United Nations A/60/7/Add.37 Distr.: General 10 March 2006 Original: English General Assembly Sixtieth session Agenda item 124 Programme budget for the biennium 2006-2007 Estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council Thirty-eighth report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions Provision for special political missions, good offices and other political initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council under section 3, Political affairs, of the programme budget for 2006-2007 (see General Assembly resolution 59/278 of 23 December 2004) Estimated charge against the provision for special political missions for 2006 (A/60/585 and Corr.1 and A/60/585/Add.2) Recommendation of the Advisory Committee $355,949,300 $303,351,600 $302,469,500 I. Introduction 1. The Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions has considered the reports of the Secretary-General on estimates in respect of special political missions, good offices and other initiatives authorized by the General Assembly and/or the Security Council (A/60/585 and Corr.1 and Add.1 and 2). During its consideration of the reports, the Advisory Committee met with representatives of the Secretary-General, who provided additional information and clarification. 2. The Advisory Committee recalls that the General Assembly, in section VI of its resolution 60/248 of 23 December 2005, endorsed the observations and 06-26789 (E) 160306 *0626789* A/60/7/Add.37 recommendations of the Committee (see A/60/7/Add.24), approving a charge of $100 million against the provision for special political missions requested under section 3, Political affairs, of the programme budget for the biennium 2006-2007 for the 26 missions dealt with in the report of the Secretary-General (A/60/585). The Assembly further noted that an unallocated balance of $255,949,300 would therefore remain against the provision of $355,949,300 for special political missions approved in its resolution 59/278 for the proposed programme budget for 2006-2007 and decided to resume consideration of the report at the first part of its resumed sixtieth session. 3. The report of the Secretary-General (A/60/585/Add.2) sets out the requirements for three additional missions, thus increasing the number of special political missions emanating from decisions of the General Assembly and/or the Security Council to 29. The requirements for special political missions relate to 28 political offices, peacebuilding missions and sanctions panels authorized by the Security Council and 1 political mission authorized by the General Assembly. As regards the latter (Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar), the Advisory Committee recalls that the related requirements were considered by the Assembly in the context of the pertinent statement of programme budget implications (see A/C.5/60/17 and A/60/7/Add.17). They were included in the report of the Secretary-General pursuant to a request of the Advisory Committee (A/57/7/Add.17, para. 5). 4. A summary of the estimated costs of the activities of the 29 special political missions, with the periods covered in the proposed budget and mandates and expiry dates is provided in annex I below (see also A/60/585 and A/60/585/Add.2, table 1). A summary of the requirements, broken down by major component, are provided in annex II (see also ibid., table 2). The Committee notes that total estimated requirements amount to $303,351,600 for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2006. Compared to the amount of $355,949,300 included by the General Assembly in its resolution 59/278 for the biennium 2006-2007, a balance of approximately $52,597,700 would result as at 31 December 2006 (excluding estimated resources for the remaining period of the biennium from 1 January to 31 December 2007). Total resources provided for the biennium 2004-2005 amount to $406,444,700 ($404,777,900 in appropriations and $1,666,800 in commitments); expenditures for the period are estimated at $334,865,700 (see annex II below). 5. The Advisory Committee further notes that most of the missions' mandates have been extended into the biennium 2006-2007 or are expected to be extended. In addition, six missions have been discontinued for 2006, having been transformed into peacekeeping missions or reached completion (see A/60/585, table 1, sect. II). 6. The resource requirements proposed by the Secretary-General would provide funding up to 31 December 2006 for all political missions except three: the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the United Nations Office in Timor-Leste (UNOTIL) and the International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon, whose budgets are proposed for 3 months, 4.7 months and 5.5 months respectively, as it is anticipated that the mandate of UNAMA will change substantially in March 2006, the mandate of UNOTIL would not be extended after the completion of its current mandate and the mandate of the Investigation Commission concludes in June 2006. 2 A/60/7/Add.37 7. The resource requirements among missions vary substantially from the activities of the Special Adviser on Africa ($209,700 for 2006) to those of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) ($173,376,200 for 2006) and UNAMA ($13,616,900 for the period from 1 January to 31 March 2006), the latter two accounting for 62 per cent of the total resources proposed. II. General considerations and recommendations 8. The Advisory Committee welcomes the improvements to the results-based budget submission, noting that all missions are now presented within that framework with the exception of the Office of the Representative of the SecretaryGeneral to the International Advisory and Monitoring Board. The Committee was informed that this was due to the fact that the Representative is one of five members of the Board. The Committee believes that the presentation could still accommodate the office within the results-based-budgeting framework. The Committee also encourages the Secretary-General to present a more refined logical framework in future submissions. 9. The Advisory Committee's consideration of the estimates for special political missions was made more difficult by the absence in the documents of sufficient supporting information and justification as to why a particular level of resources was required. Full justification and analysis should be included in future submissions in order to allow more informed consideration of the resources proposed. 10. The Advisory Committee is also of the view that information analysing the growth or decrease in resources proposed for special political missions, as compared to both the previous biennium and the previous year, should be included. Similarly, rather than presenting data in tabular form only, information explaining and analysing the variances between appropriations and expenditures of the previous budgeted period should be provided in future in order to allow better analysis of the resources requested. 11. In addition, the Advisory Committee recalls its previous recommendations that thought should be given to reorganizing the report in order to present the missions or offices in clusters, on the basis of thematic or regional considerations, as appropriate, and that larger missions should be treated in a manner that would be more suitable to their size and complexity (see A/59/569/Add.1, paras. 6-7). 12. The Secretary-General provides general information on complementarities and synergies among the various missions and other United Nations entities (A/60/585, paras. 6-8). The Advisory Committee recognizes the efforts that have been made to include information on actual and potential synergies and complementarities for each individual mission, as requested by the Committee in its previous report (A/59/569/Add.1, para. 10). However, the Committee believes there is room for further improvement, such as identifying the division of labour among partners, identifying areas of success as well as deficiencies and including information on the financial, administrative and other gains and the bearing of such gains on the activities themselves, instead of just listing partners as is done in most cases. Similarly, the relationship between missions with regional mandates and those with country-specific mandates within regions needs to be 3 A/60/7/Add.37 developed further, especially as regards the potential for coordination and cooperation. 13. The Advisory Committee is of the opinion that interaction of the newly established Peacebuilding Commission and its support office with special political missions could give rise to complementarities and synergies, resulting in enhanced policy coherence as well as possible gains and savings. Information in this regard should be included in the next submission. 14. The Advisory Committee was informed that the vision underpinning the managerial change in the Department of Political Affairs rested on three pillars, namely, making the Department (a) the centre for excellence in policy and analysis; (b) a support centre for good offices and mediation; and (c) a provider of key services to Member States. Special political missions are recognized by the Department as being at the forefront of such capacity-building, the work of the field presence being a key and integral part of realizing this vision. 15. The Advisory Committee is of the opinion that information should be provided in the next budget submission on the policy and managerial guidance provided by the Department to special political missions and the related oversight and accountability mechanisms. Information on staffing reviews or internal assessments should also be included (see para. 52 below). 16. The Advisory Committee is of the opinion that the General Assembly could consider requesting a management review of the Department of Political Affairs on its ability to carry out the management and direction of special political missions with a view to ensuring an efficient use of both post and nonpost resources. III. Comments on specific missions A. Panels of experts and monitoring teams 17. The report of the Secretary-General (A/60/585/Add.1) presents resources related to four panels of experts and two monitoring groups: · The Panel of Experts on Liberia ($1,469,600 for one year in anticipation that the Panel will be required to continue its work beyond the end of the current mandate in June 2006) · The Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo ($1,477,900 for 10 months in 2006) · The Panel of Experts on the Sudan ($1,725,700 for one year in anticipation that the mandate will be extended beyond March 2006) · The Group of Experts concerning Côte d'Ivoire ($700,700 for 8 months in 2006) · The Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1526 (2004) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities ($3,453,300 for one year) 4 A/60/7/Add.37 · The Monitoring Group on Somalia ($1,626,600 for one year in anticipation that the mandate will be extended beyond May 2006) 18. Upon enquiry, the Advisory Committee was provided with information regarding distinctions and synergies between expert groups and peacebuilding support offices and missions (see annex III below). The Committee further requests that information as to the oversight and accountability mechanisms in place for the panels of experts and monitoring teams be provided in the next budget proposal. B. United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq 19. The estimated requirements for the operation of UNAMI for the one-year period from 1 January to 31 December 2006 amount to $173,376,200 (57 per cent of the total requirements for special political missions). Expenditures for 2004-2005 are estimated at $134,345,800, as compared to an appropriation of $176,576,000. 20. The Advisory Committee notes that the mandate of UNAMI under Security Council resolution 1619 (2005) has not changed, expiring in August 2006. As indicated by the Secretary-General (see A/60/585/Add.1, para. 13.12), given the December 2005 elections, certain assumptions on the role of the United Nations were made in preparing the 2006 budget, which was intended to prevent any interruption in the work being done and to build on the trust and achievements gained during 2005. It is therefore envisaged that the political, constitutional and electoral activities will continue during the changeover from a time of transition to a time of normalization. The report also provides a summary of the activities undertaken in 2005, as well as those intended to be undertaken in 2006, in the political, electoral and constitutional; humanitarian, reconstruction and development; human rights; and public information areas (ibid., paras. 13.8-13.31). 21. The Advisory Committee notes that the regional capacity of UNAMI is likely to be expanded to Kirkuk in 2006, assuming an adequately permissive strategic and security situation. This sub-office would have a similar level of protection and staffing as the existing United Nations liaison detachments in Erbil and Basra, starting with the deployment of a small team and building towards a full regional office. The new facilities will be used jointly by UNAMI and other agencies and programmes comprising the United Nations country team (ibid., para. 13.30). 22. The requirements under military and police personnel ($29,682,400) provide for eight military liaison officers (two each in Baghdad, Basra, Erbil and Kirkuk) and four guard units comprising 294 personnel (149 in Baghdad, 55 in Basra, 45 in Erbil and 45 in Kirkuk) to provide inner-ring security to Mission installations. The civilian personnel requirements ($74,129,300) provide for a staffing component of 938 posts (406 international and 532 local), including a net increase of 122 posts. Of this overall increase, 38 positions are related to the new office in Kirkuk, while the remaining posts relate to a combination of increases (mostly in Baghdad), reductions and redeployments (mostly in Kuwait). An organization chart showing the structure of the Mission and the projected staff deployment is included in the report (ibid.). In calculating staffing costs, a vacancy factor of 50 per cent for Kirkuk and 25 per cent for other locations has been applied for international staff, and a vacancy rate of 50 per cent for Kirkuk and 15 per cent for all other locations are applied for national staff. 5 A/60/7/Add.37 23. The Advisory Committee notes that the military liaison officers, guard units and international staff projected to be deployed in Iraq will continue to be provided with an extended range of logistics and life support services (accommodation, meals, laundry, fuel, waste removal, cleaning, bottled water, etc.) at an estimated cost of $201 per person per day until the services can be contracted out locally as the security situation improves. However, the Committee was informed that billing for services was based on actual usage, as efforts are ongoing to identify more economical arrangements for the provision of some of those services included. Upon enquiry, the Committee was informed that savings of $16,984,300 under civilian personnel costs for 2004-2005 are attributable to the high vacancy rate, which in the 2005 allotment amounted to 43.7 per cent for international staff and 37.5 per cent for national staff, compared to budgeted rates of 10 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. However, savings have been mitigated since the introduction of the special Iraq allowance, effective 1 July 2005, which has proven critical in reducing the international staff vacancy rate in UNAMI. 24. The Advisory Committee was further informed that in view of this improvement and the mandatory occupational recuperation break, introduced by the Office of Human Resources Management after a review conducted in December 2005, which puts pressure on staff remaining in the Mission area covering for those on leave, it was considered advisable to continue the special Iraq allowance to further improve the vacancy rates and maintain good staff morale under unusually challenging circumstances. 25. Operational costs, proposed at $67,484,900, include non-recurrent requirements of $22,906,900. These are related mostly to alteration and improvement requirements to cover the addition of overhead protection for all offices and living accommodations located in Iraq and the construction of new premises in Kirkuk and high-security container installations for all locations in Iraq. 26. The resources proposed under air transportation ($26,580,200) would provide for the rental and operation of two fixed-wing C-160 Transall aircraft ($13,265,300) and four AS-330 Puma rotary-wing aircraft ($3,661,000), as well as the installation and certification of anti-missile self-defence systems ($6 million). In this connection, the Advisory Committee notes that savings of $6,848,000 were reported for 2004-2005 under air operations (compared to an appropriation of $7,837,200), attributable in large part to the non-deployment of one fixed-wing aircraft and one helicopter in the Mission area. The Committee was informed, upon enquiry, that security requirements demanded that any aircraft be provided with defensive countermeasure systems. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations approached all members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other States members of the Multinational Force on behalf of UNAMI to identify suitably equipped aircraft, without success. UNAMI staff used space available in Multinational Force aircraft scheduled for routine missions and occasionally requested the use of such aircraft for high-priority missions. However, since the Multinational Force no longer accords UNAMI space on a priority basis, the Mission is proposing to charter suitably equipped aircraft for 2006 from the Force or other Member States. While the Committee recognizes the need for these requirements in view of the nature and impact on the operation of the Mission and the functions of its staff, it also urges the Secretariat to renew discussions with the Multinational Force in order to seek the continuation of previous arrangements. 6 A/60/7/Add.37 27. The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the staff and nonstaff requirements proposed for UNAMI, subject to its recommendation in paragraph 59 below. The Committee is aware that savings may be achieved since full deployment will depend on security conditions in the Mission area. Any such savings should be reported in the context of the next budget submission for UNAMI. C. Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon 28. The requirements for the Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2006 amount to $1,698,600. The resources appropriated for this Office for the biennium 2004-2005 amounted to $1,694,300; expenditures for the period are estimated at $1,795,400. 29. The resources proposed under staff costs for 2006 ($1,202,700) provide for 14 posts (4 Professional, 5 Field Service/Security, 1 General Service and 4 Local level). Eight new positions are proposed: a P-4 position for a Political Affairs Officer and a Local level position for an administrative assistant to strengthen the Office in view of the expansion of the mandate of the Special Representative (ibid., paras. 15.415.5), 5 Security Officer positions (Field Service level) to establish a personal protection unit for the Special Representative and a Local level position for a driver, in line with the recommendations of the Department of Safety and Security based on risk assessment. The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the posts proposed for the Field Service/Security and Local level positions. The Committee is not convinced of the need for a new P-4 level position; support from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon and, if appropriate, the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, should be sought instead to carry out related tasks. 30. Non-staff resources ($495,900) include $323,600 for non-recurrent requirements resulting mostly from the need to provide for security-related equipment ($90,900) as well as to acquire an armoured vehicle recommended for security purposes and four new general-purpose vehicles to replace vehicles previously provided by UNIFIL. The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the non-staff resources proposed, subject to its recommendation in paragraph 59 below. D. United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic 31. The resources proposed for 2006 for the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA) are estimated at $6,467,400, reflecting the expansion of the mandate effective October 2004 (S/PRST/2004/39). The Advisory Committee notes that the activities envisaged for 2006 follow the Secretary-General's recommendations as set out in his letter dated 30 November 2005 (S/2005/758). His intention to raise the rank of his representative to Special Representative at the Assistant Secretary-General level in view of the additional responsibilities was also indicated in his letter. The estimated expenditures for 7 A/60/7/Add.37 BONUCA for 2004-2005 amounted to $10,073,500, as compared to appropriated resources of $10,472,200 for the period. 32. The requirements for civilian personnel costs proposed for BONUCA for 2006 of $4,492,800 provide for 31 international staff (1 Assistant Secretary-General, 1 P-5, 4 P-4, 3 P-3, 6 P-2, 6 Field Service and 10 General Service), 52 local staff and 4 United Nations Volunteers. In view of the expansion of the mandate and the additional activities involved, the proposal includes 16 additional positions: 2 at the Professional level for a Political Affairs Officer (P-3) to assist in addressing crossborder issues as well as early warning and conflict prevention activities and 1 additional Human Rights Officer to service the new subregional office in Bambari; 5 additional positions at the Field Service/Security level to provide protection to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, as recommended in the audit report of the Office of Internal Oversight Services on BONUCA field security procedures in view of the recent heightened insecurity; 8 new Local level positions to provide support to the new subregional office in Bambari; and 1 additional Volunteer position for a Human Rights Officer in the Bouar office. In view of the above, the Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the positions proposed, as well as the reclassification of the position of the Special Representative from the D-2 to the Assistant Secretary-General level. 33. The requirements for operational costs ($1,088,000 for 2006, compared to $1,868,200 for 2004-2005) include $293,600 in non-recurrent costs resulting mostly from the need to replace obsolete communication information technology and equipment, to acquire seven vehicles (four new, three replacements) for the new office in Bambari and for protection of the Special Representative of the SecretaryGeneral and to provide a prefabricated room for meetings and conferences with national stakeholders, the diplomatic community and partners, which BONUCA regularly holds. E. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa 34. The resource requirements for the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa (UNOWA) amount to $4,150,400 net for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2006. The Advisory Committee notes that an amount of $4,914,700 was appropriated for the Office for 2004-2005 and that expenditure for the period is estimated at $3,996,700. Provision is made for a military adviser position ($56,200) to cover issues related to the mandate and to focus on military-related issues in the region and cooperation issues. 35. The civilian staffing component provides for 26 positions (10 Professional, 1 Field Service/Security Officer, 1 General Service and 14 National staff), including 3 additional positions. A D-1 position for a Deputy Director to assist the Special Representative in managing the core activities mandated for 2005-2007 is proposed. The Advisory Committee was informed that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had seconded a senior official to serve as Director of the Office until March 2006. A Field Service position for a Security Officer to accompany the Special Representative when travelling in the subregion, based on the recommendation of the Regional Field Security Coordination Officer and the Department of Safety and Security, and a National Officer position for a Human 8 A/60/7/Add.37 Rights Officer to provide support in monitoring subregional human rights trends, conduct research, collect and analyse information and report as appropriate are also proposed. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions. 36. Upon enquiry, the Advisory Committee was provided with clarification regarding the requirements for air operations. It was informed that the 2004-2005 budget for UNOWA had been prepared on the assumption that air support would be provided by peacekeeping missions. However, a combination of factors such as the unavailability of aircraft due to prior programming by peacekeeping missions and the inadequacy of commercial air services and private charter companies owing to the current level of safety standards, led to a comprehensive assessment and recommendation of a shared arrangement for 2006, in which air support requirements for the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission and UNOWA were combined. The total requirements proposed for 2006 provide for the rental of one fixed-wing aircraft ($1,704,000 for 480 hours ($3,550/hour) for the CameroonNigeria Mixed Commission; $852,000 for 240 hours ($3,350/hour) for UNOWA) and one rotary-wing aircraft ($708,400 for 184 hours ($3,850/hour) for the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission). The Committee was further informed that ad hoc fixed-wing air support provided to other agencies located in Senegal would be envisaged on a cost-sharing basis. 37. The Advisory Committee recalls that a mid-term review of the performance of UNOWA was conducted in 2004 in consultation with the Department of Political Affairs and other partners (agencies, non-governmental organizations, etc.) (see S/2004/797), which led to the extension of the mandate from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2007 and the strengthening of resources for UNOWA. The Committee notes that the next mid-term review to evaluate the performance of the Office and its relationship with its partners is planned for mid-2006. The Committee looks forward to the results of that review. F. United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone 38. The mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone (UNIOSIL), as established by Security Council resolution 1620 (2005), is to assist the Government, after the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) (end of 2005), to consolidate peace, address the root causes of conflict, strengthen security and sustain development in Sierra Leone. The Advisory Committee recalls that the budget for UNAMSIL for the period from 1 July 2005 to 30 June 2006 included the costs of the Mission at the maintenance level for the first six months of the period, followed by a six-month liquidation phase from 1 January to 30 June 2006 (see A/59/736/Add.9). 39. The Advisory Committee notes that an integrated model was chosen for this Mission after consultation among all parties. The Executive Representative of the Secretary-General will also serve as the UNDP Resident Representative and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, ensuring leadership, coordination and management of an integrated presence comprising substantive pillars of peace and governance, human rights, security and public information. 40. The proposed requirements for UNIOSIL of $23,298,600 for 2006 (8.3 per cent of total requirements for special political missions) (see A/60/585, table 1), are therefore presented for the first time in the context of the submission for special 9 A/60/7/Add.37 political missions. A provision of $1,416,100 under military and police personnel covers costs related to 9 military liaison officers and 19 civilian police advisers. An amount of $10,896,800 under civilian personnel provides for a proposed staffing component of 298 (82 international staff, 17 National Officers, 175 Local level posts and 24 United Nations Volunteers). In estimating the staffing requirements, a vacancy factor of 24 per cent has been applied for international staff, 20 per cent for General Service (Local level) staff and none for National Officers, as all of them are expected to be on board early on. The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the staffing proposed. However, the budget submission for 2007 should provide a review of the structure, including further clarification of the concept of an integrated office, taking into account the comments and observations of the Board of Auditors (A/60/5 (Vol. II), paras. 271-285). 41. The operational requirements estimated at $10,985,700 include $2,836,300 for facilities and infrastructure to cover the rental of nine regional offices and the Office's share of rent at its Freetown headquarters, security and safety requirements and maintenance. The Advisory Committee was informed that UNAMSIL also shared in the rental costs at the Freetown headquarters. Also included is an amount of $758,400 for ground transportation, including resources for the acquisition of five vehicles to replace old UNAMSIL vehicles and repairs, maintenance and spare parts for the UNAMSIL fleet being transferred to UNIOSIL, a provision for air transportation ($3,892,500) covering the hire/charter and related costs of two helicopters, and communications ($1,737,400). G. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region 42. The Advisory Committee notes that the budget of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region contains cost estimates for the activities of the Office up to and beyond the second International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, expected to be held during the second half of 2006. The resource requirements for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2006 amount to $2,151,200. 43. The civilian personnel costs ($1,581,000) provide for nine international and eight Local level staff, including the establishment of an additional Public Information Officer position (P-4) required to develop media strategies, advise on substantive matters concerning media and public information operations, serve as spokesperson and manage the International Conference website. The Advisory Committee was informed that those functions had previously been met through the services of a consultant; however, due to the continuing need, it is proposed to establish a temporary position. The Committee recommends acceptance of this proposal. H. Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the future status process for Kosovo 44. The establishment of the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the future status process for Kosovo (UNOSEK) followed the presidential statement of the Security Council (S/PRST/2005/51), which supported the intention 10 A/60/7/Add.37 of the Secretary-General to appoint a Special Envoy to lead the political process to determine the future status for Kosovo, and the subsequent letter from the President of the Security Council welcoming the appointment by the Secretary-General of the Special Envoy and his deputy (S/2005/709). 45. The resources proposed for UNOSEK for the period from 1 January to 31 December 2006 amount to $8,782,300. An amount of $5,804,200 would provide for 53 positions (1 USG, 1 ASG, 4 D-1, 3 P-5, 4 P-4, 5 P-3, 1 GS (Ll), 15 GS (Ol), 1 Field Service and 18 Security Officers), including mission subsistence allowance for the Field Service position to be located in Belgrade ($32,100) and provision for general temporary assistance to cover support costs for administrative services provided by the United Nations Office at Vienna ($269,100). As to the proposed staffing, the Advisory Committee was informed that the level and number responded to the need for highly qualified and experienced personnel who could interact with interlocutors at high levels. The Committee recommends acceptance of these posts. 46. The Advisory Committee notes that the organizational structure would comprise, besides the Office of the Special Envoy, political affairs, legal affairs and public information divisions, an administration section and a security section. The Committee further notes that the Department of Peacekeeping Operations will be in the lead in providing support to the Special Envoy as he discharges his functions (see A/60/585/Add.2, para. 10). The report of the Secretary-General contains information on the other key players with whom the Special Envoy interacts (ibid., paras. 12-18). The Committee trusts that UNOSEK will draw on the experience and knowledge available at the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and its offices in Belgrade, Skopje and Tirana and that both will function in a complementary and coordinated manner (see A/60/585/Add.2, para. 14). 47. The operational costs, estimated at $2,978,100, include requirements for official travel of the Special Envoy and his staff ($532,200) to countries of the members of the Contact Group and other negotiating partners, to New York and in the region; requirements for ground transportation ($275,600) to cover the cost of acquiring three sedans and a mini-bus, as well as renting an armoured vehicle for the Special Envoy; requirements for communications ($852,400) covering the acquisition of equipment and commercial communications, among other things; and requirements for air transportation ($223,300), covering the rental and operation of one fixed-wing and one rotary-wing aircraft. The Advisory Committee recommends that UNOSEK make use of the air assets of UNMIK as much as possible. The Committee also recommends acceptance of the non-staff resources subject to its recommendation in paragraph 59 below. IV. Specific recommendations on resource requirements 48. As indicated in paragraph 6 above, the budget proposed for UNAMA covers the resource requirements for the first three months of 2006 ($13,616,900). The Advisory Committee will examine future proposals for UNAMA on the basis of the proposals of the Secretary-General, if and when the Security Council takes a decision in this regard in March 2006. The Committee requests that detailed information in support of the proposals be provided. In the meantime, the 11 A/60/7/Add.37 Committee recommends acceptance of the resources at the maintenance level, as adjusted, to take into account a proposed net reduction in the total number of posts for UNAMA (see para. 52 (d) below). 49. The Advisory Committee recommends acceptance of the estimates proposed for UNOTIL ($13,584,800 for 4.75 months in 2006) and the International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon ($12,298,400 for 5.5 months in 2006). 50. The Advisory Committee also recommends acceptance of the staff and non-staff resources proposed for 2006 for the Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004) ($1,467,700), support to the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) ($2,181,700), the Office of the Representative of the Secretary-General to the International Advisory and Monitoring Board ($306,500), the two monitoring groups and the four panels of experts (see para. 17 above). Staff resources 51. Staffing resources proposed for 2006 total 3,317 positions, as against 3,592 authorized for 2005 -- a net decrease of 275 positions (see A/60/585 and A/60/585/Add.2, table 3). The Advisory Committee notes that out of the total 3,317 positions proposed for 2006, 2,453 relate to three missions: UNAMI (938), UNAMA (1,145) and UNOTIL (370) -- the resources of UNAMA and UNOTIL not going beyond the first three and five months of 2006 respectively, as indicated in paragraph 6 above. The net change reflects the discontinuation of positions related to missions that were completed or transformed (698 positions), the abolition of 66 positions for UNAMA and 49 positions for the International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon and the increases under some continuing missions or new ones (see also annex IV below). 52. The Advisory Committee was informed that the Department of Political Affairs had not conducted staffing reviews or internal assessments before submitting the requests for additional positions; the Committee was provided with additional information upon request (see para. 15 above). Where appropriate, detailed information and recommendations are provided in section III above. The Secretary-General's proposals for staff increases and the related recommendations of the Committee may be summarized as follows: (a) 2 new positions (1 National Officer and 1 United Nations Volunteer) for the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS), in addition to the 27 existing positions. The Committee was informed that, following a multidisciplinary review of UNOGBIS in February 2005 (see S/2005/174), a National Officer position was requested to liaise with the Economic Community of West African States and the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, to facilitate the process of political dialogue and to liaise with donors and other international partners. The United Nations Volunteer would carry out the functions of Finance Officer, supporting the financial management of UNOGBIS. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions; (b) 1 new position for the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region for a Public Information Officer 12 A/60/7/Add.37 (P-4). The Committee recommends acceptance of this position for the reasons given in paragraph 43 above; (c) 2 new General Service (Other level) positions for the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, in addition to the current 34 positions (see A/60/585/Add.1, para. 11.4). In view of the existing number of staff, the Committee is not convinced of the need for the General Service position to assist the Assessment and Technical Assistance Office clusters. However, the Committee recommends acceptance of the General Service position to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the database. The Committee notes the continuation of the provision of general temporary assistance resources for a P-2level information technology database project manager and a P-5-level adviser to the Executive Director to provide institutional memory of the history of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate. Since both of these positions were approved in response to the startup needs for the Executive Directorate, the Committee expects that the need will be carefully considered before any proposal for continuation in 2007 is made. The Committee further notes that, since all Executive Directorate positions have been fully encumbered only since September 2005 (see A/60/585/Add.1, para. 11.6), it is considered to be too early to review the structure and level, as requested by the Advisory Committee. The Committee looks forward to the results of the review to take place at the end of 2006 and the results to be submitted in the context of the resource requirements for 2007; (d) 40 new positions (7 P-3, 1 P-2 and 32 Local level) for UNAMA, which are more than offset by the abolition of 66 positions (see para. 51 above). The total number of proposed positions amounts to 1,145, as compared to a current total of 1,171 -- a net decrease of 26. The Committee recommends acceptance of these posts (see para. 48 above); (e) A net increase of 122 positions (addition of 1 D-2, 1 P-5, 9 P-3, 4 P-2, 56 Field Service/Security, 36 National Officer and 24 Local level positions, offset by a reduction of 6 P-4 and 3 General Service positions) for UNAMI. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions (see paras. 22 and 27 above); (f) 1 new position for the United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding for a Political Officer (P-2), in addition to the 31 existing posts. A current Political Officer position, at the P-3 level, is to be redeployed to the human rights area (see A/60/585/Add.1, para. 14.11). The Committee recommends acceptance of this proposal; (g) 8 new positions (1 P-4, 5 Field Service/Security and 2 Local level) for the Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon. The Committee recommends acceptance of the Field Service/Security and Local level positions. The Committee is not convinced of the need for the P-4 position for the reasons given in paragraph 29 above; (h) An increase of 16 positions (1 P-3, 1 P-2, 5 General Service, 8 Local level and 1 United Nations Volunteer) for BONUCA. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions for the reasons given in paragraph 32 above; (i) 1 new position for a Gender Affairs Officer for the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (P-4), in addition to the current 38 posts. The Committee was informed that the vacancy rate for the mission, as at February 2006, 13 A/60/7/Add.37 was 64.1 per cent. The Committee is of the opinion that one of the current vacant posts should be used to accommodate the functions; once relocation to Somalia has been effected, the need for the post should be reassessed and proposals made in the context of the next budget submission; (j) 3 additional positions (1 D-1, 1 Field Service/Security and 1 National Officer) for UNOWA. The Committee recommends acceptance of these posts for the reasons given in paragraph 35 above; (k) 298 positions (1 Assistant Secretary-General, 2 D-1, 7 P-5, 10 P-4, 20 P-3, 1 P-2, 41 Field Service/Security, 17 National Officer, 175 Local level and 24 United Nations Volunteers) for the newly established UNIOSIL. The Committee recommends acceptance of the proposal for the reasons given in paragraph 40 above; (l) 29 additional positions (2 D-1, 2 P-5, 4 P-4, 1 P-3, 14 Field Service/Security and 6 General Service) for UNOSEK. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions for the reasons given in paragraph 45 above; (m) 11 additional positions (2 D-1, 2 P-5, 3 P-2 and 4 National Officer) for the International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon. The Committee recommends acceptance of these positions (see para. 49 above). 53. The staffing proposals also include requests for the reclassification of one P-2 to the P-3 level for United Nations support to the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission, one P-4 to the P-5 level for the International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon and one D-2 to the Assistant Secretary-General level in BONUCA. In keeping with its normal practice, the Advisory Committee has no objection to the reclassifications from P-2 to P-3 and P-4 to P-5. The Committee also recommends approval of the reclassification from D-2 to the Assistant Secretary-General level (see para. 32 above). 54. The Advisory Committee notes that a significant proportion of the budgets in some special political missions, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, are related to security costs. The Committee was informed that those requirements were based on the assessment and recommendations of the Department of Safety and Security. The Committee recognizes the importance of the safety of United Nations staff and premises and recommends approval of the resources proposed. 55. The Advisory Committee also notes additional requests for staff in connection with human rights activities in special political missions, for example, a National Officer in UNOWA (paras. 35 and 52 (j) above) and general temporary assistance at the P-4 level for the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide (A/60/585/Add.1, para. 10.14). The Committee has no objection to these requests. The Committee stresses that the planning and implementation of the human rights function in special political missions should be done in close collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, as appropriate, taking into account the assistance which may be available from peacekeeping operations. 14 A/60/7/Add.37 Non-staff resources 56. The Committee welcomes the information provided as to the use of resources for air operations. The Committee reiterates the need to ensure efficient utilization of transportation resources, including ground and air operations, taking into account the existing capacity of peacekeeping missions or other United Nations entities operating in the same regions (see also paras. 12 and 16 above). 57. In addition, requests for travel and for the planned use of experts and consultants continue to provide little justification as to the need for those resources or their intended use. The Advisory Committee notes that a large amount of travel is undertaken for the purpose of briefing the Security Council. The Committee is of the opinion that efforts should be made to take advantage of other means available for such purposes whenever possible and appropriate. The Committee notes that in the case of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, for example, certain travel requirements relate to seminars, conferences and symposiums. The Committee is of the opinion that as the Directorate becomes more operational, it should make an effort to secure funding for this type of travel from those hosting these types of events. 58. The Advisory Committee has also pointed out the tendency to request funding for consultancy and experts as if little or no experience or capacity existed either in the Secretariat or in the United Nations system. The use of consultants and experts should be in strict compliance with General Assembly resolution 53/221 and administrative instruction ST/AI/1999/7. 59. In view of the above, the Advisory Committee recommends that, with the exception of the missions indicated in paragraphs 49 and 50 above, the resources for travel be reduced by $324,700 and that the total resources proposed for consultants and experts be reduced by $244,500. V. Recommendation 60. Subject to its comments and observations above, the Advisory Committee recommends that the General Assembly approve resources amounting to $302,469,500 under section 3, Political affairs, of the programme budget for the biennium 2006-2007 as a charge against the provision for special political missions. 15 A/60/7/Add.37 Annex I Estimated charges against the provision for special political missions in 2006 (Thousands of United States dollars) Estimated requirements for 2006 Period covered by budget Mission Mandates and expiry dates A. Special political missions emanating from the General Assembly 1. Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Myanmar Subtotal 210.4 1 year General Assembly resolution 60/233 (31 December 2006) 210.4 B. Special political missions emanating from the Security Council and other political initiatives 2. United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau 3. Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Africa 4. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region 5. Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Cyprus 6. Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1526 (2004) concerning Al-Qaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities 7. Monitoring Group on Somalia 8. Panel of Experts on Liberia 9. Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo 10. Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the Prevention of Genocide 3 226.2 209.7 2 151.2 406.3 3 453.3 1 year S/2005/795, S/2005/796 (31 December 2006) 1 year S/2005/808, S/2005/809 (31 December 2006) 1 year S/2005/849, S/2005/850 (31 December 2006) 1 year Open-ended mandate 1 year Security Council resolution 1617 (2005) (31 December 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1630 (2005) (May 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1647 (2005) (21 June 2006) 10 months Security Council resolution in 2006 1654 (2006) (31 July 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1366 (2001); S/2004/567, S/2004/568 (open-ended mandate) 1 year Security Council resolution 1535 (2004) (December 2007) First 3 months Security Council resolution in 2006 1589 (2005) (23 March 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1619 (2005) (11 August 2006) 1 year S/2005/323, S/2005/324 (1 June 2006) 1 626.6 1 469.6 1 477.9 888.7 11. Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate 12. United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan 13. United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq 7 579.7 13 616.9 173 376.2 14. United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding 2 170.6 16 A/60/7/Add.37 Mission Estimated requirements for 2006 Period covered by budget Mandates and expiry dates 15. Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon 16. United Nations support to the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission 17. United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic 18. United Nations Political Office for Somalia 19. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa 20. Support to the Security Council Committee established by Council resolution 1540 (2004) 21. Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara 22. United Nations Office in Timor-Leste 23. Panel of Experts on the Sudan 24. Group of Experts concerning Côte d'Ivoire 25. United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone 1 698.6 7 339.0 6 467.4 7 129.2 4 150.4 2 181.7 357.3 13 584.8 1 725.7 700.7 23 298.6 1 year Open-ended mandate 1 year S/2005/528, S/2005/529 (December 2006) 1 year S/2005/758, S/2005/759 (31 December 2006) 1 year S/2005/729, S/2005/730 (December 2007) 1 year S/2004/797, S/2004/858 (December 2007) 1 year Security Council resolution 1540 (2004) (April 2006) 1 year S/2005/497, S/2005/498 (Open-ended mandate) 4.75 months Security Council resolution in 2006 1599 (2005) (20 May 2006) Security Council resolution 1651 (2005) (29 March 2006) 8 months in 2006 Security Council resolution 1643 (2005) (15 June 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1620 (2005) (31 December 2006) 1 year Security Council resolution 1637 (2005) (31 December 2006) 1 year S/2005/708, S/2005/709 (Open-ended mandate) 1 year Security Council resolution 1559 (2004), S/PRST/2006/3 (Open-ended mandate) 5.5 months Security Council resolution 1644 (2005) (15 June 2006) 26. Office of the Representative of the SecretaryGeneral to the International Advisory and Monitoring Board 27. Office of the Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral for the future status process for Kosovo 28. Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the implementation of Security Council resolution 1559 (2004) 29. International Independent Investigation Commission Lebanon Subtotal Total 306.5 8 782.3 1 467.7 12 298.4 303 141.2 303 351.6 17 Annex II Summary of requirements by major component (Thousands of United States dollars) 1 January 2004-31 December 2005 Appropriations Category of expenditure 1 Commitments 2 Redeployments 3 Expenditures 4 Variance 5 = (1 + 2 + 3 - 4) 1 January to 31 December 2006 Total requirements 6 Non-recurrent requirements 7 18 A/60/7/Add.37 I. Military and police personnel 1. Military observers 2. Military contingents 3. Civilian police Subtotal, category I 2 175.5 26 885.8 3 004.7 32 066.0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 952.2 15 519.4 2 672.5 20 144.1 223.3 11 366.4 332.2 11 921.9 2 363.3 28 859.3 2 421.4 33 644.0 -- -- -- -- II. Civilian personnel 1. International staff 2. National staff 3. United Nations Volunteers Subtotal, category II III. Operational costs 1. General temporary assistance 2. Consultants and experts 3. Official travel 4. Facilities and infrastructure 5. Ground transportation 6. Air transportation 7. Communications 8. Information technology 9. Medical 10. Special equipment 3 162.1 17 685.6 10 115.2 50 919.1 20 115.3 28 417.1 23 853.5 7 835.7 2 152.5 1 238.2 -- 1 219.0 137.7 39.1 33.0 -- 50.9 30.1 -- -- -- 388.9 138.5 (79.0) (70.0) (98.0) (100.0) (45.2) (20.0) (50.0) 3 139.0 15 256.9 8 153.8 50 012.8 16 058.8 16 198.8 20 755.1 7 053.5 2 312.1 1 439.0 23.1 4 036.6 2 237.6 866.4 4 019.5 12 120.3 3 049.3 767.1 (179.6) (250.8) 2 578.6 14 475.8 7 561.5 32 028.4 5 610.2 37 893.6 10 970.5 6 076.4 1 717.1 6.3 -- -- -- 17 954.4 1 688.9 6.9 3 539.9 3 068.3 504.3 -- 156 865.9 32 622.2 4 592.8 194 080.9 133.4 5.8 -- 139.2 (6.0) -- -- (6.0) 129 007.2 28 912.7 4 870.2 162 790.1 27 986.1 3 715.3 (277.4) 31 424.0 122 534.0 17 234.6 2 296.4 142 065.0 -- -- -- -- 1 January 2004-31 December 2005 Appropriations Category of expenditure 1 Commitments 2 Redeployments 3 Expenditures 4 Variance 5 = (1 + 2 + 3 - 4) 1 January to 31 December 2006 Total requirements 6 Non-recurrent requirements 7 11. Other supplies, services and equipment 12. Quick-impact projects Subtotal, category III IV. Other programmes 1. Political programmes 2. Military programmes 3. Civilian and police programmes 4. Public information programmes 5. Human rights programmes 6. Training programmes 7. Others (subvention) Subtotal, category IV Total (net requirements) 9 496.6 776.7 175 767.6 17.8 -- 1 527.6 (59.2) -- 6.0 8 147.9 776.7 149 304.4 1 307.3 -- 27 996.8 5 507.7 677.2 125 103.3 20.7 -- 26 783.4 105.4 31.8 80.0 1 227.2 308.7 1 110.3 -- 2 863.4 404 777.9 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 666.8 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (0.0) 99.1 30.0 75.2 1 112.9 290.2 1 019.7 -- 2 627.1 334 865.7 6.3 1.8 4.8 114.3 18.5 90.6 -- 236.3 71 579.0 44.8 17.1 62.9 2 321.7 70.9 21.9 -- 2 539.3 303 351.6 -- -- -- 1 917.6 -- -- -- 1 917.6 28 701.0 A/60/7/Add.37 19 A/60/7/Add.37 Annex III Distinctions and synergies between expert groups established by the Security Council and peacebuilding support offices and missions Distinctions While sanctions monitoring bodies (expert groups) established by the Security Council are funded through the budget for special political missions, they are substantially different from the peacebuilding support offices, which are staffed by United Nations international civil servants drawn from a range of United Nations departments and agencies. Although the Security Council explicitly establishes peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding support offices, the Council in parallel explicitly establishes expert groups with very specific mandates, and usually for periods of very short duration (normally six months). By mandate, the integrated peacekeeping mission or peacebuilding support office is generally called upon to work closely with the Government to facilitate the peace process, through reform, confidence-building measures or similar modalities. This is important, but it is substantially different from the mandates customarily assigned the expert groups, which are based on investigation and reporting. Generally, the representatives of the peacekeeping operation or peacebuilding office try to avoid confrontation in order to maintain a civil relationship with the Government and other relevant actors. The independence of the expert groups, on the other hand, allows them to report "unbiased" information to the Council without having to worry about such Government relations. This is one reason why the mandates of the expert groups are short and why they are composed of independent experts, not United Nations staff members. The very specific mandates of the expert groups often demand specialized investigative expertise which is not likely to reside with the integrated peacekeeping mission or peacebuilding support office (examples would include investigative expertise necessary to uncover arms-trafficking networks or to conduct detailed financial investigations related to an assets freeze or diversion of revenue from natural resources for the purchase of arms). One specific example: although the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has a point person for forestry and other agricultural issues, the job of the forest monitor on the Panel of Experts on Liberia is not duplicative of any other. No one else has his independence: he does not work for or with any Government -- and therefore he can be honest about the compliance with sanctions and progress made in reform. Given the good reception the panels' work generally receives from the Security Council and its committees, it would appear that this independence serves the Council well, as the panels can provide independent intelligence/analysis that is unavailable from any other agency. In addition, the investigations and report-writing undertaken by the expert groups are time-consuming, and the feedback received from the peacekeeping missions indicates concern that overtaxing those missions with sanctions monitoring 20 A/60/7/Add.37 support tasks without providing additional resources would cut into the core mandate of the missions. Synergies While it is very important to understand these fundamental differences between expert groups and the integrated peacekeeping missions or peacebuilding support offices, there are nevertheless significant synergies that have been achieved (as noted in the documents before the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions), and the potential exists to expand these synergies. The Panel of Experts on Liberia, the Group of Experts on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Group of Experts concerning Côte d'Ivoire and the Panel of Experts on the Sudan have cooperated closely with the respective peacekeeping operations (UNMIL, the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire and the United Nations Mission in the Sudan). These groups have been provided vehicles, security, computers and office space, liaison officers and helicopter/plane reconnaissance flights -- all at no cost to the Department of Political Affairs special political missions budget. Expert group members rely on information from the civil affairs, humanitarian, legal and military officers in the missions, and the missions have been highly cooperative (unfailingly cooperative in the case of UNMIL). For example, contract information provided by UNMIL on the petroleum sector gave the Panel a significant lead into the workings of the industry in Liberia and allowed the Panel to save a good deal of time in analysing the income and earnings of the companies and the Government from this source. Likewise, information on the funds being expended by UNMIL personnel for lodging allowed the Panel to make projections and a macroanalysis of what the Government should be earning, which helped the Government change its assessment policies and increased its income during the past year. The non-governmental organizations and other Governments have also been extremely cooperative with the expert groups; however, the expert groups' relationship with the United Nations provides the groups with greater access than other agencies enjoy. Where appropriate, the Security Council has explicitly called for synergies between different expert groups and expert groups and peacekeeping operations. For example, resolution 1647 (2005) calls on the Panel of Experts on Liberia to cooperate with other relevant groups of experts, in particular that established concerning Côte d'Ivoire by resolution 1643 (2005) and with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. The Liberia panel has worked with the Côte d'Ivoire panel in the core areas of weapons and travel bans. The panellists communicated on these subjects by e-mail or telephone, and they undertook a joint mission for a few days in Guinea. In the case of the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established pursuant to Security Council resolution 1526 (2004) concerning AlQaida and the Taliban and associated individuals and entities, the links to peacekeeping operations and peacebuilding support offices are less clear. This particular sanctions regime requires the experts to travel throughout the world and 21 A/60/7/Add.37 benefit from the experiences of all relevant authorities. As with other expert groups, the independence of the experts is crucial. The Monitoring Team works closely with the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate and the experts of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004). It also coordinates efforts with other expert groups when relevant. The Team has thus found overlaps with the work of the Monitoring Group on Somalia and has learned important information from its reports and from meetings between the two groups. The Somalia panel has also been able to benefit from the contacts of the Team with relevant authorities in countries in the region. The Monitoring Team is also in frequent contact with officers of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in particular with regard to issues relating to the potential de-listing of individuals placed on the Taliban section of the Committee's consolidated list. UNAMA has been able to provide much useful information about the ongoing reconciliation processes in Afghanistan and how these may affect individuals placed on the list. UNAMA has also proved a useful conduit of communication with Afghan authorities. 22 Annex IV Positions requested, abolished and reclassified, 2006 A. New positions for continuing and new missions Professional category and above General service and related categories Field Sub- Service/ Principal total Security level General Service National staff Sub- National total Officer Local level USG ASG D-2 D-1 P-5 P-4 P-3 P-2 UNVs Total United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq United Nations Tajikistan Office of Peacebuilding Office of the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General for Lebanon United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic United Nations Political Office for Somalia Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa United Nations Integrated Office in Sierra Leone Office of the Special Envoy of the SecretaryGeneral for the future status process for Kosovo International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon Total -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 2 2 2 -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- 1 -- -- (6) -- 1 -- -- -- 7 9 -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- (3) -- -- -- 2 -- 53 -- 5 1 -- -- -- 36 -- -- -- -- -- 32 24 -- 2 8 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- 24 2 1 2 40 122 1 8 16 1 3 298 29 11 A/60/7/Add.37 1 4 1 -- 8 9 1 1 2 1 1 41 9 7 -- 56 -- 5 -- -- 1 41 14 -- -- -- -- 5 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- 5 -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7 2 2 -- 1 -- 10 4 -- 1 -- -- 20 1 -- 1 -- -- 1 -- 3 5 -- 1 41 20 -- -- 1 17 -- 4 -- -- 175 -- -- -- 1 1 7 12 11 38 11 81 117 1 9 127 59 241 26 534 23 24 Total B. Abolished positions in continuing missions Professional category and above General service and related categories Field Sub-- Service/ Principal P-- 2 total Security level General Service National staff Local level A/60/7/Add.37 USG ASG D-- 2 D-- 1 P-- 5 P-- 4 P-- 3 Sub-- National total Officer UNVs Total United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon -- -- -- -- 1 1 2 -- -- -- 4 8 -- 19 -- -- 7 28 14 13 1 -- 4 3 19 16 26 -- -- 5 14 -- 66 49 -- -- 2 2 -- 12 19 -- 35 27 1 7 35 26 5 14 115 C. Reclassification of positions requested for 2006 Professional category and above USG ASG D-- 2 D-- 1 P-- 5 P-- 4 P-- 3 P-- 2 Total Remarks United Nations support to the CameroonNigeria Mixed Commission United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office in the Central African Republic International Independent Investigation Commission -- Lebanon -- -- -- 1 -- (1) -- -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- (1) -- -- -- Finance Officer (reclassification from P-2 to P-3); current encumbered at the P-2 level Special Representative of the Secretary-General (reclassification from D-2 to ASG); current incumbent at the ASG level Special Assistant to the Commissioner (reclassification from P-4 to P-5); current incumbent at the P-4 level -- -- -- -- 1 (1) -- -- -- Total -- 1 (1) -- 1 (1) 1 (1) -- A/60/7/Add.37 25