding current unpaid bills of $321,185 owed to the United Nations as of 31 December 2002, the Advisory Committee believes that the proposed period of five years within which to repay the loan is too long.  Accordingly, the Advisory Committee recommends that the Executive Director of UNITAR make every effort to repay the amount of $321,184 owed to the United Nations as soon as possible, including exploring the possibility of releasing part of the accrued interest on special purpose grants so that it can be applied towards loan repayment.

Also before the Committee was a report of the Secretary-General on revised estimates:  effect of changes in rates of exchange and inflation (document A/58/528).  In accordance with established practice, the proposed programme budget is recosted prior to its adoption by the General Assembly.  A preliminary recosting is reflected in the budget proposals of the Secretary-General (document A/58/6 (Introduction, sects. 1-35, and Income, sects. 1-3) and Corr.1).

The report provides the latest data on actual inflation experience, the outcome of salary surveys, the movement of post adjustment indices in 2003, salary expenditure experience and the effect of the evolution of operational rates of exchange in 2003 on the proposed programme budget for 2004-2005.

After recosting, the resources under the expenditure sections as proposed by the Secretary-General, and as would be modified if the recommendations of the ACABQ were to be applied, would amount to $3.167 billion.  The recosted estimates of income for 2004-2005 amount to $419.4 million.

The ACABQ in its related report (document A/58/7/Add.11) finds no technical basis for objecting to the Secretary-General’s revised estimates arising from the recosting of the effects of changes in rates of exchange and inflation, and accordingly, transmits them to the Fifth Committee for consideration.

A further Secretary-General’s report before the Committee was on the administration and management of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (document A/58/569).  The document responds to requests of the General Assembly and the Advisory Committee for information on measures pertaining to the administration and management of the Office.  It also represents a response to Assembly resolutions 57/300 and 57/313, in which the Secretary-General was encouraged to improve the effectiveness and management of the Office of the High Commissioner and submit a report on the matter during the fifty-eighth session.

According to the document, the management structure of the Office will be made more robust by clarifying the respective responsibilities of the High Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner, who would assume specific responsibilities for the direction of the policy planning, information management and other support units of the Office.  The document also contains recommendations regarding the post and non-post requirements of the Office and recommends that the General Assembly proceed to take action on section 24, Human rights, of the proposed programme budget for 2004-2005.

The Advisory Committee, in a related report (document A/58/7/Add.12) recalls that the General Assembly, in its resolution 57/300, requested the Commission on Human Rights to review and streamline the human rights special procedures in order to rationalize their work and enhance their effectiveness.  The ACABQ agrees with the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) that the three branches “are rendered unwieldy through the ad hoc creation of teams and units in response to new programmatic mandates and operational concerns”.  Furthermore, the Advisory Committee notes from the report of the OIOS that there is a need to rationalize the use of desk officers and staff supporting the treaty bodies in a way that would optimize their performance.

Among other post requirements, the ACABQ addresses the proposed creation of a D-2, Chief of Staff, position, regarding which it observes that the functions described by the Secretary-General overlap with those of the Deputy High Commissioner and of the Director of the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.  The Advisory Committee also points out that an official at the L-7 level (equivalent to D-2) has been selected and has been carrying out responsibilities since early July 2003.  The new position is funded from general temporary assistance, and has not been submitted to the ACABQ for its review.  The action taken by the Secretariat to establish this L-7 position, in effect, prejudges the outcome of the consideration by the General Assembly of the question of the D-2 post.

The Advisory Committee recommends that consideration of the establishment of the D-2 post be postponed to give the new High Commissioner the opportunity to review the matter.  In the meantime, subject to its observation in paragraph 8 above, the current funding arrangement of the L-7 should be maintained.

Administrative and Budgetary Aspects of Peacekeeping Operations

Also before the Committee was a note by the Secretary-General (document A/58/596), which contains a proposal for the acceptance of five additional buildings pledged by the Government of Italy in support of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi.  According to the document, the acceptance of the buildings, while being cost-effective overall, would involve an additional financial liability for the United Nations in respect of the cost of maintenance, which is estimated at $15,000 per annum.  The Base appropriation for 2003-2004 would absorb the additional cost of $140,000 associated with the renovation of the buildings.

The Advisory Committee, in a related report (document A/58/609) recommends that the General Assembly approve the acceptance of five additional buildings pledged by the Government of Italy in support of the United Nations Logistics Base at Brindisi.

Adoption of Drafts

The Fifth Committee approved without a vote a draft resolution on the Report of the OIOS on the audit of the Investment Management Service of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (document A/C.5/58/L.11), by whose terms the General Assembly would note with concern the findings of the Office in its report (document A/58/81) on problem areas in the functioning, administration and accountability mechanisms of the Investment Management Service.  The Assembly would also request the Secretary-General to ensure that all the recommendations of the OIOS contained in the report are fully and expeditiously implemented and to submit a report thereon at its resumed fifty-eighth session.

The text was introduced by MARGARET STANLEY (Ireland).

The Committee then turned to a draft resolution introduced by GUILLERMO KENDALL (Argentina), on conditions of service and compensation for officials other than Secretariat officials:  members of the International Court of Justice; judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia; and judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (document A/C.5/58/L.12), which it also approved without a vote.

By the draft, the General Assembly, having considered the report of the Secretary-General (document A/C.5/57/36) would decide to amend article 1 of the Pension Scheme Regulations for the members of the International Court of Justice and to replace that article with the provisions set out in annex I to the present resolution.

[Annex I states that a member of the International Court of Justice who has ceased to hold office and who has reached the age of 60 shall be entitled during the remainder of his or her life, to a retirement pension, payable monthly, provided that he or she has completed at least three years of service, and not been required to relinquish his or her appointment under article 18 of the Statute of the Court for reasons other than the state of his or her health.]

The Assembly would also decide to amend article 1 of the Pension Scheme Regulations for the judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and article I of the Pension Scheme got the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to replace that article with the provisions set out in annexes II and III of the present resolution.

[According to the annexes, a judge of the ICTY or the ICTR who has ceased to hold office and who has reached the age of 60 shall be entitled during the remainder of his or her life to a retirement pension, payable monthly, provided that he or she has completed at least three years of service and not been required to relinquish his or her appointment under article 18 of the Statute of the Court for reasons other than the state of his or her health.]

Another draft approved without a vote by the Committee was on the salary and retirement allowance of the Secretary-General and the salary and pensionable remuneration of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (A/C.5/58/L.18).  By its terms, the Assembly would, having considered the report of the ACABQ (document A/58/7/Add.3), concur with paragraph 3 of the report of the Advisory Committee and decide, at this time, not to change the current practice regarding the salary and retirement allowance of the Secretary-General and the salary and pensionable remuneration of the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The draft resolution was introduced by the Vice-Chairman of the Committee, ASDRUBAL PULIDO LEON (Venezuela).

ANTONIO ALARCON (Costa Rica) then introduced a draft resolution on information and communication technology strategy (document A/C.5/58/L.14), by the terms of which the Assembly would take note of the Secretary-General’s report and welcome the steps being taken to address all requests contained in its resolution 57/304.  [Adopting that text, the Assembly noted the key elements of the strategic information and communication technology (ICT) framework, which is being developed by the Secretary-General, and requested further information and proposals in the context of the proposed budget for 2004-2005.]

The Assembly would further reiterate the need to indicate the return on investment for planned and proposed major projects in terms that are as quantitative as possible.  It would also take note of the report of the Joint Inspection Unit, the comments of the Secretary-General and those of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination thereon, and the related report of the ACABQ.

The Committee approved the draft without a vote.

Introduced to the Committee by SANTIAGO WINS (Uruguay) was a draft decision on the Development Account (document A/C.5/58/L.19).  By its terms, the General Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of projects financed from the Development Account:  and concur with the recommendations of the ACABQ (A/58/7/Add.5).

The text was adopted without a vote.

Another draft decision adopted by the Committee was on additional expenditures deriving from inflation and currency fluctuations (document A/C.5/58/L.20).  By its terms, the General Assembly would note that the effects on the budget of inflation and currency fluctuations can be either positive or negative; take note of the report of the Secretary-General on additional expenditures deriving from inflation and currency fluctuations and the related report of the ABACQ (A/58/7/Add.5); and request the Secretary-General to explore the possibility of establishing a reserve fund to utilize currency gains and to report thereon, through the Advisory Committee, to the General Assembly at its sixtieth session.

The text was introduced by ASDRUBAL PULIDO LEON (Venezuela), Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

The Committee then approved a further draft decision -– also introduced by Mr. PULIDO LEON -- on the proportion of General Service staff to Professional staff in the regional commissions (document A/C.5/58/L.21).  By the terms of the draft, the General Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the proportion of General Service staff in the regional commissions (document A/58/403) and of the related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (document A/58/7/Add.5).

Also approved by the Committee was a draft resolution on the comprehensive review of the post structure of the United Nations Secretariat (document A/C.5/58/L.22).  By its terms, the Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the comprehensive review of the post structure of the United Nations Secretariat (document A/58/398) and of the related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions.

The draft was introduced by Mr. PULIDO LEON.

By a draft decision approved by the Committee (document A/C.5/58/L.23), the General Assembly would take note of the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships (document A/58/173).

The text was introduced by ALIREZA TOOTOONCHIAN (Iran).

The Committee then approved, without a vote, a resolution on the Financing of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (document A/C.5/58/L.24) introduced by Mr. PULIDO LEON.  By its terms, the General Assembly, would decide to appropriate to the Special Account for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo the amount of $59,038,300 for the maintenance of the Mission for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, in addition to the amount of $582 million already appropriated and apportioned for the same period under the terms of its resolution 57/335.

The Assembly would also invite voluntary contributions to the Mission in cash and in the form of services and supplies acceptable to the Secretary-General, to be administered, as appropriate, in accordance with the procedure and practices established by the General Assembly.

FOUAD RAJEH (Saudi Arabia), Rapporteur of the Committee, introduced a draft resolution on the Financing of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (document A/C.5/58/L.16).  By the terms of the text, the Assembly would decide to appropriate the amount of $23,827,500 for the maintenance of the Mission for the period from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, in addition to the amount of $193,337,100 already appropriated for the same period under the terms of resolution 57/327.

Further by the text, the Assembly would approve the donation of the assets of the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor, with a total inventory value of up to $35,262,900 and corresponding residual value of up to $15,879,900, to the Government of Timor-Leste, and emphasize that no peacekeeping mission shall be financed by borrowing funds from other active peacekeeping missions.

Finally, the General Assembly would invite voluntary contributions to the Mission in cash and in the form of services and supplies acceptable to the Secretary-General, to be administered, as appropriate, in accordance with the procedure and practices established by the General Assembly and decide to keep the matter under review during its fifty-eighth session.

By the terms of a draft decision approved by the Committee on the financing of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission (UNIKOM) (document A/C.5/58/L.17), the Assembly would take note of the reports on the matter and decide to keep the agenda item under review.

The text was introduced by KARLA SAMAYOA-RECARI (Guatemala).

The Committee then turned to a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (document A/C.5/58/L.25), which was introduced by MARGARET STANLEY (Ireland).

By the terms of this draft, the Assembly would authorize the Secretary-General to establish a special account for the Mission and appropriate the amount of some $564.49 million for its maintenance for the period from 1 August 2003 to 30 June 2004, inclusive of the amount of $47.46 million previously authorized by the ACABQ for the operation of the Mission under section IV of resolution 49/233 for the period from 1 August to 31 December 2003.

Further by the text, the Secretary-General would be requested to pursue through collaboration between the missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Côte d’Ivoire, opportunities for optimizing, where possible, the provision and management of support resources and service delivery to the three missions.

NONYE UDO (Nigeria) speaking in explanation of vote after the vote said that her delegation had no problem with the resolution that had just adopted.  However, she wished to emphasize the need for the activities and functions of the Mission to be properly grouped together and coordinated and hoped that the matter would be looked into.  That was important in order to ensure that this mission succeeded fully in discharging its mandate.

By the terms of another draft resolution (document A/C.5/58/L.15), introduced by GUILLERMO KENDALL (Argentina), and approved by the Committee without a vote, the Assembly would decide to admit the International Criminal Court to membership in the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund, with effect from 1 January 2004.

The Committee then approved without a vote a draft decision on the delegation of authority in matters of personnel of the United Nations Population Fund (document A/C.5/58/L.26) by whose terms the Assembly would decide that formal authority in matters of personnel of the United Nations Population Fund shall be delegated by the Secretary-General to the Executive Director of the Fund.

Introduction of Documents and Discussion

SHARON VAN BUERLE, Special Assistant to the United Nations Controller, introduced a note on the subvention to the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research.

A related ACABQ report was introduced by the Chairman of that body, CONRAD S.M. MSELLE.

MELANIE ATTWOOLL (United States) said that she had a few questions in connection with the report.  The figures in annex I did not include a contribution from the Government of Japan.  As in previous years there had been such a contribution, which was to be applied for the current biennium, she asked if those figures should have been included in the document.  She also wanted to know if any additional pledges were expected for 2003 and 2004 and what was being done to increase the voluntary contributions.

DENNIS THATCHAICHAWALIT, Chief of the Political Coordination Unit, Programme Planning and Budget Division, then introduced the document on revised estimates resulting from resolutions and decisions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Mr. MSELLE introduced an ACABQ report on this matter.

NORMA LUCIA GOICOCHEA (Cuba) said that the ACABQ in its report had pointed out that, should the General Assembly decide to proceed with the scheduling possibilities for the meetings of the Social Forum, appropriation requirements for 2004-2005 would amount to $616,500 rather than $842,700.  She wanted to know what procedure would be followed in that regard.

Ms. ATTWOOLL (United States) said that she would reserve most of her comments for the informals, but she wanted to express concern and displeasure in connection with the text on public administration and development.  When the draft was adopted by ECOSOC last summer, there had been an explicit understanding that requirements for travel would be met through redeployment of resources.  Such redeployment had not taken place, however.

Responding to questions, Mr. THATCHAICHAWALIT said that the options presented to the Committee in connection with the meetings of the Social Forum included the costs of holding a meeting separately, or holding it back-to-back with the session of the Subcommission itself, as had been the case in 2002.  The second option would involve an additional appropriation of $12,800 in 2004-2005.  The third option was to hold the meeting during the session of the Subcommission.  In that case, no additional appropriation would be required.  On the resolution on public administration and development, he would consult with the substantive department involved and provide clarifications later.

Mr. THATCHAICHAWALIT introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) contained in document A/58/544.

Mr. MSELLE introduced the related report of the ACABQ.

N. U. O. WADIBIA-ANYANWU (Nigeria) said that Member States should empower UNITAR in order that it continue to provide quality training programmes for diplomats, free of charge, as well as offer informative seminars and programmes in the areas of environment, sustainable development, international trade, debt and financial management and e-learning.  That could be done by supporting the recommendation to grant UNITAR the annual subvention of $165,630 contained in paragraph 40(a) of the Secretary-General’s report (document A/58/544).  Nigeria believed that was a worthwhile investment, which would allow UNITAR the resources it needed to continue its laudable work.

Continuing, she stated that since most of UNITAR’s voluntary contributions were earmarked for specific projects, it had no flexibility to apply such “marked funds” to other important administrative expenses, such as rentals and maintenance costs.  In that connection, Nigeria recalled that the Second Committee during its consideration of this item had “stressed the need for the Fifth Committee to take action in order to resolve expeditiously, the issues related to UNITAR’s rental rates, debt and maintenance costs”, and concurred that the time had come for the issue to be resolved.

Ms. GOICOCHEA (Cuba) said that she entirely endorsed the statement by Nigeria.  She fully supported the approach of the Secretary-General’s report.  Accordingly, at this stage, she only wanted to ask a few questions.  Would the rate of the subvention to UNITAR be fixed or subject to recosting, taking into account the inflation and currency fluctuations?  Also, if the Assembly were to take action on the basis of paragraph 13 of the ACABQ report related to the repayment of the amount of $321,184 owed to the United Nations, she wanted to know what the impact of such action would be on the functioning of UNITAR.

Ms. ATTWOOLL (United States) welcomed the work of UNITAR and its efforts to keep its balances high.  She did note that, even if the amount of the rent was subtracted, the budget of UNITAR was in excellent shape, and that was good progress.  She also expressed appreciation for the fact that the United Nations in 2002 had provided some voluntary services to the Institute.

Continuing, she asked what the United Nations’ policy was on the non-payment of rent.  Also, on what authority had the United Nations continued to pay for services to UNITAR, including messengers, cleaning, security and shuttles?  She also wanted to know if UNITAR had explored the option of charging diplomats for its services.  Most importantly, she wanted to get clarification on paragraph 19 of the Secretary-General’s report regarding the issue of reimbursement for programme support costs.  While there was a standard rate of 13 per cent, UNITAR did not seem to be charging that.  However, such action had been recommended by audits in the past.

MR. THATCHAICHAWALIT replied that since the subvention was being established for the first time, he could not provide a definite answer regarding the adjustment to the proposed amount of the subvention at this point.  Regarding the non-payment of rent and continued provision of services to UNITAR, he would have to research the issue and provide the answers during informals.  Concerning the fees for training, his understanding was that currently a number of self-sustainable programmes were being provided by UNITAR, meaning that recipients were paying fees for services.

As for the rate of reimbursement for support costs, he said that over the years it had been lower than 13 per cent, because special purpose grants were subject to individual agreements with donors.  That was why the rates varied.  The recommendations had been made to apply a consistent 13 per cent rate.  Again, more information would be provided during informal consultations.

JEAN-PIERRE HALBWACHS, Assistant Secretary-General for Programme Planning, Budget and Accounts and United Nations Controller, introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the revised estimates:  effects of changes in rates of exchange and inflation, contained in document A/58/528.

Mr. MSELLE introduced the related report of the ACABQ contained in document A/58/7/Add.11.

Ms. GOICOCHEA (Cuba) reiterated her delegation’s position on proposals contained in the report of the Advisory Committee.  According to practice the recosting adjustments should have been made in December, not in the context of the performance report.

CATHERINE POLLARD, Director, Peacekeeping Financing Division, introduced the note of the Secretary-General on the transfer of United Nations buildings at Brindisi, contained in document A/58/596.

Mr. MSELLE introduced document A/58/609, the related report of the Advisory Committee.

Mr. MEDINA (Morocco) thanked the Italian Government for making available the five additional buildings.  This gesture demonstrated the degree of importance Member States attached to the role of the United Nations.

Mr. THATCHAICHAWALIT introduced the report of the Secretary-General on the administration and management of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, contained in document A/58/569.

Mr. MSELLE introduced the related report of the Advisory Committee (document A/58/7/Add.12).

ROBERTO MARTINI (Italy), speaking on behalf of the European Union, expressed his deep disappointment at the late issuance of the reports of the Secretary-General and the ACABQ on the administration and management of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).  Such a delay hindered a thorough and transparent examination of all related financial issues.

Human Rights were a high priority for the European Union, he continued, and should be considered a main goal of the United Nations.  Activities in that, and related areas should, therefore, receive adequate and consistent funding by Member States.  At the same time, the Union wished to emphasize that the United Nations management of support activities in that crucial sector must also comply with general efficiency criteria, in order not to waste resources.

It its new report (document A/58/7/Add.12), the ACABQ had made some recommendations concerning the creation of new posts and redeployment of staff, he said.  Those recommendations would receive the most careful attention by the Union in order to both strengthen the management of the OHCHR and efficiently allocate resources.

Ms. GOICOCHEA (Cuba) said that her delegation attached great importance to the activities of the OHCHR on the basis of relevant resolutions.  However, resources were requested for specific reform measures without prior approval of intergovernmental bodies.  For example, measures described in paragraph 6 of document A/58/569 went beyond the scope of the objectives specified in the Medium-Term Plan and the draft budget.  Her delegation rejected such approaches, which were designed to promote concepts on which there was no intergovernmental agreement.  Measures were also proposed in connection with enhanced implementation of human rights treaties.  The Secretariat should indicate what decisions had been taken in connection with paragraph 7 of the report on the Petitions Unit.  The establishment of posts must be in compliance with decisions of Member States and treaty bodies.

In connection with the proposed measures to integrate the staff in Geneva and in the field funded from regular budget and extrabudgetary resources, she requested answers regarding the impact of proposed changes on the personnel policy within the Secretariat, particularly the regulations governing staff under series 100 and 200.  She also requested information, in writing and broken down by nationality, on the staff under 200 series whose integration into 100 series was proposed, as well as the staffing table of the Office.  She also asked about the Secretariat’s plans to make vacancy announcements for external candidates for the positions of the staff currently filling temporary posts.

The Secretariat had already established a Chief of Staff post without a decision by the General Assembly, whose functions, according to the ACABQ report, overlapped with those of the Deputy High Commissioner and of the Director of the New York office of OHCHR.  She did not support maintaining that post until the Assembly had taken its decision.  In contracting staff under 200 series, decisions had been made that exceeded current mandates.  The contracting practice of the Office needed to be examined, and anomalies should be rectified.  Cuba agreed that the necessary resources should be made available to implement mandated activities and that there should be no decline in resources for priorities established by Member States.  In that connection, she requested information on the resources proposed for priorities under the Medium-Term Plan, as well as non-priority activities and the changes in the proposed budget versus the current biennium.

Mr. THATCHAICHAWALIT, responding to questions raised from the floor, assured the Committee that all actions related to human rights had been formulated within the framework of the existing mandate of the OHCHR.  There was no deviation from the legal framework.

Regarding the regulation of 200 series staff to 100 series staff, he could also assure the Committee that all the necessary arrangements had been undertaken within the existing rules and procedures.

YOSHIYUKI MOTOMURA (Japan) pointed out that his Government had received no responsible explanations on how the mandates for peacekeeping operations and special political missions were decided upon in the Security Council and what kind of discussions were taking place.  That was extremely regrettable.  Sending only a bill without any explanation was like taking Japanese taxpayers, who bore one fifth of the United Nations budget, for granted.  Peacekeeping operations and special political missions needed to be fully accountable to the international community.  It was essential that some kind of dialogue mechanism be established between the Council and the major contributing countries.

The United Nations Mission in Côte d’Ivoire (MINUCI) was a case in point, he continued.  It was understood that MINUCI had been established as a peacekeeping operation in May this year by Security Council resolution 1479.  The General Assembly had been notified in late October, however, without any explanation by a letter from the Secretary-General, that it was now a special political mission.  Was there not a serious procedural flaw behind this change, which could undermine the trust of the international community?

What were the criteria that would differentiate between peacekeeping operations and special political missions? he asked.  What did it mean to convert a mission, which fell within the purview of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and was taken up as a peacekeeping mission on the United Nations Web page, to a special political mission due to budgetary and other reasons?  A responsible explanation was needed.

It was also regrettable that the Committee was considering the budget for MINUCI when the budget document itself (document A/58/598) was extremely brief and without a related report by the ACABQ.  Furthermore, if such unilateral measures were allowed to continue, the Japanese Government could not help considering whether the budget for special political missions should be handled outside of the regular budget, by setting up a separate account.

Based on the Security Council resolution and the Secretary-General’s report, the Japanese Government had proceeded with its domestic budget procedure on the understanding that MINUCI was a peacekeeping operation.  His delegation would like to make it clear that it would be extremely difficulty to make budget provisions under a situation where there were no explanations accompanying such sudden changes.

COLLEN VIXEN KELAPILE (Botswana), speaking on behalf of the African Group on the financing of the Mission in Côte d’Ivoire, welcomed the proposed budget for MINUCI and that the ACABQ had recommended approval of the amount proposed by the Secretary-General.  The role of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security was critical.  In the past, the African Group had expressed concern about the selective approach in establishing peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa, and he stressed that there should be a non-discriminatory approach in that respect.

In Côte d’Ivoire, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), with support of the French army, had taken a leading role, he said.  The situation, however, needed to be quickly consolidated to restore normalcy in the country.  Unless urgent steps were taken, the fragile situation in Côte d’Ivoire could deteriorate further.  Following a recent exchange in letters between the President of the Security Council and the Secretary-General, he concurred with the view that the responsibility for determining the manner of financing the Mission lay solely with the General Assembly.  Like the representative of Japan, he also wondered about the criteria for designating a mission as a peacekeeping operation or a special political mission.  In light of the uncertainty of the situation, the African Group would prefer that a full-fledged peacekeeping mission be authorized in Côte d’Ivoire.  He hoped the Council would keep the situation under constant review.

In respect to the ACABQ recommendations, he added that the Advisory Committee had referred to “too many organizational units” within the Mission and suggested merging the political affairs and civil affairs units.  In his opinion, those structures performed related, but distinct functions.

EMMANUEL DATE-YAO (Côte d’Ivoire) thanked Member States and the members of the Security Council for the interest they had focused on his country since 2001.  He greatly appreciated all the efforts that had been made to help his country to find reconciliation.  After the signing of the ceasefire, notable progress had been achieved, he said, including the establishment of a reconciliation committee, monitoring mechanisms and the establishment of a demilitarization programme.

There were still many problems that remained, however, despite the efforts that had been made.  The existence of armed troops was undermining the efforts of the international community, he said, and it would be a good idea to adopt a subregional approach to the problem.  The crisis had serious economic and social consequences for all countries in the area, he continued, and peace in Côte d’Ivoire was linked to peace in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Highlighting the fact that the mission had no direct mandate to intervene to restore peace, he stressed that operations of French forces and of ECOWAS were facing the expiry of their mandates.  His country would have hoped to see this special political mission be transformed into a comprehensive peacekeeping mission, he concluded.

JAMES JONAH (Sierra Leone) said that his concern was not to delay taking decisions on the financing of operations in Côte d’Ivoire.  He was worried over Japan’s comments, because he sensed an unraveling of the negotiations that had taken place 30 years ago about the authority of the Security Council and the General Assembly.  He hoped the decisions of the Committee would not affect the delicate balance between the Assembly and the Council.

United Nations Controller, Mr. HALBWACHS, said that the decision on how an operation of the United Nations should be financed rested squarely and exclusively with the General Assembly.  According to the Charter, “the expenses of the Organization shall be borne by members as apportioned by the General Assembly”.  No legislation or criteria existed on what constituted a peacekeeping operation to be funded under a peacekeeping scale of financing, or a special political mission to be funded under the regular scale.  In its work, the Secretariat was guided by past practice.  By and large, if an operation had a military component, the budget was presented in the format of a peacekeeping mission.  An operation with no military component was treated in the context of the Organization’s regular budget as a special political mission.

Regarding the mission in Côte d’Ivoire, he recalled that, as MINUCI had military advisers upon its establishment, its initial budget had been submitted within the format of a peacekeeping mission.  Subsequently, the President of the Council had written to the Secretary-General on the nature of the mission and, subsequently, the Council, had extended its mandate, making reference to the special political mission.  In that context, a document had been issued to show the costs if the operation were to be funded from the regular budget.  In the final analysis, it was up to the General Assembly to decide how it wanted to finance the mission.

Mr. JONAH (Sierra Leone) pointed out that in 1973 guidelines had been approved by the Security Council on the method of financing, which represented a compromise on the authority of the Council and Assembly.  The guidelines were subsequently endorsed by the Assembly.

HAROLD ADLAI AGYEMAN (Ghana) asked if the Committee could be provided with a table summarizing the military component of special political missions, as well as that of peacekeeping missions with observers.  It was important that past practice was clarified in this regard.

Mr. HALBWACHS said that the Secretariat would be preparing such a table, which would be distributed in the context of formal consultations.

PAUL EKORONG À DONG (Cameroon) supported the delegation of Botswana’s statement.  To avoid any vacuum in the financing of MINUCI, he proposed that it start out as a special political mission and then, in February 2004, all of the parties concerned might get together to obtain a clear view of what would be the best way to finance the mission.

Mr. KELAPILE (Botswana) said that whatever decision was taken on the issue, it had to be taken in a timely fashion in order to avoid delays.  He agreed with the statement made by the representative of Ghana and asked for guidelines for special political missions and peacekeeping operations to be made available to delegations.

Ms. GOICOCHEA (Cuba) supported MINUCI and its aims and purposes.  However, her delegation had taken note of the questions from speakers asking why it had been decided that it should be a special political mission.  While the General Assembly could not encroach upon the areas of competence of the Security Council, any decision regarding financing fell within the prerogatives of the General Assembly.  It was clear to her delegation that this operation should be a peacekeeping operation, she said.

Mr. MOTOMURA (Japan) said that his delegation had no intention of disrupting the balance between the Security Council and the General Assembly.  When the Security Council decided on something the Member States had to abide by it, he said.  He hoped that the African countries would restore peace on the continent and devote themselves to development.  However, when the Security Council decided upon something, it was important that proper procedures be followed and full and detailed explanations should be given to Member States.  His country covered 20 per cent of the United Nations budget and, therefore, if the Security Council was to decide upon something, his country should be properly consulted.

CHRISTOPHER E. WITTMANN (United States) said that there would be a time for the Committee to examine the difference between a peacekeeping mission and a special political mission.  The Secretariat had not provided guidance on it.  The Committee, however, should not let the need to discuss the matter interfere with the ability to get MINUCI sorted out quickly.

Mr. MARTINI (Italy), speaking on behalf of the European Union, said that, in his view, MINUCI was, at this stage, a special political mission.

Mr. HALBWACHS, responding to questions raised during the debate, said that written answers would be provided in informal consultations.

* *** *