Sixty-second General Assembly

Fifth Committee

40^th Meeting (AM)

BUDGET COMMITTEE TAKES UP FINANCING FOR FORCE MONITORING ISRAEL-SYRIA CEASEFIRE,

HAITI STABILIZATION MISSION, WESTERN SAHARA REFERENDUM MISSION

As the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) today took up nearly $670 million in financing for three peacekeeping missions for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, speakers expressed concern about the reduction in the proposed allocation for quick-impact projects to be implemented by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

The budget proposals introduced today for the 2008/09 period cover requirements of $575.1 million forMINUSTAH; $45.73 million for the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) that monitors the ceasefire between Israel and Syria; and $48.5 million for the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

The representative of Mexico, speaking on behalf of the Rio Group, said that the 40 per cent reduction in funding for quick-impact projects in the Secretary-General’s proposals, when compared to the last budget, was alarming, particularly taking into account that their implementation was mandated by the Security Council.  He noted that the Secretary-General himself had acknowledged the importance of those projects for urgently generating direct benefits in order to maintain the population’s trust towards MINUSTAH.

Similarly, the representative of Brazil pointed to Security Council resolution 1780 (2007), which requested MINUSTAH to continue to implement quick-impact projects, and expressed concern at the 2008/09 40 per cent decrease in funding.  He stated that, in light of the resolution and taking into account the recent tragic events that had taken place in April, his country, instead, supported a significant increase in the budgetary resources dedicated to such projects.

The representative of Chile said that, since 2006, there had been a trend towards reducing the funding for quick-impact projects and pointed out that such projects provided direct benefits to the local population and built trust.  They were a specific instrument that yielded quick dividends and their high value had been reiterated by the Security Council resolution.

The representative of Canada, also speaking on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, said that the abnormally high level of vacant posts for national staff in MINUSTAH, currently at 77 per cent, put in peril the role of the Mission to strengthen the capacity of national personnel.  That role was an essential element for the success of the transition towards the peace consolidation phase.  Further, the recent developments following the food price crisis in Haiti illustrated the precariousness of the progress so far achieved and demonstrated the need for a robust United Nations presence.  He was concerned that MINUSTAH had been the target of violence.  In that regard, increased confidence-building efforts would be needed in the coming months to ensure that the population appreciated the benefits of the United Nations presence in Haiti.

Also today, as she introduced the reports of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on the missions, Susan McLurg, Chair of that body, expressed deep regret for the damage caused to the Lajuad archaeological sites in Western Sahara by MINURSO military or police personnel.  She noted that that action of a few had adversely impacted not only the Mission, but also the United Nations, and said that appropriate action should be taken against those found responsible, once the investigation was completed.  ACABQ was pleased that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was engaged.  It should be encouraged to continue its active involvement with MINURSO on that issue.

The representative of Morocco also expressed regret regarding the acts of vandalism on the archaeological sites and urged the Secretariat, particularly the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, to take the necessary measures so that such acts would not be repeated in the future.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Argentina and Haiti.

Jay Karia, Officer-in-Charge of the Peacekeeping Financing Division, introduced the reports of the Secretary-General.

The Committee’s next formal meeting will be announced.

Background

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this morning to consider the financing of three peacekeeping missions: the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH); the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF); and the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).

According to the performance report on the budget of MINUSTAH for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/631), the Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of some $5.19 million from the Mission’s total appropriation of some $490 million gross, as well as the treatment of other income/adjustments for the period ended 30 June 2007 amounting to $34.59 million from interest income, miscellaneous income and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations.

The budget request for the maintenance of the Mission for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 (document A/62/720) amounts to some $575.1 million, providing for the deployment of 7,060 military contingent personnel; 951 United Nations police officers; 1,140 formed police personnel; 550 international staff; 1,288 national staff; 220 United Nations Volunteers; and 16 Government-provided personnel, including temporary positions.

According to the performance report on the budget of UNDOF for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/562), the Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of $316,200, as well as on the treatment of other income for the period amounting to $2.41 million from interest income ($1.26 million), other/miscellaneous income ($345,500) and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations ($808,100), offset by prior-period adjustments ($1,000).

The Secretary-General’s report on the budget for UNDOF for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 (documents A/62/719 and A/62/719/Corr.1) puts the budget requirement at some $45.73 million, providing for the deployment of 1,047 military contingent personnel, 45 international staff and 108 national staff.

The Secretary-General’s performance report on the budget of MINURSO for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/611) requests the Assembly to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of $916,800 and on the treatment of other income for the period amounting to some $1.99 million from interest income ($277,600), other/miscellaneous income ($230,200) and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations ($1.48 million), offset by prior-period adjustments ($1,200).

MINURSO’s budget proposal for the period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 (document A/62/679), amounts to some $48.5 million, inclusive of budgeted voluntary contributions in kind in the amount of $2.77 million.  The budget provides for the deployment of 203 military observers, 27 military contingent personnel, 6 United Nations police officers, 108 international staff, 165 national staff, 20 United Nations Volunteers and 10 Government-provided personnel.

In a related note on MINURSO financing arrangements for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 (document A/62/817) the Secretary-General explains that the resource requirements for the Mission have increased owing to the deployment under new contracts of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, in June and August 2007, resulting in an increase of some $3 million in the projected aircraft rental and operation costs.  Additional requirements are also needed as a result of the depreciation of the value of the United States dollar with respect to the Moroccan dirham.

Additional requirements projected for the 2007/08 period are estimated at $3.87 million gross and will be offset by the projected unutilized balance of $2.12 million, which is attributable primarily to an overall projected average vacancy rate for international staff of 22 per cent, compared with the 10 per cent vacancy rate applied in the budget, and to the cancellation of the acquisition of observation equipment.

Thus, projected requirements for the maintenance of MINURSO for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 would amount to some $46.08 million gross, representing an increase of $1.75 million gross, compared to the appropriation of some $44.32 million gross approved by the Assembly in its resolution 61/290.

Introduction of Documents

JAY KARIA, Officer-in-Charge of the Peacekeeping Financing Division, introduced the Secretary-General’s reports.

Introducing the reports of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (documents A/62/781/Add.3, 6 and 7), the Chair of that body, SUSAN MCLURG, said that for MINUSTAH, the Secretary-General was proposing an increase of $39.7 million (7.4 per cent), as compared to the appropriation for 2007/08.  The Security Council had recently expanded the mandate of MINUSTAH to include the establishment of patrols along maritime and land border areas in support of border security activities by the Haitian National Police.

The Advisory Committee had recommended approval of the proposed budget for MINUSTAH, with the exception of the request for the establishment of one new post, she said.  Annex II to the ACABQ report reflected the areas directly related to the expanded mandate.  Those included deployment of 16 contingent-owned marine vessels and related freight and fuel costs, estimated at $5.5 million; an increase in costs of air transportation due to a change in the mix of aircraft, estimated at $4.4 million; and 24 additional general temporary assistance positions for border control support, estimated at $500,000.  The balance of increased resources requested was due to increased costs related to the support of the military and police component and civilian staffing component.

On staffing, she said the Advisory Committee had recommended against the establishment of a proposed P-3 Information/Reporting Officer, as the functions of that post could be carried out from within existing resources or by a member of the country team.  Concurring with the request for 52 general temporary assistance positions for integrated support services, ACABQ expected that the temporary nature of those positions would be respected and that they would be terminated by the end of the 2008/09 budget.  Any new requirements should be fully justified, as such, in future budget proposals.  The Advisory Committee had also made additional observations on the Mission’s efforts to improve its inventory management, including the monitoring of acquisitions, controls on fuel consumption, transition from disarmament, demobilization and reintegration to a comprehensive community violence reduction programme, and its disaster recovery and business continuity centre located within the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).

On UNDOF, she said the Secretary-General was projecting an over-expenditure of some $2.61 million, or 6.6 per cent, for the current period.  He was also proposing a substantial increase of $6.1 million, or 15.3 per cent for 2008/09. Budget increases were in part due to higher costs for fuel, currency fluctuations and payment of mission subsistence to staff officers instead of reimbursement to troop contributors.  Additional resources were also requested in connection with security enhancement measures, which entailed construction of security walls, gates, barriers and storage facilities for equipment.

She said the Advisory Committee had recommended acceptance of the budget proposals by the Secretary-General, as well as UNDOF’s proposal to establish a P-5 post for a Chief of Integrated Support Services that was currently filled by a military officer on rotation.  ACABQ had also recommended that the Assembly approve the conversion of two temporary positions for a Cartographer and an Administrative Assistant for the Geographic Information System mapping project.  The Advisory Committee had also made a number of observations on the Mission’s efforts to reduce the number of car accidents, coordinate its training programmes with other missions in the region, apply proper procedures for the storage and management of its rations and improve its procurement practices.

Regarding MINURSO, she said the Advisory Committee had received the Secretary-General’s request for an additional appropriation and assessment for the current period after it had concluded its consideration of the Mission.  Thus, its views in that regard were not included in document A/62/781/Add.3.  The Advisory Committee had found it had no choice but to concur with the Secretary-General’s request for an appropriation, on an exceptional basis, of $1.75 million for the Mission, in light of MINURSO’s precarious financial situation.  However, ACABQ regretted that the basis provided for the increased requirements was clear evidence of a lack of sound budget planning and management, and not what could be described as “exceptional circumstances”.

She said the Secretary-General projected an over-expenditure of some $3.9 million for the current budget period, attributing increased requirements to new contracts for helicopters and fixed–wing aircraft; projected rotation of MINURSO military observers, national staff salaries and related costs; acquisition of vehicles and fuel; information and communications technology; freight costs; cost of rations; unanticipated training travel and official travel; as well as depreciation of the value of the United States dollar.  Additional requirements projected for 2007/08 would be offset by the projected unutilized balance of $2.1 million, attributable primarily to an overall projected higher average vacancy rate for international staff.  The Secretary-General had, therefore, requested an appropriation and assessment of $1.75 million, to be granted on an exceptional basis.

On MINURSO’s performance report, she said that the Mission had achieved a budget implementation of 97.8 per cent.  ACABQ had noted, however, significant variances between the approved budget line items and actual expenditures incurred in achieving that level of budget implementation.

With respect to the proposed budget for 2008/09, the Secretary-General’s proposal represented essentially a maintenance budget.  The Advisory Committee had recommended acceptance of that proposal, except for a minor reduction in some resources related to consultants for training.

In closing, she expressed deep regret concerning the damage caused to the Lajuad archaeological sites.  The Advisory Committee was disappointed that the damage had been allegedly done by MINURSO military or police personnel.  The actions of a few, unfortunately, adversely impacted not only on the Mission, but also on the United Nations.  Appropriate action should be taken against those found responsible, once the investigation was completed.  ACABQ was pleased that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was engaged.  It should be encouraged to continue its active involvement with MINURSO on that issue.

Statements

OLIVIER POULIN (Canada), also speaking on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, expressed strong support for MINUSTAH and the restoration of peace in Haiti.  He said that, despite operating in a challenging environment, MINUSTAH had proven able to make progress in key areas.  At the same time, much still needed to be done to ensure that Haiti was on solid ground and moving towards lasting security and sustainable development.  The recent developments following the food price crisis already illustrated the precariousness of the progress achieved so far.  It also demonstrated the need for a robust United Nations presence in Haiti.  He was concerned by the fact that MINUSTAH was the target of violence.  Clearly, increased confidence-building efforts would be needed in the coming months to ensure that the population appreciated the benefits of the United Nations presence in Haiti.

He expressed pleasure at the appointment of Hédi Annabi as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and expressed confidence that he would strengthen the integration of the Mission with the country team and use his good offices in support of the funds and programmes.

He supported the prudent budget proposals of the Secretary-General, he went on.  He also supported most of the conclusions and recommendations by ACABQ, and would engage in the discussions on them.  In that regard, he would like to receive details concerning the deployment schedule for the patrol boats included in the request.  He also fully supported the redefinition of the mandate of the Mission from a traditional disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration orientation to a community violence reduction programme, adapted to the peculiar situation of Haiti.  He welcomed the Secretary-General’s proposals to put that programme in place, in coordination with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  He firmly believed that such integrated programmes would allow for the achievement of better results and more efficient progress.

He continued to be concerned about the high level of vacant posts, at 77 per cent, with regard to national staff, he went on.  That abnormally high level of vacant posts put in peril the role of the Mission to strengthen the capacity of national personnel, an essential element for the success of the transition towards the peace consolidation phase.

CLAUDE HELLER ( Mexico), on behalf of the Rio Group, reiterated his commitment to cooperating in the reconstruction of Haiti, including support for the consolidation of democratic institutions, sustained economic development and security in the country.  He expressed support for development cooperation activities, institution strengthening and capacity-building of internal management carried out by MINUSTAH, implemented under the renewed mandate contained in Security Council resolution 1780 (2007), allowing the reconfiguration of its military and police forces, taking into account the evolution of the internal situation in the country.

He said he valued the bilateral and regional initiatives that had sought mechanisms to strengthen the safety and well-being of the Haitian people.  An example was the creation by some countries of the Humanitarian Fund, aimed at offering humanitarian assistance and carrying out cooperation programmes in priority areas.  He also shared the views expressed by the Secretary-General in his report on Haiti dated 26 March, in which he asserted that the contribution of military contingents and police forces of MINUSTAH were essential to support the National Police of Haiti, in strengthening different aspects of the country’s internal security along its land and sea borders, as well as in assisting the Government in judicial reform, institutional strengthening and the rule of law.  For that reason, a larger presence of the Mission on the land and sea borders with the purpose of supporting the Government in border management issues would require more specialized equipment.

He was concerned about the imbalance between the presence of Latin American peacekeepers (more than 60 per cent) in MINUSTAH and the Latin American and Caribbean professionals in the structure of the international civil component of the Mission, where they constituted only 6 per cent of the total staff.  The Rio Group also supported the implementation of quick-impact projects and was deeply concerned about the reduction by 40 per cent of such projects in the Secretary-General’s proposals.  That was alarming, taking into account that their implementation was mandated by the Security Council and that the Secretary-General had acknowledged the importance of such projects in urgently generating direct benefits, in order to maintain the population’s trust towards MINUSTAH.

PAULO ROBERTO CAMPOS TARRISSE DA FONTOURA ( Brazil) said that MINUSTAH had a central role in supporting the Government of Haiti and assisting the Haitian people; as such, the Mission should be able to avail itself of the gamut of different resources when responding rapidly to changing situations that could undermine stability and compromise recovery.  It was essential for the international community to increase its support to, and cooperation with, Haiti, so the country could overcome its current challenges and embark on a path of stability, reconstruction and development.  MINUSTAH was in a unique position to assist Haiti and should receive resources commensurate with its mandate.

He noted that the Security Council, in its resolution 1780 (2007), had further expanded the Mission’s mandate to include provision of technical expertise in support of the efforts of the Government to pursue a comprehensive border-management approach, with emphasis on State capacity-building, as well as establishment of patrols along the maritime and land border areas in support of border security activities by the Haiti National Police.  In the same resolution, the Council requested MINUSTAH to continue to implement quick-impact projects.  He, therefore, noted with concern that the 2008/09 cost estimate for such projects indicated a decrease of 40 per cent in comparison to 2007/08.  In light of the Security Council resolution and taking into account the recent tragic events that had taken place in April, he supported a significant increase in the budgetary resources dedicated to quick-impact projects in the proposed budget for 2008/09.

He also welcomed and supported the efforts of MINUSTAH to reorient its disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration efforts towards a more comprehensive community violence reduction programme adapted to local conditions, such as assistance for initiatives to strengthen local governance and the rule of law and employment opportunities to former gang members and at-risk youth, in close coordination with the Government and other relevant actors.

ALEJANDRO TORRES LEPORI ( Argentina) associated himself with the position of the Rio Group and Brazil on MINUSTAH, and said that the General Assembly should provide the resources the Mission needed to fully implement its mandate.  The performance rate for the Mission was expected to be very high at the end of the current budget period, which indicated that the past budget had made responsible forecasts.

Security Council resolution 1780 had adjusted the mandate of the Mission on providing support to the Haitian Government’s border management and institution-building efforts.  Since then, the Secretariat had made requests in line with that adjustment, which should be adopted by the Assembly.  His delegation supported all the posts requested, including reclassification of a P-5 post to the D-1 level and reassignment of a P-5 post in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, given numerous responsibilities involved.  He also wanted to know what measures had been implemented by MINUSTAH to improve the infrastructure in case of fire and improve the quality of meteorological reports, as requested by the Board of Auditors.

In connection with quick-impact projects, he said they had proven their effectiveness and provided benefits for the population, while also strengthened the Mission’s peace activities.  He was concerned that resources for such projects had declined considerably.

He added that the United Nations must begin to responsibly discuss the tasks of a peacekeeping mission in unexpected circumstances that threatened the stability of the country where it was deployed.  Given recent violence in Haiti, it was important to come up with executive rules for MINUSTAH to address such problems.  He also recognized the added value of the “2x9 mechanism”, which brought together the defence and foreign ministries of Latin American troop-contributing countries.  It was an innovative way of providing support to the Haitian Government and the Mission, which reflected the Latin American commitment to achieving security and development in Haiti.

ABRAHAM QUEZADA ( Chile) endorsed the statement made earlier on behalf of the Rio Group and reiterated his country’s commitment to the people of Haiti.  He welcomed the financial proposal that had been presented by the Secretary-General and said that his delegation was in general agreement with the direction of the contents of the budget, including the sections devoted to capacity-building.   Chile, being the largest troop contributor to MINUSTAH from the region, was, however, disturbed at the clear imbalance when it came to Latin American and Caribbean presence in the international civilian component of the Mission.  The countries’ participation in the mission was a regional response that was coordinated and should also be reflected in the civilian sphere in an exceptional way.  An imaginative way had to be found to provide opportunities for personnel from the region.

Chile was also deeply concerned that, since 2006, there had been a trend towards reducing the funding for quick-impact projects being implemented by MINUSTAH, he went on.  Such projects provided direct benefits to the local population and built trust.  They were a specific instrument that yielded quick dividends and their high value had been reiterated by the Security Council resolution.

Chile acknowledged the mandate from the Security Council that allowed for MINUSTAH to be reconfigured, he went on.  It was, however, important to not overlook the problem posed by high food prices, which also had an impact on people.  That situation should call for a reconsideration of the arrangement.   Chile would work constructively with other members of the Committee to look at those issues during the informal discussions.

NOR DINE SADOUK ( Morocco) expressed regret regarding the acts of vandalism on the archaeological site in Western Sahara by MINURSO military staff.  His delegation found it strange that the Secretary-General’s report had made no mention of it.  He thanked ACABQ for raising the issue and shared its views in that regard.  He wanted the Secretariat, particularly the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, to take the necessary measures, so that such acts were not repeated in the future.

STEPHAN D’ENNERY DÉJOIE (Haiti) supported the position of the Rio Group and saluted the memory of a peacekeeper from Nigeria who had recently died in a lethal fire in Haiti, saying that that ultimate sacrifice should not discourage peacekeepers, but serve as a catalyst for new energies and resources, and as a reminder that much remained to be done to strengthen security, democracy and justice for all in Haiti.

He said his delegation appreciated MINUSTAH’s efforts in Haiti, but the events of 7 and 8 April had highlighted the fragile situation in the country.  MINUSTAH was not a development agency, but a peacekeeping operation.  However, there could be no peace without development, and he encouraged the Mission to promote cooperation with other stakeholders on the ground, “be in a more listening position” and do a better job coordinating with the agencies, such as UNDP, the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and others.

He also expressed concern over the proposal to allocate $1.2 million for quick-impact projects -- a decrease of 40 per cent, compared with previous year.  In resolution 1780, the Security Council had broadened the mandate of the Mission, making it one of the most complex ones.  It was vital for MINUSTAH to receive all the necessary resources, and financing of quick-impact projects was vital for the Mission’s better integration in new zones of deployment.  In connection with national recruitment, he regretted the Mission’s vacancy rate of 77 per cent for 2006/07 and 40 per cent for 2007/08 in terms of recruiting national staff.  He encouraged the Mission to step up its efforts to hire competent Haitian staff on the ground, and suggested that it might make sense to take another look at recruitment requirements.

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