Sixty-second General Assembly

Fifth Committee

49^th Meeting (PM)

Budget committee takes up proposed changes to contingent-owned

equipment reimbursement rates

 

Audit of Kosovo Mission Mandate Implementation, Financing

Of Operations in Sudan, Kosovo, Ethiopia and Eritrea Also Introduced

Commenting on a new review of the reimbursement rates to Member States for the use of contingent-owned equipment, the “Group of 77” developing countries and China today told the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) that developing countries contributed 80 per cent of all United Nations peacekeeping troops in the field operations and, considering the continued inflation and price increases that had entailed an unmatched cost burden for its members, the recommendations contained in the review still fell far short of the Group’s expectations.

The review was carried out at Headquarters by a working group that brought together more than 350 technical, financial and medical experts from 93 States.  The report proposes new definitions and reimbursement rates for the major equipment, self-sustainment and medical support services categories, with the Secretary-General stating that the proposed revised standards and administrative procedures, and the addition of new categories and subcategories, would benefit the Secretariat, by improving the structure of the contingent-owned equipment system and providing more transparent and enhanced verification tools.  A second report before the Committee sets out the cost implications.

The representative of Antigua and Barbuda, who spoke on behalf of the Group of 77, noted the addition of a new self-sustainment subcategory, “Internet access”, for troops and police deployed in peacekeeping operations, and said that the recommended reimbursement rate of $2.76 per person per month for internet access should be an interim rate, until a proper review of the decision on welfare was undertaken, since the Group was aware that in certain missions the actual cost was higher.

Also today, the Committee took up a report on the audit of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) mandate implementation, which was conducted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) from June to August 2007.

In the report, the OIOS expresses fundamental concerns regarding the way the transfer of responsibilities to the central government ministries and local municipalities had been managed by UNMIK.  It also notes significant deficiencies in the governance mechanisms and internal control processes at the Kosovo Trust Agency (KTA), which has major responsibilities for developing Kosovo’s economy.  Another source of concern related to continued weaknesses and an alarming backlog of over 160,000 court cases in the judiciary system.

The representative of Serbia said that, within the framework of UNMIK, security, freedom of movement and rule of law had been the major objectives for the benefit of the Province’s entire population, especially for its most vulnerable segment, the minorities.  He was, thus, very concerned over the findings of the OIOS report which pointed to substantial failures and deficiencies in the implementation of UNMIK’s mandate.  The haste in transferring competencies without proper and effective monitoring mechanisms could only further aggravate the situation.  Without an urgent effort to eliminate the deficiencies that primarily stemmed from weak governance of the Mission, the implementation of the mandate could not be accomplished.

Shivona Tavares Walsh, Chief, Documents Control Unit Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, responding to questions raised regarding non-availability of documents, said that late submission of most peacekeeping budget documents, as well as the excessive length of some of them, was the cause of delays in their availability.  Since most of the peacekeeping reports required rush processing to meet deadlines in the Fifth Committee and since their late consideration by the ACABQ led to even later submission of ACABQ reports, which were always processed on a priority basis, that had an adverse effect on other documents processed by the Department.

Also today, the Committee heard the introduction of a draft resolution on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), as well as reports on the financing of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), and the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE).

Warren Sach, United Nations Controller, introduced the reports of the Secretary-General.  Related reports of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) were introduced by Susan McLurg, Chairman of the Advisory Committee.

Inga-Britt Ahlenius, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, introduced the OIOS report on the comprehensive audit of the UNMIK mandate implementation, and David Harland, Acting Director, Europe and Latin America Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, presented an oral statement transmitting the comments of the Secretary-General on that report.

The Director of the Field Budget and Finance Division, James Mutiso, introduced the Secretary-General’s report on determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment.

The Committee will meet again at 3 p.m. Friday, 6 June.

Background

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to consider the financing of peacekeeping missions in the Sudan, Kosovo, Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Lebanon, as well as reformed procedures for determining reimbursement for contingent-owned equipment.

In his report on the reformed procedures for determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment (document A/62/774), the Secretary-General recalls that, pursuant to General Assembly resolution 59/298, the Secretariat convened the 2008 Working Group on Contingent-Owned Equipment from 4 to 22 February 2008 to conduct a comprehensive review of reimbursement rates and to update the major equipment, self-sustainment and medical support services categories.  The Committee also had before it the report of the Working Group (document A/C.5/62/26).

According to those documents, the Group comprised 359 technical, financial and medical experts from 93 Member States and successfully carried out a comprehensive review of contingent-owned equipment reimbursement rates, proposing new definitions and reimbursement rates for the major equipment, self-sustainment and medical support services categories.  The Secretary-General states that proposed revised standards and administrative procedures and the addition of new categories and subcategories will benefit the Secretariat, by improving the structure of the contingent-owned equipment system and providing more transparent and enhanced verification tools.

The overall impact of all changes in reimbursement rates and the addition of new services will result in an increase of approximately 2.7 per cent of the contingent-owned equipment portion of the United Nations peacekeeping budget, due to the recommended increase of 1.9 per cent for major equipment, including medical equipment, and of 3.8 per cent for self-sustainment, including the medical categories.

Should the Assembly approve, with effect from 1 July 2008, the recommendation of the 2008 Working Group on Contingent-Owned Equipment, additional resource requirements estimated in the total amount of $76.1 million would be reported in the context of individual peacekeeping operations’ financial performance reports for the 2008-2009 period, at which time additional appropriations may be sought, if necessary.

The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), in a related report (document A/62/851) recommended the approval of the recommendations of the 2008 Working Group on contingent-owned equipment and the action proposed by the Secretary-General in paragraph 40 of his report.  The Advisory Committee agreed with the recommendation to increase the overstock of major equipment from 10 per cent to 20 per cent.  It was also informed that the increase would provide needed additional reserves to be utilized in the event that equipment was not functional or had to be replaced, but noted that a ceiling of 20 per cent could result in significant financial implications to the Organization.

The Advisory Committee welcomed the Working Group’s recommendation to introduce an additional element in calculating mission factors, namely a revision of the decision sheet to take into account the potential for hostile engagement of United Nations forces by unidentified parties.  The Secretariat should undertake a timely review of that factor in all peacekeeping missions.  The Advisory Committee also fully supported the recommendation to provide Internet access to troops and police, as that would contribute to their overall welfare. It hoped that relevant guidelines and policy documents would be finalized expeditiously.

The Advisory Committee also concurred with the Working Group’s recommendation to increase the recreational leave allowance for military and police personnel from 7 to 15 days for each tour of duty of six months, requesting the legislative bodies to consider that matter, as it fell under troop costs rather than issues related to contingent-owned equipment.

The reports on the financing of peacekeeping missions included the performance report on the budget of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/749).  According to this document, the Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of $82.258 million the period, as well as on the treatment of other income/adjustments for the period amounting to $70.2 million from interest income ($18.9 million), other/miscellaneous income ($950,300) and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations ($50.4 million).

The Committee also had before it the Mission’s proposed budget for 2008/09 (document A/62/785) in the amount of $838.3 million.  That represents a decrease of $8 million, compared to the approved resources for the 2007-2008 period.  Main factors contributing to the variances include the net reduction of 350 posts, due to the transfer of the majority of the Mission’s operations in Darfur to the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).  Another factor relates to fewer construction projects in the forthcoming period.

The performance report on the budget of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) for the period from 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 (document A/62/610) requests the General Assembly to decide on the treatment of the unencumbered balance of $7.77 million with respect to the period, as well as on the treatment of other income for the period amounting to $5.695 million from interest income ($1.301 million), other/miscellaneous income ($2.014 million) and savings on or cancellation of prior-period obligations ($2.383 million), offset by prior-period adjustments ($3,400).

A note by the Secretary-General on the financing arrangements for the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo for the period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 (document A/62/801) states that the projected requirements for the maintenance of UNMIK for the period amounted to $220.476 million gross ($204.073 million net), representing an increase of $9.799 million gross ($10.623 million net), compared to the appropriation of $210.676 million gross ($193.449 million net) that the General Assembly, in its resolution 61/285, approved for the maintenance of the Mission.

The appreciation of the value of the euro with respect to the United States dollar had resulted in additional resource requirements for the payment of Mission subsistence allowances to military liaison officers ($237,900) and United Nations police officers ($8.824 million), as well as additional resource requirements to cover increased national staff and related costs ($2,430,800) and general temporary assistance expenditures ($184,700).

The note requests the General Assembly to appropriate and assess the amount of $9.799 million for the maintenance of the Mission for the 12-month period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008, in addition to the $210.676 million already appropriated for the same period under the provisions of resolution 61/285.

UNMIK’s proposed budget for 2008/09 (document A/62/687) amounts to $198 million, representing a decrease of $12.7 million, compared to the approved resources for 2007-2008.  The proposed budget reflects maintenance requirements for UNMIK, with no proposed increases in its staffing establishment and no provisions for the replacement or acquisition of new equipment and vehicles.

The Committee also had before it a report on the audit of UNMIK’s mandate implementation (document A/62/807), which was conducted by the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) from June to August 2007.  According to the document, the audit identified a number of failures and deficiencies in implementing the mandates, which should be urgently addressed to ensure the successful conclusion of UNMIK operations.

The report further indicates that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations did not provide OIOS with its comments on the report.  In his letter dated 7 April 2008, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for UNMIK states that the Department had declined to provide line-by-line comments on the OIOS report, asserting that there were substantive and procedural flaws in the comprehensive audit. OIOS does not agree with this assessment and believes that the audit was comprehensive and focused on high-risk areas that could adversely affect the achievement of the objectives of the Mission.

OIOS had fundamental concerns regarding the management of the transfer of responsibilities to the central government ministries and local municipalities.  OIOS also noted significant deficiencies in the governance mechanisms and internal control processes at the Kosovo Trust Agency (KTA), which has major responsibilities for developing Kosovo’s economy.  Another source of concern related to continued weaknesses and an alarming backlog of over 160,000 court cases in the judiciary system.

On police and justice, the OIOS reports that UNMIK has transferred more than 80 per cent of the competencies for law enforcement to the Kosovo Police Service (KPS) and formally established judicial systems, including a correctional system.  Those institutions have also been “Kosovorized”, to a large extent.  However, there was a lack of effective leadership and managerial skills, which had limited the ability of UNMIK to accomplish its mandated goals in an efficient manner.  Further, continued weaknesses in the judiciary system were of particular concern.  The staff strengths of KPS and the Kosovo Correctional Service were built up on an ad hoc basis.  The UNMIK Regulation was not promptly amended to provide clear goals for the required multi-ethnic composition of the judiciary, in conformity with the Kosovo Constitutional Framework.

The report also indicates that UNMIK did not establish minimum criteria for assessing the preparedness of central government ministries and local municipalities before the transfer of civil administration competencies, and failed to put in place effective mechanisms to determine whether the ministries and municipalities had adequately assumed the competencies transferred to them.  As a result, OIOS identified fundamental concerns regarding UNMIK support and monitoring of the management of central government ministries and operation of local government municipalities.

Significant deficiencies were identified in the governance mechanisms and internal control processes at KTA, which has major responsibilities for developing Kosovo’s economy.  OIOS is of the opinion that UNMIK and the KTA Board of Directors (the KTA Board) operated the Agency in a way that did not show due regard for adherence to the KTA regulations, corporate governance principles, financial fiduciary responsibilities, and public accountability requirements.  For example, the KTA Board contravened the KTA regulations and the Agency’s corporate governance principles and guidelines when it approved the appointment of politically active members to the Board of Directors of the Kosovo Energy Corporation J.S.C.  That has resulted in a weak corporate governance framework that represents a risk to the effective performance and financial sustainability of the Agency and enterprises under its administration.

According to the performance report of the United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) (document A/62/560 and Corr/1), the expenditures for 2006-2007 amounted to $126.6 million, resulting in an unencumbered balance of $10.8 million.  The Assembly needs to decide on the treatment of that amount, as well as other income for the period ended 30 June 2007, totalling some $7.25 million.

UNMEE’s proposed budget for 2008/09 (document A/62/811) amounts to $100.4 million, representing a decrease of $13.1 million, compared to the approved resources for 2007-2008.

Introduction of Reports

WARREN SACH, United Nations Controller, introduced the reports of the Secretary-General.

SUSAN McLURG, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), introducing the related report of the Advisory Committee on UNMIS, (document A/62/781/Add.16), said that the Committee’s recommendations would entail a reduction of some $17.545 million in the proposed budget.  The Committee noted that, at the request of the Security Council, a technical team had undertaken an assessment of the Mission and found that its mandate was sufficiently broad to allow it to support the peace process in a wide range of tasks and the multiple elections scheduled in 2009.  The Advisory Committee had, however, noted that the timing of those elections, which was as yet uncertain, would have an impact on the support to be provided by UNMIS during the 2008-2009 budget period.

She said that the proposed staffing establishment reflected the abolition of 565 posts, as a result of the transfer of UNMIS operations based in Darfur to UNAMID, and the establishment of 255 new posts for UNMIS, or a net decrease of 310 posts.  With few exceptions, the Committee had recommended the approval of the staffing proposals.  In view of the actual vacancy rates for international staff in the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 periods, the Committee recommended that the vacancy factor of 25 per cent be applied to the cost estimates, rather than 21 per cent.

With regard to commercial contracts for the Mission’s aircraft, she said that, in the light of the delays experienced in establishing new commercial contracts, the Committee envisaged less use of the flight hours than projected and, therefore, recommended a reduction of $5 million under air transportation.  Also, in view of the delay in the commencement of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme, as well as the fact that a number of prerequisites remained to be fulfilled before the programme could begin, the Committee recommended a reduction of 25 per cent, or $5.9 million, in the estimate for that programme.

The Committee recommended, for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007, that the unencumbered balance of $89.258 million, as well as other income/adjustments in the amount of $70.246 million, be credited to Member States.  For the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, it recommended that the Assembly appropriate $820.72 million for the maintenance of the Mission.

Turning to UNMIK (document to be issued), she said that the Advisory Committee recommended the approval of the proposed budget for the 2008-2009 period, as well as the financing arrangements proposed by the Secretary-General for the 2007-2008 period.  With regard to the 2007-2008 period, the Advisory Committee was provided with an update today concerning the Mission’s cash position as of 2 June 2008 showing that it had cash resources of $6.6 million.  The mission’s cash balance would, therefore, not cover the three-month operating cash reserve of $56.068 million.  The Committee was informed of measures that were being undertaken to retain qualified and experienced staff at UNMIK, as well as address other staff concerns.

The Committee recommended that the unencumbered balance of $7.77 million, as well as other income and adjustments in the amount of $5.695 million for the period ended 30 June 2007, be credited to Member States.  In addition, given the Mission’s cash position, the Committee also recommended that the General Assembly appropriate and assess the amount of $9.799 million for the maintenance of the Mission for the 12-month period from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008, in addition to the amount of $210.676 million already appropriated for the same period.  The Committee also recommended that the Assembly appropriate and assess $198.012 million for the maintenance of the Mission for the 12-month period from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.

Introducing the ACABQ report on UNMEE (document A/62/781/Add.17), Ms. McLurg said that the Advisory Committee had recommended an appropriation of $100.367 million for the maintenance of that mission for the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.  Further, it had recommended an assessment of $50.183 million for the six-month period from 1 July 2008 to 31 December 2008.  It had also recommended that the Secretary-General be requested to submit a report to the General assembly not later than 30 November 2008 on progress in the implementation of the budget, to provide for a revised appropriation and a further assessment if required.

The basis for the Committee’s recommendations was that the Mission’s mandate would expire on 31 July 2008 and there had been significant changes in the operating environment of the Mission.  The Committee felt that it was prudent, at this time, to ensure sufficient funding for it and to revert to its budget based on the decision to be taken by the Security Council on its future mandate.

INGA-BRITT AHLENIUS, Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services, introduced the OIOS report on the comprehensive audit of the UNMIK mandate implementation (document A/62/807), saying that the OIOS had issued a total of 69 recommendations to the Mission Administration in December 2007 to address the deficiencies and risk areas identified by the audits.  Her Office was concerned that the Mission’s administration had not provided detailed comments in response to each of those recommendations, but rather, commented that the recommendations did not take into account the current political reality and phase, of the Mission.  The administration argued that the recommendations could therefore, be considered as a basis for lessons learned for new missions, rather than something that could be effectively implemented at this stage.

OIOS did not agree with that assessment, she said.  Its recommendations addressed the deficiencies and risks that required prompt action by UNMIK for timely implementation.  Consequently, OIOS had also recommended that the Secretary-General bring the audit results and recommendations to the attention of the Security Council, the organ that had established UNMIK by resolution 1244 (1999), for its information.

DAVID HARLAND, Acting Director, Europe and Latin America Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, presented an oral statement transmitting the comments of the Secretary-General on the OIOS report on UNMIK.

He said that, in anticipation of a political settlement on Kosovo’s future status, in March 2007 the Special Representative of the Secretary-General had requested the OIOS to undertake a comprehensive and independent audit to assess UNMIK’s overall performance of its mandate, with a view to identifying lessons learned and best practices.  UNMIK had facilitated the audit and provided all the necessary logistical arrangements for the OIOS visit to Kosovo from 29 May to 13 August 2007.  At the Exit Conference in Pristina on 9 August 2007, OIOS had presented the audit’s preliminary findings, and UNMIK senior officials had commented thereon.

Following the Conference, UNMIK had provided further comments in response to the OIOS preliminary findings attached to the letter of 27 August 2007 to OIOS from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General.  In his letter, the Special Representative raised concerns that the audit had covered only a selection of the components of the Mission and that it did not take into account the strategic coordination that had systematically taken place within UNMIK, as well as with the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, international partners and the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo.

On 25 March 2008, UNMIK and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations had been provided with a copy of the final draft report, with a request for comments by 7 April.  In response, UNMIK had raised questions, saying that the report had not taken into account the Mission’s substantial inputs previously provided to OIOS.  On 7 April, the Special Representative had written to the Secretary-General expressing his concern that the audit had not achieved its intended aim and had not taken into account the challenges that had been overcome, or the achievements made by UNMIK since 10 June 1999.  Some of those comments had been reflected in the OIOS report.  In response, the Under-Secretary-General for Internal Oversight Services had submitted a note to the Chef de Cabinet on 21 May with OIOS comments on the matter.

In light of the above, the OIOS report, as well as comments of OIOS and UNMIK were currently under review by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and a determination on how best to proceed would be made in consultation with all parties involved, he said.

Statements

MOHAMED YOUSIF IBRAHIM ABDELMANNAN ( Sudan) speaking on UNMIS, said that, despite the late issuance of the report, which did not give leeway for Member States to consider it as they would have liked, he would like to recall the ACABQ’s position on ways to improve the way in which budgets were presented, to make the format satisfactory to all.  He hoped that such improvements would continue.  His Government thanked the international community and Member States for their efforts to support the actions of the Mission aimed at helping to implement the Sudan peace agreement.  He hoped that those efforts would continue, in order to consolidate peace throughout the Sudan.

His country greatly appreciated the ongoing efforts, but would have liked that account be taken of the documents that led to the establishment of the Mission, so that the reports on the Mission would have a true basis.  Attention needed to be drawn to the fact that the Mission was meant to assist in the implementation of the peace agreement, which included the referendum on the final status of Southern Sudan.  The report, instead, referred to the final status of Eastern Sudan.  That needed to be corrected and he would go into depth on those matters in the Committee’s informal discussions.

UNMIS had made great progress in the goals set for it, he continued.  The Sudan hoped that the progress would continue, with the necessary resources provided to the Mission.  The resources should not be reduced, or transferred to UNAMID.  The improvement of the Mission’s structure was an ongoing activity and nothing would justify modifying the Mission.  The same held true for the coordination of the Mission.  The structure that had been proposed would essentially lead to the abolition of a number of posts.  He believed, on the other hand, that the actual number of national posts needed to be increased.  Thus, the situation needed to be clarified.  The vacancy rate for national posts was far greater than what was provided for in the past.  He had also hoped that the budget would include resources for quick impact projects, particularly in support of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration operations.  He wanted meaningful progress to be made in that area, and for those projects to have greater resources.

BORIS HOLOVKA (Serbia) said that, within the framework of UNMIK, security, freedom of movement and rule of law had been, and continued to be, the major objectives for the benefit of the Province’s entire population, especially so for its most vulnerable segment, the minorities.  He was thus very concerned over the findings of the OIOS report, which pointed to substantial failures and deficiencies in the implementation of UNMIK’s mandate.  The haste in transferring competencies without proper and effective monitoring mechanisms could only continue to further aggravate the situation.  Without an urgent effort to eliminate the deficiencies that primarily stemmed from weak governance of the Mission, the implementation of the mandate could not be accomplished.  He also expressed concern over the high level of vacancy rates in the Mission.

In order to facilitate the Mission’s work, it was necessary to provide it with adequate and timely resources, he continued.  To that end, he fully concurred with the recommendations of the ACABQ and supported the adoption of the budget for 2008-2009, as proposed by the Secretary-General.  He also supported the appropriation and assessment of additional resources for the current period.  His delegation believed that the importance of the Mission’s mandate, as well as the reality on the ground, merited consideration and adoption of those proposals.

In conclusion, he also expressed regret for the late introduction of the agenda item, which would substantially limit the Committee’s ability to deliberate on all administrative elements.

Contingent-Owned Equipment Reports

The Director of the Field Budget and Finance Division, JAMES MUTISO, introduced the Secretary-General’s report on determining reimbursement to Member States for contingent-owned equipment.

The Chair of ACABQ, Ms. McLURG, introduced the Advisory Committee’s report on the matter.

GLENTIS THOMAS (Antigua and Barbuda), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, noted that the 17 peacekeeping operations currently managed by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations comprised over 75,000 military and civilian personnel, compared to 55,000 last year.  That represented a net increase of 35 per cent.  While all countries contributed to peacekeeping, 80 per cent of the troops in the field were from developing countries.

He welcomed the recommendations approved by the Working Group on reimbursement rates for major equipment, self-sustainment, medical support services and procedures for carrying out future reimbursement rate reviews.  The Group, however, reiterated that the recommendations still fell short of expectations, taking into account continued inflation and the inherent price increases that had entailed an unmatched cost-burden for its members.

On the report of the Secretary-General, he said that the Group endorsed the recommendations, but added that delaying the reimbursement of the costs of troop- and contingent-owned equipment would adversely impact on the ability of current and potential troop-contributing countries to effectively participate in United Nations peacekeeping operations.  In that context, the Group urged all Member States to pay their assessed contributions to peacekeeping operations in full, on time and without conditions.  Also, the reimbursement rate of $2.76 per person per month for providing Internet access, agreed to by the sub-working group, was an interim rate until a proper review of the decision on welfare was undertaken in the next contingent-owned equipment working group.  The Group was aware that, in certain missions, the actual cost was higher than $2.76 per person, taking into account the actual amounts that the Governments paid to provide that service to their troops.  The Group looked forward to the results of such review, in order to approve the right reimbursement for that sub-category.

He announced the Group’s support for the new initiative recommended by the working group to provide Internet access for troops and police deployed in peacekeeping operations as a new self-sustained subcategory that might contribute to the overall welfare of the troops.  The Group endorsed the recommendation that recreational leave allowance should be increased from 7 to 15 days.  Since that issue fell under the umbrella of troop costs, the Group looked forward to reviewing the number of days for which the recreational leave allowance should be paid to members of the military contingents and formed police units.  The Group also endorsed the revision of the decision sheet to include the potential for hostile action as an additional element in calculating mission factors, as well as the recommendations of standards of welfare.

Introduction of Draft

The Committee was informed that consensus had not been reached in informal consultations on the financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The representative of Antigua and Barbuda, on behalf of the Group of 77, then introduced a draft resolution on the matter (document A/C.5/62/L.47), saying that the text was in line with earlier resolutions, and he looked forward to its adoption, with a view to full implementation.

Action on the draft will be taken at a later date.

Status of Documentation

SHIVONA TAVARES WALSH, Chief, Documents Control Unit, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management, responding to the questions raised by the representative of France regarding non-availability of documents, said that late submission of most peacekeeping budget documents, as well as the excessive length of some of them, was the cause.  Since most of the peacekeeping reports required rush processing to meet deadlines in the Fifth Committee, and since their late consideration by the ACABQ led to even later submission of ACABQ reports, which were always processed on a priority basis, that had an adverse effect on other documents processed by the Department.

As part of its proactive document policy, the Department had made every effort to get Departments to improve submission compliance.  A serious problem during the second resumed session of the Fifth had been the low submission compliance of peacekeeping financing reports, which had declined from 86 per cent in 2006 to 50 per cent in 2007 and 10 per cent in 2008.  In order to meet the demanding deadlines of late and lengthy submissions, overtime had been incurred in nearly all processing areas.  The Department had received a total of 359 pages for processing for the Fifth Committee since 29 May alone.  Those documents had to be referenced, edited, translated, text-processed, reproduced and distributed.  At no time had the Department established schedules or prioritized jobs without prior discussion with the Fifth Committee Secretariat and the agreement of the Bureau.

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