Summary: EU Presidency Statement - Financing of UN Mission in DRC (MONUC)(18 November 2005: New York)
EU Presidency Statement on Item 140: Financing of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), by the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom to the United Nations on behalf of the European Union, Fifth Committee, United Nations, New York
Thank you Mr Chairman.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union. The Acceding Countries Bulgaria and Romania, the Candidate Countries Turkey and Croatia*, the Countries of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidates Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Montenegro, EFTA country Iceland, member of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova align themselves with this declaration.
We should like to thank Ms Catherine Pollard, Director of Peacekeeping Finance, and Mr Rajat Saha, Acting Chair of ACABQ for introducing their respective reports. We welcome the efforts of MONUC to portray clearly in the budget document its detailed requirements. We also commend the ACABQ for their thorough analysis of the budget, their pertinent comments, and recommendations for savings amounting to $12.7m. The EU agrees with the ACABQ that, in certain areas, further savings might be
realised.
Before commenting in detail on the budget proposal the European Union should like to offer its appreciation to all MONUC personnel who continue to work in an extremely demanding environment. We should like to pay tribute to the 62 staff that has died in MONUC in the pursuit of peace. In this respect, we cannot over-emphasise the importance for the EU of a credible, transparent election process, with all relevant UN and national actors within DRC working together, supported by the requisite
number of staff, for taking forward longer-term peace and stability in the DRC. We commend MONUC and the Congolese authorities on the achievement of registering over 20 million voters.
Mr Chairman
The EU notes that, following several revisions to its mandate by the Security Council, the exact composition of the Mission has been in flux for some considerable time. We acknowledge that this will have made forecasting requirements more difficult than usual. But we cannot overlook the fact that the outcome of the review of the staffing structure and organisation will only be presented to the General Assembly next May: some 2 years after it was initially requested. In view of this, we agree
fully with ACABQ that, at this stage, all posts be approved on a temporary basis.
The European Union welcomes the steps, contained in the report S/2005/603, taken to address the serious issue of sexual exploitation and abuse. A crucial factor in preventing misconduct is the widespread mainstreaming of gender awareness across peacekeeping missions. We urge all senior mission staff, from the SRSG down, to continue their efforts to enforce strictly the zero tolerance approach while holding accountable, and taking remedial action against, all those responsible. In particular, it
is essential that all Troop Contributing Countries enforce strictly established standards in respect of their troops. A tough approach is the only one that will work. We trust that the lessons learnt during this difficult process will become part of best practice.
Mr Chairman
We read with concern the comments in the report of the ACABQ that coordination between the Mission and funds, programmes and agencies had proven difficult because of the different approaches taken by MONUC and the agencies. However, we note from report S/2005/603 that efforts are underway to review the existing coordination structure. In this respect we would welcome an explanation from the Secretariat of what remains to be done to enhance coordination on the ground and ensure that a coherent
workplan is drawn-up and implemented. In a country the size of the DRC it is essential that resources and efforts be maximised to ensure the optimum use of resources.
We agree with the ACABQ that a clear link should be made between offices outside the Mission areas and how these fit with the mandate. We also need to be clear about functions and added value of these offices. We would request that the information made available to ACABQ in this respect be provided to this Committee at our informal discussions.
In paragraph 21 of its report, the ACABQ refers to support capacities being provided by civilian rather than military means and is of the view that this raises policy issues. The EU would welcome clarification of whether this is standard practice or whether this denotes a change of policy.
The EU welcomed the Under-Secretary General for Peacekeeping's comments to the 4th Committee on 20 October in respect of the establishment of an integrated training service. This addresses directly the request made in resolution 59/296. We trust that this will result in a more strategic approach both in terms of training offered and in resources requested for these activities. We also welcome the approaches taken in respect of rations delivery and air services, both of which have been
previously issues of contention for this Committee.
Finally, the EU notes with satisfaction that the SG will seek commitment authority, rather than revert to the GA, should the Mission be unable to absorb the additional expenses arising from the reconfiguration of military personnel approved in Security Council resolution 1635 of 28 October.
Thank you Mr Chairman
* Croatia continues to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.
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