A/50/PV.120 General Assembly

Friday, June 7, 1996 — Session 50, Meeting 120 — New York — UN Document ↗

In the absence of the President, Mr. Abulhasan (Kuwait), Vice-President, took the Chair
Vote: A/RES/50/89B Recorded Vote
Show country votes
Absent (77)
✓ Yes (104)
The meeting was called to order at 11.20 a.m.

133.  Financing of the United Nations Mission in Haiti Report of the Fifth Committee (Part IV) (A/50/705/Add.3)

Vote: A/50/705/Add.3 Consensus

134.  Financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia

Vote: A/50/846/Add.1 Consensus

136.  Financing of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991

Vote: A/50/849/Add.2 Consensus

138.  Administrative and budgetary aspects of the financing of the United Nations peace-keeping operations (a) Financing of the United Nations peace-keeping operations

Vote: A/50/850/Add.4 Consensus

109.  Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, questions relating to refugees, returnees and displaced persons and humanitarian questions

The Acting President #16797
Members will recall that at its 103rd plenary meeting on 3 April 1996 the Assembly decided to reopen consideration of this agenda item and to consider it directly in plenary meeting. In this connection, the Assembly has before it a draft resolution issued as document A/50/L.74. I call on the representative of Ireland to introduce the draft resolution.
Mr. Campbell IRL Ireland #16798
I have the honour to introduce the draft resolution contained in document A/50/L.74. Under the draft resolution, the General Assembly would increase the number of members of the Executive Committee of the Programme of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by one, to 51 States. The Assembly would also request the Economic and Social Council to elect the additional member at its substantive session of 1996, which begins later this month. The draft resolution is in conformity with decision 1996/212 of the Economic and Social Council, adopted earlier this year, by which the Council recommended that the Assembly take a decision on this question at its current session. Both the decision of the Economic and Social Council and the present draft resolution are required to give effect to the request by my Government that Ireland become a member of the UNHCR Programme’s Executive Committee. That request was formally conveyed last November in a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland to the Secretary-General, and circulated as a document of the United Nations. Ireland acceded in 1956 to the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees. In 1968, Ireland acceded to the 1967 Protocol on the same subject. Ireland has been supportive of the work of UNHCR over many years. This has been demonstrated most tangibly in its contributions both to UNHCR’s general budget and to specific relief operations. In recent years, as an expression of our strong support, our voluntary contributions to UNHCR have been significantly increased. As a result, we are at present the nineteenth largest donor on an absolute basis, and the eleventh largest on a per capita basis. Successive Irish Governments have sought to demonstrate concern for the plight of refugees and solidarity with those countries where there are large number of refugees by serving as a country of asylum, most recently for refugees from countries of the former Yugoslavia. Furthermore, Irish non-governmental relief organizations, with the full support of the Irish Government, have participated in large numbers of UNHCR relief organizations in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Many of these organizations have the highest international reputation. Taking these factors into consideration, the Irish Government considers that Ireland, through its demonstrated interest in and devotion to the solution of refugee problems, clearly fulfils the requirements for membership of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR Programme, and that it is now appropriate for Ireland to become a member. Accordingly, we trust that the Assembly will adopt this draft resolution by consensus, so that the Economic and Social Council may proceed to the election of Ireland to the Executive Committee at its substantive session later this month.

125.  Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/819/Add.1)

Vote: A/50/796/Add.3 Consensus
The Acting President #16799
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution. May I take it that the Assembly decides to adopt draft resolution A/50/L.74 without a vote?
Vote: 50/228 Consensus

123.  Financing of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/845/Add.1)

Vote: A/50/970 Consensus

131.  Financing of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/827/Add.1)

Vote: A/50/827/Add.1 Consensus
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/228).
The Acting President #16800
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 109?
It was so decided.
The Acting President #16801
The General Assembly will now consider the reports of the Fifth Committee on agenda items 116, 118, 122 (a) and (b), 123, 124 (a), 125, 128, 131 to 137, 138 (a), 149, 159, 160 and 167 to 169. I request the Rapporteur of the Fifth Committee to introduce the reports of the Fifth Committee in one intervention.
The Acting President #16802
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.
The Acting President #16803
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote. 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 General 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 shall proceed to take decisions in the same manner as was done in the Fifth Committee, unless notification otherwise is provided in advance. This means that, where a recorded vote was taken, we shall do the same. I should also hope that we may proceed to adopt without a vote those recommendations that were adopted without a vote in the Fifth Committee. Programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997 Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/842/Add.3)
The Acting President #16804
The Assembly will now take a decision on the four draft resolutions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 12 of Part IV of its report. Draft resolution I, entitled “Commission of Inquiry in Rwanda”, was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/37 Consensus
Draft resolution I was adopted (resolution 50/229).
The Acting President #16805
Draft resolution II is entitled “Progress report on the programme budget for the biennium 1996-1997”. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution II was adopted (resolution 50/230).
Vote: 32/413 Consensus
The Acting President #16806
Draft resolution III is entitled “Proposals on possible means of absorption of the cost of new mandates within the programme budget for 1996-1997”. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Draft resolution III was adopted (resolution 50/231).
The Acting President #16807
Draft resolution IV is entitled “Conference servicing of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change”. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
Vote: 31/100 Consensus
Draft resolution IV was adopted (resolution 50/232).

118.  Joint Inspection Unit Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/971)

The Acting President #16808
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/233).
Vote: 32/95 Consensus
The Acting President #16809
May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 118?
It was so decided.

122.  Financing of the United Nations peace-keeping forces in the Middle East (a) United Nations Disengagement Observer Force Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/792/Add.1)

The Acting President #16810
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report. The draft resolution is entitled “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”. It was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/20 B).
The Acting President #16811
I shall now call on those representatives who wish to explain their votes on the resolution just adopted. Should there have been a vote on the draft resolution, contained in document A/50/792/Add.1, we would have abstained.
Mr. Al-Hariri SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #16812
My delegation would like to express its position vis-à-vis the draft resolution entitled “Financing of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force”, contained in document A/50/792/Add.1. We would like to indicate that had that draft resolution been put to the vote, we would have voted against it, in line with the constant and principled position of the Syrian Arab Republic, which we have expressed at previous sessions of the General Assembly, that the financing of this Force should be borne by the aggressive party, Israel, whose aggressive practices have necessitated the presence of the Force.
The Acting President #16813
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 122 (a). (b) United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/824/Add.1)
The Acting President #16814
I call on the representative of the Republic of Korea for an explanation of vote before the voting on the draft resolution contained in the report of the Fifth Committee.
Mr. Shin KOR Republic of Korea #16815
The Republic of Korea has been an active participant in the various activities of the United Nations, including its peace- keeping operations. We attach great importance to the safety of United Nations personnel and the protection of its facilities, which we believe are essential to the successful implementation of the United Nations mandate. In this connection, my delegation wishes to point out that during the voting on paragraph 7 of the draft resolution, held at the meeting of the Fifth Committee last Monday, 3 June 1996, our delegation abstained in error.
The Acting President #16816
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 11 of Part II of its report (A/50/824/Add.1). The draft resolution is entitled “Financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon”. A recorded vote has been requested. [Subsequently, the delegation of Barbados informed the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour.]
A recorded vote was taken.
The draft resolution was adopted by 104 votes to 2, with 2 abstentions (resolution 50/89 B).
The Acting President #16817
I now call on the representative of the Syrian Arab Republic for an explanation of vote on the resolution just adopted.
The Acting President #16818
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 122 (b).
The Acting President #16819
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 50/209 B).
The Acting President #16820
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 123. Financing of the activities arising from Security Council resolution 687 (1991) (a) United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/970)
The Acting President #16821
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution entitled “Financing of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission”, recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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? We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of sub-item (a) of agenda item 124.
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/234).
The Acting President #16822
The Assembly will now consider Part II of the report of the Fifth Committee on agenda item 125, entitled “Financing of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara”. The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report. The draft decision was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same? We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 125. Financing of the United Nations Protection Force, the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia, the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force and the United Nations Peace Forces headquarters Report of the Fifth Committee (Part IV) (A/50/796/Add.3)
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #16823
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part IV of its report (A/50/796/Add.3). The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/235).
The Acting President #16824
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 128.
The Acting President #16825
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report (A/50/827/Add.1). The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the General Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/236).
The Acting President #16826
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 131. Financing of the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/820/Add.1)
The Acting President #16827
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report (A/50/820/Add.1). The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/237).
The Acting President #16828
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 132.
The Acting President #16829
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part IV of its report (A/50/705/Add.3). The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly too wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/90 B).
The Acting President #16830
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 133.
The Acting President #16831
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report (A/50/846/Add.1). The draft decision was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft decision as well?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #16832
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 134.

135.  Financing of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/848/Add.1)

The Acting President #16833
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report (A/50/848/Add.1). The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/211 B).
The Acting President #16834
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 135.
The Acting President #16835
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part III of its report (A/50/849/Add.2). The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/212 C).
The Acting President #16836
The General Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 136.

137.  Financing of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan Report of the Fifth Committee (Part II) (A/50/828/Add.1)

The Acting President #16837
The Assembly will take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part II of its report (A/50/828/Add.1). The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/238).
The Acting President #16838
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 137.
The Acting President #16839
The General Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of Part V of its report (A/50/850/Add.4). The draft resolution is entitled “Support account for peace- keeping operations”. The draft resolution was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to adopt the draft resolution?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/221 B).
The Acting President #16840
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 138 (a).

149.  Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/973)

The Acting President #16841
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 of its report (A/50/973). The draft resolution is entitled “Activities of the Office of Internal Oversight Services”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I consider that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/239).
The Acting President #16842
May I take it that it is the wish of the Assembly to conclude its consideration of agenda item 149?
It was so decided.

159.  Human resources management

The Acting President #16843
The Assembly has before it a draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 12 of part III of its report (A/50/834/Add.2) and three draft decisions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 13 of the same document. The Assembly will first take a decision on the draft resolution contained in paragraph 12 of document A/50/834/Add.2. The draft resolution is entitled “Reform of the internal system of justice in the United Nations Secretariat”. The Fifth Committee adopted the draft resolution without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft resolution was adopted (resolution 50/240).
The Acting President #16844
The Assembly will now take a decision on the three draft decisions recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 13 of part III of its report. Draft decision I, entitled “Documents relating to human resources management”, was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #16845
Draft decision II, entitled “Respect for the privileges and immunities of officials of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and related organizations”, was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
The Acting President #16846
Draft decision III, entitled “Extension of the provisions of paragraph 6 of General Assembly resolution 49/222 B relating to the employment of retirees by Conference Services”, was adopted by the Fifth Committee without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
Mr. Al-Hariri SYR Syrian Arab Republic [Arabic] #16847
My delegation would like to state its position with regard to the vote (A/C.5/50/3) presented by the Secretary-General on behalf of the members of the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC). The Syrian Arab Republic would like to confirm its commitment to the provisions relating to respect for the immunities and privileges of officials of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and related organizations. My delegation has been giving its full assistance to United Nations officials under the relevant agreements and conventions. There is no doubt that my country, like any other country that grants these immunities, expects international officials to abide by and not to violate, the terms of the conventions, to respect domestic laws of the host country and to abide by its provisions with regard to national sovereignty. They should refrain from any action that has nothing to do with the nature of their tasks. My country supports these privileges and immunities, provided that they do not lead to interference in the internal affairs of the countries in which the officials concerned work. General Assembly resolution 47/28 confirms that all United Nations officials should, in the conduct of their duties, fully observe the laws and regulations of the countries in which they work, in addition to their duties and responsibilities to the Organization.
The Acting President #16848
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 159.

160.  Financing of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Genocide and other Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of Rwanda and Rwandan Citizens Responsible for Genocide and Other Such Violations Committed in the Territory of Neighbouring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994

The Acting President #16849
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 was adopted (resolution 50/213 C).
The Acting President #16850
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 160.

167.  Financing of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/966)

The Acting President #16851
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 50/241).
The Acting President #16852
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 167.

168.  Financing of the United Nations Transitional Administration for Eastern Slovenia, Baranja and Western Sirmium

The Acting President #16853
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 50/242).
The Acting President #16854
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 168.

169.  Financing of the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force Report of the Fifth Committee (A/50/968)

The Acting President #16855
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft resolution recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 6 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 50/243).
The Acting President #16856
We have thus concluded this stage of our consideration of agenda item 169.
The meeting rose at 12.20 p.m.