Statement by
Ms. Mari Skåre
Counsellor
New York, 3 June 2004
Mr. Chairman,
Norway wishes to thank you and the coordinator Mr. Ronald Elkhuizen for your good work. We also wish to thank the members of the secretariat, who with great patience have spent many late hours together with the committee. We are of the view that the Fifth Committee has been in a position to take fully informed decisions on new measures to strengthen security and safety of UN operations, staff and premises.
Mr. Chairman,
Norway’s position is to fully support the Secretary General’s budget proposals. We are disappointed that the Fifth Committee does not acknowledge the change in the security environment facing the UN and consequently making the necessary appropriations for urgently required security measures. It is only in the spirit of compromise and out of respect for the working methods of the Fifth Committee that Norway joined the consensus.
We also have concerns regarding the process leading up to this resolution. The strengthening of security and safety of UN staff and premises is extremely important. What should have been a straightforward matter and easy for the member states to respond to, became difficult. We will strongly urge member states to reflect on how we can ensure more constructive and cost efficient deliberations in the Fifth Committee.
Thank you Mr. Chairman