A/48/PV.94 General Assembly
The meeting was called to order at 10.50 a.m.
Tribute to the memory of the late Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia
Before we consider the items on the agenda for this morning, the Assembly will pay tribute to the memory of the late Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations, His Excellency Mr. Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia.
Ambassador Koumbairia presented his credentials just a short time ago, last year, on 9 July 1993. It is indeed sad that his mission has been brought to this sudden end.
On behalf of the General Assembly I would ask the representative of Chad to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Government of Chad, which he served as a diplomat for some 25 years, and also to his bereaved family.
I now invite representatives to stand and observe a minute of silence in tribute to the memory of the late Permanent Representative of Chad to the United Nations.
The members of the General Assembly observed a minute of silence.
I now call on the representative of Congo, who will speak on behalf of the African States.
162. Financing of the United Nations Observation Mission in Georgia: report of the Fifth Committee (Part III) (A/48/823/Add.2)
Vote:
A/48/823/Add.2
Consensus
On behalf of the Group of African States, I wish to say how much we all feel the great tragedy of the untimely p a s s i n g o f o u r c o l l e a g u e , L a o u m a y e M e k o n y o K o u m b a i r i a , Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations.
Death, with its implacable logic, which is beyond human understanding, has taken him away from us at a time when his country and the African Group, and Africa itself, still needed his wealth of experience.
A few weeks ago he was working actively with the members of the Security Council in preparing resolution 910 (1994) of 14 April 1994 on the Aouzou strip. The African Group remembers him as a man whose great qualities were admired by us all and as a seasoned diplomat. His passing is therefore a great loss for our Group.
On behalf of all the African Permanent Missions, I bow to the memory of our colleague, Mr. Koumbairia, and convey to the Government of the Republic of Chad, and to the members of the bereaved family, our most profound condolences.
I now call on the representative of Nepal, who will speak on behalf of the Asian States.
The late Ambassador Koumbairia had a brilliant academic career and a distinguished record of service as a politician and as a diplomat. He served as the Minister of Education and Minister of Public Works of Chad. He held important positions in the Foreign Ministry and had wide experience of representing his country abroad. To many of us here at the United Nations he was a good friend and adviser.
On behalf of the members of the Asian Group, I extend our deepest condolences to the family of Ambassador Koumbairia, the members of the Permanent Mission of Chad to the United Nations and to the Government of Chad on his sudden and untimely death.
I now call on the representative of Azerbaijan, who will speak on behalf of the Eastern European States.
With a feeling of great sadness we learned of the death of our colleague and member of the United Nations family, His Excellency Mr. Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, late Permanent Representative of the Republic of Chad to the United Nations.
As one of the prominent diplomats and professionals of his country, Ambassador Koumbairia made considerable efforts for Chad’s development.
Taking the floor in my capacity as Chairman of the Group of Eastern European States, I would like to express, on behalf of the countries of our Group, our deep and sincere condolences at this moment of great loss to all of us.
Memories of Mr. Koumbairia will be always in our hearts.
I call on the representative of Honduras, who will speak on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean States.
Allow me, as Chairman of the Group of
Chad honoured us by appointing so distinguished an Ambassador, who, from the moment he submitted his credentials to the Secretary-General in New York in July 1993, was able not only to represent his country superbly, but also to play a direct role in the activities of this Organization, the Group of 77, the Non-Aligned Movement and the African Group.
We will miss him. To his family, Government and compatriots, we extend the condolences of Latin America and the Caribbean, which have special relations of friendship and cooperation with Africa.
I call on the representative of Germany, who will speak on behalf of the Western European and Other States.
It was with profound sadness and sorrow that the members of the Group of Western European and Other States, which I have the honour to represent, learned of the demise of our distinguished colleague, the Permanent Representative, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Chad, His Excellency Mr. Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia.
To those who knew him personally, he was a cordial and generous colleague, who served the United Nations and the international community with intelligence, energy and exceptional dedication. On behalf of the members of the Group of Western European and Other States, I convey our sincere condolences to the Government and people of the Republic of Chad. We also convey our condolences and express our deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
I now call on the representative of the United States, who will speak on behalf of the host country.
On behalf of the Government and people of the United States, I wish to extend sincere condolences to the people and Government of Chad and to the family of Ambassador Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia.
I wish he could have been with us and lived to see the end of a difficult chapter in Chad’s history. It is fitting that we honour his memory today on the eve of the completion of Libya’s withdrawal from Chad, an event which Ambassador Koumbairia helped to make possible.
I now call on the representative of Chad.
The solemn homage that has just been paid to the memory of the late Permanent Representative of my country, Ambassador Laoumaye Mekonyo Koumbairia, has gone straight to our hearts.
On behalf of our Government, the delegation of Chad offers its sincere thanks for these expressions of solidarity at this difficult time.
127. Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the e x p e n s e s o f t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s (A/48/853/Rev.1/Add.2)
In a letter contained in document A/48/853/Rev.1/Add.2, the Secretary-General informs me that, since the issuance of his communications dated 9 March and 5 April 1994, Cambodia has made the necessary payment to reduce its arrears below the amount specified in Article 19 of the Charter.
May I take it that the General Assembly duly takes note of this information?
It was so decided.
8. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work Request for the reopening of the consideration of agenda item 156 (Rationalization of the work and reform of the agenda of the First Committee): letter by the Chairman of the First Committee (A/48/942) In his letter, the Chairman of the First Committee requests that agenda item 156, entitled "Rationalization of the work and reform of the agenda of the First Committee" be reopened during the forty-eighth session, in order to consider and take a decision on a draft resolution on the organization of the work of the First Committee. In order to enable the General Assembly to take the required action, it will be necessary to reopen consideration of this agenda item. May I take it that the General Assembly, on the proposal of the Chairman of the First Committee, wishes to reopen consideration of agenda item 156?
It was so decided.
Members will recall that, at its third plenary meeting, on 24 September 1993, the Assembly allocated this item to the First Committee. May I take it that the Assembly again wishes to allocate this item to the First Committee?
It was so decided.
The Chairman of the First Committee will be informed of the decision just taken.
47. Commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1995 (a) Report of the Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations (A/48/48/Add.1); (b) Draft resolution (A/48/48/Add.1, para.4).
The report of the Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations has been circulated in document A/48/48/Add.1. In this connection, the Assembly has before it a draft resolution contained in paragraph 4 of the report.
I call on the representative of Australia to introduce the report of the Preparatory Committee.
The Assembly has before it today a brief report by the Preparatory Committee for
In introducing the report, however, I would like, as Chairman, to express my gratitude to the many delegations that have worked hard on producing the draft resolution that appears in the addendum to the report. That draft resolution is a very important decision. It represents the agreement of all delegations participating in the work of the Committee, and it represents very careful consideration of the need for us to decide now on the fundamental event to take place at the General Assembly in 1995 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. That fundamental event is, of course, a special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly, to be held between 22 and 24 October 1995. By adopting this draft resolution, the General Assembly will set in train the steps that are necessary especially to enable the Secretary-General to write to Heads of State and Government, making them aware of this decision and inviting their participation in that special commemorative meeting in October 1995.
My understanding is that, as was the case in the Preparatory Committee, there is consensual support for this draft resolution. I commend it to the General Assembly, and I conclude by again thanking all of those who worked so hard to produce such an important decision.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 4 of the report (A/48/48/Add.1) of the Preparatory Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/215 B).
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 47.
Introduction of the reports of the Fifth Committee
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 123, 130 (a) and (b), 135, 162 and 174. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee to introduce the reports of the Fifth Committee in one intervention.
The report (A/48/938 and Corr.1) on agenda item 123, entitled "Programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995", deals with the question of the conditions of service for the members of the International Court of Justice. In paragraph 5 the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote.
Concerning agenda item 130, entitled "Financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East", part III of the Fifth Committee’s report on sub-item (a), "United Nations Disengagement Observer Force", is contained in document A/48/812/Add.2. In paragraph 5 the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote.
On sub-item (b), "United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon", the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/48/813/Add.2, in paragraph 5 of which the Fifth Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote. It should be noted that there is a typographical error in operative paragraph 14 of the draft resolution, where the amount indicated should read "$1,808,400" instead of "$1,818,400".
On agenda item 135, entitled "Financing of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia", part II of the Fifth Committee’s report is contained in document A/48/818/Add.1. In paragraph 5 of that report, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote.
On agenda item 162, entitled "Financing of the United Nations Observation Mission in Georgia", part III of the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/48/823/Add.2. In paragraph 5 of that report, the Committee recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of a draft resolution, which was adopted by the Committee without a vote.
Lastly, on agenda item 174, "Financing of the United Nations Military Liaison Team in Cambodia", part II of the report of the Fifth Committee is contained in document A/48/829/Add.1. In paragraph 5 of that report
If there is no proposal under rule 66 of the rules of procedure, I shall take it that the General Assembly decides not to discuss the reports of the Fifth Committee that are before it today.
It was so decided.
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote or position.
The positions of delegations regarding the recommendations of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records. May I remind members that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401 the Assembly agreed that
"When the same draft resolution is considered in a Main Committee and in plenary meeting, a delegation should, as far as possible, explain its vote only once, i.e., either in the Committee or in plenary meeting unless that delegation’s vote in plenary meeting is different from its vote in the Committee."
May I also remind delegations that, also in accordance with General Assembly decision 34/401, explanations of vote are limited to 10 minutes and should be made by delegations from their seats.
Before we begin to take action on the recommendations contained in the reports of the Fifth Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Fifth Committee.
123. Programme budget for the biennium 1994-1995: report of the Fifth Committee (A/48/938 and Corr.1)
The Assembly will first consider the report (A/48/938 and Corr.1) of the Fifth Committee on the conditions of service and compensation for the members of the International Court of Justice.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of its report. The draft resolution, entitled
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/252 A, B and C).
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 123.
130. Financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East (a) United Nations Disengagement Observer Force: report of the Fifth Committee (Part III) (A/48/812/Add.2)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of Part III of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote.
May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do likewise?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/253).
(b) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon: report of the Fifth Committee (Part III) (A/48/813/Add.2)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution, as orally corrected, recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of Part III of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution, as orally corrected, was adopted (resolution 48/254).
I understand that the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic wishes to explain his position, and I now call on him.
I wish to place on record that had these two draft resolutions been put to the vote we would have voted against, in accordance with my country’s consistent stand that the aggressor country that causes the presence of such forces should bear responsibility for their financing.
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 130.
135. Financing of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia: report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/48/818/Add.1)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of Part II of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/255).
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 135.
With regard to the name of the Mission contained in the title of this item, there is a
I should like to propose, in order to harmonize our terminology with that of the Security Council, that the title of agenda item 162 be amended to read: "Financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia".
If I hear no objection, it will be so decided.
It was so decided.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of Part III of its report (A/48/823/Add.2). The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/256).
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 162.
174. Financing of the United Nations Military Liaison Team in Cambodia: report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/48/829/Add.l)
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 5 of Part II of its report. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote.
May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 48/257)
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 174.
The meeting rose at 11.30 a.m.