A/53/PV.100 General Assembly
In the absence of the President, Mr. Ka (Senegal), Vice-President, took the Chair.
The meeting was called to order at 3.15 p.m.
118. Scale of assessments for the apportionment of the expenses of the United Nations
I should like to inform representatives that Yemen 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.
This information will be reflected in an addendum to document A/53/835.
113. Programme budget for the biennium 1998-1999 Report of the Fifth Committee (A/53/485/Add.3)
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 report of the Fifth Committee which is before the Assembly today.
It was so decided.
Statements will therefore be limited to explanations of vote.
The positions of delegations regarding the recommendation of the Fifth Committee have been made clear in the Committee and are reflected in the relevant official records.
May I remind representatives that under paragraph 7 of decision 34/401, the General Assembly agreed that
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 recommendation contained in the report of the Fifth Committee, I should like to advise representatives that we are going to proceed to take a decision in the same manner as was done in the Fifth Committee.
The Assembly will now take a decision on the draft decision recommended by the Fifth Committee in paragraph 7 of its report.
The Fifth Committee adopted the draft decision, entitled “Question of East Timor”, without a vote. May I take it that the Assembly wishes to do the same?
The draft decision was adopted.
I shall now call on the representative of the Republic of Korea, who wishes to speak in explanation of position on the decision just adopted.
We have asked for the floor to explain our position on the decision just adopted on the important issue of financing for East Timor.
The Republic of Korea has supported all efforts to bring a peaceful solution to the question of East Timor. We welcomed the signing of the agreement on the future of East Timor, concluded in May 1999 between the
We commend the efforts made over the last 16 years by the Secretariat, under the leadership of the Secretary- General, to find a just, comprehensive and internationally acceptable solution to the question. We believe the agreements of 5 May 1999, as a major breakthrough in the peace process, will serve to consolidate peace in East Timor. To make the most of this opportunity, we believe also that it is now incumbent upon the international community to make the necessary resources and manpower available for the successful implementation of the agreements.
But the tasks facing the international community are many and very challenging. One crucial concern is the security situation in East Timor. We believe it is the minimum condition for the holding of a free and fair ballot in early August 1999.
Given the short time available until the ballot, it is of the utmost important that the Secretary-General be enabled to start the action required for early deployment of the United Nations mission in East Timor, including civilian police. In consideration of these factors, my delegation supported the recommendation contained in paragraph 7 of document A/53/485/Add.3, by which the Assembly has decided at this stage to grant the Secretary- General the authority to enter into commitment up to $35 million.
We have heard the only speaker in explanation of position.
The Assembly has thus concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 113.
The meeting rose at 3.25 p.m.