USUN PRESS RELEASE # 155 (01)
October 31, 2001

As Prepared for Delivery

Statement by Ambassador Patrick F. Kennedy, U.S. Ambassador for UN Management and Reform, on the Administrative and Budgetary Aspects of the Financing of United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, in the Fifth Committee, General Assembly, October 31, 2001

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

I would like to thank the Controller, Mr. Jean Pierre Halbwachs, for his introduction of the Secretary-General’s statement on the program budget implications of the draft resolution on the comprehensive review of the whole question of peacekeeping operations contained in documents A/C.5/55/46; addendum 1 to that document; and A/C.4/55/L23. I would also like to thank Ambassador Mselle for his introduction of the ACABQ report in document A/56/478.

Mr. Chairman. The United States remains dedicated to supporting and improving peacekeeping as a core function of this organization. We recognize the risks and sacrifices often faced by peacekeepers on the ground, and believe that their welfare is paramount as we consider the recommendations of the Brahimi Panel. As we have said many times, the Report of the Brahimi panel provides a useful roadmap for reform. Since the report was issued last summer, this committee has examined the recommendations, asked for further information or clarification, and made suggestions based on member experiences and viewpoints towards the challenges facing peacekeepers for consideration by the Secretariat. We now are seeing concrete results from this close coordination.

The U.S. Government supports targeted additional capacity for DPKO and related Departments to improve Peacekeeping management, both in the field and especially at Headquarters. The Secretariat has made a strong effort to incorporate some of our concerns in this latest report on the budgetary implications associated with specific recommendations, as considered by the Special Committee and the Fourth Committee. Naturally, like other members, we may ask for more information on specific requests over the next few weeks. We believe DPKO’s leadership when they say that, in order to effect change, they need additional support in their operations. I know, however, that we are not alone when we say that in order to justify any funding request to our capitals, we will need to see concrete reasons to support such requests. We will also pay close attention to those aspects of Peacekeeping Reform which this Committee considered and approved on an emergency basis last year.

We share the opinion of the ACABQ that there is still room for improvement in the presentation of the budget and we reiterate our view that results-based budgeting is crucial to measured consideration for more resources. We feel it is important not to offer a vague explanation about greater responsibilities to justify an increase in resources: we would like a better understanding of how these resources will be put to work, what shortcomings will be reduced or eliminated as a result of increased investment. We will also seek additional information from the Secretariat as to efforts being made to use resources already available to the Organization to improve overall management of Peacekeeping.

In particular, we welcome the efforts of the Secretariat to detail its ideas regarding the Strategic Reserve at the UN Logistics Base in Brindisi, and we look forward to its report in the spring. We also welcome the recent briefing undertaken by Assistant Secretary-General Sheehan and his staff that was presented to member states that was intended to solicit guidance for the Secretariat’s future planning. Such consultations, we believe, improves the presentation of final proposals. We further anticipate discussions on other means to assist in rapid deployment planning, including pre-mandate commitment authority, in the coming months.

Mr. Chairman. No one said that reforming Peacekeeping would be an easy task nor a quick one. A comprehensive approach for considering all aspects of peacekeeping is proving its worth. We are grateful at the cooperation shown by the members, as truly lasting reforms must have the support of all members to succeed. We are confident that the spirit of cooperation will endure, and we look forward to continue being a part of the reform effort at the UN.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.