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Poorer Nations Block UN Reform
UPI U.N. Correspondent United Nations (UPI) May 02, 2006 Less developed countries in the U.N. budget committee have united to bring to a screeching halt what they see as a bid to take the little power they possess and and put it in the hands of the U.N secretary-general. The brakes were applied early, well before the package's crash Friday night because the U.N. General Assembly's Fifth Committee, on budgetary and administrative affairs, was deadlocked for a week. The Friday night vote against was 108-50, with three abstentions. "The measure will not take effect until it is formally adopted by the General Assembly plenary, a body which has the same membership as the committee," said Pragati Pascale, spokeswoman for General Assembly head Jan Eliasson. The move puts in question U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's package of reforms on the heels of the recent Iraq oil-for-food program scandals he wanted approved before he leaves office at the end of the year. Annan immediately voiced regret at the vote and vowed to continue trying to forge an agreement among U.N. member states and through a statement issued by his spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, which said Annan will continue to seek reforms. "He will begin the process of seeking mutually agreed ways to pursue this agenda," said the spokesman in a statement. Developing nations, represented by the Group of 77 plus China, successfully amended Annan's proposal, "Investing in the United Nations: For a stronger Organization Worldwide" to trim the power they say he sought. The Group of 77 plus China now has 132 members. The secretary-general's draft, supported by the alliance of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, the United States and others, would have granted him greater flexibility to assign, hire and fire. In other words it would have allowed him to make such moves without having to gain approval by the 191-member assembly. But the developing nations, who pay only 15 percent of the budget, felt it was an attempt to take what little power they have in the world organization. On Monday, Annan's spokesman told reporters, "There's no issue of taking away anybody's powers, it's an issue of creating an organization that functions better in the 21st century, and the secretary-general laid out his plan clearly." Asked how far Annan can take reform before he leaves at the end of his second five-year term Dec. 31, Dujarric replied: "I don't think the reform process should be judged on the result of one inning. The reform process is not over." The draft resolution was meant to enable the United Nations to accommodate its own shift from largely bureaucratic tasks to life-saving work in the field. The proposals encompassed a revamped version of how to recruit, contract, train, assign and compensate staff, and include a redefined post of deputy secretary-general. Other recommendations call for exploring options for alternative service delivery, including relocating and possible outsourcing of functions. In a reflection of the Group of 77's concern about governance of the world organization, the draft resolution reaffirms the assembly's oversight role, and that of its Fifth Committee, in carrying out a thorough analysis and approval of the human and financial resources and policies. It also has the assembly requesting a series of detailed reports that could slow the reform momentum. These include studies on the impact of previous and ongoing reforms as they relate to the proposals; on investing in information and communications technology, new sourcing options, financial management practices and performance evaluation and reporting; and on a comprehensive review of procurement rules, regulations and policies. The approved draft resolution would have the assembly reaffirm that no changes to the budget methodology, to established budgetary procedures or to the financial regulations can be implemented without prior review and approval by the Assembly. "There will be more reform proposals coming down the pipe, notably on financial rules, oversight, internal justice, budgeting, those kinds of issues," Dujarric added. "We hope the political divisions we've seen in the last week in the fifth can be overcome and that member states can focus on the importance of reforming and creating a better United Nations."
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China Hits Out At Japan Over UN Seat
Beijing (AFP) Dec 01, 2005China suggested Thursday it does not consider Japan fit for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, addressing the sensitive issue just days before a visit by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. |
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