GA/AB/3420

FIFTH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS BUDGET TOTALS OF SOME $200 MILLION FOR TRIBUNALS ON FORMER YUGOSLAVIA, RWANDA IN YEAR 2001

Debate Begins on Proposals of Brahimi Panel; Concern Expressed on Current State of UN Peacekeeping Operations

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) this afternoon recommended a budget of some over $108.48 million gross (some $96.44 net) be provided for the International Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia, and of some $93.97 million gross (some $85.61 million net) for the Rwanda Tribunal, for the year 2001.

The Committee took that action by adopting, without a vote, two draft resolutions on the financing of the Tribunals, which were introduced by the representative of Norway. The amounts to be appropriated to the Special Accounts for the two courts would take into account the previous unused unencumbered balances and estimated income for the year 2001, which would be set off against the aggregate amount of the appropriation.

Also by the terms of the texts, the Assembly would decide, on an experimental basis, to biennalize the budgets of the two Tribunals for the period 2002-2003 and to keep that matter under review. The Secretary-General would be requested to report to the General Assembly at its fifty-eighth session on the results of the experiment and its impact on the functioning of the Tribunals.

[This measure is being taken in order to improve the planning process for the courts. The benefits of this provisional reform could also include the use of two-year employment contracts for the Tribunals' personnel, which would allow to alleviate the staff retention problems, particularly at Arusha.]

The representative of Nigeria spoke in explanation of position on the drafts.

As the Committee took up its consideration of the recommendations of the Panel on the United Nations Peace Operations (Brahimi report), the representative of Ghana addressed concerns about promoting peacekeeping at the expense of development. He said he respected that view, but did not share it; the resources devoted to peacekeeping were relatively modest, compared to what was spent on development. The impression being created in some quarters that resources were diverted from development to peacekeeping was completely untenable.Fifth Committee - 1a - Press Release GA/AB/3420 38th Meeting (PM) 13 December 2000

The representative of South Africa said no amount of structural reforms or new resources could serve as a substitute for the key ingredient of political commitment. Countries with the greatest means and capacity must back their vocal support for reform with concrete and active involvement in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The representative of the United States said that improving senior management oversight and operational capacity would provide the urgently needed support for operations in the field. It would also address the concerns of the Member States. Unless operational gaps were filled, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations would confront increasing difficulty in attracting human and financial resources needed for peacekeeping.

The representative of Canada (also speaking for Australia and New Zealand), said that out of the request for a total of 249 posts, some 95 had been recommended. Her delegation would have preferred more posts endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ). However, the present request for resources was the first phase in the implementation of the Brahimi report, and it would be built upon in the next phase. That phase should be carried out in the context of the comprehensive review, which she strongly supported.

The report of the ACABQ on the recommendations of the Brahimi panel was introduced by Chairman of that body, Conrad S. M. Mselle.

Also speaking on this agenda item were the representatives of France (on behalf of the European Union and associated States), Nigeria (on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China), Ukraine, Egypt, Norway, the Russian Federation, Syria and Libya. Also this afternoon, the Committee concluded its general discussion of the issues related to safety and security of United Nations personnel. Speaking on this issue were the representatives of France (on behalf of the European Union and associated States), Norway, Nepal, Iraq, Argentina and Canada (also on behalf of Australia and New Zealand), Nigeria and the United States. United Nations Security Coordinator, Benon Sevan, also made a statement.

The Secretary of the Committee, Joseph Acakpo-Satchivi, responded to several questions from the floor.

The Committee will continue its work at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 14 December, when it is scheduled to conclude its general discussion of the Brahimi report and take up the proposed budget outline for 2002-2003, the first progress performance report for 2000-2001, and the capital master plan. Programme budget implications of several proposed Assembly actions will also be discussed.

Fifth Committee - 3 - Press Release GA/AB/3420 38th Meeting (PM) 13 December 2000

Committee Work Programme

The Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) met this afternoon to take action on the financing of the International Tribunals for Former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. It also planned to consider the report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations, which was chaired by Lakhdar Brahimi, Under- Secretary-General for Special Assignments in Support of the Secretary General's Preventive and Peacemaking Efforts(document A/55/305-S/2000/809). That report contained recommendations for changes to the way the United Nations handles peacekeeping.

Brahimi report

On 27 November, the Secretary-General presented his request for the additional resources needed to begin implementation of those recommendations to the Fifth Committee. [For background information on the Brahimi report and Secretary-General�s resource requests, see Press Release GA/AB/3414.]

The Fifth Committee also had before it the report of the extraordinary session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, which made a series of proposals in response to the Brahimi report, (document A/C.4/55/6). This report was subsequently discussed on 6 December by the Assembly�s Fourth Committee (Special Political and Decolonization).

[For background on the Special Committee�s report and the Fourth Committee�s response, see Press Releases GA/PK/169 of 4 December and GA/SPD/207 of 6 December.]

Also before the Fifth Committee was a related report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) (document A/55/676). The Advisory Committee notes that the Secretary-General proposes that certain Brahimi panel recommendations be implemented from 1 January 2001. For this stage of implementation, the Secretary-General is seeking some $22.2 million in additional resources. Some $7.53 million of those would come from the regular budget of the United Nations for 2000-2001, which would cover, among other things, an increase of 35 posts. The balance of some $14.67 is sought from the support account for peacekeeping operations, which includes the cost of 214 additional posts. In its last session, the General Assembly approved 469 support account-funded posts. The ACABQ also notes that the Secretary- General does not address the financial implications for each individual peacekeeping operation of the implementation of these recommendations, which will be submitted on a case-by-case basis.

[A proportion of the budget of each peacekeeping mission is allocated to the support account for peacekeeping operations, which is used to fund Headquarters activities in support of those operations.]

The ongoing costs of the proposals outlined by the Secretary-General, the report notes, would amount be some $71.45 million in the biennium 2002-2003, of which $12.02 million would come from the regular budget (an equivalent of 0.47 per cent of the current regular budget appropriation) and some $59.43 million from the support account (equivalent to 1.43 per cent of current level of peacekeeping costs for the support account).

The ACABQ recommends that the General Assembly appropriate an additional $363,000 under section 3, Political affairs, $37,200 under section 27, Management and central support services, and $19,200 under section 32, staff assessment, of the programme budget for the biennium 2000-2001, to be offset by a corresponding amount under income section 1, Income from staff assessment. It further recommends that the General Assembly take a decision to provide an additional $9.19 million under the support account for peacekeeping operations for the period from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001.

The Advisory Committee further points out that, although the Secretary- General describes the present estimates as an emergency request, his representatives acknowledged that not all the proposals could be classified as emergencies, in that postponement of implementation would not lead to immediate deterioration of current operations. As there is a potential for duplication of work of political officers in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs, the ACABQ recommends that the field of work, the workload indicators, and improvement of coordination between both departments be assessed when the planned comprehensive review is undertaken.

According to the report, the ACABQ recommends deferral of a decision regarding the establishment of an Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, pending a comprehensive review of the management structure, recruitment processes and interrelationships of all relevant elements playing a role in peacekeeping within the Secretariat, which is to be undertaken in the next six months. The same applies to the proposed D-1 extrabudgetary post in the Peace-building Unit. A response to the requests for additional posts for the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs should be deferred until 2001. The ACABQ also recommends transfers and post adjustments proposed in connection with the creation of the Information Secretariat be postponed. In the meantime, the Secretariat should continue to provide required information and analysis, using existing structures and resources.

In view of the deferral of the consideration of the establishment of the Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat, the additional non-post resources requested under section 3 would be reduced from some $3.18 million, including the $38,000 to be redeployed from section 26, public information, to about $2.89 million.

The Secretary-General is also proposing an increase in the regular budget resources allocated to the Electoral Assistance Division, the report states. In view of the workload increase, the ACABQ recommends the additional P-4 (political affairs officer) and P-2 (information system officer) posts for that Division, as well as the proposed consultants and experts in specialized areas, be established under the programme budget for 2000-2001. It also recommends approval of the related resources under non-post requirements for electoral assistance. The ACABQ asks the Secretary-General to include information in the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003 on the relation between workload and resource needs. As for requests for other staff increases, it recommends that they be considered in the context of the submission of the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003.

Regarding the Panel�s recommendation on the substantial enhancement of the Lessons Learned Unit, the Advisory Committee states that it can not ascertain the emergency nature of the proposal, and recommends that the requests be resubmitted as proposals for the support account for the period 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002. In the meantime, the ACABQ recommends that clarification be provided as to the meaning of the term "doctrines" used in the report of the Secretary-General.

As for the proposal to establish a Gender Unit within the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, the report states that although the ACABQ recognizes the importance of the incorporation of a gender perspective in peacekeeping support, it questions the need to create yet another gender unit in the Secretariat. Instead, it recommends better collaboration and coordination with the existing Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women and the Division for the Advancement of Women.

The ACABQ recommends acceptance of the new P-3 post for recruitment, placement and administration of the additional staff proposed for the Executive Office of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and deferral of consideration of the General Service post. The D-2 post for the Director of the Europe and Latin America Division should be considered in the context of the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003. In view of the fact that there are 15 ongoing peacekeeping operations and one in the planning stage, the ACABQ recommends acceptance of three additional P-5 posts, two P-4 posts, three P-3 posts and four P-2 posts for political affairs officers.

The Advisory Committee will consider the other additional resources, in particular those related to the Situation Centre, in the context of the submission for the support account for 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002, after the comprehensive review has been undertaken. The functions of the political affairs offices must be clearly spelled out in order to indicate how duplication of functions between the Department of Peacekeeping Affairs and the Department of Political Affairs is to be avoided. As the ACABQ is not convinced of the need to consider on an emergency basis the creation of a distinct unit for operational planning and support of public information components (proposed through redeployment of existing resources within the Department of Public Information (DPI)) it recommends postponement of the establishment of this unit until 2001.

In its consideration of the support account, the Advisory Committee will also revert to the matter of provision of support services to smaller political and peace-building offices. The ACABQ recommends acceptance of the proposed two additional P-4 posts and one General Service post for the Finance Management and Support Service; new posts in the area of logistics planning (1 P-4 and 1 General Service); and those in the related areas of contingent-owned equipment (1 P-4, 1 P-3 and 1 General Service). It also recommends acceptance of the proposal for an two additional P-4 and one P-3 posts in the engineering section. With regard to the Transport Section, the Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of one additional P-4, two P-3 and two General Service posts in order to deal with the backlog.

According to the report, the Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of one P-4 and one P-3 post for implementation of recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Although it recognizes the importance of the tasks in view of the increased air fleet operated by the United Nations, it asks that information be provided on the ICAO findings and on the role of various bodies in coordinating tasks with the United Nations. For transport material management posts, the ACABQ recommends acceptance of one P-4 and one P-3 post. For the Supply Section, acceptance of three P-4, two P-3 and one General Service posts is recommended. Five P-4, one P-3 and one P-2 posts are recommended for the Communications and Electronic Services Section. The remainder of the requested 18 posts will be considered in the context of the support account for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002. Out of 30 posts requested for the Personnel Management and Support Service, the Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of 15, also to be reassigned as the Secretary-General may deem appropriate. Its consideration of the other posts will be deferred.

Regarding the issue of backlogs, the report asks that information be provided in the next support account submission on the status of different backlogs in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and for other departments for which requests for resources are made. Specific time frames for eliminating the backlog should be clearly indicated.

The ACABQ further recommends that consideration of resources related to the possible establishment of the Office of Military and Civilian Police Affairs be deferred, taking into account the results of the comprehensive review of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. As for two additional posts requested for the Office of the Military Adviser, the ACABQ recommends approval of the P-3 post sought and deferral of the General Service one. It recommends reduction of the request for five new posts for the current Military Operations Service (one P-5, one P-4 and 3 G) by deferring the approval of one P-4 and one General Service post. It also recommends reducing the eight posts proposed for standby arrangements system management (one P-5, five P-4 and two G) by deferring consideration of one P-4 and one General service posts.

An additional nine posts are requested for the Training and Evaluation Service, in order to enhance national and regional training initiatives (2 P-4 and 2 P-3); to produce formal training standards and additional military doctrine (1 P-4 and 1 P-3); and to enhance electronic training material (2 P-4); and an operations assistant is also requested (1 General Service). The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of all these new posts, with the exception of the two posts related to the production of formal training standards and additional military doctrine, which it will re-examine in the context of the next submission of the support account and pending clarification of the Unit�s intention to develop a �military doctrine�.

The ACABQ recommends acceptance of the proposal to strengthen the Military Planning Service with seven additional posts -- six for planning officers (3 P-4 and 3 P-3) and one for an operations assistant (General Service). In addition, the two P-4 posts currently approved for the rapidly deployable mission Headquarters would be redeployed as humanitarian liaison officers. The Committee recommends consideration of the reclassification of the post of the Civilian Police Adviser in the context of the next submission for the support account.

As regards the additional posts proposed for the Policy and Planning Unit (4 P-4 and 2 P-3), the ACABQ recommends acceptance of the P-3 post to provide specialized police support, the P-4 post for a police information management and roster development officer, and the two posts (1 P-4, 1 P-3) for officers involved in the professional training of police. With regard to posts requested for the Mission Management Unit, the ACABQ recommends acceptance of one additional P-3 mission management officer of the three proposed, and one General Service post out of the two proposed. The rest of the additional posts proposed for these two units would be considered in 2001.

The Advisory Committee is not convinced of the need for an additional D-1 post in the Office of Legal Affairs, the report states, under either the support account or the regular budget. It, therefore, does not recommend acceptance of this proposal or of the related non-post requirements. It takes note of the information regarding the human rights components of the peacekeeping operations and recommends deferral of consideration of these requests until completion of the comprehensive review. Acceptance of recommendations on humanitarian assistance are to be deferred pending a decision on the proposed establishment of the Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat.

Regarding resources requested under general operating expenses for accommodation and rental of premises of the 35 new regular budget posts proposed by the Secretary-General, as well as to the redeployment of the 22 posts from other organizational units to the Department of Political Affairs and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the ACABQ recommends a reduction in the proposed amount under non-staff costs of the regular budget to $37,200. An amount of some $1.92 million is indicated under general operating expenses under the support account. The Advisory Committee notes that the resources allocated for rental of premises and accommodation for the proposed 214 posts under the support account amount to $1,852,500. In view of the recommendation of the Committee for the acceptance of 93 new posts under the support account, this amount would be reduced to some $1.25 million.

Financing the International Criminal Tribunals

The Committee had before it a draft resolution on the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia submitted by the Chairman (document A/C.5/55/L.15). By the terms of the text, the Assembly would decide to biennialize the Tribunal's budget, on an exceptional basis, for 2002-2003. The Assembly would also keep the matter under review and request the Secretary-General to report to its fifty-eight session on the impact of the biennial budget on the functioning of the Tribunal. The Assembly would also note that the benefits of this provisional reform could include the use of two- year employment contracts.

Also by the terms of the text, the Assembly would request the Secretary- General to provide workload data for the budget period, giving more justification for its resource requirements. Information should also include targets for recruitment, training, judicial scheduling and performance standards for support services. The Assembly would encourage the Tribunal to further improve the monitoring and oversight of defence counsel and it would endorse the ACABQ's recommendation that judicial activities should have priority over public relations activities and attendance at external meetings.

Further, according to the text, at its resumed fifty-fifth session the Assembly would decide to consider the resource requirements for the implementation of modifications to the Tribunal's statute, without prejudice to the nomination and election of ad litem judges. The Assembly would decide to appropriate some $108.49 million gross (about $96.44 million net) to the Special Account for the former Yugoslavia Tribunal for 2001. It would also decide that the financing of the 2001 appropriation under the Special Account take into account the unencumbered balance of $5.87 million gross (about $5.41 million net) for 1999 and interest and miscellaneous income of $3.41 million for the biennium 1998-1999. It would take into account the estimated unencumbered balance of some $2.5 million gross ($2.23 million net) for 2000 and the estimated income of $77,200 for 2001, which shall be set off against the aggregate amount of the appropriation.

Also before the Committee was a draft resolution on the financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda submitted by the Chairman (document A/C.5/55/L.16). By the terms of that text, the Assembly would decide to biennialize the budget of the Rwanda Tribunal, also on an experimental basis, for the period 2002-2003 and would request the Secretary-General to keep it informed of the results of that experiment at its fifty-eighth session. The Assembly would note that the provisional reform could result in the use of two- year employment contracts. The Secretary-General would also be requested to provide workload data in his proposed budget, thereby giving more justification for resource requirements. The Secretary-General would also be asked to include information on targets for recruitment, training, judicial scheduling and performance standards for support activities.

Welcoming actions taken to address the issue of dilatory motions and pleadings which lengthen trial proceedings, the Assembly would encourage the Tribunal to further improve monitoring and oversight of defence counsel.

Also according to the text, the Assembly would endorse the Advisory Committee�s recommendation that judicial activities should have priority over public relations activities and attendance at external meetings. It would request the Secretary-General to undertake a study, with the involvement of the Tribunal, to indicate whether it was possible to state the likely date or dates for the completion of the Tribunal�s mandate, and to report thereon in the next proposed budget. The Secretary-General would also be asked to report to the Assembly at its fifty-sixth session on the likely long-term financial obligations of the United Nations with regard to the enforcement of sentences.

By further terms of the draft, the Assembly would decide to appropriate to the Special Account for the Rwanda Tribunal a total amount of some $93.97 million gross (about $85.61 million net) for 2001. The financing of the appropriation for 2001 shall take into account the actual unencumbered balance of some $2.94 million gross (about $1.98 million net) as of the end of 1999, the estimated unencumbered balance of $2 million gross (about $1.82 million net), and interest and other miscellaneous income for 1998 to 1999 amounting to some $2.67 million gross.

Also by the text, the Assembly would decide that the financing of the appropriation for 2001 under the Special Account shall take into account some $4.24 million gross (about $3.85 million net), being the estimated unencumbered balance as of the end of 2000.

Action on Drafts

ANNE MERCHANT (Norway) introduced the draft resolutions before the Committee. After fruitful negotiations, the Committee had reached an agreement in the informal consultations by consensus, she said. She recommended that the Committee do the same.

The Committee then approved both drafts without a vote.

CHUKWUNONYE C. UDEGBUNAM (Nigeria), speaking in explanation of position, welcomed the resolution, which made available the money for the two International Tribunals for another year. The two courts remained some of the most creative innovations of the United Nations in its history. The financing provided would help them continue their important work. The Tribunals were continuing to make important improvements to enhance their efficiency.

Statements

The Committee then turned its attention to the question of safety and security of United Nations personnel.

HELENE DANTOINE (France), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that the Union had already presented part of its statement when speaking on strengthening humanitarian assistance and human resources management. However, she wanted to stress the importance of ensuring the safety and security of United Nations personnel, and supporting the initiatives of the Secretary-General in that respect. Now it was time to decide how to achieve the goals in the most effective fashion. It was important to strengthen training, and she noted the efforts by the Coordinating Office towards that end, and the proposal to increase the funding for training peacekeeping personnel.

The proposal for creating a post at the level of Assistant Secretary- General for safety and security issues and the proposals for more professionals in the field were interesting, and she looked forward to discussing them in informal consultations. Special measures in matters of security were important, and all of them should be provided within the framework of the regular budget. The costs should be shared between United Nations bodies. It was important to have close coordination on that issue.

ANNE MERCHANT (Norway) said that the primary responsibility for the safety of United Nations personnel, including humanitarian personnel, lay with the parties to a conflict and with host governments. Nevertheless, all Member States shared a collective responsibility for protecting the individuals who risked their lives to provide assistance and protection in areas of hostility and open warfare. The protection of United Nations and associated personnel was a high priority for Norway. Her country was among the few that had voluntarily supported the trust fund for the security of United Nations staff.

In his report, the Secretary-General described the inadequate staffing level of the current security management system, as well as his plans to strengthen it, she continued. As an interim measure the Secretary-General proposed the establishment of a separate post of United Nations Security Coordinator, as well as several new posts at Headquarters and in the field. Norway could, in general, support the Secretary-General�s proposals. Norway was also pleased to note the ACABQ supported the Secretary-General�s proposals for staff increases at Headquarters. Regarding the ACABQ�s recommendation to defer consideration of the proposed field posts to budget discussions next year, Norway had serious concerns as to whether such delays were justified. The Fifth Committee owed it to staff to be as receptive as possible to the Secretary- General�s interim proposals.

DURGA P. BHATTARAI (Nepal) said that the safety and security of United Nations personnel was fundamental to enabling United Nations to promote peace and development. If United Nations personnel were not sure about their own safety, it would be difficult for them to ensure the protection of others. Appropriate measures must be taken, therefore, to secure the lives of United Nations personnel. The present system was cumbersome and completely inadequate. It was also handicapped by a lack of flexibility and limited mobility. The Committee needed to look into the entire ranges of issues. With more specialized training, equipment and access to advice and leadership, the atmosphere of insecurity could be alleviated. Nepal was convinced that piecemeal approaches and ad hoc arrangements did more harm than good.

He believed that the profile of the Security Coordinator became crucial in coordinating security situations, especially in times of crises. For reasons well put by the ACABQ, however, the Office of the Security Coordinator could be located within the office of an existing Assistant Secretary-General. Nepal generally favoured cost-sharing arrangements among the organizations that participated in United Nations security management. A way should be found to better coordinate the management of funds and action in the field. The security system should not encourage the protectors themselves to turn into violators of the safety of those they were supposed protect. In that regard, it would be useful to design training programmes.

MOUAMMED MOHAMMED (Iraq) said that yesterday, United Nations Security Coordinator, Benon Sevan had referred to an incident in Iraq, and he wanted to make some clarifications in that respect. The incident was very unfortunate, and the authorities had taken all necessary measures to address it. The investigation was in effect. His Government was doing everything necessary to protect the staff working in his country.

GUILLERMO KENDALL (Argentina) said that the issue of the safety and security of personnel was a priority to his country, which was actively involved in peacekeeping activities. The issue should be debated in an open manner, as it had been in the Security Council. Traditionally, the matter of safety and security of personnel was primarily the responsibility of the countries hosting the missions, but that was not enough anymore. New risks were evolving around the world, and recent crises clearly showed the complexity of the problem.

A new security system should be formed, he continued, for which the current Office of the Security Coordinator, with its small staff, was not sufficient. The system needed to be strengthened both at Headquarters and in the field. Necessary attention should be given to proposals to provide a stable financial structure towards that end. Immediate measures of an interim nature should be taken to address the problem. It was also very important not to discontinue the present training programmes. Those who worked providing assistance to others -� sometimes giving their lives -- deserved gratitude and should be protected.

JOHN ORR (Canada), also speaking on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, strongly supported efforts to protect the United Nations personnel, for too many of them had been killed or harmed. In recent years, civilians had increasingly been targeted in conflicts around the world. It was not surprising that those providing protection and assistance to others had found themselves increasingly under attack. Regrettably, working under the United Nations flag was no longer a guarantee of protection.

Collectively, the General Assembly had expressed its profound concern about the safety of the United Nations and associated personnel, he continued. If the Organization was asking people to work in dangerous environments, it should do more to ensure their safety. It was incumbent on Member States to follow up collectively on the recommendations contained in the Secretary- General�s report. Proper training should be provided to personnel, and they should be provided with enhanced United Nations security resources. It was also important to ensure that assaults or physical violence were investigated, and to prosecute those responsible.

The paramount consideration in taking action within the Fifth Committee should be the safety and security of personnel, he said, and he supported the Secretary-General�s recommendation to establish under the regular budget, as an interim measure, eight posts at Headquarters to strengthen the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator. He noted the concerns of the ACABQ regarding additional field staff. However, if further clarifications could be provided as soon as possible, he would look favourably on their establishment. He strongly supported the ACABQ proposal to upgrade the position of the deputy security coordinator and requested the Secretary-General to provide a further detailed report on the issues identified by the ACABQ as early as possible. He should not wait for the proposed programme budget for the biennium 2002-2003 if he deemed it necessary. There was a need for improved coordination within the United Nations system on security questions, and to share costs as mentioned in the ACABQ report. It was the responsibility of all who benefited from the security office to cooperate and share the costs. He looked forward to an update in the next submission on the status of negotiations with the agencies, funds and programmes.

Mr. UDEGBUNAM (Nigeria) said that his country was interested in any proposals to drastically reduce the rate of casualties for international workers. He agreed with the Secretary-General that there was urgent need to do everything possible to ensure the safety of United Nations personnel. He would support any efforts to enhance the security of those doing selfless service for humanity.

HUGH T. DUGAN (United States) said that the safety of United Nations personnel urgently needed the Assembly�s consideration. The Organization had to demonstrate a duty of care for its personnel. The United States supported the Secretary-General�s proposals. They were sorely overdue. Member States now had a formal opportunity to take action.

Costs for the Secretary-General�s proposals must be absorbed in existing budget levels, he said. The implementation of his proposals would not exceed the 2000-2001 budget. He also looked forward to the Secretary-General�s longer- term proposals to strengthen the Office of the Security Coordinator. On the issue of cost sharing arrangements, all relevant elements of the United Nations system must participate without hesitation.

The United States supported the call for senior leadership in the area of security coordination, he said. The post required a security professional, with the widest breadth of technical capability and with the ability to speak authoritatively on behalf of the Secretary-General. An officer tasked with other functions could not carry out such functions on a part-time basis. As more safety and security resources were placed in the field, best practices would need to be identified and refined.

BENON SEVAN, United Nations Security Coordinator, thanked the members of the Committee for their words of support. However, beyond words of support, money was needed. The security management system should not be held hostage until cost- sharing arrangements could be worked out. People were needed in the field. In addition to his functions as Security Coordinator, he also held a full-time position as head of the Iraq Programme. What they needed was someone who could concentrate exclusively on security. The security of staff should not be held hostage to institutional arrangements. The longer the Committee postponed a decision to centralize security coordination, the more difficult it would be to bring the system under one authority, with a clear chain of command.

Panel on Peacekeeping Operations

The Committee then turned its attention to the Brahimi report.

Introducing the report of the ACABQ, the Chairman of that body, CONRAD S.M. MSELLE said that the Secretary-General had described his proposals as interim ones, submitted on an emergency basis. Having received the report of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the Advisory Committee had taken into account a number of recommendations. The results of the review of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations would be available in 2001. It would provide important information needed to take some decisions on the restructuring of that Department. Also, not all proposals could be proven to be of emergency nature, and the representatives of the Secretary-General had said as much when questioned by the Advisory Committee.

The ACABQ would submit detailed recommendations on some issues following the conclusion of the review of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, he continued. The ACABQ did not start with a predetermined number of posts. It examined each proposed post on the basis of the detailed review of the information it had before it. It attempted to give reasons for each recommendations. A total of 95 posts were recommended for approval, four posts were not recommended, and the rest were deferred. The Advisory Committee�s recommendations would not please everybody.

AYMEN ELGAMMAL (Egypt) inquired about the reports which had not been formally presented to the Committee.

JOSEPH ACAKPO-SATCHIVI, Secretary of the Fifth Committee, said that the Secretary-General on 27 November had introduced his report when he addressed the Committee. There was not need to present the document again now.

Mr. ELGAMMAL (Egypt) said that, accordingly, in the future the programme of work should highlight the introduction of the reports.

ALEXIS LAMEK (France), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said that he had studied the reports closely. As his delegation had already addressed the issue in previous statements, there was little need to reiterate the importance that the European Union attached to the recommendations of the Brahimi panel. That issue had also been stressed by the heads of State and government at the Millennium Summit.

Some of the proposals not included in the recommendations of the ACABQ should be implemented faster, he said, and all the measures recommended by the Advisory Committee should be implemented without delay. After the long debate in the Special Committee, which in the end had emphasized the need to provide certain additional resources, and the consideration of the question by the Advisory Committee, it was not desirable to prolong the process any more. The ACABQ report appeared to be a good compromise position. It should therefore be approved. Work should continue on the question of peacekeeping, however, so that on the basis of new information, important decisions could be taken.

MAE JOHNSON (Canada), also speaking on behalf of Australia and New Zealand, said that armed with the reports of the ACABQ and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, the Fifth Committee was now ready to take up the Secretary-General�s request for emergency resources.

Having reviewed the resource request, the three delegations she represented noted that of the request for a total of 249 posts, some 95 had been recommended, including in the Office of Operations, the Office of Logistics, Management and Mine Action, and the Office of Military and Civilian Police Affairs. They would help to strengthen key areas within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which was necessary and timely. She was also pleased to see approval of two posts for the Electoral Assistance Division. Welcoming the recommendation in favour of 95 posts, she said that she would have preferred to see more posts endorsed. Should the Fifth Committee approve the posts, the Secretariat should fill them expeditiously, with staff demonstrating the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, also paying due regard to the principle of wide geographical representation.

She noted that the ACABQ had deferred consideration of some 150 proposed posts for such structures as the Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat and in the areas of disarmament, human rights, humanitarian assistance and public information, she said. The request for resources was the first phase in the implementation of the report of the Panel on United Nations Peace Operations. She looked forward to building on that initial step in the next phase. Like the ACABQ, she believed that the next phase of implementation should be carried out in the context of the comprehensive review of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which she strongly supported. In that regard, she noted that the Advisory Committee had recommended against the three posts for the establishment of a gender unit. While agreeing that better coordination and collaboration should be established with the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and with the Division for the Advancement of Women, she hoped that the proposed gender unit would be revisited in the context of the comprehensive review.

Mr. UDEGBUNAM (Nigeria), speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing nations and China, said that peacekeeping was an important function of the United Nations. The Group attached great importance to provision of adequate resources to all peacekeeping activities. The Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations had held intensive discussions on the implementation of the Brahimi panel report. Issues already discussed in the Special Committee should not be reopened in the Fifth. The Group reaffirmed rule 153 of the rules of procedure of the General Assembly and requested the Secretary-General to strictly abide by it when presenting his proposals. The report of the Secretary-General contained in document A/55/507 and the corresponding addendum should have been prepared in light of the conclusions and recommendations contained in the Special Committee�s report, and then submitted to the ACABQ. The exceptional procedure adopted rendered the financial implications submitted by the Secretary-General baseless and redundant. Adherence to the rules of procedure would help the Organization in the final analysis.

The Group stressed the importance of the early completion and submission of the comprehensive review of peacekeeping operations to the Special Committee, he said. He agreed with the ACABQ that not all the proposals in the related resource documents could be classified as emergencies. He emphasized the need for early completion of the comprehensive review before significantly revamping the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. The potential for duplication of work of political officers in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the Department of Political Affairs would also need to be eliminated. The amounts owed to troop-contributing countries were rising. He regretted that the Brahimi report did not address that important question. No new requests for resources should be submitted to the Fifth Committee until after the comprehensive review had been carried out. Troop-contributing countries should be properly represented in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

VALERIY P. KUCHINSKY (Ukraine) said the Brahimi report was an adequate response to the question of how to bring United Nations peacekeeping to a new level. Ukraine had been actively involved in peacekeeping for more than eight years. The initial financial impact of the Brahimi report recommendations was relatively modest with respect to the overall levels of the programme budget for 2000-2001. The concrete measures outlined by the Secretary-General on resource requirements represented an important initial step to implement the panel�s recommendations, with primary focus on increasing the staffing levels at Headquarters and addressing the most critical backstopping needs. He looked forward to the results of the comprehensive review of the management structures, recruitment processes and interrelationships of all elements within the Secretariat.

Within its sphere of influence, the Fifth Committee had a major role to play in the gradual implementation of the recommendations of the Brahimi panel, he said. In view of the delays in setting up new missions, the matter of rapid deployment of missions was of particular concern. He expected specific proposals for improving the existing staffing and procurement arrangements to meet peacekeeping demands. Following the consideration of the Brahimi recommendations by both the Security Council and the Special Committee, it was time for the Fifth Committee to deliver its judgement on the financial and budgetary aspects without delay.

THEODORE ALBRECHT (South Africa) supported the statement of the Group of 77 and said that, after long and arduous negotiations, the Special Committee has succeeded in reaching a consensus which reflected the various interests of Member States on the matter. The report of the ACABQ certainly built on that consensus, by correctly identifying the crisis areas in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which were in the most urgent need of resources. The Committee was now in a position to give its strong support to that report. By adopting a positive resolution on the ACABQ recommendations, it would be giving a positive and concrete expression to the pledge made by the heads of State at the Millennium Summit to enable the United Nations to effectively execute its tasks of maintaining peace and security.

Africa was afflicted by devastating wars, poverty and disease, he continued. It was crucial that the United Nations was able to respond with confidence and competence to the challenges there. The request before the Committee was a small step toward restoring the credibility of the United Nations.

The problems that beset the Organization did not only relate to the lack of staff, he said, but also to the management of resources, coordination between role-players and a myriad of other issues. He, therefore, eagerly awaited the comprehensive review called for by the Special Committee. He hoped that among those carrying out the review would be organizations from the South, to provide a balanced perspective on the needs of peacekeeping.

With regard to the recruitment of new personnel, his delegation urged the Secretariat to pay due regard to equitable geographical distribution, gender balance and the contributions of countries to peacekeeping. There were many qualified military personnel both in the North and in the South. Certainly, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations could only benefit from the experience of well qualified and trained people from around the world.

No amount of structural reforms or additions of new resources could substitute for the key ingredient of political commitment, he continued. Countries with the greatest means and capacity must back their vocal support for reform with concrete and active involvement in United Nations peacekeeping operations. The fundamental challenge facing the global community was the eradication of poverty and wars. It was important to muster collective will to address the challenges of development and peace in an equitable manner. Having shown great eagerness for implementation of the Brahimi report, he called on all countries to show the same level of commitment and eagerness to deal with the development challenge.

As for those delegations which had difficulty with the Brahimi report, he said that his delegation had great respect and understanding for their concerns. He agreed that the decrease in development aid, especially official development assistance for developing countries, was a cause of alarm. However, it was the absence of peace and stability that had made the eradication of poverty and disease more difficult. He hoped that an agreement on the Brahimi report, in spite of the difficulties some had, would help lay a foundation for a better life in the developing world.

AYMAN M. ELGAMMAL (Egypt) said he agreed with the observation of the ACABQ that the Secretary-General should follow rule 153 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. Egypt expected full compliance with the provisions of that article in the future. He emphasized the importance of abiding by the recommendations of the Special Committee regarding the proposed management structures of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Political Affairs. He agreed with the ACABQ that not all the proposals could be considered as emergency requests. The report of the Special Committee did not include any reference to direct support for the Office of Operations in the Department of Political Affairs.

He said Egypt supported the ACABQ recommendation not to establish a gender unit. Before submitting any new proposals for additional financial and human resources, the Secretary-General should complete the comprehensive review of the management structure, recruitment processes and interrelationships of all elements in the Secretariat.

The Fifth Committee had previously considered the proposed establishment of a D-2 post for Europe and Latin America Division in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. He concurred with the ACABQ recommendation that that post be considered within the proposed programme budget for 2002-2003. On the whole, the ACABQ�s report took into account the recommendations of the Special Committee, and he supported its recommendations.

NANA EFFAH-APENTENG (Ghana) said that his country was one of the oldest and largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping activities. The issue of peacekeeping was, therefore, of great importance to Ghana. If the Committee were to implement the commitments made by the world leaders in the Millennium Summit declaration, it would have to ensure the speedy implementation of the Brahimi report. Such a comprehensive report, however, needed careful analysis and study. Concerns had been raised about promoting peacekeeping at the expense of development. He respected that view, but did not share it.

He said the resources devoted to peacekeeping were relatively modest compared to what was spent on development. The amount of money realized from development assistance from both bilateral and multilateral sources was some $51 million. The entire peacekeeping budget amounted to some $2 billion. The impression being created in some quarters that resources were or would be diverted from development to peacekeeping was completely untenable. Member States must avoid �crying wolf� when there was no wolf in sight.

Frustration with the United Nations in other areas should not be allowed to spill over and affect the implementation of the Brahimi report, he continued. Although the United Nations had a multifaceted role, it was in the area of peacekeeping that the international community assessed the effectiveness of the Organization. In the absence of peace and security, it was difficult �- if not impossible �- to pursue sustained and sustainable development. Peace and development were complementary, not mutually exclusive.

He said one of the problems of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations was insufficient human resources. Experiences gained from past and ongoing missions should be fed back into the development of plans, procedures and mandates for future operations. The Lessons Learned Unit faced two problems: reliable funding and proper supervision. For that reason it had been proposed that it be placed under the Support Account. The unit operated in tandem with ongoing complex missions. Ghana regretted that the ACABQ did not consider the establishment of the proposed Unit as an emergency.

In seeking to fill the limited number of posts recommended by the ACABQ, he said he hoped the Department of Peacekeeping Operations would recruit more technical people. Troop-contributing countries should be properly represented in the Department, thereby reflecting their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping. On the Electoral Assistance Division, he said the principles of transparency and equitable geographical distribution of posts should be observed. Concerning the proposal to establish a gender unit, he said Ghana supported that proposal, where women from developing countries would be given equal chance to fill the posts of the unit. He requested that the matter be reconsidered.

Ms. MERCHANT (Norway) noted that her delegation had already made a statement after the Secretary-General�s presentation of his views on the implementation of the report. Norway supported the recommendations of the ACABQ as a first step in order to implement the recommendations of the Brahimi panel. An active follow-up to the Brahimi report was necessary in order to strengthen the ability of the United Nations to plan and conduct peace operations.

Conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace-building were mutually reinforcing activities, she continued. Further, there could be no development without peace, and no peace without development. Strengthening of the United Nations peacekeeping efforts was, therefore, complementary to the Organization�s development efforts. In the interest of both peace and development, it was important that everybody worked in a constructive manner towards the implementation of the Brahimi panel�s recommendations.

NIKOLAI V. LOZINSKI (Russian Federation) said the Brahimi report was yet another proof of the important role that the United Nations played in the prevention or resolution of conflicts. He supported the majority of the recommendations before the Committee, many of which were urgent. It should be pointed out that some of the recommendations were only natural and fairly obvious, and the Secretariat could have started implementing them long ago. That included consolidated task groups for each mission, creation of military and civilian personnel rosters, and setting up centres for coordinating activities of various United Nations bodies. Those ideas should not cause any controversy, and he hoped the Secretariat would take practical measures to implement them.

The reading of the reports before the Committee showed that the Brahimi panel emphasized operational aspects of peacekeeping and rapid reaction to the arising needs of new missions, he continued. The Secretary-General, on the other hand, placed emphasis on the analytical and information capacities of the United Nations. On the operational side, the Secretary-General intended to present his broader proposals at the next stage of the consideration of the matter in 2001.

As for the proposal to strengthen the United Nations capacity for strategic planning by setting up the Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat, he said it was exceptionally important to enhance coordination within the United Nations system and to integrate various functions within the Secretariat itself. It was from that point of view that the problem should be tackled. A thorough analysis of the question was needed, which would require more time and effort. He concurred with the ACABQ that it was necessary to revisit that matter following the comprehensive review of peacekeeping.

In view of the growing scale of peacekeeping and the complexity of operations, it made sense to earmark resources to respond to urgent needs, he continued. He found perfectly justified the recommendation for additional human and financial resources for military planning and police components of the peacekeeping operations. As for the proposed post at the level of the Assistant Secretary-General and reclassification of the post of the director of the police department of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, here too he supported the view of the ACABQ that it would be necessary to revisit the matter within the context of the comprehensive review of peacekeeping structures.

ABDOU AL-MOULA NAKKARI (Syria) said that when the Secretary-General had addressed the Committee on the Brahimi report, he had done so under article 112 of the Rules of Procedure, which said that the Secretary-General could make oral presentations before any committee. It had not been clear at the time. He hoped to adhere to rule 153 of the Rules of Procedure. The Fifth Committee must adhere to its legislative mandates. The Fourth Committee was in charge of political mandates. The legislative mandates covered by that Committee should not be reopened.

On the report of the ACABQ, he said that when it questioned representatives of the Secretary-General, the ACABQ had been told that not all of the proposals could be considered as emergencies. He asked for a clear response from the Secretariat on that issue. Reinforcing peacekeeping was something that commanded consensus. It was clear that they all supported the strengthening of peacekeeping operations. However, he recalled, the declarations of the Millenium Summit also called for initiatives for development. He had hoped to see such an initiative for development that was just as comprehensive as the peacekeeping initiative, on the prospects for achieving development around the world.

KHALIFA O. ALATRASH (Libya) said his country supported the efforts of the Secretary-General for peacekeeping. That support was based on Libya�s commitment to the United Nations Charter and to the principles of international law. Libya had made substantive efforts to strengthen peacekeeping, particularly in Africa. The Brahimi report contained many good ideas and recommendations, which could strengthen peacekeeping operations. They could also enable the United Nations to be in a position to respond rapidly to emergencies, and to cooperate with countries in the field of peacekeeping operations. He supported the ACABQ�s recommendations.

He hoped the Secretariat would pay heed to the principle of geographic distribution, and make sure that all peacekeeping operations be treated without discrimination. Any delay in the deployment of peacekeeping operations would have serious consequences for the lives of innocent people and property. He welcomed any proposals or initiatives that would bolster the role of the United Nations in maintaining world peace.

CAMERON HUME (United States) recalled the remarks of the Secretary-General before the Committee, that if no immediate action were taken, it would be the peacekeeping personnel in the field and the innocent people they served who would suffer. The crucial task before the Committee demanded urgent action. It was in that spirit and with the knowledge that the credibility of the United Nations was at stake that his delegation approached the critical task ahead.

As many speakers had rightly noted, provision of resources alone would not guarantee success, he continued. It was necessary to ensure that the peacekeeping reform included a commitment by the Security Council to overhaul the way it formulated mandates. A strengthened and more meaningful approach to consultations with troop-contributing countries was also needed. Getting the senior management oversight structure and operational capacity right would provide the urgently needed support for operations in the field. It would also address the concerns of the Member States. �When tragedy strikes, Member States should not have to wait while overworked personnel search for names of the wounded,� he said. "Senior government officials should not be confronted with conflicting reports from the field.� Unless those operational gaps were filled, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations would confront increasing difficulty in attracting human and financial resources needed for peacekeeping.

In that regard, he acknowledged the statement by Nigeria on behalf of the Group of 77 regarding the importance of proper representation of troop contributors in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, including at senior levels. In the course of consultations, he had seen unanimous support for the need to strengthen and restructure the Department�s military and civilian police capacity. Those critical functions must be strengthened under the guiding hand of an experienced and qualified senior official, whose responsibility was devoted exclusively to that area. Strong leadership would significantly enhance the role of both military and civilian police advisers and strengthen dialogue and consultations between the Secretariat, the Security Council and troop contributors.

The commitment to getting the Department of Peacekeeping Operations right must begin with the highest levels, he said. Senior management of the Department had responsibility across the globe. It was entrusted with decisions that had direct implications for the personnel. The management should be responsive to the needs of Member States, provide guidance to the Secretary- General and give comprehensive briefings for the Security Council. The Secretary-General had appealed to Member States to provide him with an additional Assistant Secretary-General as a necessary investment to ensure that the Department�s senior management could live up to its tasks. That was the right step, and it should be put in place as soon as possible.

Peacekeeping would be condemned to failure if 400 staff were left to manage all peacekeeping operations, including the most complex ones in history, he said. It was literally a matter of life and death. He supported a comprehensive review to determine the total level of human and financial resources needed to adequately carry out peacekeeping activities. He was pleased that the Secretary-General had started that process and looked forward to its results. In the meantime, the Committee was guided by the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. His delegation was also convinced that a criminal advisory unit, public information capacity, peacekeeping doctrine and best practices unit and Information and Strategic Analysis Secretariat were meritorious proposals. However, acknowledging that not

everything had the same priority, he was willing to consider them at a later date. At a minimum, it was necessary to agree to get emergency resources for military, civilian police, operations and logistics, as identified by the Advisory Committee, on stream by the end of the year.

Mr. ALATRASH (Libya) said that he had forgotten to say that his delegation fully supported the statement of the Group of 77 and China.

Mr. NAKKARI (Syria) reminded the Bureau that he posed a question to the Secretariat regarding certain paragraphs of the ACABQ�s report. While he was not in a hurry to receive an answer, perhaps the Secretariat would be kind enough to give its reply tomorrow morning. Regarding the programme of work that had just been distributed, were they meant to express their opinion on it? The Bureau must take into account the fact that he had asked for a meeting on human resources, yet that item was not inscribed in the work programme. There were many other items, such as the budget outline, being introduced for the first time. He expressed concern that a sufficient number of meetings be scheduled for the regular budget before moving onto the peacekeeping budget. More meetings should be scheduled for the regular budget so that the General Assembly could finish with that item.

Mr. ACAKPO-SATCHIVI said the Bureau was aware of his comments and would keep them under review in light of the meetings scheduled in the course of the week.

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