UNDOF/UNIFIL financing – Fifth Cttee debate – Summary record (excerpts)

SUMMARY RECORD OF THE 56th MEETING

Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and

Budgetary Questions:  Mr. MSELLE

CONTENTS

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AGENDA ITEM 116:  FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST (continued)

(a) UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE (continued)

(b) UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON (continued)

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The meeting was called to order at 10.25 a.m.

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AGENDA ITEM 116:  FINANCING OF THE UNITED NATIONS PEACE-KEEPING FORCES IN THE MIDDLE EAST: (continued)

(a) UNITED NATIONS DISENGAGEMENT OBSERVER FORCE (continued) (A/49/533/Add.1 and A/49/785/Add.1)

(b) UNITED NATIONS INTERIM FORCE IN LEBANON (continued) (A/49/644/Add.1 and A/49/785/Add.1)

17. Mr. TAKASU (Controller) recalled that the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) had been established in 1974, and that its mandate had subsequently been renewed for six-month periods, with the current period expiring at the end of November 1995.  The General Assembly had already taken action to permit continued funding of UNDOF.

18. The performance report for UNDOF for the period 1 December 1993 to 30 November 1994 reflected an overall saving of $805,000 gross, mainly as a result of savings in transport, accommodation and equipment.  There was an unencumbered balance of $891,000 net, to be credited to Member States at the time of the next assessment.

19. Turning to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), he said that the financial performance report before the Committee covered the period 1 February 1994 to 31 January 1995.  The current mandate expired at the end of July 1995, but should it be extended the General Assembly had given approval for continuation of the operation.  The performance report indicated overall savings of $1.7 million gross, due to lower transport and civilian and military personnel costs than anticipated.  The report also indicated that UNIFIL was suffering from a very high level of outstanding assessments, and a very low level of cash.  Full reimbursement of troop costs had been made to 31 January 1995, with only partial reimbursement thereafter.

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The meeting rose at 11.35 a.m.