麻豆APP

TEXT ON FINANCING LEBANON INTERIM FORCE INTRODUCED IN BUDGET COMMITTEE

In a brief meeting this morning, the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) heard the introduction of a draft resolution that would provide financing for the 麻豆APP Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004.

Reporting to the Committee about the outcome of informal consultations on the text (document ), the Vice-chairman of the Committee, Guillermo Kendall (Argentina), said that, unfortunately, consensus had not been reached on some of its paragraphs and, thus, on the text on the whole, as well.  [The Committee’s practice is to adopt texts by consensus, but for several years the resolution on UNIFIL has required a vote.]

Introducing the text on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, the representative of Morocco said that in several prior resolutions on the Mission — the latest being resolution  –- the Assembly had requested Israel to pay for the damage resulting from the incident at Qana on 18 April 1996.  According to the Secretary-General’s report on the matter (document ), however, Israel had not responded to that request.  The Group, therefore, was submitting the draft, which included paragraphs by the terms of which Israel must compensate the Force, as requested.  [According to paragraph 14 of the draft, the Assembly would stress once again that Israel shall pay the amount of some $1.12 million for that purpose.]

Action on the text will be taken tomorrow.

The Committee will meet at 3 p.m. Friday, 30 May, to conclude its second resumed session.

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