UN: FIFTH COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PEACEKEEPING

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000942

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: UN: FIFTH COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PEACEKEEPING
BUDGETS FOR 2006-2007

REF: A. REF A USUN NEW YORK 00896


B. REF B USUN NEW YORK 00895

C. REF C USUN NEW YORK 00893


1. Summary. At its second resumed session, beginning May
22, the Fifth Committee is scheduled to consider all 13
peacekeeping budgets for the period 1 July 2006 to 30 June

2007. In addition, the Committee will also consider the
budgets for the Support Account and the UN Logistics Base in
Brindisi. Following from last year,s comprehensive
cross-cutting resolution, the Committee is also expected to
consider a wide range of policy and oversight issues, as
mandated by the Assembly in resolution 59/296. At
approximately $4.8 billion, the total financial provision for
2006-2007 is about $300 million less than the total approved
budgets for 2005-2006. This figure, however, does not
account for a number of expected changes in the larger
peacekeeping missions. For instance, the budget for UNMIS
does not include any provision for the possible re-hatting of
AMIS troops in Darfur. The Director of the UN,s
Peacekeeping Financing Division has also alluded to a
possible overhaul of the MINUSTAH mandate; a possible troop
increase in UNOCI; reconfiguration of troop and civilian
police totals in UNMIL; and possible implications in MONUC
stemming from the delay of elections.


2. Summary continued: With upwards of 60 reports scheduled
for the Committee,s consideration in a span of five weeks,
the session is expected to be challenging in the best of
circumstances. However, given the necessity of the Committee
to consider a number of other priority items during the same
time frame (the UN regular budget cap, management reform,
Capital Master Plan, Special Political Missions, and mandate
review in plenary),the prospects are dim for a robust
consideration of all peacekeeping issues this June. Outlined
below is a summary of the major financial (post and non-post)
provisions requested for each mission for 2006-2007. This
should be read in conjunction with Ref A, which summarizes
the consideration of the Advisory Committee on Administrative
and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) on peacekeeping issues
earlier this spring (the ACABQ is currently considering the
remaining budget submissions). The proposed financial
requirements for the mission in Congo (MONUC) will be
reported upon the issuance of the proposed budget for
2006-2007 at a later date. Cross-cutting policy issues have
been or will be reported separately. End summary.


3. UN Mission of Support in East Timor: The performance
report for UNMISET for 2004-2005 reflects underexpenditure of
$3,604,500 (4.2 per cent),and other income and adjustments
of $13,171,400. The mandate of UNMISET ended in May 2005.


4. UN Observer Mission in Georgia: The UNOMIG performance
report for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure of $855,100
(2.7 per cent),and other income and adjustments of $999,800.
The total proposed 2006-2007 budget for UNOMIG amounts to
$33,682,500, representing a decrease of $879,600 (2.5 per
cent). The mission has requested two additional posts (net).


5. UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo: The
performance report for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure
of $128,200 (0 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
$10,295,400. During the reporting period, a number of the
mission,s performance indicators and planned outputs were
not fully achieved, often due to factors external to the
mission. The proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $219,207,400,
representing a decrease of $20,682,400 (8.6 per cent) and a
decrease of 1,560 posts in the areas of substantive civilian
programs, rule of law, and support. In addition to the
budget and performance report, the Committee will consider
the report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services
(OIOS) on the investigation conducted by the Investigations
Task Force into fraud and corruption allegations at Pristina
Airport (A/60/720). In sum, the report highlights a lack of
accountability by the previous Special Representative of the
Secretary-General for UNMIK in the operation, management and

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supervision of the airport. Comment: USUN intends to get an
update on the status of recommendations made by OIOS. End
comment.


6. UN Interim Force in Lebanon: The performance report for
UNIFIL indicates underexpenditure of $3,716,200 (4 per cent),
and other income and adjustments of $5,099,000 for the
2004-2005 budget year. The budget for 2006-2007 amounts to
$94,112,400, representing a decrease of $140,500 (.1 per
cent) and a net decrease of 5 posts. The budget reflects a
minor reduction in the support area and strengthening of
executive direction and management (for security, public
information and a joint mission analysis cell).


7. UN Disengagement Observer Force: The 2004-2005 performance
report for UNDOF indicates underexpenditure of $82,200 (.2
per cent),and other income and adjustments of $1,901,000.


The proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $39,975,900,
representing a decrease of $1,545,500 (3.7 per cent),
inclusive of an increase of one post in executive direction
and management.


8. UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus: The performance report
for UNFICYP for 2004-2005 reflects underexpenditure of
$710,800 (1.4 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
$541,100. The proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $44,954,300,
reflecting a decrease of $777,800 (1.7 per cent) and a net
decrease of 1 post. The major changes in posts are a
decrease in the political and civil affairs component and an
increase in the military affairs component to increase the
mission,s patrol capacity, and to increase its role in
liaison, observation and mediation.


9. UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti: The performance report
for MINUSTAH for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure of
$1,811,500 (.5 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
$4,835,100. The report also indicates that during the
reporting period, MINUSTAH did not implement the disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration program. There were delays
in the implementation of the public information strategy,
late establishment of the Justice Section, and late
deployment of human rights officers resulting in a delayed
implementation of the activities of the section. The
proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $490,636,200, reflecting a
decrease of $25,852,300 (5 per cent) and a proposed increase
of 416 posts, of which 413 are attributable to mission
support. The support posts to be increased are almost
exclusively for interpreter (Creole) posts. MINUSTAH
proposes the conversion from contractual services to national
posts of 220 existing interpreters, and the addition of 130
new interpreters, all in support of the expanded and
locally-based military and police operations.


10. UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea: UNMEE,s performance
report for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure of
$25,001,300 (12.2 per cent),and other income and adjustments
of $7,152,900. A number of the planned outputs to meet
indicators of achievement were not successfully completed,
often owing to the political situation, the stalemate in the
demarcation process, and the suspension of the work of the
Boundary Commission. The proposed budget for 2006-2007 is
$175,266,900, representing a decrease of $1,397,500 (.8 per
cent) and a net increase of 7 new posts. While the mission
proposes to decrease the number of posts under support, it
would increase by 35 the number of posts in executive
direction and management. This is largely attributable to
the transfer of the Security Section to the Office of the
SRSG and the creation of a Conduct and Discipline Team.


11. UN Mission in Sierra Leone: The performance report for
UNAMSIL for 2004-2005 reflects an unencumbered balance of
$27,077,800 (9.3 per cent),and other income and adjustments
of $72,209,800. The mission is currently in liquidation and
is expected to complete liquidation activities by 31 June

2006. The report of the ACABQ spotlights the comments of the
Board of Auditors (A/60/5, Vol. II) with respect to the many
cases of fraud and presumptive fraud in UNAMSIL (ref B),and
concludes that the problems experienced in UNAMSIL
"demonstrate the urgent necessity for the strengthening of
the monitoring of fuel consumption throughout all
peacekeeping operations."


12. UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara: The
performance report for MINURSO for 2004-2005 reflects
underexpenditure of $1,278,500 (2.9 per cent),and other
income and adjustments of $1,021,200. The proposed budget
for 2006-2007 is $26,120,000, representing a decrease of
$2,538,500 (5.2 per cent) and a net increase of 12 posts,
mostly for mission support. Following the outcome of the
mandate review requested in Security Council resolution 1570,
12 posts were abolished, 23 posts were converted to UN
Volunteer positions, and 19 national posts were outsourced.
In addition to the establishment of a Conduct and Discipline
Team, a number of posts have been increased for security
following a recently completed security assessment.


13. UN Operation in Burundi: The performance report for ONUB
for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure of $25,920,100 (7.9
per cent),and other income and adjustments in the amount of
$5,630,000. In light of the expected downsizing of the
mission, the Secretary-General has proposed commitment
authority for the mission of $79,179,200 until 31 October
2006, and a decrease of 1,792 posts (most of which are
military and civpol). The General Assembly will consider a
full budget for 2006-2007 during the main 61st GA.


14. UN Mission in Liberia: The performance report for UNMIL
for 2004-2005 indicates underexpenditure of $81,021,200 (9.9
per cent),and other income and expenditures of $27,287,500.
A significant number of outputs related to progress towards


the promotion and protection of human rights, fundamental
freedoms and national reconciliation were not achieved, in
large part due to the late appointment of members of the
Independent National Commission on Human Rights. The
proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $717,119,700, representing a
decrease of $5,422,400 (.8 per cent),as well as a decrease
of 45 posts. Although over 200 posts will be decreased in
the area of peace process (national and UNV posts in relation
to completed election),UNMIL is proposing an increase of 162
posts for mission support, largely for security functions.


15. UN Mission in the Sudan: The performance report for
UNMIS for 2004-2005 reflects underexpenditure of $3,166,000
(1.4 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
-$362,000. The negative amount for other income and
adjustments reflects the decline in market values of
short-term investments, which more than offset other interest
income. Though there was a net underexpenditure during this
start-up phase of the mission, the performance report
reflects wide variances in expenditure patterns. The
proposed budget for UNMIS for 2006-2007 is $1,081,659,300,
reflecting an increase of $112,190,500 (11.6 per cent) and a
proposed increase of 758 posts (net).


16. UNMIS (cont.): In addition to the financial requirements
associated with the proposed new posts, a substantial portion
of the higher budgetary requirement results from the
budgeting for full deployment of military observers and
contingents, civilian police, and civilian staff. Of the new
posts being requested, the majority is for national staff,
with only 83 additional international staff posts being
sought. The new national posts, most of which fall under
mission support, are in large part attributable to increased
security requirements at all locations and additional
capacity for integrated support services (e.g., transport,
information and communication technology, aviation,
engineering). The majority of the new international posts
fall to the substantive sections of the mission. For
instance, UNMIS will be increasing the capacity of the Joint
Mission Analysis Cell (JMAC),increasing the capacity of the
Office of the Chief of Staff in order to facilitate better
mission-wide coordination and coherence, and establishing a
Strategic Planning Office. The mission also proposes the
strengthening of the Return, Recovery and Reintegration
Office in anticipation of up to a million returns a year in
Southern Sudan.


17. UNMIS (cont.): In the area of non-post requirements,
there are a number of decreased requirements following the
establishment of the mission throughout Sudan in the previous
financial period. Notably, the mission is shifting its
transport of contingent-owned equipment (COE) to naval
transport, resulting in a 10 per cent ($21 million) reduction
in air transport requirements. There is also a considerable
decrease in the requirement for facilities and infrastructure
($73 million; 32 per cent) following the establishment of
mission facilities last year.


18. UN Operation in Cote d,Ivoire: The performance report
for UNOCI reflects underexpenditure of $41,528,300 (11 per
cent),and other income and adjustments of $15,803,000. The
performance report also reveals a number of unaccomplished
outputs in the areas of DDR, humanitarian and human rights,
elections, and police capacity, in large part due to the lack
of political progress during the reporting period. The
proposed budget for 2006-2007 is $420,175,200, reflecting an
increase of $1,398,200 (.3 per cent) and a proposed increase
of 91 posts, which are largely attributable to humanitarian
and human rights, the peace process, and mission support.
The mission budget reflects an overall decrease in
operational requirements of over $11 million (7.2 per cent),
however, this is offset by an increase in civilian staff
costs ($15 million; 22.3 per cent) due mostly to the full
costing of posts approved in the 2005-06 fiscal period as
well as the addition of the proposed 91 posts.


19. UN Logistics Base at Brindisi: The performance report
for UNLB for 2004-2005 reflects underexpenditure of $237,300
(.8 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
$1,161,900. The proposed budget for 2006-2007 is
$35,621,200, reflecting an increase of $4,108,100 (13 per
cent) and an additional 14 proposed posts. The bulk of the
new posts relate to the new Training Delivery Cell proposed
for establishment at UNLB, in conjunction with the new
Integrated Training Service (ITS) being proposed at
Headquarters following DPKO,s 2005 review of its training
capacity and needs. The cell will serve as a hub for
training programs to be delivered for peacekeeping personnel
in the field. In additional to the budgetary documentation
for UNLB, the Fifth Committee will consider two other reports
related to the base, concerning the provision of efficient
and economical communication and information technology
services (A/60/715) and a cost-benefit analysis on the


transfer of vehicles with high mileage (A/60/699).


20. Support Account: The 2004-2005 performance report for
the Support Account reflects underexpenditure of $2,966,700
(2.8 per cent),and other income and adjustments of
$2,122,000. Provisions for the Support Account cover the
following departments and offices: Department of
Peacekeeping Operations (Office of the
Under-Secretary-General, Office of Operations, Office of
Mission Support, Military Division, Civilian Police Division,
Mine Action Service); Executive Office of the
Secretary-General; Office of the Ombudsman; Office of

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Internal Oversight Services; Office of Legal Affairs;
Department of Public Information, Department of Management
(Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Office of Program
Planning, Budget and Accounts, Office of Human Resources
Management, Office of Central Support Services); Department
of Safety and Security. Though overall implementation of
planned outputs was achieved during the reporting period,
there were pockets of delayed or incomplete implementation
(mostly in DPKO),often attributable to the surge in
peacekeeping and the subsequent need to prioritize certain
activities.


21. Support Account (cont.): The proposed 2006-2007 budget
for the Support Account is $170,552,400, reflecting an
increase of $42,445,100 (33.1 per cent),and a net increase
of 142 posts (98 Professional and 44 General Service). The
Secretary-General,s proposed budget highlights the fact that

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the current staffing capacity is stretched to the limit, and
the Support Account is continually playing "catch up" to the
demands of peacekeeping in the field. Some functional areas
-- particularly procurement -- require urgent strengthening.
In addition to supporting 15 peacekeeping operations and the
UN Logistics Base, posts funded by the Support Account
provide logistical and administrative support for 12 special
political missions (including the UN Assistance Mission in
Afghanistan),and backstopping for three other large special
political missions (UNOTIL in East Timor, UNIOSIL in Sierra
Leone, and UNOSEK in Kosovo).


22. Support Account (cont.): The resource requirements in the
proposed budget take into account the recommendations of the
OIOS comprehensive management audit (Ref C),the Board of
Auditors Report (Ref B),and the reforms advocated by the
Secretary-General (i.e., ethics, accountability, procurement,

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governance). Many of the new posts being sought will, among
other things, strengthen internal controls and allow for
their effective enforcement. They also relate to the
priorities identified in each respective department. The new
posts being sought are distributed as follows: 70 for DPKO,
38 for DM, 20 for OIOS, 4 for OLA, and 1 for DSS. The total
cost for post resources reflects an increase of just over $18
million (16 per cent). In addition, the proposed Support
Account budget reflects a significant increase ($24.2
million; 72.8 per cent) for non-post resources. Every
category of expenditure reflects an increase, with the
largest percentage increases attributable to consultants,
official travel, information technology, and other supplies,
services and equipment.
BOLTON