United Nations General Assembly: Fifth Committee
24 May 2007
Item 151 Financing of the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste
Statement by Phillip Taula
First Secretary
Permanent Mission of New Zealand to the United Nations
On behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand
(as delivered)
I have the honour to speak on behalf of Canada, Australia and New Zealand. I thank the Controller, Mr Sach, and the Chairman of the ACABQ, Mr Saha, for introducing their respective reports on the budget for the United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT).
We also thank the Department of Peacekeeping Operations and all UNMIT personnel for their efforts to date in implementing UNMIT’s mandate.
Mr Chairman,
CANZ strongly supports UNMIT and its work in Timor-Leste. We welcome the recent conclusion of the presidential elections, which took place without any major incidents of violence. We pay tribute to UNMIT and UNPOL for their role in these elections. Assisting Timor-Leste with this process, and the forthcoming parliamentary elections, has been an important priority for UNMIT. Other critical elements of UNMIT’s mandate include its assistance to Timor-Leste’s governing institutions and support for a comprehensive security sector review. We are pleased that UNMIT’s budget for 2007-08 supports continued emphasis, and in some cases strengthened capacity, in these areas of its mandate.
We urge caution when planning for the future of UNMIT, including the eventual draw-down of personnel, especially police, and other substantial changes in the mission. Security Council resolution 1754 (2007) requested a report within 60 days after the presidential and parliamentary elections with recommendations for possible adjustments in UNMIT’s mandate and strength. Prior to that assessment, we believe it is premature to consider reductions in police and some other personnel. This assessment will also need to take into account UNMIT’s entire mandate, including the range of capacity building and public security responsibilities of UN police.
We have reviewed the ACABQ report, including its recommendations on the levels of selected positions in the Mission. CANZ opposes downgrading any senior UNMIT positions, especially the post of Deputy Police Commissioner, given the importance of UNMIT’s responsibilities for institutional development and strengthening of the Timorese national police (PNTL), the security sector review, and the desirability of continuity at this important time for Timor-Leste.
We are concerned about the continued high vacancy rate in UNMIT, and we agree with the ACABQ on the need for a concerted strategy to ensure adequate staffing levels. We would appreciate an update from the Secretariat on the staffing situation. We acknowledge that the situation is not unique to UNMIT. As CANZ has noted separately, the situation underlines the importance of addressing human resource management reform across the UN.
We are also concerned with the level of outstanding unpaid assessments for UNMIT, which leaves the Mission in a difficult cash position and delays payment to those Member States providing formed police personnel. We encourage all Member States to meet their obligations to fund the Mission.
In conclusion, we reiterate our support for UNMIT and its critical and long-term role in assisting Timor Leste toward a secure and stable future.