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I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union.
The European Union would like to thank Mr. Bock Yeo for introducing the report of the Secretary-General and also Ambassador Mselle for his introduction of the report of the ACABQ.
Mr. Chairman,
The situation in Sierra Leone constitutes a real challenge for the United Nations and the international community in the provision and maintenance of peace in the region. The European Union appreciates fully the contributions of all countries in attaining this objective and for the support rendered to UNAMSIL.
UNAMSIL is now one of the largest peacekeeping missions in operation by the United Nations. Its size and complexity operating in very difficult circumstances demand that the mission be managed with the utmost efficiency and effectiveness. In this regard, we take note of the Secretary-General´s proposed revised budget for UNAMSIL, which provides for approximately 13,000 military personnel and expanding, as well as a civilian staffing establishment of over a thousand personnel. In addition, we take note of the related report of the ACABQ.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union shares some of the ACABQ´s concerns on operational aspects, including of the mission structure and management. In this connection, we are concerned as to whether the mission and headquarters have the capacity to recruit and place on board the requested number of staff within such a short period of time (March-June 2001). We are concerned at the impact this might have on mission effectiveness and urge the Secretariat to accelerate the recruitment and placement of personnel. We would welcome details from the Secretariat on how they intend to tackle this problem.
Mr. Chairman,
We note too that some difficulties were experienced with wet lease or self-sustainment and that the United Nations is dealing with this through pre-deployment inspections carried out with the agreement of a number of potential troop-contributors. Like ACABQ, we look forward to the outcome of the overall policy review of these arrangements. Meanwhile, we would need more details from the Secretariat on whether contracting out these services has occurred and if so, what effect this had on the efficiency and effectiveness of the mission.
Mr. Chairman,
The European Union regrets having to return yet again to the issue of procurement and related problems as pointed out by the Board of Auditors in its report on peacekeeping operations for the period ended 30 June 2000; namely poor inventory management, lack of procurement planning, delay in delivery of goods and shortage of trained procurement staff in UNAMSIL. We should like to know what measures the Secretariat is putting in place to remedy the situation.
Asset control is another area in the management of peacekeeping missions where we have seen poor application of the rules and regulations. We therefore note the installation of the FACS system, but wish to point out that the system is only as good as those who use it. We concur with ACABQ´s request that steps be taken to ensure that the FACS system is effectively maintained and that available staff be trained to address the weaknesses found by the Board of Auditors.
Mr. Chairman,
In view of our comments and observations, we agree with the ACABQ that the General Assembly approve an appropriation of $550,000,000 gross for the maintenance of UNAMSIL for the period from 1 July 2000 to 30 June 2001, inclusive of the appropriation of $476,726,400 gross already made for UNAMSIL by the General Assembly in its resolution 54/241 B of 15 June 2000 and which was assessed on Member States.
Furthermore, the European Union agrees with the recommendation by the ACABQ that the General Assembly assess, at this time, an additional amount of $36,636,800 gross representing half of the $73,273,600 additional appropriation recommended by the ACABQ.
Mr. Chairman,
We also agree with the recommendation that the balance of the assessment will be subject to a report to the General Assembly in the context of its review of the proposed budget for UNAMSIL for the period from 1 July 2001 to 30 June 2002 to be submitted early in October 2001.
I thank you.
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