VZCZCXYZ0009
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0896/01 1211743
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011743Z MAY 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8884

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000896 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ACABQ AORC KPKO
SUBJECT: ACABQ SCRUTINIZES SYG'S PROPOSALS ON PEACEKEEPING 
FINANCING 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  The Advisory Committee on Administrative and 
Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) concluded its three-month long 
winter session on April 13, 2006.  While the Committee 
largely focused on the budgets and administrative matters of 
the UN's peacekeeping missions as well as the Support Account 
and the Brindisi Logistics Base (UNLB), the Committee also 
considered a number of other reports.  Most notably, the 
Committee considered the SYG's report on management reform, 
the budget for the Special Political Missions (SPM) and the 
financial requirements related to the newly created 
Peacebuilding Commission (PBSO) and Human Rights Council 
(HRC). Debate on these additional items was highly 
contentious.  Despite forceful arguments and reasoning put 
forward by the US member, there was a tendency amongst other 
members to simply recommend approval of the SYG's proposals, 
without any changes.  For example, efforts to ensure that the 
PBSO was financed from within existing resources, as mandated 
by the General Assembly, were not supported nor were efforts 
to reduce expenditures in the budget for SPM's through better 
coordination and cooperation with other UN agencies and 
programs the field. As a result of the prolonged debate on 
these issues, the Committee was unable to complete its 
consideration of the SYG's proposed budgets for peacekeeping 
and will, therefore, resume on May 2.  Fifth Committee action 
on the financing of the SPM's, PBSO and HRC and management 
reform will be reported septel. ACABQ's conclusions and 
recommendations on peacekeeping financing will be considered 
by the Fifth Committee at its May session. 
 
¶2. During this session the ACABQ considered the budgets for 
UNDOF, UNIFIL, UNFICYP, UNMEE, UNMIK, UNOMIG, UNMIL, the 
support account and UNLB, the performance reports for 
UNAMSIL, UNMISET and UNIKOM, and the report of the Board of 
Auditors.  The Committee approved its reports on all, but for 
UNMIL, which will be considered in May.  At the time of the 
adoption of the draft reports, the financial implications of 
the ACABQ's recommendations had not been costed.  The 
reports, when formally issued, will provide this information. 
 At its resumed session the Committee will consider the 
budgets for UNOCI, UNMIS, ONUB, MINURSO, MONUC and MINUSTAH. 
The Committee largely concurred with the Secretary General's 
proposed peacekeeping mission budget submissions and the 
budget for UNLB with some minor refinements. While these 
budgets sailed through the Committee relatively unscathed, 
the support account budget did not (see paragraphs 7-11 below 
).  The Committee agreed to defer decision on a number of 
posts proposed under the support account, which it found 
related to requirements to be considered in the follow-up 
reports on the 2005 World Summit Outcome and the report of 
the SYG entitled "Investing in the United Nations: for a 
stronger organization worldwide".  A summary the of 
Committee's conclusions and recommendations follows.  End 
summary. 
 
¶3.  The Secretary General's proposed budgetary requirements 
for 13 peacekeeping operations, the UN Logistics Base at 
Brindisi and the support account for peacekeeping operations 
for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007 amounts to $4.8 
billion, compared with the total approved budget of $5 
billion for the period from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. 
The decrease is primarily attributable to the 
closure/liquidation of UNAMSIL and UNMISET, the continued 
downsizing of UNMIK and the projected downsizing of ONUB.  In 
addition, reduction in the budgets for MINUSTAH and MONUC 
will contribute also to the overall decrease in the total 
level of the peacekeeping budget.  The proposed reductions 
will be less than foreseen owing to proposed increases in the 
budget levels of UNMIS, UNOCI, UNFICYP, UNLB and the support 
account. 
 
¶4.  The proposed resources for all peacekeeping missions, 
UNLB and the support account for the 2006/07 period take into 
account a provision of 4% of common staff costs for 
international staff in connection with the proposed funding 
of the liabilities for after-service health insurance 
benefits (ASHI).  The General Assembly is currently seized 
with the SYG's report on liabilities and proposed funding for 
ASHI (A/60/450) which proposed a number of measures that 
needed to be taken to fund and account for the accrued 
liabilities for ASHI benefits for all eligible UN staff 
members.  Until the General Assembly takes a policy decision 
on this matter, the ACABQ recommends that measures proposed 
in the peacekeeping performance reports and budgets be held 
in abeyance. 
 
¶5.  As part of its commitment to the implementation of a 
comprehensive strategy on sexual exploitation and abuse, the 
SYG requests resources in the individual 2006/07 budgets for 
the establishment of Conduct and Discipline Units in the 13 
peacekeeping missions.  These field-based Units will work in 
consultation with a dedicated Conduct and Discipline Unit at 
headquarters to be financed from the support account.  While 
the ACABQ supports the resource requests for these field 
 
Units, it questions the need for the totality of resources 
requested at Headquarters (see paragraph 10 below). 
 
¶6. A summary of specific peacekeeping mission-related 
recommendations follows: 
 
--UNDOF:  The SYG's proposed budget of $39,975,000 reflects a 
$1.5 million decrease from the current budget period.  The 
ACABQ concurs with the request for one P-4 legal officer 
post. 
 
--UNIFIL:  The SYG's proposed budget of $94,112,400 reflects 
a decrease of $0.1 million from the current budget period.  A 
number of staffing changes are proposed.  The ACABQ concurs 
with the requests for the redeployment of posts as well as 
the proposed abolishment of 6 field service posts and the 
downward reclassification of one post.  It does not agree 
with the request for the establishment of one new P-3 
information analyst post in the Joint Mission Analysis Cell. 
While the ACABQ welcomes the establishment of the JMAC, it 
recommends that the post be accommodated through 
redeployment, in view of the historically high vacancy rate 
(average of 14% vacancy rate over the past three years). 
 
--UNFICYP:  The SYG's proposed budget of $44,954,300 reflects 
an increase of $0.8 million.  The ACABQ concurs with the 
proposal of the SYG.  At the US member's urging, the ACABQ 
recommends that UNFICYP provide support to the Special 
Adviser of the SYG on Cyprus and that any savings realized 
under the office of the Special Adviser as a result of the 
support provided by UNFICYP be reflected in the performance 
report. 
 
--UNMEE:  The SYG's proposed budget of $175,266,900 reflects 
a decrease of $1.4 million from the current budget period. 
The ACABQ recommends acceptance of the SYG's proposed budget 
on the understanding that should future Security Council 
action modify the scope of UNMEE's operation foreseen in this 
budget submission revised estimates would be submitted. 
 
--UNMIK:  The SYG's proposed budget of $219,207,400 reflects 
a decrease of $20.7 million.  This reduction is attributed to 
an overall downsizing of the mission.  A majority of the 
executive functions performed under the civil administration 
pillar (United Nations) has been transferred to the 
Provisional Institutions of Self-Government and it is 
proposed that the pillar be reconfigured into a smaller 
Department of Civil Administration which would monitor the 
central and local Kosovo Government bodies. Similarly, under 
rule of law, the mission will focus on monitoring and 
intervention functions following the transfer of substantial 
competencies to the Kosovo Government and judiciary.  The 
mission reported that in view of the shifts in 
responsibilities, the civilian staffing level of component 1, 
substantive civilian, be reduced from 696 to 471 posts and 
the civilian staffing level of component 2, rule of law, be 
reduced from 1,544 to 1,280.  The number of UN police 
officers will be reduced from 2,938 to 2,078, including 398 
in special police units.  The number of support staff under 
component 3, support, will be reduced from 1,307 to 1,096. 
The ACABQ concurs with the proposed downsizing and shift in 
posts in the mission as proposed by the SYG.  A somewhat 
heated but brief exchange was held with the DSRSG on the OIOS 
report on fraud and corruption allegations at Pristina 
Airport.  The DSRSG, supported by OLA, stated that the 
investigation was outside of OIOS jurisdiction to report to 
the GA on the results of the ITF investigation (ITF was 
established by OIOS, OLAF and UNMIK to identify fraud and 
corruption in UNMIK, in all publicly owned enterprises in 
Kosovo and those institutions funded from the Kosovo 
Consolidated Budget).  The DSRSG refused to address specific 
accusations, while vigorously arguing the virtues of the 
personnel accused of the wrongdoings. 
 
--UNOMIG:  The SYG's proposed budget of $33,682,500 reflects 
a decrease of $0.9 million.  The ACABQ recommends that the 
requested new post of webmaster/public information office 
assistant be accommodated through the redeployment of an 
existing post; it recommends against requested increases in 
office supplies and maintenance services. 
 
¶7.  With respect to the peacekeeping support account budget 
(backstopping support for the missions at Headquarters), the 
Secretary General proposed a budget of $190 million for the 
 
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12-month period from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007, with a 
total of 973 temporary posts. The amount proposed, in gross 
terms, represents an increase of $43 million or 29% over the 
total amount approved for the period from July 1, 2005 to 
June 30, 2006 of $147 million.  The increase is due to the 
requirements for 142 new posts ($18.2 million) and to an 
increase in non-post resources ($24.4 million).  The 
Committee was informed that, if budgeted at full cost (or 
full encumbency), the total resources requirements for the 
 
support account would amount to $198 million. With respect to 
non-post requirements, it includes an increase in information 
technology and the transfer of all travel costs of 
Headquarters staff to the peacekeeping missions to the 
support account. This travel provision was previously charged 
to the receiving mission's budget. 
 
¶8. The Committee's discussion largely focused on the proposed 
increase in staffing requirements and related costs.  There 
was a clear divergence of views in the Committee regarding 
the various post requests.  For example, the African members, 
supported by other G-77 members, rallied around the call for 
new posts to support AU peacekeeping efforts, despite the 
Secretariat's confirmation that a comprehensive strategy had 
 
SIPDIS 
yet to be developed.  Similarly, many were not convinced of 
the need for further strengthening of DPKO's logistic 
capacity but were sympathetic to bolstering DM's capacity in 
its support for peacekeeping.  As was evident during the 
Committee's review of the SYG's proposed budget for the 
biennium 2006/07, most members simply politically aligned 
themselves in support of certain posts rather than 
undertaking an objective technical review of the post 
requests. The US member along with Japan, Canada and the 
Netherlands consistently took a more analytical approach in 
supporting requests for new posts. 
 
¶9.  A summary of the net increase of 142 posts proposed is as 
follows: 
 
-- A net increase of 79 post in Department of Peacekeeping 
(DPKO) (reflecting the proposal for 84 additional posts along 
with the transfer of 5 posts from DPKO to the UN Logistics 
Base in Brindisi (UNLB); 
 
--38 new posts in Department of Management (DM); 
 
--A net increase of 20 posts in Office of Internal Oversight 
Services (OIOS) (reflecting the proposal for 19 new posts, 
the proposed transfer of 5 resident auditor posts to the 
support account from UNMIS, and the abolition of 4 resident 
auditor posts in UNAMSIL); 
 
--4 new posts in Office of Legal Affairs (OLA); and 
 
--1 new post in Department of Safety and Security (DSS). 
 
¶10.  The following sets out proposed main changes by 
Department: 
 
--Department of Peacekeeping-- 
 
In addition to supporting 15 active peacekeeping operations, 
DPKO provides backstopping for four special political 
missions or offices for which it has the substantive lead 
(UNAMA, UNAMI, UNOTIL and UNIOSIL), as well as full range of 
administrative and logistical support services to 12 special 
political or peacebuilding missions managed by the Department 
of Political Affairs. The number of posts proposed for 
2006/07 is 647 (422 professional and 225 general service 
posts), reflecting a net increase of 79 posts compared to the 
level approved for 2005/06. 
 
--An Integrated Training Service (ITS) of DPKO is proposed to 
be established through the transfer of 27 posts from the 
Military Division (20 posts) and the Office of Mission 
Support (7 posts) to be supplemented by the establishment of 
8 new posts.  Twenty-five posts will be allocated to 
Headquarters and 10 to the training delivery cell in UNLB. 
The proposal is made in response to requests made by the 
ACABQ and the GA for transparency and coordination in all 
aspects of training.  The ITS will be responsible for 
coordination of all department substantive and technical 
training.  The ACABQ recommends approval of the transfer of 
the 27 posts.  However, it is not convinced of the request 
for an additional D-1 for a Chief of Service and two general 
service posts in view of the current staff resources in that 
office. 
 
--Eight new posts are proposed to be established in the 
Peacekeeping Best Practices Section (PBPS). The Committee 
recommends acceptance of the P-5 post for the Chief of the 
Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Unit, of 1 P-3 
level post and a general service post for this Unit.  It also 
recommends acceptance of a P-3 post for a Coordination 
Officer for civil affairs and a P-3 post for a Gender 
Officer. A P-3 Information Officer post is requested in both 
the PBPS and the Change Management Office. Given the 
functional link between the two offices, the Committee 
recommends the allocation of an additional P-3 post to be 
placed by the SYG in either unit, as he deems appropriate. 
 
--Thirteen new posts are proposed to be established in the 
Office of Operations:  12 additional posts to support the 
 
African peacekeeping capacity (2 P-5, 5 P-4, 2 P-3 and 3 
general service) and one P-5 level post for Senior Political 
Affairs Officer to support MINUSTAH.  The additional posts to 
support African peacekeeping capacities are proposed pursuant 
to the commitment contained in GA resolution 60/1, reiterated 
in SC resolution 1631.  DPKO proposes to establish two 
integrated multi-disciplinary teams--a 4-person team in New 
York and an 8-person team in Addis Ababa.  US member 
supported by Japan, Canada and the Netherlands argued against 
the establishment of these offices until a comprehensive 
program of support for African peacekeeping capacity-building 
was developed, taking into account contributions to be 
provided by the UN system and other external partners.  The 
majority of the members did not agree with this approach. 
After much debate, the Committee reached agreement on 
recommending the establishment of 5 professional posts and 2 
general service posts to support African peacekeeping 
capacity.  With respect to the P-5 level post for Senior 
Political Affairs Officer to head the MINUSTAH team, the 
Committee recommends that the function be provided through 
redeployment. 
 
--A total of 30 new posts are proposed for the Office of 
Mission Support:  20 posts for the Administrative Support 
Division (1 D-1, 3 P-5, 5 P-4, 3 P-3, 1 P-2 and 7 general 
service), including 9 new posts for the Headquarters Conduct 
and Discipline Unit (1 D-1, 1 P-5, 4 P-4, 1 P2 and 2 general 
service); and 10 new posts for the Logistics Support Division 
(1 D-1, 4 P-4, 5 P-3).  As mentioned above, 7 posts are 
transferred from this Division to ITS, thus resulting in a 
net increase of 23 posts.  With respect to the Conduct and 
Discipline Unit, the Committee recommends acceptance of: the 
D-1 level post for the Chief of the Unit, 2 (out of the four) 
P-4 posts for Disciplinary Officers, the P-2 post for the 
Reporting Officer and one (out of two) general service posts 
proposed.  With regard to the Disciplinary Officers, should 
the eventual workload require it, general temporary 
assistance may be used, in place of the third P-4 
Disciplinary Officer requested. The US member argued for the 
full contingency of staff but believes that the 
recommendation of the ACABQ will adequately meet the demands 
of this Unit.  Consistent with the Committee's view that 
consultants be used only when in-house expertise is not 
available and in assessing the type of work proposed to be 
done by the consultants, the Committee recommends a reduction 
of $985,000 in resources proposed for consultants in OMS. 
 
--The Civilian Police Division is proposed to be strengthened 
with 27 additional support account posts related to the 
creation of the Standing Police Capacity.  The Committee 
supports the creation of this capacity. 
 
--Department of Management-- 
 
--A total of 38 new posts are proposed in DM.  With regards 
to many of these posts, the Committee is recommending that 
consideration be deferred pending receipt of follow-up 
reports related to the SYG's management reform initiatives 
that ACABQ has recommended in its report A/60/735.  In 
addition, the Committee recommends deferring consideration of 
posts in OPPBA that are currently under a long-outstanding 
management review that, hopefully, will soon be concluded. 
 
--Office of Internal Oversight Services-- 
 
--The posts financed through the support account are proposed 
to increase from 92 in the 2005/06 budget to 112 for 2006/07. 
 The ACABQ recommends deferring action on the post and 
non-post resources proposed under the support account, 
pending GA consideration of the ongoing evaluation of 
governance and oversight, which includes a detailed review of 
OIOS as well as the previously requested analysis of the 
role, functions and requirements of the investigator program. 
 While the US member was prepared to favorably consider the 
request for additional posts, the filling of the 17 currently 
vacant posts should enable OIOS to carry-out its mandated 
activities. 
 
--Office of Legal Affairs-- 
 
A total of four additional posts are requested for lawyers to 
work on complex procurement related matters to supplement the 
5 posts currently funded from the support account.  The 
Committee recommends deferring action on this proposal 
pending review of the follow-up reports on the SYG's 
management reform initiatives as recommended by the Committee 
in its report A/60/735. 
 
--Department of Safety and Security-- 
 
The Committee recommends that the functions of the proposed 
P-4 Security Coordination Officer be provided through 
redeployment. 
 
 
¶11.  To sum up, the Committee is recommending approval of a 
total of 55 posts, recommending against approval of 45 posts 
and that action on 42 be deferred, pending receipt of various 
reports.  The recommendations of the Committee involve 
reductions to the support account budget totaling $31,663,500. 
 
¶12.  Turning to the Logistics Base in Brindisi, the estimated 
requirements of $35,621,200 are proposed for the maintenance 
of the Base for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. 
The proposed budget represents an increase of $4,108,100 in 
relation to the apportionment for the period from July 1, 
2005 to June 30, 2006.  A total of 14 additional posts are 
proposed at the Base.  These include the establishment of 10 
posts for establishing a Training Delivery Cell at the Base, 
a national general service post for Occupational Safety and 
Security Assistant, one full-time nurse at the national level 
and two P-3 posts of Aviation Safety Officers.  The request 
for the 2 posts of Aviation Safety Officers is proposed in 
connection with the establishment of UNLB regional aviation 
safety office which would service, in addition to the Base 
itself, UNMIK and UNOMIG.   This proposal stems from an OIOS 
recommendation to establish regional safety offices in 
strategic locations worldwide rather than employing aviation 
safety officers in individual missions.  In conjunction with 
the proposed establishment of UNLB regional aviation safety 
office, three posts will be abolished at UNMIK and UNOMIG. 
The Committee agrees with the proposed staffing changes at 
UNLB and recommends acceptance of the estimated budget 
requirement of $35,621,200. 
 
BOLTON