VZCZCXYZ0016
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUCNDT #0942/01 1301742
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 101742Z MAY 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8961

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000942 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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 
 
SIPDIS 
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 
 
SIPDIS 
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