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M2 PRESSWIRE-29 May 1998-UN: Fifth Committee continues considering code of conduct for UN staff (C)1994-98 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
The question of when to take a decision on the proposed United Nations code of conduct was the focus of discussion this morning, as the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) neared the end of the second part of its resumed fifty-second session. The proposed code of conduct applies only to United Nations staff, and consists of amendments to article I of the United Nations Staff Regulations, and chapter I of the Staff Rules.
Given the sensitive nature of the proposed amendments to the Staff Rules and Regulations, a decision on the code should be deferred until the fifty- third session, Morocco's representative said. There were legal implications to be considered, he added.
New Zealand's representative recalled that a code of conduct for United Nations staff had been in the works for more than four years. The matter should be completed before the end of the Assembly's fifty-second session, she stressed.
The draft code had been reviewed in a professional manner, and the Organization could not afford to postpone its approval for years, Saudi Arabia's representative said. Actions of United Nations employees must be guided, and also penalized, by a code of conduct. He emphasized the importance of Staff Regulation 1.2, on the need for financial disclosure of high-level staff members, especially those dealing with sensitive areas such as procurement.
The Committee had before it recommendations of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) on the draft code, submitted in response to a request of the Committee made in March. The ICSC Vice-Chairman, Carlos Vegega, introduced that text.
Following its decision, the Committee agreed to decide, at its meeting tomorrow, on when to take up the code,.
Also this morning, the representative of Indonesia, speaking on behalf of the "Group of 77" developing countries and China, introduced a draft resolution on financing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The Committee will take a decision on that text tomorrow.
Statements were also made this morning by the representatives of the United States, United Kingdom (for the European Union), Syria, Australia, Egypt, Cuba, Canada, Pakistan, Latvia, Libya, Cote d'Ivoire, Japan and Norway.
Ingrid Laux, Officer-in-Charge, Office of Human Resources...