A/44/PV.84 General Assembly

I wish to advise representatives that we shall consider the agenda items in a different order from that listed in the Journal, hecause some of the documents are still to be distributed in the Hall. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee, Mr. Etien Ninov of Bulgari~, to introduce the reports of the Fifth Committee in one statement. Mr. NlNOV (Bulgaria), Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee: t have the honour to introduce the reports of the Fifth Committee on the agenda items listed for consideration today. If I may, I shatl introduce them in the order in which the agenda items to which they relate are listed in the Journal. With regard to agenda item 122, "Programme budget for the biennium 1988-1989", the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/44/894. Paragraph 5 of the report contains the recomlmndation of the Fifth Committee, which is thlilt the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A and B, concerning the programme budget for the 1988 to 1989 bienn ium. The report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 123, "Proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991", is contained in document A/44/90S. The recommendations of the Fifth Committee, which are in section V of the report, consist of four draft resolutions for the Assembly Cs consideration. In paragraph 1 (c) in section C of draft resolution 2 A, the figure $936,617,000 should be replaced by the figure $934,617,000. The Fifth Committee recommended the adoption of alt four draft resolutions without a vote. The Fifth Committee considered agenda item 124, "Programme planning", in conjunction with items 38, "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations", and 123, "proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991". The Committee recommended without a vote the adoption of the draft resolution in paragraph 36 of its report (A/44/902). I now turn to agenda items 125, "Financial emefgency of the united Nations", and 40, "Current financial crisis of the United Nations". The Fifth Committee considered those two related i terns together and adopted two reports on them (A/44/900 and A/44/899). Paragraph 5 in each of the two reports contains an identical text of the draft resolution that the Committee decided, without a vote, to recommend to the Assembly. I turn now to agenda item 128, "Pattern of conferences", on ~ich the Fifth Commi ttee decided to recommend to the General Assembly the adoption of draft resolutions A, Band C in paragraph 7 of its report (A/44/895). I come ne)(,: to agenda item 129, "Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations", on which the FifLh Committee's report is cont~ineu in document A/44/896. The Committee decided without a vote to recommend to the General Assent>ly the adoption of the draft resolution in paragraph I) of that report. The Fifth Committee considered ~genda item 131, "United Nations common system", at its 28th, 31st, 33~d, 35th, 38th, 44th and 59th meetings. I am pleased to report that the Committee recommended without a vote the adoption of the drart resolution in paragraph 9 of its report. (A/44/89B). With r.eqard to agenda item 132, "United Nations pension system", the Fifth Commi ttee recommended without a vote the adoption of the draft resolution in paragraph 8 of its report (A/44/897). I come now to agenda item 133, "Financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle Eastl (a) United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, (b) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon". The reports of the Committee on these matters ue to be fomd in documents A/44/887 and A/44/888 respectively. The dr~ft resolution with regard to the United Nations Disengaqement Observer Forcp. i5 contained in paragraph 6 of document ~/44/887, and the draft resolution with regard to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon is contained in paragraph 6 of document A/44/888. The Fi fth Committee adopted both draft resolutions without a vote and recommends that the General Assembly also adopt them. (Mr. Ninov, Rapporteur, Fi fth Commit tee) With regard to agenda item 134, Financing of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Observer Group·, the report of the Fifth Committee appears in document A/44/889. The Committee recommends to the General Assembly the aooption of th.e 1raft resolution which appears in paragraph 6 of the report. This draft resolution was also aoopted by the Committee without a vote. I turn new to agenda item 135, "Financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission". The report of t,he Fifth Committee is contained in document A/44/890. The dr~ft resolution, which appearn in paragraph 6 of the report, was adopted without a vote. The Fifth Committee recommends to the Ceneral Assembly that it too adopt the draft resolution without ~ vote. Aqenda item 136 is entitled "Financing of the United Nlltions Tranc;ition Assistance Group". The Fifth Committee oonsidered this item at its 56th and 58th rreetings. The draft resol'.Jtion w'!1ich appears in pua';lraph 6 of lts report (A/H/891) was adopted without 1 vot:e. The Committee recomme1"lds that the General Assembly adopt it ""i tholJta vot~. I turn next to agenda it~m 137, "Administrative and budgetary aspects of the finaflcing of the United Nations peacl~-/(eeping operations". The report of the Fifth Co~~ittee is contained in document A/44/892. Draft resoluti~~ A, 9 lnd C, which appear~ in p~ragraph 5 of that report, witS .300pted withollt ~ vote. 1'h~ Committee r~commends that th~ Gen~ral Assp-mbl'! :llso lleiOpt t"'is rlraft r~soll.Jtion withOtlt 1 .....r,te. :.:i tft r:~qard to 'lge~o'l it.-m 12, "R,eport of the Economic 3nd 5()cioll Council", th~ Fi ft"l Commi ttee noted th~ Viir ious '::l1ilpt~rs of. the r~port of the F.conomic a~..i p.!"ltitleii "Revi.;>w of the ~fficif>ncy of the administnti'le and fina"lcLll fUT\c':.ionhq of the United Nations", item 123, "Proposed programme budqet for the biennium 1990-1991", and item 124, "Progr~mme planning". In paragraph 4 of its report (A/44/893l, the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt a draft decision, in which it would take note of chapters I, III <section Cl and VI (sections B and D) of the Economic and Social Council's report. I turn now to agenda item 38, ~Review of the efficiency of the ~dmini~trative and financial functioning of the United Nations". The Fifth Committee's ~eport on thi~ item is contained in A/44/QOl. In paragraph 7 of that report the Committee recommends that the General Assembly adopt draft resolution A, B and C containerl therein without a vote. Owing to the time c-:mstraints under 10tIich ~e were wor1dng, some of our reports contained technical errors. These were pointed out early enough 90 that they coulu be corrected at the Fifth Committee's Glst meeting. The corrections will be duly ten~cted in all future issuances of thp reports concerned. In conclusion, I should li~e to ex~ress my aporeciation to all the delegations here that elected ~ R,'tpporteur. It was a pleasur~ for tnI! to woric with Ambas~ador Ali Masri of the Syrian Arah RepuolicQ Chairman of the Fifth Committee, and the other officers of the Committe~. 1. than\( the Secretariat 31~o for ~ll the as~istance it gave m~ ~~ Rapoorteur. The PR~mENTt If there \5 no prl'lpo<;:lt I1nd'!r .. ul~ 66 of the rules .,f procedure, 1 shall ~~e it that t~~ ~~n~ral Assemhll de~id~s not to discuss thp reports of the Fifth Committee ~fore it tod~y. Tt was AC) ~cided. The PRm tDENTa Stat~mpnts will t.herefore he Hmi t'!rl tl') exphnathns of vote. (Mr. Ninov, Rapporteur, Fi Eth Committee) The positions of delegations regarding the various recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made cle~r in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the General Assembly agreed that ·When the same draft resolution is consider~d in a Main Committee and in plenary l'IW!eting, a delegation shoutd, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting, unless that deleqa tion' s vote in plenary mee ting is di fferent from its v~.,te in the Commi ttee. " May I also remind delegations that, again in ~ccordance with decision 34/401, explanations of vote should 00 limited to 10 minutes and should be made ">v delegations from their seat-.s. We shall now consider the r~ports of the Fifth Committee on aq~nda item 133. rela tinq to the financing of peace-keepinq forces in the Middle East. We shall first consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/887) on agenda it~m 133 (a), which concerns the United Nations Disenqagement Ohserver Force. t e~ll on the representative of the Syrian Arab RP.public, who wishes to speak in exp 1M.' t ion 0 f vote. Hr. SHAHEED (Syrian Ar&h Republic) (interpretation from Arabic), My delegation wishes to stllte its position on the draft resolution on thp. financing of th~ United Nations Disenqaqement Ohserver Force (UNDOF), contain~d in dncument A/44/8S1. If this draft reSOlution were put to the votP. we would vo~ against it, in keeping with our position of principle, which we statp.d last yp.ar in the General Assembly. We believe that the occu9yinq force should provide the financinq for UNDOF. (The President)

The draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee is contained in paragraph 6 of its repo~t (A/44/887). It is entitled "Financing of the United Nations Disengagem~nt Observer Force" and was adopted by the Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assemhly wishes to Q:) the sal'M? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/187).

We have concluded our considention t)f suh-item (a) of . :agenda item 133. The Assenhly vill now consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/888) on agenda item 133 (h~ c which relates to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. I ~''lll on the r.~presentative of the Syrian Arah Republic, who wishes to speak in explanation of vote. Mr. SHAHEED (Syrian Arab Republic) Cinterpre:tc1tion trom Arabic) I My delegation wishes to state its position on the draft resolution on the financin9 of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). If this drc1ft resolution were put to the vote we would vote against it in accordance with Q pO!'litio., of principle that we hc1ve stated at earlier sesAions of the Gener~l Assemhlv. We think that the fina.'1cing of lINIFIL ~hould be provided hy the occupyinq forc~.

Th'! dralt resolution recommended hy the Fifth Committee, cont,lined in p,uaqrl)ph 6 of its report (.1\/44/888) CI1d entitled "Financinq of th~ Uni~d Nations Int~rim Force in Lebanon-, was adopted without ~ vote. May I take it that the Assemhly also wishes to do so? Thp. dr~ft resolution was adopted Cresoluti~n 44/188). The PRESIDENT, We have concluded our consideration of sub-item Cb) of agenda item 133. The Assembly will now consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/889) on agenda item 134, "Financing of the United Nations Iran-Iraq Military Obser~er Grou~". The Assembly will take a necision an the draft resolution contained in paraqraph 6 of that report. The Fifth Committee adopted it without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishp.s to do the same? The draft resol:Jtion was adopted (resolution 44/189). The PRESIDPNTa The Assenbly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 134. The Asse~ly will now consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/890) on agend" item 135, "Financinq of the United Nations Angola Verific.ltion Mission". The Assembly will take a dP.cision on the draft resolution contained in pl!faqraph 6 of that repc;rt. The Fifth Committee adopted it ",it,",out a vote. May I ta~e it that the Assembly al~o wishes to do ~? The draft resobtion was adopted (resol\l~i()n 44/190). The PRESIDENT. The Assembly has concluded its considerltion of aqenda item 135. "the AsselThly wilt next consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44189U on age:hia item 136, -Financing of the United Nations Transition Assistance Grouo". The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 6 of that report. The Fifth Committp.~ decided without a vote to fp-commend to the General Assembly thp adoption of that draft resol~tion. May I take it that the Genp-r~l As~embly wishes to adopt th~ draft reSOlution? The draft (~i.olution was ~dopted (resoluUt)n 44/191). The PRESmCN.!: The Assembly has concluded its eonsider,ltion of aqen'h ! tem 136. (The President) We turn now to the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/892) on agenda item 137, "Administrative and budgetary aspects of the fin~cing of the United Nations peace-keeping operations". The Assenb1y "Ul take a decision on the draft resolution (A, B and Cl contained in paragraph 5 of that report. It '';ss adopted by the Pi fth Com!!llttee without a vote. May I take it that the Assermly wishes to do the same? The dra ft resolu Hon 'Ias ac:bpted (reso1u tion 44/192 A- C) • The PRg tOmT, The Assell'hly has conetuded 1ts cons ide ration of aqendo1 item 137. The Assembly wIll now consider the report of the Fifth Committee (~/44/893) on agenda i tern ! 2. This report dea ls wi th those chapters of the report of the Economic and Soci~l Counci1 which were allocated to t~e Pifth Co~ittee. The Assembly wUl talce a dP.eis ion nn the draft decis ion in paragraph 4 of the report of the Fl fth Committee. The Committee recommends that t.he General Assennly adopt that draft ~cision. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do so? The draft decisLon was adopted. T~le PRES IODfT! The Assemly will now conside r the report nf the Fifth Committee (A/44/894) on agenda item 122f concerning the programme hudget fnr the hiennium 1988 to 1989. The Assembly will ta~e decisions on the dr4ft resolution an~ the draft decision recomnended by the Fi fth COftlmittee in paragraphs 5 Md G of its report. ~e draft resolution (A and B) deals with the progr&sue budget (nc the biennium 1988 to 1989. In paragraph 5 of its report the Fifth Committee recommen~s the adoption of this draft resolution. May I take it th&t the General Assembly wisheo to adopt it? The dr&~re801ution was adnpted (resolution 4(/193 A and B). (The President) The PRESl!!!!!!: The draft decis ion in paragraph 6 of th~ Fi fth Committee's report concerns the standards of accommodation for air travel. The Committee recommends the ~doption of this draft decision. ~~y t take it that the Assenbly wishes to ~opt it? Thf!' draft deocision was ado.E.!.ed. The PRESIDENT, The Assenbly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 122. I now invite members to turn to the report of the Pi fth eoJuittp.e (A/44/902) on age~da item 124, ·Programme planning-. The Assembly ",ill take is decls ion on the draft resolu tion recom~nded by the Fifth Committe~ in paragraph 36 of that report. The COmmittee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assenbly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adoPt~ (resot!J tion 44/194). The PRESIDENT, The General Ass~mbly has concluded its eonsidefation of agenda item 124. The AsRembly wilt ne~t consider toqether the :eports of th~ Fifth Committee on agenda item 125, ·Financial emergency of the United ~tlons·, ~d aqenri~ it@m 40, ·Current financial crisis of the United Nationa·. Those rp-ports are contained in documents A/..4/900 and A/44/899, rC!spectively. The Assembly wl11 take a deciston on the draft resolution (~ 3nd 8) recommended ~ the Fifth Committee in parAgraph 5 of each of the report§. The d~aft reqolutlon, entitled ~Current financial crisis and ~inancial e..rgeney of the United Na tions·, was adopted by th. Fi fih Co!!lmi ttee "i tht)ut II vote. May t take it that the General ;'~ssembly wi.shes to do the S8111e? The draft recol~tion was a..dopted (re~olutton U/195 At and 8). The PRBSID£NT, t now c"ll on the representa'dve of iridia, ..mo ..,ishes to spealc in explanation of vote. Mr. GUPT~ (Indi~)i My delegation has asked to be allowed to ~pe~k in order to point. out that it joined the consensus on the draft resolution on agenna it~m 125 taking into account an import~nt understal"\ding of the Fifth Committee associated with operative paragraph 3 of part B of the resolution - n'imel", thtlt the reference to expeditious paY~nlent in full of all outstanding assessed contrihutions to ~11 peace-keeping operation.c; includes outstanding ·l:Jes owed by certain Menbp-I.' States in connection wit;' t~e first United N::lotions ~ergencv Force (UNEF-I) and the United Nations Opention in the Congo. The contributors to the two peace-keeping opertltions to which I have just referred have been waiting p.l tiently for the past 25 years to get the reimbursements owed to t.hem by the United Nations. We hope that the Member States which are in arrears for these two peace-keeping operations will, in recognition of and respect for Gen~ral Assembly resolution 1817 (S-IV) of 27 June 1963, pay the outstanding amounts Ooled by them to the Orqaniution. We hope, too, that the Secretary-General, in implementation of operative paragraph 3 of p3.rt B of this resoh!tion, will - While addres!'linq COl1llll1nications to Member States that are in arrears for various peace-keeping operations - refer also to outstand.l.nq assessed contribu tions owen in respect of UNEF-I and the Uni ten Nations Operation in the Congo. I IJ

The Assembly has concluded its consideration of agenda items 125 and 40. We tu~n now to the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/895) on agenda item 128, relating to the pattern of conferences. The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution (A, ~ and C) recommended in paragraph 7 of that report. It was adopted by the Fifth Committee ",ithout obj~ction. May I take it that the General AsseitOly wish~s to adopt it? The draft resolution "'as adoPted (resolution 44/196 A-C).

The Assembly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 128. We turn now to agenda item 129, entitled "Seal... of assessments for apportionment of the e~penses of the United Nations M• The report of the Fifth Comrnittee on that item is contained in document A/44/396. We shall take co <!ecis ion on the dra ft resotu tion (A, B and C), recommencJed by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of that report. The Committee adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? The draft resolution was adOPted (resolution 44/191 A-C).

We have concluded our considera tic." of agenda Hem 129. We shall next consider the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/898) on agenda item 131, entitled "United Nations common system". The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fi fth Commit tee in paragraph 9 of that report. The Commi t tee adopted that dra ft resolution, entitled "United Nations common system: report of the International Civil Service Commi~sion", without a yote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the sa~~? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/190). The PIUSID~T: The Assemly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 131. We shall next consider the report of the Fifth Conmittee (A/44/897) on agenda item 132, entitled "United Nations pension system". The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended in paragraph 8 of that report. The Fifth Committee acbpted that draft resolution ",ithout a v.ote. May I take it that ths General Assembly also wishes to do so? The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/199). The PRESID~T: The Assembly has concluded its consideration of agenda item 132. The Assembly will now turn to the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/S01) on agenda item 38, entitled "Review of the efficiency of the administrative and financial functioning of the United Nations". The Assembly will take a decision cm the draft resolution (A, B and C) recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 7 of that report. The Committee acbpted that draft resolutior., entitled "Implementation of General Assembly resolution 41/213w, without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the sane? !h!-draft resolution was adopted (resolution 44/200 A-C).

I call on the representative of the United States, who wishes to explain his delegation's position on the reSOlution that has just been adopted. Mr. WATSON (United States of America): The forty-fourth session of the General Assembly has been one of the l'IlOSt constructive sess ions in the history of the United Nations. Member States and the Secretary-General deserve credit for the important contributions made towards addressing key interna tional poli tical, economic and social problems. The United States delegation is gratified not only by the concrete accomplishments of the forty-fourth session but also by the positive signals they send about the role of the Organization. The capacity of the Uni ted Na tions to contribute to the solu tiCX\ of the many cd tica1 problems on the international scene has been strengthened by important steps taken at this session of the General Assembly towards further implementation of administrative and budgetary reforms. Among the most significant accomplishments of the forty-fourth session has been the consensus adoption of the 1990-1991 programme budget. That decis ion represents the successful completion of the new budgetary process approved by the Assembly lOt its forty-first sess ion. we Ccll take sa tisfacticx\ in that posi tive result and in the important contributions made by the Secretary-General and delegations to rebuilding confidence in the work of the United Nations. My delegation would like to highlight those elements of the budget resolution which are of major significance to the Uni too States. The 1990-1991 United Nations budget of $1.975 billion is below the level agreed upcn at the last General Assembly sessiCX\ in the context of approval of the budget outline. It therefore reflects the continUed restraint shown by the Secretary-General and Member States. Also, the Organization is continuing to make progress bowards achieving the reductions called for in resolution 41/213 regarding overall staffing levels, in high-level posts in particular. While some delegations expressed reservations &bout the approved reductions in senior posts, they worked with others to permit a consenslS Q'l the budget. We look forward to receiving proposals next year for the elimination of the four remaining high-level positions that is required to meet the target set in resolu tion 41/213. Another major accomplishment has been the successful operation of the new contingency fund. Budget add-ons charged to that fund total leGS than $2 million, well below the level approved for the biennium as a whole. (Mr. Watson, United States) Nevertheless, IWJ delegation had sone difficulties with some specific elenents of the approved budg~t. For example, we regret the lack of acceptance of the Secretary-General's proposal to transfer certain functions and staff from New York to strengthen the role of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs. And the budget continues funding for a number of activities which are Objectionable to the United States. We have stated our reservations and shall continue to ~rk with othe~s for corrective actions, but in the spirit of fostering consensus we did not vote against appropriations for those specific programmes. Let me here stress the importance of the resolution adopted by the Assembly on the implementation of reforms. That resolution continues the efforts begun in 1986 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Organization. While significant Progress has been made towards achieving the previously agreed target of 15 per cent for staff reductions, we are not there yet. More needs to be dme, and we are encouraged that the General Assembly will address this issue next year. The reform resolution also requires further action by Member States to restructure the intergovernmental decision-making process in the economic and social areas. Through co-operative efforts on the part of the Secretary-Gener.al and Member States, full implementation of all the reforms approved by the General Assembly at its forty-fourth sess ion can be achieved. Aa the last, but certainly not the least, item on our list of major accomplishments, we note that the Assembly this year took an important new step towards improving the co-ordination and effectiveness of the United Nations system. Following up on the successfUl joint meetings in October of the COmmittee fOr Programme and Co-ordination and the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, the Assembly has called for strengthening the role of the Secretary-General in the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination and for an Unproved annual overview report by that Committee. I ~----j (Mr. Watson, United States) Those steps, taken together, are import~t for improved progr~mme and admini~trative manaqement 1n the United Nations system. They should facilitate taking the kind of bold action required to h~et the qrowing responsihilities of the United Nations for addr~ssing the transnational problems that are of such great concern to the international comnunity as we face the decade of the 19905. In conclusion, the United States delegation is pleased that by working together Member States have reached the consensus on the 1990-1991 Uni ted Nations bUdget envisaged in resolution 41i213. The constructive spirit that prevailed on the budget made possible the consensus adoption of resolutions on all Fi fth Committee agenda items. That is an unprecedented achievement, and its continuation will add importantly to rebuilding the confidence between Member States required far the United Nations to be successful in carrying out the increasing responsibili ties entr us ten to it. The PRESIDENT, We have concluded our consideration of agenda item 38. We turn now to the report of the Fifth Committee (A/44/90S) on agenda item 123, concerning the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990 to 1991. The Assembly wi11 take decis ions on the four draft resolu tions recom~ndt.!d in paragraph 49 (A/C.5/44/L.l5 (Part IV» of that report. The Assembly will first consider draft resolution I (A and B), entitle~ "Questions re1.1ting to the proposed programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991". The Fifth Committee adopted that draft resol~tion without a vot~. May I tak~ it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 44/201 A and B).

We turn next to draft re.solutian It (A, B and Cl, entitled "Programme budget for the biennium 1990-1991". The Fifth Committee (Mr. Watson, United States) adopted that draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draf~ reso!.ution 11 was adopted (resolution 44/202 (A-C). The PRES IDENT, Ora ft resolu tion III is en titled "Unforeseen and extraordinary expenses for the biennium 1990-1991". That draft resolution too was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Dr~ft resolution lIt was adopted (resolution 44/203). The PRESIDENT, We turn finally to draft resolution IV, which deals with the Working Capital Fund for the biennium 1990 to 1991. Draft resolution IV was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the General Assembly wishes to do the same? Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 44/204). !he PRESIDENT: I call on the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic, who wishes to explain his delegation's position on one of the draft resolutions I that has just been adopted •• Mr. SHAHEED (Syrian Arab Republic) (interpretation from Arabic), My delegation accepted the adoption without a vote of resolution I (A/C.5/44!L.15 (Part IV», in line with the Fifth Committee's trend towards adopting draft resolutions without a vote. We fully support all the Uni ted Nations activi ties covered in part B V of the resolution, which relates to budget estimates for "Section 3. Poli Heal affairs, tr usteeship and decoloniza tion". We accord hiqh priority to all these activities, and we believe that any measure that could weaken them is unacceptable. Therefore, as my delegation sees it, the measure set out in paragraph 2 of part B Vof draft resolu tion I should not be implemented. (The President) The PRESIDENT, I should like at this point to convey to Memers the Secretary-General's regrets at not being able to be present at this meeting owing to other pressing duties, of which they are well aware. HQ has, however, requested me to read out to the Assembly the following message: ~e have just witnessed the adoption without a vote of all the reports of the Fifth Committee, including the progrc!lmme budget for t.he biennium 1990 to 1991. I could not let this historic occasion pass without expressing my gratification at the spirit of co-operation which has led to the adoption by consensus of the budget necessary to fulfil the goals and objectives of the Organiza tion over the next two years. I regard the Assembly's approval of this budget, the first to be prepared in ~ccordance with the new budgetary procedures approved by the General Assembly in resolution 41/213, as a further indication of the renewal of confidence in roultilateralism and its ~gents which I noted in my annual report on the work of the Organization. I trust that Member States will demonstrate their commitment tangihly through timely and prompt payment of assessed contrihutionc;, 3S well as of arrears. -I should also like to take this opportunity to express m¥ deep appreciation for the Assembly's support for the improvement of conditions of service of the staff of the Organization. The Assembly's positive response to the majority of the International Civil Service Commission recommendations, to which, as members are aware, my colleagues in the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination and I attached particul~r importance, is a welcome recognition of the importance of appropriate candi tions of service for an independent international civil service. -In conclusion, I should like to congratulate the Chairman of the Fifth Committee, who, with his Bureau, presided over the Committee's lengthy and complex deliberations, and to extend my gratituCb for the invaluable contributions of the Chairman of the Advisory COmmittee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions and the Chairman of. the Committee for Programme ~d Co~rdination, and their respective Committees." The Assembhly ha~ thus concluded its consideration of agenda item 123 and all the reports of the Fifth Committee. The meeting rose at 4 p.m. (The Preside~~)