Mr. Chairman,

            I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of 77 and China on Agenda items 120 and 130. 

2.         Mr. Chairman, we would like to thank Mr. Denis Thatchaichawalit, Chief of Service I, Programme Planning and Budget Division, for introducing the Secretary-General's report A/61/824, and Mr. Rajat Saha, Chairman of ACABQ, for introducing the Committee's report A/61/923.

3.         The Group of 77 and China taking into account their important contribution to the promotion of international law and justice, attaches great importance to mandate of  the International Criminal tribunals for Rwanda and Former Yugoslavia.  With the closure of the tribunals in sight, the Group of 77 and China fully understands the uncertainty and anxiety of their Staff.  The Group fully appreciates the highly specialized functions of the tribunals’ staff, whose continuity is imperative for finishing all the cases before these tribunals.

4.         This issue has been before the Assembly for some years now. We believe that the Secretary Generals current report meets the requirement of the Resolution A/61/242 and A/61/243 wherein a comprehensive proposal on appropriate incentives to retain staff taking into account the procedures and financial implications had been requested. The strategy outlined in the report provides a good basis for decision in the current session.

5.         The costs of losing professional, specialized and trained staff at the final stages of the tribunals would cause serious harm to the current and future multi accused and complex cases, as well as other substantive functions of the tribunals.   The Group of 77 and China agrees with the Secretary General that retention incentive would lead to substantial savings in terms of lost productivity and costs of rotation of staff and affect the moral and personal interest of the staff members.

6.         The Group considers that the retention of the personal in both Tribunals is a key element to complete their work in accordance with the Resolutions of Security Council and the General Assembly. The Group would like to seek further information on the specific categories of staff that are vitally essential for the tribunals to conclude their work without major disruptions as well as the financial implications resulting from the introduction of a retention incentive during the informal consultations.

Mr. Chairman,

7.         The Group of 77 and China would like to assure you and the other delegations of its readiness to work in a constructive approach in the negotiations on this important agenda item.

I thank you Mr. Chairman.