STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE GROUP OF 77 AND CHINA, BY MR. GARFIELD BARNWELL, DELEGATION OF GUYANA, ON AGENDA ITEM 127: "ACTIVITIES OF THE OFFICE OF INTERNAL OVERSIGHT SERVICES", IN THE FIFTH COMMITTEE OF THE 54TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
New York, 2 November 1999
Madam Chairman,
1. I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and
China.
2. The Group of 77 and China notes with deep concern the contents
of a media report on October 28, 1999, posted on the United Nations
Foundation website which has references to the press conference
of Mr. Karl Paschke, Under-Secretary-General of the Office of
Internal Oversight Services. In this news item five Member States
of the Group of 77 and China have been singled out and are mentioned
to have "often opposed suggested reforms". Those Member
States have also been accused of opposing changes to their "pet
projects".
Madam Chairman,
3. The Group strongly and categorically rejects such unfounded
accusations and finds them totally unacceptable. We request the
United Nations Foundation which operates under a UN Trust Fund,
to act more professionally and responsibly by posting on its Web
site news that discloses its source of information in order to
avoid itself from being an instrument of "hear-say".
4. We also find it totally unacceptable the reference in the
annual report of the OIOS (A/54/393) and media reports to the
role of Member States in the decision-making process being termed
as "micro-management". The Group is of the view that
the Organization should not accept such criticism of Member States
by any Secretariat officials. The senior official of the UN, who
is an international civil servant, should have refrained from
such subjective and misleading remarks. Such uncalled for remarks
tarnish the image of international civil servants and undermine
the good relationship between Member States and the Secretariat.
5. The role of Member States is clearly enunciated in the Charter.
Member States provide resources for this Organization and have
an important role to ensure the effective and efficient use of
those resources. The members of the Group of 77 and China are
fully committed to financial discipline and have a critical role
in the sound management of this Organization.
6. The Group of 77 and China reaffirms its commitment to the process
of reform. This should, however, be implemented in accordance
with the decision of the General Assembly.
7. The Group requests the Secretariat to give written clarification
to the allegations made against its members before concluding
general discussion on this agenda item. We further request written
responses to the questions raised during the general discussion
on the annual report of OIOS.
Thank you, Madam Chairman.