LE PRESIDENT: Nous allons reprendre nos travaux au point 13 qui se divise en trois sous-points, par le point 13.1, Examen des relations entre la FAO et le PAM (documents CL 98/3, par. 13-22; CL 98/4, par. 4.8-4.11; CL 98/18, par. 1.10-1.18; CL 98/26 et CL 98/INF/23).
Je suis convaincu que pour la facilité de nos travaux, tout se déroulera dans la meilleure atmosphère. Hier, nous avons eu une journée longue, peut-être un peu tendue et fatigante, parce que les matières étaient nombreuses et multiples, mais je crois que dans l'ensemble nous avons fait du bon travail, et je suis convaincu qu'aujourd'hui encore, nous ferons du bon travail.
Je voudrais quand même faire une mise au point en ce qui concerne la procédure, et à la fin de la séance, hier soir, j'ai bien étudié le règlement: celui-ci permet bien sûr de passer la parole, quand il la demande, à un Membre du Conseil. Il est de tradition que, concernant chaque point de l'ordre du jour, un exposé soit fait soit par le secrétariat, soit éventuellement par un Membre du Conseil (le Président du Comité du programme par exemple, le Président du Comité financier), et qu'ensuite un débat s'instaure. Quand, pour des raisons qui sont parfaitement justifiables, un Membre du Conseil désire prendre la parole, il est dans les possibilités du Président de la lui donner de façon à faciliter les débats. J'ai voulu le faire hier, comme certains Membres devaient nous quitter pour des raisons qui leur appartiennent. Alors je crois que, sur le plan de la procédure, les motions d'ordre concernent principalement des rappels au règlement, et que le règlement n'a pas été violé en l'espèce.
De toute façon, j'émets le voeu que, bien reposés, avec un beau soleil romain, nous ayons l'occasion d'avoir un débat dans une atmosphère qui a toujours présidé aux travaux de ce Conseil, une atmosphère bien détendue, et une atmosphère qui nous permette de tirer des conclusions opérationnelles dans les meilleures relations qui doivent présider aux problèmes qui peuvent se poser. Il se pose toujours des problèmes dans la vie, mais les problèmes sont là pour être résolus.
Alors, sur le plan de la procédure, je demanderai peut-être très brièvement à M. West de bien vouloir situer le cadre de son intervention. Je crois que le Représentant du Directeur exécutif du Programme alimentaire mondial désirerait prendre la parole; et puis, nous prendrons la liste des inscriptions des orateurs. J'ai déjà quelques orateurs inscrits. Je vous
demanderai peut-être d'être concis, parce qu'il s'agit d'un problème qui a déjà été discuté dans d'autres enceintes, qui a été discuté assez longuement, que nous connaissons dans l'ensemble assez bien, sur lequel il serait bon peut-être que chaque Délégation puisse s'exprimer, mais qu'elle puisse s'exprimer dans un temps relativement réduit. Je compte sur votre collaboration pour que ce débat se déroule dans les meilleures conditions.
Edward M. VEST (Special Adviser to the Director-General): As I said last night, I had a few brief remarks, which I had to make even briefer, so I will not have much to say now and I will hope to deal with any points that arise at the end of the debate, also without going into detail.
The points I did not expand upon last night at all were that the subject is in effect the extensive division of the General Regulations and ultimately of the Basic Texts envisaged in the proposals submitted by the Executive Director of the World Food Programme to the CFA and, as you know, the CFA will be meeting next week in its efforts to reach a consensus on the recommendation it should make to the ECOSOC and to the Council, who will then have to decide and/or pass on the recommendations to the FAO Conference and the General Assembly.
The document submitted to the Council refers to certain matters of principle upon which the Director-General has based his comments to the Sub-Committee established by the CFA, which has met twice so far.
The principles are: the maintenance of joint FAO/UN responsibility for the Programme; the need to consider any changes in the Basic Texts to the General Regulations in the context of the future of food aid, on which I would take leave to remind you that the Director-General has submitted some positive proposals to the Committee-of-the-Whole and to the CFA; the question of the CFA itself, which is of course a matter for governments to decide; the case for the World Food Programme's continued primary reliance on FAO's technical services; the role of the Finance Committee, including responsibilities for the trust fund; the possibility of further delegations of the Director-General's administrative authority to the Executive Director; and not least the case for preserving the current provisions as they are for the approval of emergency food aid projects.
There has been considerable debate in the Committee-of-the-Whole of the CFA on these matters. I was encouraged to see considerable support for some, if not all, of these proposals on the part of a large number of people. It is fair to say that there has been some support for others. It is also fair to say that there has been support for quite different ideas. In any case, when you come down to detail-which I do not propose to involve you in today unless you oblige me to go into them-there may still be some significant differences between Members of the CFA on the details of the principles.
As indicated in paragraph 32 of the document, the Director-General is sure that Member Governments will respect the roles and contributions of the UN and FAO in regard to the Programme and will seek to continue and maximize the coordinated impact of all the organizational components involved.
As indicated in the final paragraph of the document, he trusts that Member Governments of the CFA and, in due course of the FAO governing bodies, will be able to resolve the differences in an harmonious way.
James INGRAM (Executive Director, WFP): Mr Chairman and distinguished delegates, this matter will be discussed again next week by the CFA.
Since the FAO Council is one of the bodies that will have to consider the recommendations of the CFA, the Council may deem it prudent to refrain from expressing views on the substance of the issues involved until the report of the CFA is before it. Such an attitude would accord with the views communicated by the FAO representative to the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly on 7 November. Arguing against any action at this time by the Second Committee, the representative pointed out that the relationship issue was the subject of consideration by a sub-committee of the CFA, that the sub-committee's recommendations would be considered by the CFA at its coming session and that ultimately this Council, the FAO Conference, ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly would be involved. Accordingly the representative concluded as follows, and I quote him: "We trust that to allow for a most productive pursuit of negotiations it will be considered useful by all concerned to await the outcome of the deliberations and their formal consideration in due course, based upon submission of the requisite documentation".
I note also that a similar point of view was expressed by the late Chairman of the Group of 77 in a communication of 6 November 1990 sent by him to the Chairman of the Group of 77 in New York-precisely the same views.
In view of this coincidence of view-that is, my own view, the view of the FAO representative in the Second Committee of the General Assembly and the view of the Chairman of the Group of 77-I would urge the Council to refrain from expressing views on the substance of the matter as set out in document CL 98/26. That document does in fact address itself to substance.
Without in any way getting into substance but because WFP is a joint organ of the United Nations and FAO, it may be of interest to this body to have an idea of how the United Nations feels about the matter. In this respect I need do no more than read from the statement delivered by the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the First Session of the Sub-Committee of Governance early in September this year. I quote: "The WFP is not a subsidiary organ solely of either the United Nations or of FAO but should be considered as a joint organ of both with the autonomy necessary to preserve its position as such. Within this framework the "Executive Director should have the necessary authority to administer the Programme under his responsibility and under the guidance of the CFA. Given the evolution of the Programme, it is appropriate now to review existing arrangements and to make such changes as Member States-and I stress’Member States'-may deem to be necessary.
Finally, much misinformation is currently circulating concerning proposals for constitutional change. For the sake of brevity, let me deal with three only.
Firstly, none of the proposals made, including my own, affect in any way the joint United Nations/FAO nature of the World Food Programme. None of the proposals affect the basic constitutional status.
Secondly, none of the proposals Under consideration from any source, including from me, affect WFP's reliance on FAO for technical services in the fields of FAO's competence. On WFP's part there is no intention to require FAO to compete with the private sector in providing such services.
Thirdly, it is incorrect to allege or infer that the donors control the provision of food aid through WFP. WFP is entirely even-handed in its policies and actions, as the facts attest. The proposals before the CFA do not increase the power of the donor countries, nor do they weaken existing extensive provisions designed to ensure that WFP's food aid does not adversely affect food production in developing countries or trade in foodstuffs. On the contrary, an enlarged CFA, which I support, will increase the influence of developing countries in the direction of the Programme.
Alberto DE CATERINA (Italy): It is my delegation's understanding that we are discussing now sub-item 1 of Item 13. With reference to this sub-item my delegation, in its capacity as President of the European Community for the current period, has the honour to request that the floor be given to the representative of the Commission who will speak on behalf of the European Community.
Gian Paolo PAPA (CEE): La Communauté européenne et ses Etats Membres ont étroitement suivi les discussions du PAM concernant ses relations avec la FAO. Nous considérons que l'efficacité du fonctionnement du PAM est une question très importante. Nous estimons aussi que des relations de bonne qualité entre le PAM et la FAO sont un facteur important dans l'utilisation efficace de l'aide alimentaire fournie par le Programme. La volonté de coopérer entre les deux institutions est indispensable.
La définition des dispositions institutionnelles que le CPA doit soumettre à ce Conseil et l'ECOSOC est la tâche du trentième CPA le mois prochain. Pour le maintien et le renforcement du rôle du PAM en tant qu'organisation d'aide alimentaire des Nations Unies, il est important que ce travail soit poursuivi et résolu à cette session. Nous devons montrer notre détermination á traiter des problèmes institutionnels qui ont été identifiés, afin de permettre au PAM de se concentrer sur la tâche qui est la sienne et de permettre au CPA de se consacrer à l'avenir de l'aide alimentaire. Nous espérons que la prochaine session du CPA assumera complètement sa responsabilité de traiter les questions institutionnelles et de les résoudre dans un esprit de consensus. Nous sommes certains qu'il sera aidé dans sa tâche par les conseils constructifs du Secrétaire général, du Directeur général et du Directeur exécutif.
La Communauté européenne et ses Etats Membres estiment que cette session du Conseil ne devrait pas traiter les détails des propositions devant le CPA
mais plutôt indiquer son souhait que le CPA poursuive son travail rapidement dans un esprit constructif et coopératif, afin de renforcer l'efficacité du Programme ainsi que sa capacité à coopérer avec la FAO et les autres institutions des Nations Unies. Les discussions prolongées sur les questions institutionnelles aux dépens de la politique d'aide alimentaire ne peuvent qu'affaiblir le Programme et nuire à la cause de l'aide alimentaire.
Michael ΚΙΜΑ TABONG (Cameroon): I will be very brief. My delegation would have wished in fact not to have taken the floor on this item, but the Director-General in paragraphs 1 and 2 of document CL 98/26 requests, inter alia, such guidance that the Council may like to give him on the review of relations between the UN, FAO and WFP. I do hope that this will not lead the members of Council to open up again discussion on the whole issue of the governance of WFP, and particularly on the key points underlined in this Secretariat document. I say so because much has already been said on this issue.
Our appreciation of this situation is that much progress has been made in the sub-committee on the governance of WFP, and that CFA member states should now concern themselves with the negotiation process to clear up major areas of divergence. Hence, on these specific policy issues which the Director-General wishes Council to consider, I would like to state here very briefly the position of my country, on the joint responsibilities of the United Nations and the FAO.
Cameroon favours WFP remaining a joint UN/FAO programme with a clear redefinition of the role of each organization in that tripartite relationship. Cooperation between WFP and the UN/FAO and other international organizations should be reinforced. It is also well understood that the recommendations and changes proposed by the CFA will be reviewed for approval by the competent bodies of FAO and the United Nations.
As far as the CFA is concerned, my country supports increased powers for CFA which should perform the effective duties of the governing body of WFP and to which the Executive Director should be responsible and accountable. At the same time, the composition of CFA should be enlarged to reflect a better representation of the developing countries.
Regarding administrative and financial management, we recommend-as we have done before-at least for the sake of decentralization and efficiency that the Director-General of FAO delegates to the Executive Director on a permanent basis all the financial and administrative responsibilities, excluding the appointment of personnel above D-2 level.
Now, turning to the emergency food operations, "emergency" in our view means crucial; it means abnormal situations; in fact, it sometimes means a matter between life and death. Therefore, it should necessarily and absolutely be examined from the point of view of any bottleneck, time-consuming, bureaucratic procedure, otherwise we may find situations where medication arrives after the patient is dead. Hence, we recommend that a
speedier and less expensive procedure-less expensive in terms of time and policies-be set up with due respect to the competence of both organizations, especially the ultimate "destinateur" that is, the beneficiary or the recipient. I promised to be brief!
J. RASOOLOF (Iran, Islamic Republic of): My delegation has carefully examined the very important issues of the governance of WFP in the context of this examination. So far we have had presented to us a system for the implementation of various options. Let me say at the outset that the basic reason for which WFP was established is the collaboration between the United Nations and FAO. This is highly desirable and we would not advise, therefore, any action which would compromise this basic dimension constituting the structural framework of WFP.
Nevertheless, after a period of operation, WFP has grown with experience and has become a seasoned programme qualifying it for a wider range in the decision-making process in order to be able to respond in a very expeditious manner to the needs of the rural poor and vulnerable groups. Measures taken in this direction should permit WFP to learn from its field experiences so that it is able to advise better on more innovative projects in utilizing food aid as an effective development tool.
In this context, we should encourage more intensive consultation for a better cross-fertilization of ideas between FAO and WFP. Consequently, the importance of the technical assistance of FAO should not be overlooked.
I am sure you are aware of the importance that the Group of 77 accords to the present dialogue relating to the governance of WFP, notwithstanding minor variations in the perceptions of different countries. We would like to associate ourselves with the parameter of the traditions being adopted by the Group of 77. Since the Permanent Representative of my government has been given the honour of the Chairmanship of this Group, I would like to appeal strongly to all bodies concerned, that is, the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of WFP, on behalf of my colleagues here from different sovereign states, in particular the donor countries, to pay due attention to the recommendations of the Group of 77 which constitute those matters relating to the issue of food aid which would be affected most by the implementation of any changes which would be introduced. That is an appeal on behalf of the developing countries.
Ms Theresa CRUZ-CAPELLAN (Philippines): My delegation recognizes and supports the principle of linking food aid with development. We believe that food aid is but a quick fix, a temporary solution aimed at offsetting the hunger and under-nourishment among the neediest sector of the population, primarily in the poorest countries. If not properly managed it may bring to bear far-reaching implications for economic and social policy in general as well as for agricultural policies in particular. Thus food aid must be regarded not as an ultimate goal but merely as an instrument in achieving development.
However, we note the merits of conducting a review of the WFP/FAO relationship in the light of the changing global demands. We likewise note and commend the willingness and readiness of the United Nations Secretary-General and the FAO Director-General to introduce reforms directed at certain personnel practices and administrative procedures to augment the managerial flexibility of the Executive Director and enhance the effectiveness of the WFP operations. Discussions on the WFP/FAO relationship dates back to 1984. This means that some Member Nations six years ago found it fitting to make some changes in the regulation of the programme for the improvement of the delivery of food aid.
It is in this context that we take special note of document CL 98/4 and paragraph 4.3 of the Report of the 68th Session of the Finance Committee on matters relating to the World Food Programme. We note that US$2.8 billion was shown as additional commitments against future resources.
We recognize that the WFP was conceived and established jointly by the United Nations and FAO for the specific purpose of providing multilateral food aid to needy populations. Since its inception in 1962, WFP's performance has been richly commended not only by CFA, but also by ECOSOC, the FAO Council and Conference, and the United Nations General Assembly. The mandate of WFP remains the same. However, we recognize that over the years WFP has grown substantially and the level of its operations today pales in comparison to what it was some years ago. The logistic framework adopted regionally no longer suits the current situation and there is a need to review the powers of WFP. We believe that the authority of WFP must correspond to its responsibilities so that recipient countries like the Philippines can be assured of a more efficient and effective provision of food aid.
My delegation wishes to cite a specific example. This year the Philippines has experienced natural calamities-drought at the beginning of the year, earthquake last 16 July and only three weeks ago a typhoon.
All these natural disasters have brought havoc to our agricultural and food sector. We have solicited support from the international community, specifically donor agencies, to avert the threat of food shortages. The responses from the donor countries were immediate, effective and laudable, especially in the case of the 16 July earthquake. However, up to this time we are still awaiting the delivery of food aid from the approved allocation from FAO/WFP last August 1990. Our earthquake victims are suffering and still awaiting the delivery of aid promised by the WFP/FAO.
In this context, the Philippines would like to see significant changes in the Programme. We would like to see a large composition of the more just and geographically balanced CFA, and we feel that this should be the primary focus of consideration and agreement.
However, we note with regret that the work of the sub-committee on the governance of WFP, and the relations between FAO and the UN, remain unfinished. Although there was no time limit for the sub-committee on the governance to finalize its mandate, we support the continuation of its mandate with a view that the objective should be to reach the best possible
and lasting solution in the minimum possible time with the full and unhindered participation of our Member States of WFP.
The Philippines is ready to assume its responsibility to ensure that the resources entrusted to these organizations are effectively and efficiently allocated.
Finally, it is hoped that the WFP/FAO Secretariats can catalyze and strengthen the political will among Members of the Group of 77 and OECD Groups to resolve the difficulties of diverging views prevailing in the FAO/WFP relationship so that ultimately the interests of the needy populations, of which the Philippines is one, are well served.
Jacques WARIN (France): Monsieur le Président, j'ai une intervention toute préparée sous les yeux. Je ne l'ai pas donnée aux interprètes et je ne la prononcerai pas pour deux raisons. La première, c'est que j'ai entendu l'exhortation de M. Ingram, qui nous propose de ne pas entrer aujourd'hui dans un débat de substance. Je crois qu'il a tout à fait raison; nous allons débattre de tous ces problèmes la semaine prochaine, lors de la trentième session du Comité des politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire, avec l'espoir d'aboutir au plus tôt à une solution satisfaisante. La deuxième raison, c'est que j'ai entendu à l'instant, comme vous, la déclaration du Représentant de la Communauté économique européenne et qu'elle me parait, dans sa généralité et par son ton positif, recouvrir parfaitement mes préoccupations. Je me limiterai donc à cela et j'espère que vous me saurez gré d'avoir contribué à raccourcir ce débat.
LE PRESIDENT: Je vous remercie et je vous félicite également pour la brièveté de votre intervention particulièrement claire.
Winston RUDDER (Trinidad and Tobago): It is important that we follow the injunctions we have been given and the examples that have been provided so far with respect to our brevity. Nevertheless, may I say that I intervene on this topic on behalf of the CARICOM Member States-13 English-speaking states within the Caribbean, many of whom have been recipients of the World Food Programme's food aid, and whose concern is not merely the receipt of certain quantities of food from time to time, or cereals and so on, but more importantly the context in which the food is given-i.e. the development framework which permits them to become ultimately self-reliant.
We have been following the debate on this particular issue both elsewhere and within the CFA. We note with interest the initiatives being taken in the CFA under the astute leadership of its Chairman. Indeed, we look forward to the expeditious resolution of the remaining issues and the convergence of views on the modalities of WFP/FAO relationships in the usual consensual way during the Thirtieth Meeting of the CFA. Therefore, we do not believe that we should get into any detailed discussion on this issue in Council.
However, it is important that perhaps we reflect on one or two broader issues, and in this regard my delegation wishes to make a few points. The first relates to the whole question of food aid and UN/FAO/WFP relationships-in that the role, function and responsibilities of countries themselves are paramount and fundamental, in fact must be clearly understood and appreciated, and must be clearly spelt out also. That is why we support the view that the CFA ought to be expanded and that governments must be represented with some greater degree of "representativeness" of regions and interests so that, as we articulate the various positions and take decisions in the CFA, we get a reflection and an understanding that the countries are making a greater contribution to the determination of their own destiny.
Another point of concern to us, which we feel we should take to the Council, is the fact that the increasing magnitude, both in quantity and value of food being distributed under the Programme, eloquently argues the case for ensuring that formal systems and procedures be put in place to ensure an enhanced coordination and cooperation between FAO and WFP.
In this regard more rather than less is required in terms of coordination and cooperation. Deeper, more organic rather than looser and perhaps seemingly less fettered linkages are called for since as food aid increases so its capacity to disrupt and dislocate becomes magnified. The need to coordinate with national programmes in food production, nutrition, marketing, trade and programmes of self-reliance become more necessary. Indeed, now we are not merely concerned with the logistics of transport, storage and distribution-important as these considerations are, and particularly so in times of emergency and crisis-we are now dealing more fundamentally with issues of development. In consequence, it becomes absolutely critical that in these circumstances policy issues are fully understood and that relevant studies be undertaken. It also becomes necessary that the appropriateness of food aid as an input into the development process be assessed and a determination made of how best it may be used. This requires also proper programming and project analysis.
In all this, my delegation is of the view that FAO is best technically equipped to contribute. However, it can only do so meaningfully if it is in at the very outset of the process of needs assessment, programme and project identification, design and appraisal. We as a Council must ensure that systems be put in place to bring this about. Accordingly, both the FAO and the WFP Secretariat should be enjoined to sit down and develop the modalities for such a relationship within the parameters I have described so that ultimately this results in a more effective and efficient food aid system.
Amin ABDEL MALEK (Liban) (Langue originale arabe): Nous voudrions tout d'abord remercier le Directeur général pour le document CL 98/26 qu'il a présenté au Conseil. Nous remercions également M. West d'avoir introduit ce document, facilitant ainsi notre tâche dans l'examen de ce point.
Il est opportun et nécessaire que nous nous saisissions de cette question sur la base du document qui nous a été présenté, d'autant plus que d'autres
instances extérieures telles que le Comité consultatif des questions administratives et budgétaires (CCQAB), le CPA, le Conseil économique et social ont discuté de certains aspects de cette question alors que nous n'avons pas eu l'occasion, ici, au sein du Conseil de la FAO, de prendre acte officiellement de cette question qui a fait l'objet d'une large controverse au cours de l'année précédente.
A la lecture de ce document, et en particulier de ses paragraphes 12 et 13, on remarque qu'au cours de cette année, certaines propositions ont été faites à la quatre-vingt-dix-huitième session du Conseil. Cependant, le Directeur exécutif a anticipé sur cette démarche et a pris l'initiative de présenter des propositions de grande portée. Nous savons que ces propositions sont toujours discutées dans le cadre d'une autre instance et que, jusqu'à présent, aucun résultat n'a pu être réalisé malgré les pressions exercées en ce sens.
Quoi qu'il en soit et étant donné que d'autres instances se sont chargées de cette affaire, il n'en est que plus opportun d'avoir la possibilité d'examiner à notre tour cette question pour, en cas de besoin, exprimer notre point de vue à son sujet. Peut-être ne pourrons-nous pas aboutir à un résultat dès cette session; mais il est question de nos compétences, il est donc naturel que cette question soit évoquée à la Conférence générale de la FAO ainsi qu'à l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies. Mais si le Directeur général nous demandait notre avis, nous manquerions à notre devoir si nous ne donnions pas notre point de vue au moins dans ses grandes lignes.
Nous sommes directement concernés par cette affaire. L'un des organes du CPA a discuté de nos propres compétences, de nos droits et privilèges ainsi que de ceux du Conseil économique et social. Nous sommes l'instance intergouvernementale qui contrôle le Programme; nous avons donc le droit de nous saisir ou non, à tout moment, de toutes propositions et de nous prononcer ou non à leur propos, qu'il s'agisse de propositions qui affectent ou non nos droits et nos prérogatives.
Peut-être ne pourrons-nous pas mettre un terme à la polémique qui se fait au sein du CPA mais nous devons aider ceux qui participent aux travaux de ce comité à obtenir des résultats plus satisfaisants. Je ne vois quant à moi aucun inconvénient à discuter de cette question et je vais me prononcer sur certains de ses aspects simples, sans vouloir provoquer ni contrarier qui que ce soit.
Tout d'abord, nous accueillons favorablement la participation du Directeur général à la discussion, sa présentation de propositions, de même que les commentaires qu'il a faits sur les propositions du Directeur exécutif. D'ailleurs nous l'appelons à agir ainsi. Nous remercions le Directeur général d'avoir attiré notre attention sur les relations entre notre Organisation et les Nations Unies dans le cadre d'un rapport privilégié qui est justifié et nécessaire à la lumière de l'analyse de l'aide alimentaire, de même que nous devons étudier en profondeur une question essentielle relative à la composition du CFA et au fait que le Programme doit bénéficier des services techniques les meilleurs que fournit la FAO.
Nous appuyons, en général, les points de vue qui ont été exprimés par le Groupe des 77 dans le cadre de l'organe subsidiaire du CFA.
De manière plus particulière, nous ne voyons pas de nécessité de supprimer le rôle du Comité financier de la FAO pour le remplacer par une autre instance nouvelle. Et il serait plutôt bizarre de laisser ce rôle entre les mains du seul ECOSOC. Il n'est de l'intérêt de personne de changer les structures actuelles qui décident des aides alimentaires d'urgence, ainsi que des projets d'aide alimentaire.
Quoi qu'il en soit, Monsieur le Président, nous ne rejetons pas de manière absolue d'éventuels changements dans d'autres domaines, et je veux dire par là un changement possible en matière de délégation de compétences administratives autres. En disant cela, nous ne pensons absolument pas que le fait d'exprimer ces points de vue relève du défi que nous lançons à d'autres, ou que nous voulions nuire aux démarches visant à atteindre le consensus entre les différents organes responsables de l'administration du programme, ou de l'Organisation des Nations Unies. Au contraire, nous croyons que ces idées constituent une base qui nous permet d'avancer de manière déterminée vers un consensus.
Ms Gunilla KORTEN (Finland): On this item I am speaking on behalf of the Nordic countries.
The Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes of the World Food Programme established a sub-committee on governance to examine the governance of WFP and the relationship between the WFP, FAO and the UN. This sub-committee has now concluded its work and has submitted its report to the CFA, which will meet next week to consider these issues. Therefore we find CFA to be the appropriate forum for the substantive considerations of the above-mentioned issues at this stage. When the CFA has dealt with the issues, the recommendations that the CFA has agreed upon will, in accordance with the statutory procedures, be presented to FAO and the UN as the parent Organization of the WFP. A discussion in the Council on the substance of these issues at this session, would, in the opinion of the Nordic countries, interfere with the ongoing process and pre-empt the discussions in the CFA. Only when the CFA recommendations are before the Council, will it be possible for the Council to have a full debate and formulate its views on these complex matters.
The Director-General of FAO is, in document CL 98/26, requesting the guidance of the Council for his participation in the forthcoming session of the CFA. The Nordic countries strongly urge the Director-General and the FAO Secretariat to constructively encourage change to improve the governance and thereby the efficiency of the WFP. The Nordic views on these issues are well known and we will, as usual, work for a consensus decision within the CFA. We also reserve the right to revert to this item here later on, should the discussion in the Council warrant it.
Assefa YILALA (Ethiopia): The delegation of P.D.R. Ethiopia would like to thank the Director-General of FAO for reporting to the Council on developments regarding the relationship between the United Nations, FAO and the World Food Programme as indicated in document CL 98/26. Our delegation
would also like to thank the Executive Director of WFP and the Representative of the Director-General for the introduction that was provided this morning.
The document on the Review of Relationships between the United Nations, FAO and WFP itself is clear and provides useful information on past and recent developments which we feel will give backgrounds to decisions of the CFA on one hand, and that of the parent bodies on the other in the past.
In the view of the Ethiopian delegation all that was contained in the document would increase background information and rationale that might be used by the respective governing bodies and their subsidiary organs, in establishing acceptable recommendations that will strengthen relationships, complimentarities and efficiency. We therefore would like to welcome the information contained in the document.
As it was rightly pointed out by the Director-General, the six areas which were identified in the document, paragraphs 23-31, are key policy issues that will need close and detailed examination in any eventual attempt of seeking solutions toward improving both relationships and efficiency. While expressing our agreement with the concerns that were expressed by the Director-General we would like to request him to continue his follow-up and full participation in the process, because of the wealth of experiences that could get into the anticipated solution and eventual recommendations. At this stage of the process, we would like to express our agreement with the Director-General on the inappropriateness of attempting to prejudge the actions of the CFA, or the sub-committee.
The CFA at its 22nd Session has established a sub-committee on the Governance of WFP and on relationships between the two parental bodies and WFP. Even though we are aware that this sub-committee has had two sessions and some progress of appreciating the complexity of the issue before it could be fetched, the process is still continuing. Hence the matter is being discussed during the 30th Session of the CFA, which begins just after this 98th Session of the Council, in spite of CFA's expection to receive recommendations. We therefore would like to see that this process is completed and hope that some progress is achieved. Our delegation therefore, is of the opinion, that the negotiation toward acceptable solutions should continue, and the three parties concerned be requested to avail their usual goodwill and capabilities toward fulfilling the anticipated wishes of member countries.
As earlier decisions of the CFA are still in the process of a continuing nature, we see limitations in discussing the matter at this stage, even though precedence of institutional and procedural concern expressed in paragraph 12 could very well be accepted. We therefore would like to express our preference of referring the matter until recommendations of the CFA are presented. However, should this matter be opened for discussion our delegation would request you for the floor to present its views on some of the issues that were presented.
Yousef Ali Mahmoud HAMDI (Egypt) (Original language Arabic): We would like to thank the representative of the Director-General and the Executive Director of WFP for their observations. The Director-General has reviewed very efficiently the relationship between WFP, FAO and the United Nations in document CL 98/26.
This review in fact began in 1984 and continues to this day. The Director-General has carried out consultations and participated in consultations within the CFA and the two sessions of the sub-committee since May 1990. The consultations in fact have progressed a great deal toward an agreement on basic principles concerning the requests of WFP and the changes which FAO deems necessary to the general regulations which in fact stipulate the need to provide food aid wherever necessary.
Please permit us to agree with what is contained in paragraph 22.
It is inappropriate at this stage to try to pre-judge such action as the CFA might agree on as the CFA will be meeting next week. However, please permit us to stress the following basic points: the joint nature of the Programme, that is between FAO and the United Nations; secondly, the need to strengthen the role of CFA and the need to expand its membership; thirdly, the need to improve cooperation between WFP and FAO through relying on the services provided by the FAO to the greatest extent possible. We, of course, realize the need to improve the freedom of WFP.
We are aware that the decisions of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes, which will be meeting next week, will be referred once again to the next Session of this Council. We will then have the opportunity to come back to this issue.
Paulo Estivallet DE MESQUITA (Brazil): The Brazilian delegation welcomes the Director-General's initiative to bring the matter of the review of the FAO/WFP relationship to the attention of the Council. It is no secret that the divergences between the two Secretariats have created a situation that hampers the good operation of the Programme. Governments and secretariats have had their attention distracted from the more important issues directly related to food aid policies.
At the same time, we much acknowledge that, once the matter has arisen, the importance of the parameters under which the UN agency responsible for food aid is to operate is such as to deserve or require adequate time for consideration. Eager as we are to see this process brought to a speedy conclusion, we are not prepared to trade time for quality.
With regard to the substance of the discussions, Brazil believes that FAO should continue to be the organization responsible for assuring that food aid programmes fit within agricultural development policies. At the same time, we consider that this can be achieved without unduly deranging the administration of WFP, which should be given the means to carry out its mission with efficacy and efficiency.
Regarding the process of review of the governance of WFP, which will continue in the upcoming CFA, we reiterate our view that all decisions should be reached by consensus, and take into account the legitimate interest of all parties, including the countries which are not currently members of the CFA. We stress the need for open-mindedness, cooperation and harmony, so as to assure the achievement of satisfactory results for all parties concerned.
Ms Jane E. BECKER (United States of America): My government believes that the CFA membership should consider in its meeting next week the report of the Sub-Committee on Governance meetings held earlier this year. These discussions, we believe, will be held in the same constructive atmosphere that has prevailed among SCG members. We believe that CFA Member States have the responsibility themselves without a prejudgement by the FAO Council or any other body to decide the changes needed to provide a clear delineation of the respective functions of the WFP and its parent bodies, the UN and the FAO. We share the view expressed by other delegations, in particular that articulated by Finland on behalf of the Nordic countries, that it is not appropriate at this Council meeting to get into substance.
The relationship between the management of the World Food Programme and FAO has undergone severe strain because existing regulations do not provide sufficient autonomy to the Executive Director of WFP so that he can manage his own personnel financial operations and other executive functions. Instead final authority on these questions is still vested jointly in the FAO, even through the latter's Director-General, the Councill, or both, and the United Nations, ECOSOC and the General Assembly.
As the United States and a number of other major contributors made clear at the Second SCG meeting, resolving the issues in the FAO/World Food Programme relationship and improving the influence of Member States on the programmes and operations of WFP are essential for the credibility of the Organization and its ability to attract continued large flows of resources.
At the SCG it was encouraging to note that the representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations expressed understanding and support for the proposed revisions in Governance under consideration by the SCG. He noted that such revisions were consistent with practice elsewhere in the United Nations System as well as appropriate for a programme of such size and importance as that administered by the WFP.
In closing I wish to refer to my delegation's statement yesterday under agenda item 12 about the necessity for all organizations to constantly monitor their activities to ensure continued vitality, efficiency and relevance. Such scrutiny necessarily implies change if change is deemed warranted by the Organization's management and its board of directors. Change need not and should not be viewed as threatening in this case.
Vishnu BHAGWAN (India): The delegation of India has always adopted a very objective approach to the FAO/WFP relationship issue and would have very
much wished it to be resolved in a spirit of cooperation between the two organizations through mutual discussion. We also feel that a good deal of time, both of the secretariats as well as the Member Governments, has already been spent on this issue which should have been more fruitfully utilized.
Our delegation has always held the view that FAO should be recognized as a paramount organization in the food and agricultural sector and the WFP should continue as a joint programme of UN and FAO. Within this broad framework WFP should be given requisite operational flexibility and functional autonomy to ensure greater efficiency and increase cost-effectiveness of its operations. At the same time, the membership of the CFA should be enlarged giving greater representation to the developing countries.
As you are aware, the matter has been under discussion in the Sub-Committee on Governance of WFP which has held two meetings, in September and October. Now the matter is again scheduled to be discussed in CFA next week. We hope that the open arrangement allowing equal opportunity of participation to all members of WFP-observers as well as members of CFA-will continue to retain openness and transparency of discussions concerning the issues which affect all the members. Our delegation is very hopeful that the CFA will be able to reach decisions by consensus on all important governance issues.
Ms Carole THEAUVETTE (Canada): Our delegation fully concurs with previous statements made by the Community, the Nordics and the United States and therefore will not make a substantive intervention at this time.
Council members are well aware of my delegation's position on this issue which has been clear and consistent over the years. Canada has been advocating that WFP be empowered with authority commensurate with its responsibilities. We feel, as other Member States, that the institutional framework adopted nearly 30 years ago for a small experimental programme is now obsolete and that reform is necessary. In this respect we thank the Director-General and his representative for their constructive input at our Sub-Committee meetings and wish to say how encouraged we were when it was indicated at the outset that "FAO is not here simply to defend the status quo".
We are also encouraged by the United Nations' participation in our deliberations which "recognizes the need for improved governance arrangements for WFP consistent with its programme requirements, its accountability to Member States and its characteristics as an entity of the UN System".
We therefore urge CFA members in the appropriate forum next week to recommend sustainable solutions and resolve the governance issue expeditiously so that Member States can devote their full energies to the policies and operations of the WFP.
Miguel Angel CACERES (México): Mi delegación se ha sumado sin reservas a la posición que el Grupo de los 77 ha mantenido durante los trabajos sobre la gobernabilidad del PMA y sus relaciones con la FAO y las Naciones Unidas.
Hemos trabajado siempre sobre el principio de que es necesario modificar la composición del Comité de Políticas, con base a una representación geográfica más acorde con la realidad internacional, es decir, con una mayor representación de los países en desarrollo.
Si bien creemos que es conveniente que se mejoren ciertos aspectos del funcionamiento del Programa, estas mejoras deberán mantener el carácter vigente "FAO/Naciones Unidas" del Programa y, en consecuencia, deberán evitar la creación de nuevos órganos que dupliquen los existentes. Deben utilizarse los servicios técnicos y administrativos que ofrece la FAO en la formulación de los proyectos.
También es necesario reforzar el papel del Consejo y de la Conferencia de la FAO, así como del ECOSOC y de la Asamblea General.
Respecto a la negociación que empezará el próximo 3 de diciembre, consideramos indispensable que en ella participen todos los Estados, aunque en el presente momento no sean miembros del Comité. Además creemos que si se desea obtener resultados en esas negociaciones, es necesario mantener el principio del consenso y darles el tiempo necesario. Las reformas que se están examinando tienen efectos tan serios que no se podrán adoptar a la ligera y será necesario que sobre ellas se pronuncien, en su debido momento, el ECOSOC, la Asamblea General, el Consejo y la Conferencia de la FAO.
La ayuda alimentaria es un elemento muy importante y sensible. Es de lamentar que el CPA no haya podido dedicarse como debe a las políticas sobre esa ayuda, como hasta hace poco tiempo nos ocupábamos, con un buen éxito en el avance de los países y los organismos, como siempre se sostuvo, ya que el tema de las relaciones han ocupado la mayor parte de su tiempo y sus esfuerzos. El Comité debe ocuparse más de las políticas y estrategias de la ayuda alimentaria y la aprobación de proyectos y menos de problemas reales o ficticios entre las instituciones.
Nuestro grupo ha dado muchas muestras de flexibilidad y esperamos la misma flexibilidad de otros grupos, y deseamos mantener en esta etapa la discusión y sobre todo la decisión en este importante tema en Roma, por lo que creemos que los intentos para que la Asamblea General se pronuncie en esta etapa de la negociación complican innecesariamente; esperamos que esta flexibilidad sea correspondida por las otras partes involucradas y así reconstruir las bases de confianza entre sus Estados Miembros, quienes somos los verdaderos responsables de que las organizaciones funcionen.
Sra. Mònica DEREGIBUS (Argentina): Es pertinente recordar aquí los motivos de la creación del Programa Mundial de Alimentos que, a nuestro juicio, continúan hoy tan vigentes como hace 30 años.
El PMA fue imaginado para la utilización de los excedentes estructurales de alimentos de los países industrializados. Es suficiente leer el titulo de las resoluciones de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas y de la Conferencia de la FAO que lo fundaron para no olvidar dicho motivo.
La prueba más fehaciente de la continuación de esa dependencia de los excedentes estructurales, está dada por la sensible disminución que se registra en las contribuciones al Programa cuando se verifica una disminución pronunciada de dichos excedentes y un aumento de los precios, como ocurriera en el pasado reciente.
Si me permite un paréntesis, quisiera aclarar que no es ése el caso de la República Argentina, que no tiene excedentes, y contribuye al Programa regularmente por medio de compras efectuadas por el Gobierno en el mercado local.
Por ello, creemos, Sr. Presidente, que en el momento de examinar las necesidades de gobierno y operación del PMA, deben tenerse presentes varios aspectos claves de la producción y el comercio internacional de productos alimenticios. A este respecto, asumen especial relevancia los resultados de la Ronda Uruguay del GATT, que, de ser exitosos en la eliminación de las políticas distorsivas del comercio internacional de dichos productos, traerán aparejados cambios significativos en la futura financiación del Programa.
En este escenario, cabe prever una mayor participación de los propios países en desarrollo en el futuro de la ayuda alimentaria multilateral y tal vez un redimensionamiento de esta misma.
Todo esto nos lleva a fijarnos una base mínima, que es que el PMA debe continuar siendo un programa conjunto de las Naciones Unidas y de la FAO, quienes deben continuar supervisando sus actividades por tener la responsabilidad primaria, en el ámbito internacional, referida a la cooperación para el desarrollo económico y social y a la agricultura y la alimentación. Este estatuto debe tener contenido, señor Presidente, y no ser un marco meramente formal.
Cabe que los Países Miembros de este Consejo se pregunten ¿hasta qué punto y en qué medida han cumplido hasta ahora su función de supervisión?, ¿hasta qué punto los informes que cada año les eleva el CPA han sido todo lo completos y detallados que era menester para que el Consejo de la FAO y el ECOSOC pudieran tener conocimiento de las causas, de los inconvenientes que se dice históricamente han afectado las relaciones entre la Secretaría del PMA y la Secretaría de la FAO?
En opinión de nuestra delegación, el CPA deberá en el futuro mejorar sensiblemente el contenido de sus informes y elevarlos en forma completa y oportuna, incluyendo en ellos todos los aspectos de relevancia en la administración y la operación del Programa. Resulta por demás interesante leer la opinión que la Oficina jurídica de Naciones Unidas emitiera en 1982, y que fuera distribuida como documento del Subcomité de Gobierno del CPA. En ella se dice que el Director Ejecutivo tiene la autoridad independiente que le confieren los documentos básicos del PMA, y que "debería permitirle administrar el Programa bajo su responsabilidad y con
arreglo a la orientación del CPA". Creemos que ello debe ser materia de reflexión por parte de los Estados Miembros. No creemos, en efecto, que el Director Ejecutivo se haya encontrado maniatado hasta el presente en el ejercicio de sus funciones. Prueba de ello está dada por el correcto desenvolvimiento del mandato del PMA, su crecimiento y por el propio hecho de que el Director Ejecutivo, sin consultar con el Director General de la FAO o con el Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, haya presentado al CPA sus propuestas de enmienda a las normas básicas. No hemos podido encontrar en los Textos Básicos la justificación de dicha acción. Parecería, por el contrario, que el Director Ejecutivo carece de facultades legales para ello. Sin embargo, estamos en medio de un ejercicio provocado por su iniciativa. ¿Es necesaria mayor demostración del rol del Director Ejecutivo y del CPA y del diálogo y la interacción entre ambos?
Para la presentación de sus propuestas, el Director Ejecutivo nos da motivos vagos y razones confusas. Habla, en general, de procedimientos engorrosos y costosos, de superposición de funciones, de que no se justifica el mantenimiento de ciertas normas. Curiosamente, algunas de ellas es la obligación de reexaminar el propio Programa con carácter regular. Ello-es bueno notarlo-daría justificación a quienes estiman que toda burocracia tiende a perpetuarse a sí misma.
La República Argentina no está convencida de que existan razones que hagan necesarios cambios de la envergadura de los que han sido propuestos. Estos, aduciendo muchas veces la necesidad de explicitar lo que se halla sobreentendido, y otras, la relativa discriminación que el Programa supuestamente sufriría respecto de otros programas de Naciones Unidas, transformarían de hecho al PMA en un organismo prácticamente autónomo. De sancionar muchas de esas modificaciones, estaríamos replicando, y ello significa que correríamos el riesgo de duplicar, otros organismos. Como muestra-se dice en español, señor Presidente, basta un botón; ya se escuchan propuestas diciendo que el CPA debería tener un órgano asesor en materia financiera.
Permítame señor Presidente concretar algunos de los puntos que están involucrados en mi declaración hasta este momento. Creemos que no existen motivos válidos para crear un fondo especial para el PMA, situación eti la que no se encuentra ninguno de los programas de Naciones Unidas. En efecto, todos ellos son fondos fiduciarios establecidos por el Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas. No encontramos tampoco razonable modificar las actuales disposiciones para la aprobación de las operaciones de emergencia; en todo caso, podría buscarse la forma de agilizar la tramitación de las solicitudes. Estimamos necesario que el PMA continúe recurriendo, en la mayor medida posible, a los servicios técnicos de Naciones Unidas y de la FAO. Ello reduce al mínimo los costos, evita la duplicación de esfuerzos y asegura que se utilicen las capacidades técnicas disponibles, en el sistema de Naciones Unidas, en la forma más eficaz posible. Cualquier modificación del mandato y facultades, tanto del CPA como del Director Ejecutivo, debe estar precedida de un aumento significativo en la representación de los países en desarrollo en el Comité.
Estimamos que los criterios sentados en las viejas resoluciones sobre la elección de sus miembros continúan siendo válidos, pero que debe corregirse
la aplicación efectiva de dichos parámetros para lograr una representación geográfica verdaderamente equitativa.
En cuanto al procedimiento a seguir en la solución de esta cuestión, quisiéramos destacar lo siguiente. En primer lugar, apoyamos a las delegaciones que han estimado necesario continuar las deliberaciones sobre este tema en el Subcomité de Gobierno del CPA. Ello asegurará la plena y responsable participación de todos los miembros de Naciones Unidas y de FAO. Estimamos inapropiada la presentación de cualquier proyecto de resolución sobre la cuestión en la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas, mientras esta cuestión esté siendo aún materia de discusión en el CPA o en el órgano que éste cree para buscar soluciones.
La redacción de los proyectos que hemos conocido, nos lleva a afirmar que ellos prejuzgan sobre los resultados de las negociaciones que se están llevando a cabo en el CPA. Ello resulta inaceptable para mi pais, señor Presidente. Quisiéramos además agregar aquí que también nos resulta sumamente llamativo que los mismos países que están promoviendo una resolución activamente en las Naciones Unidas, sean los que en este foro digan que el Consejo no tiene por qué discutir de esta cuestión, ya que toda discusión de este tema prejuzgaría sobre los resultados de las negociaciones en el CPA. Lamentamos que esos países incurran en tales contradicciones.
Por último, estimamos necesario que el CPA arribe a resultados por consenso sin dilaciones innecesarias, pero también sin prisas exageradas ni presiones por parte de los países donantes.
L. Ross BROWNHALL (Australia): The Australian Delegation notes the history of change and adjustment in the relations between FAO and WFP as recorded in document CL 98/26 and observes that with all the apparent goodwill between the relevant parties:
-the rate of change has been very slow, the extent of change has been small and that change has been achieved only with great difficulty,
- the need for change remains as great as ever-see paras 8, 9, 10 in relation to comments by the ACABQ and paras 11-17 concerning efforts by the CFA to have the matter properly examined.
- The Australian Delegation appreciates the actions taken by the Director-General to participate in and facilitate this process but is greatly concerned at the potential for delay and loss of momentum.
Perforce of circumstances which are well known to delegations at this Council, the CFA has had to abandon its previous attempts to obtain improvements through means recommended by the ACABQ. It has found it necessary to press forward itself with alternative means to effect changes needed to improve the efficiency in WFP and improve its accountability to states responsible for its inter-governmental supervision.
As the Director-General has pointed out, the matter of the relationship between WFP and FAO and the UN, and the matter of the authority, functions, mandate and composition of the GFA have been under consideration in the CFA Sub-committee on Governance during September and October and will be before the CFA in December. We strongly support his view that there should be no attempt by the Council to pre-judge such action as the CFA might take. We also support his view that such matters as the authority, mandate, functions and composition of the CFA are entirely for Member Nations. In fact, we would go further to say that they are matters for Member Nations of the CFA in the first instance followed ultimately by members of other relevant inter-governmental fora in due course. We do not believe these matters should be reviewed in this Council at this stage.
The Australian Delegation can appreciate the Director-General's wish to obtain the Council's guidance on a range of general issues.
However, on these we do have views but will refrain from going into them at this time because for the Council to discuss these issues now will simply complicate their consideration in the CFA.
We continue to believe that there is considerable scope for maturation in the relationship between WFP and its two parent bodies and that this matter is currently being examined with full responsibility in the CFA and in subcommittee. In our view the appropriate time for substantive discussion on this matter within the FAO Council is not now but will come after the CFA has presented its recommendations to the Council.
We hope that the Director-General and the Secretary-General will encourage the process of constructive change in CFA, WFP and in the relationships and will continue to provide technical and legal advice when sought from time to time in the CFA review process.
Rachadi ISKANDAR (Indonesia): Allow me to begin my intervention by expressing the appreciation of the Indonesian delegation for the introductory remarks by the FAO representative and the WFP Executive Director.
Indonesia, a recipient country of WFP's aid, has indeed closely followed the progress of development of WFP's activities.
I also wish to refer to the report of the joint meeting of the Programme and Finance Committees which took place in September last, with special reference to the review of FAO, UN and WFP relationships, including the decision of the CFA to establish the Sub-Committee on the Governance of WFP which, since then, has held two sessions.
Whilst being in agreement with its establishment, my delegation is concerned that the SCG has so far been unable to arrive at the position of drawing up a sound recommendation on steps to be taken toward the improvement of the relationship between FAO, UN and WFP.
We can only hope that the next CFA meeting can finally achieve a satisfactory solution of the long-standing problem governing the serious inconvenience of the three world organizations concerned. The WFP was established by FAO and the United Nations and has grown strongly, but much of its function has not undergone a lot of change. My delegation believes that there is a need to maintain a close relationship among the three organizations mentioned earlier, especially between WFP and FAO. Considering that in the course of the years WFP activities have grown substantially, there is a need for updating its work so it can achieve greater efficiency in the performance of its ever-growing task.
With regard to CFA, this also calls for strengthening because the matter of food aid involves the participation of both developed and developing countries. In order to arrive at the strengthening of CFA, due consideration must be given to the following.
In line with the increasing role of CFA, the composition of its membership should be considered as a more equitable representation among regional groupings. We suggest that the role of CFA should not be limited to giving guidance only, but should be mandated to take policy decisions on the use of food aid in general.
With regard to the role of the Executive Director of WFP, my delegation's view is as follows: bearing in mind that the work of WFP has been expanded to cover a wide range of food aid activities we are ready to consider the possible revision of the terms of reference of the Executive Director which could sufficiently accommodate the rapid progress of the WFP activities, including possibly giving authority to senior staff appointment, authority for food emergency operation relationships with CFA, and so on. Based on the above, we think it is justified that the relationship between WFP and the United Nations and FAO should be maintained as such to ensure the smoothness of the food aid directed to the needy countries concerned.
DONG QINGSONG (China) (Original language Chinese): I should like to thank the Representative of the Director-General, Mr West and the Executive Director, Mr Ingram for their respective introductions. My delegation listened with great interest to the previous interventions. As to the issue of whether the present Council Session should under the present circumstances discuss the relationship between UN/WFP and FAO, I should like to make the following comments.
Firstly, we have noted that during the discussion this morning certain delegates have expressed their concern at a discussion of this issue during the present Council meeting. We can understand the concern they express. However, we believe that an exchange of views during a Session of the Council is conducive to promoting further understanding among all parties concerned, as well as helping toward a solution of the issue.
Secondly, we understand that the Group of 77 and OECD member countries have expressed their willingness to further consult each other on this issue. Consequently, we hope that such consultations will proceed smoothly and will obtain consensus solutions on major issues.
Thirdly, the SCG of the CFA was established by a decision of the 29th Session of the CFA. Since its inception the SCG has met twice. Although the SCG has not yet proposed any solutions to these issues,it has identified points both of divergence and convergence. We believe that the SCG of the CFA has achieved results in this area. We hope that the 30th Session of the CFA will continue its efforts in exploring the possibilities for resolving the points of divergence with a view to finding appropriate solutions by consensus. In view of the complexities and importance of the issue, and in order to find an appropriate solution to the problem, we welcome the participation of non-CFA members who are members of the United Nations or members of the FAO as observers to fully participate in the debate so that this issue can find an early solution.
Lastly, we believe that in order that CFA can administer the multilateral food assistance of WFP with efficiency, and in order genuinely to reflect the interest of the member countries of this inter-governmental agency, CFA should have a better representation. It is on the principle of equitable geographical distribution that CFA should be composed. We believe that the status and authority of the CFA should be linked with its size.
Kiichi NARITA (Japan): With regard to the issues relating to the governance of WFP and the relationship between WFP and FAO, discussion has been continuing in other fora, namely in CFA, WFP and its sub-committees. My delegation is of the view that the discussion in this Council should not come to any prejudgement on the coming CFA. Therefore, my delegation would like to associate ourselves with the opinion of the Nordic countries, that is to say, not to discuss this matter in this Council.
However, my delegation would like to call the attention of the FAO Secretariat toward the statement of the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in the SCG in September this year. Concerning the nature of WFP as a joint organ of the United Nations and FAO, he stated that concerning the nature of WFP as a joint organ of UN and FAO it was not the intention that WFP should be brought fully or even substantially within the orbit of either UN or FAO organs. The arrangement envisaged was one of close cooperation rather than control or checks. Also, he stated that given the evolution of WFP it is appropriate now to review existing arrangements and to make such changes as Member States may deem to be necessary.
Daniel D.C. Don NANJIRA (Kenya): I am not sure I can promise to be as short as my neighbour has been, partly because I have been thinking over this important item for quite some time and I have been involved also, as you know, Sir, in the preparatory process within CFA. I am sorry for having come late and therefore missing the introductions of Mr West and Mr Ingram, but I am lucky because since there is a Verbatim Record I will be the first person to read it-with keen interest, of course.
Under normal circumstances, sessions of Council of this august body are and should be meetings of Ministers of the governments of the Member States. So
we who do not carry portfolios are merely charged with the high responsibility of representing our Ministers and governments.
We are charged with high responsibility. I repeat that Mr Chairman. Since this is a political body, we would not expect the Council to address the technical and substantive aspects of the problems but would rather expect it to give a broad view and guidance to the concerned technical bodies, and mandate these bodies as appropriate to address the technical issues and reach lasting agreement on them.
It is in this context that I am taking the floor this morning. When I hear of WFP, I think of the WFP/FAO/UN relationship. When I think of this relationship, I am reminded of CFA. When I think of CFA, I am reminded of the problems of governance and management of CFA. For any progress to be made on these and other related matters, a number of conditions must be met. These conditions include the following in my personal view.
First, the issue of governance must be put in its right perspective. The question of governance of WFP is not so much sensitive as troublesome. It is not so much crucial as stubborn. It is important but it should neither be indispensable nor the sole dominant issue on the Agenda of CFA.
Second, a clear distinction must be made between governance and management. To me, the former implies decision-making, political power, authority and overall policy guidance. The latter implies implementation and execution of recommendations, decisions, organization and administration of personnel of institutional structures, etc Where management is confused with, or is made to replace or be on a par with governance, trouble is bound to arise. Such situations must be avoided at all costs and at all times in the relationship between WFP, FAO and the United Nations.
Third, genuine dialogue must exist and be encouraged between governments. Government representatives must talk to each other freely, openly, warmly and lovingly. They must talk no other language except the language of their governments. Clear instructions should be sought and received from governments. Clear and complete briefings and information should be given to governments on the issues at stake, on the possible implications of decisions that may be taken in these international fora, and on the sine qua non conditions for the success of negotiations-any negotiations that may be undertaken in these fora. If anything, I believe-and this is a personal belief-we need an ethics mechanism. We need an Ethics Committee to ensure that our work is done in a decent, mature and dignified manner.
Fourth, adequate homework, discipline, realism, continuity, transparency-and I repeat transparency flexibility and openness, as well as the genuine willingness to compromise for the sake of making progress, must be among the irreducible minimum ingredients of any negotiating process. Anything else is, and can only be, a recipe for disaster. It is, and can only be, a recipe for hostage-taking and hostage-keeping in the negotiating process.
Fifth, procedures should not, and must not, be allowed to dominate the negotiating process. Negotiations should be about substance, the
fundamental issues at stake: for example, sustainable agriculture, elimination of hunger and poverty, the environment, climatic crises, forestry resources, reclamation of and development of arid and semi-arid lands, disasters and developments, food security, fisheries development, ways and means of assisting poor farmers and the poorest strata of society, ways and means of increasing food and agricultural production in developing countries, nutrition, and so on and so forth. These are the substantive issues we should be talking about and not spending days talking about procedures. It is not, and should not be, the business of Government representatives to spend hours, days, weeks, months, years and decades, soon perhaps a millennium, debating or even passing judgements on the pros and cons of one United Nations organization as against another.
The Kenyan Delegation wants the assistance of UN organizations-amongst them assistance from FAO and WFP. We thank FAO and WFP for whatever they have done, are doing and will be doing for the Kenyan people. Our aim is to ensure that the mandates of these agencies are executed to the expectations and satisfaction of Member States.
Six, consultation, collaboration and coordination among the relevant Secretariats are essential and should be encouraged in order to avoid wastage of scarce resources and to reap maximum benefits from the efforts of those concerned.
Seven, the negotiating process must play to the tune of the dynamic character of the events shaping the world. The negotiations process has to fit into the changed circumstances we find ourselves in. We want no more and no less than an adequate, continuous, assured, timely, efficient and effective delivery of goods and services whenever these are required by our people and within the competence of the UN agencies concerned.
Eight, confrontation of every kind must be avoided whether it be among delegations or between the Secretariats. Goodwill, decency and dignity require that we avoid all kinds of possible confrontation.
If we can reach political agreement on the points I have outlined above, and I am sure that we can, if we can realize and accept that a lot of time has already been spent on the discussion of the issue of governance of WFP and of its relationships with FAO and the UN, and I am sure we can, if we can realize and accept that we are here whether in-session or accredited to these food and agricultural agencies of the UN System, primarily to find solutions to the problems facing the poor farmers of our countries and continents, and the problems of hunger and malnutrition, and I am sure we can, then the questions of the governance of WFP and of the relationships between WFP, the FAO and the UN will not be too difficult to solve.
In this connection, I wish to make a few remarks which we in this delegation believe to be of relevance to the discussion of this matter by this august body. As you know, I happen to be, perhaps the unfortunate, but I think I am fortunate, current Chairman of the CFA and of its subcommittee on the governance of the WFP. We are, by now, I am sure, all aware of the CFA decision that created the sub-committee earlier this year and of the two sessions of the SCG. We also know that CFA Thirty will be here in Rome for one week beginning next Monday. Both as Kenyan delegate
and as Chairman of the sub-committee of CFA, I would have wished that the work of the SCG had been completed by now. I would have wished that the CFA had completed its work on this item by now and had brought it here only for noting by this important body. Since, however, the matter is before the Council not for noting and approval, but for discussion and guidance, I hope that clear guidance can be given to the CFA at its next session.
I believe that a lot of ground has already been covered and that a broad area of agreement has been reached. Anybody who has studied the Chairman's Summary on the First Session of the Sub-Committee, and has followed the discussions of the Second Session of the Sub-Committee, will, I hope, agree with this conclusion. Of course, it will be the duty of CFA to bring the matter of the governance and relationships of the WFP/FAO/UN to a decisive and successful conclusion. I hope that it can be a fast conclusion so that we can spend more time on other and certainly more important issues that fall within the mandates of WFP and the FAO.
It seems to me that in giving guidance on this matter this Council would itself require to consider, and be guided by, the following. First, that the agreed points in the negotiations should be retained. Second, that the CFA concentrates its energies on the main points of divergence and aims at reaching agreement on them as soon as practicable. Third, that CFA's Report to the FAO Council and General Conference in 1991, and to ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly next year, be positive and conclusive. I would be the first to celebrate if we were to have a complete agreement by then. I do not drink beer but I think I would attempt to have something on that occasion!
Fourth, the possibility of creating a formal working mechanism, call it a drafting committee, be explored and agreed, which would be mobilized to examine any consensus policy guidelines that may emerge from CFA at its next session or its subsidiary body. I believe time is ripe to set up such a mechanism to put into acceptable legal language any broad agreement of CFA on this matter. It further seems to me that the fundamental issues are still to be resolved and therefore calling for the specific attention of CFA and of this Council are the following, in the order of difficulty: of negotiation and agreement, though not necessarily the order of importance across the board; (a) a trust fund, location and control; (b) emergency operations; (c) the authority and mandate of the Executive Director of WFP and (d) the mandate, authority functions, size and composition of CFA. I have outlined these in the way I understand them to be very difficult. I strongly believe that reaching agreement on these issues would facilitate the resolution of the other problem areas; a package deal could be helpful on these issues.
On the Headquarters Agreement, I have not heard of any serious impediment to its signing. In fact none of the preceding speakers have spoken about the Headquarters agreement. Do I take it then that agreement has been reached? If so our congratulations goes to those who have facilitated this agreement.
In conclusion I have to say what has to be done must be done. We cannot afford to turn ourselves into hostages of procedure. We cannot afford to waste scarce resources on fruitless debates. We cannot afford to play like
primary or secondary school children. We cannot afford to play because we are charged with a high responsibility by our governments. We cannot afford to play with our nerves and with the lives of hundreds and millions of people we are supposed to represent in these international fora. The hungry and the poor of the world cannot live on rhetoric; they cannot live on procedures; they cannot live on manipulations; they want to live on bread and butter. We are condemned to succeed, and we must, for the cause of humanity, for the cause of the poor farmers and for the cause of international cooperation for development. We must not leave any stone unturned until we attain this goal and this objective.
Finally, but not least, I have a request to make for technical assistance which I hope you can grant, or at least give guidance. As Chairman of the Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programme I have entertained quite a lot and benefited from the views of the delegations of the Member States. My Chairmanship is coming to an end and I have realized that I have not entertained the Director-General of FAO, the Executive Director of WFP or the Secretary-General of the United Nations and yet they are the main actors on the secretariat side. You never know, getting these three agencies' heads together might facilitate the reaching of agreement on the relationship questions. You realize it might be a very expensive entertainment for me to make alone, whether it may be a dinner or a luncheon. May I, therefore, "seek and get the guidance and approval of this august body, that the Chairman of CFA, (a) entertains the Director-General of FAO, the Executive Director of WFP and the Secretary-General of the United Nations and (b) charges the entire expense to the votes of these eminent agency heads"? You, Mr Chairman, would be very very cordially invited to attend such an entertainment in your capacity as Independent Chairman and you could also perhaps represent the Secretary-General of the United Nations whose current exigencies of duties these days might not permit him to travel to Rome for the occasion.
LE PRESIDENT: Je remercie le Président du Comité de politiques et programmes d'aide alimentaire. Je crois que nous sommes ici, dans cette enceinte, un certain nombre d'anciens présidents du CPA. Il pourrait peut-être y avoir un Comité de patronage composé des anciens présidents du CPA.
Je vous remercie de votre substantielle intervention qui a abordé de très nombreux points.
Gonzalo BULA HOYOS (Colombia): Nos complace intervenir después de nuestro dilecto amigo, Embajador de Kenya, Don Nanjira, competente y dinámico Presidente del CPA, cuya declaración compartimos sobre todo en cuanto al llamado al diálogo y a la buena voluntad tanto de los gobiernos como de las organizaciones.
El Gobierno de Colombia opina que la FAO y el PMA deben trabajar en plena cooperación y entendimiento, sin confrontaciones ni rivalidades, sumando los escasos recursos de que hoy se dispone en la cooperación internacional,
en favor del objetivo común: mayor y mejor asistencia a los países en desarrollo.
Pensamos que éste ha sido un proceso desafortunado que no ha hecho bien a nadie, que viene causando males a todo el mundo. Creemos que no deben seguirse gastando recursos y energías en este lamentable ejercicio. El Subcomité de Gobierno demostró su incapacidad y agotó sus funciones.
Los representantes de Colombia pensamos que la forma más constructiva como este Consejo podría contribuir a la conclusión de este proceso, sería-y así lo proponemos-que el Consejo pida al CPA que trate de concluir cuanto antes, preferentemente en su próximo 300 período de sesiones, sus recomendaciones sobre los Texto.s Básicos del PMA, a fin de que esas recomendaciones puedan ser consideradas por este Consejo en su 99 período de sesiones y ser transmitidas a la Conferencia de noviembre de 1991.
La FAO y el PMA están integrados por nuestros mismos gobiernos, y todos estamos de acuerdo en que no se debe modificar el marco institucional dentro del cual el PMA seguirá siendo un organismo copatrocinado por las Naciones Unidas y la FAO.
El Gobierno de Colombia piensa que los hombres pasan y las instituciones restan.
Parviz KARBASSI (Iran, Islamic Republic of): I have the honour to present a statement on behalf of all the members of the Group of 77. We have worked hard on this issue so that it could reflect our agreed views. This does not, of course, prejudice the right of individual delegations, including my own, to present their detailed observations in this Council or in the forthcoming CFA but this statement is intended as a general contribution to the reaching of consensus amongst Member Governments.
The Group of 77 agrees that efforts should be made to avoid discussion, and decisions or resolutions in all international fora should be reached on an equal basis and in this context we see both the procedures today in the Council as well as those in the General Assembly.
The Group of 77 reiterates the paramount need for consensus at all stages of debate and discussions, even if this requires patience in reaching final decisions. We are not in favour of delay as such but we think that taking sufficient time is far more important than any artificial deadline, such as the 30th CFA, if we are to achieve, not merely consensus, but one which will be the best and most lasting. In this connection the Group of 77 reiterates its position that all members of the Council or the CFA, whether full members or observers, should have the possibility to participate openly and equally in all deliberations on the governance issue, both formal and informal.
Various documents have been and will be submitted to the CFA on amendments of the general resolutions of the WFP and we adhere to those submitted by the Group of 77. For this Council discussion I have the honour to present the following general positions of the Group of 77 on certain key issues;
relationships, the basis upon which the WFP was established as a joint programme of the United Nations and FAO remains valid. This arrangement should be maintained and establish cooperative links between the United Nations, FAO and WFP, including the WFP reliance on the FAO technical services in view of the established technical and economic advantages of this arrangement.
In regard to the composition of the CFA, changing the composition of the CFA with widened membership and better geographical representation is sine qua non in any new arrangement to strengthen the mandate and authority of the CFA. For us this is a primary issue which must form the central part of an overall package deal on all issues relating to the governance.
On trust fund, any move to merely shift authority from Rome to New York or from the Director-General to the Secretary-General would be based on expediency and would be counter-productive. The trust fund and intergovernmental arrangement for financial oversight must remain in Rome. Within this framework we are willing to work with other members in examining an arrangement which could bring further improvement and efficiency in the system.
Emergency operation: the political philosophy on which the present arrangements for sanction of the emergency operation is based remains of high significance and pertinence. Nevertheless within that context the Group of 77 is not opposed to seeking even more efficient mechanisms to ensure speedy delivery of assistance.
There are other points in the position of the Group of 77 but I will reserve those for the CFA next week, since it is not my intention to initiate a long debate in the Council.
I have mentioned the four main issues. We are firm on our position, but our objective remains consensus and we think the possibility of obtaining one is clearly there if the argument continues with open minds and goodwill on the remaining few difficult but critical issues of substance without undue political or time pressure.
Muhammad Saleem KHAN (Pakistan): To start with, in line with the Ambassador of Kenya, let me apologize that for unavoidable reasons I was not able to participate here and listen to the presentations from the podium of some of the statements of other delegations and unfortunately, as I do not have the same advantage of understanding the other United Nations languages, I would not be able to gather it from the Verbatim record, at least not all of them. I hope the generosity of the Chairman of the CFA would not only extend to the Director-General, the Secretary-General and the Executive Director, but that the Member States would also not be deprived of it.
Having taken the floor at the end of our proceedings on this agenda item we would like to be brief, particularly since our views on this account have been represented by a number of other Group of 77 country statements, and more recently in the statement of the Chairman of the Group of 77. In this context we specially note the statement of the Mexican delegation.
We support the view that a process of examination of the structure of governance of the WFP and the Programme's relationship with its two parent organizations, FAO and the United Nations, has been set up in the form of SCG and any moves in any other fora which would pre-empt or prejudge the conclusions of this process should be avoided. This discipline should apply both to the deliberations here in the Council as well as in the UN General Assembly or any other multilateral fora. We should be patient and confident that the Member States of the CFA, several of whom are members over here as well as in the UN, have the wherewithall to reach the best possible available solutions and that the Council, the FAO Conference and ECOSOC and the UN General Assembly will ultimately have the opportunity to look at the recommendations and conclusions of the CFA.
My delegation endorses the advantages of retaining the existing joint status of WFP as a UN and FAO programme. We strongly feel that expansion of the CFA to make a geographically better balance is essential so as to ensure that all deliberations of this forum are representative and decisions are taken according to the accepted democratic norms within the international community of nations. Within the foregoing framework we feel members and observers on the CFA should continue to examine other issues to ensure more effective and efficient means of administration duly responsive to the membership. While not disturbing existing arrangements merely on the premise of bringing about a change, we feel that the authority of WFP administration needs to be commensurate to its responsibility and this aspect needs to be looked into with openness of mind.
Urgency and early conclusions should be the goal to place this issue behind us. However, decisions should not be arbitrarily forced to reach conclusions at all costs by December 1990.
We also subscribe to the view that all deliberations on the Governance issue should continue to be conducted in the spirit of openness, transparency and equal opportunity of participation for all Member States of WFP as in the terms of its Basic Texts with which the SCG process was established, and that decisions and conclusions should be reached through the well-merited principle of consensus among these Member States, irrespective of their being members of the CFA or observers on the CFA.
Finally, we feel while it would be naive to presume that the SCG was successful in submitting a report to the CFA containing agreed recommendations and conclusions, nevertheless through a more open and meaningful exchange of views agreement has been reached on some policies and broad parameters established on other issues. These need to be further developed and capitalized upon.
C.B. HOUTMAN (Netherlands): I did not intend to speak, as we thought the substance in this point was to be discussed next week. Therefore we take note of document CL 98/26 and consider it as an information paper. But Mr West suggested this morning that most, if not all, of FAO's proposals were broadly supported. That was to our recollection not the case, nor for instance was that the case with all the proposals coming from the WFP secretariat. With this statement in mind, wrong conclusions could be drawn.
The second sentence of paragraph 33 says: "The Director-General will participate in the forthcoming session of the CFA and will maintain his position unless directed and advised by the Council." This in connection with the optimistic statement of Mr West-and optimism is a virtue, let us state that for sure-could easily lead to wrong conclusions and this I would like to avoid.
I would rather associate our delegation with what was said by the Finnish delegation on the subject of guidance. If no conclusions along the lines of paragraph 33 are to be drawn you could withdraw my intervention and it would help to shorten the session.
Vanrob ISARANKURA (Thailand): At first I had no intention to make a statement on this item, but after listening to the delegate of the Philippines I think I have to say some things.
With regard to what has been said by the delegate of the Philippines, he said that there were delays in the delivery of food aid from FAO and the World Food Programme last August 1990. At this juncture I hope that delays in the delivery of food aid are not symptomatic of the strained relationship between FAO and the World Food Programme to efficiently process requests for emergencies. If it is, it is a very sad story.
Finally, I fully endorse what has been said by the Chairman of the Group of 77.
Mustapha SINACEUR (Maroc): J'ai l'honneur de prendre la parole aujourd'hui au nom des pays maghrébins, à savoir l'Algérie, la Libye, la Mauritanie, la Tunisie et le Maroc.
Pour être bref, je dirai simplement que nos délégations reprennent à leur compte la proposition formulée par la plupart des membres du Conseil et qui consiste à ne pas aborder les questions de fond en prévision du débat qui aura lieu, la semaine prochaine, au CPA.
Toutefois, nous appuyons l'idée que le débat soit ouvert à l'ensemble des pays membres et nous émettons le voeu que les discussions en cours permettent d'aboutir à un consensus au sein du Sous-Comité plénier du CPA.
Nous terminerons en disant que, pour nos pays, cette question de relations entre la FAO et le PAM doit faire l'objet de discussions et de négociations, ici, à Rome, au sein du CPA et du Conseil, et qu'il serait préjudiciable d'ouvrir le débat ailleurs. Nous soutenons la position exprimée par le Groupe des 77 et confirmée par son président, le Représentant de l'Iran.
Sra. Mercedes FERMIN GOMEZ (Venezuela): Nosotros hablamos participado ya en las discusiones anteriores con relación a este problema y estuvimos en todo
momento de acuerdo con que debe mantenerse la situación de "statu quo" que hasta ahora ha permanecido respecto a los dictámenes establecidos sobre la existencia del PMA en su relación con la FAO concretamente. Pero como ya este debate está tan adelantado y en la mayoría de los casos se ha establecido un criterio muy generalizado, pensamos que limitándonos a apoyar la posición del Grupo de los 77, que es con la que hemos estado de acuerdo, nos limitamos en nuestra intervención a confirmar esto y a remitir la situación a la próxima reunión del Subcomité, que tendrá lugar dentro de poco.
Juan NUIRY SANCHEZ (Cuba): A esta hora del debate, seré muy breve. Siempre hemos sido muy objetivos sobre este tema de las relaciones de FAO y PMA, como también claros en nuestras posiciones de búsqueda de lógicas soluciones, que no vamos a repetir, por conocidas, dejando para la próxima semana su discusión de fondo, pues creo que ya esto es un consenso. En este capítulo en que nos encontramos de este largo proceso, no habíamos pedido la palabra, pues queríamos escuchar primero al Presidente del Grupo de los 77, el cual tiene todo nuestro respaldo.
Pero, aunque muy brevemente, nuestra delegación desea precisar algunos criterios en búsqueda de soluciones. Es necesario que este Examen de las relaciones entre la FAO y el PMA tenga un fin, no puede ser un proceso interminable. Todo esto lo podemos resolver en nuestra esfera, pero dentro de un franco y sincero diálogo y conociendo de antemano hasta dónde se puede llegar en esas negociaciones. Lo demás es desgastarnos, errar el tiro y no trabajar en nuestro correcto objetivo: la alimentación y la necesidad de ayuda a los países y a la humanidad necesitada, postura común. Tenemos que trabajar dentro de un espíritu de soluciones. Ahí están las bases, presentadas por el Presidente, en nombre del Grupo de los 77, que lógicamente servirán como base, repito, para el diálogo, pero un diálogo franco; abusando tal vez de una palabra bastante repetida, bajo un criterio de transparencia.
Paulo Estivallet DE MESQUITA (Brésil): Monsieur le Président, je serai vraiment très bref. En réalité, il s'agit d'une demande d'éclaircissement à propos de l'intervention qui a été faite par le Représentant des Pays-Bas.
Au début de notre débat, nous avons été amenés à croire que le Représentant de la Communauté économique européenne parlait au nom des membres de la Communauté au Conseil. Cela a été confirmé par le Représentant de la France qui, tout de suite après, n'a pas fait son intervention. Or, si à la suite de l'intervention du représentant de la Communauté au nom de ses membres, le représentant de l'un de ces pays membres intervient, la Communauté redevient alors un observateur et nous ne pouvons pas prendre son intervention en considération. Alternativement, nous pouvons prendre son intervention en considération, en tant que représentant des pays membres de la Communauté économique européenne, et ignorer les interventions des représentants de ces pays. Le Représentant des Pays-Bas a lui-même soulevé cette possibilité en disant que l'on pourrait ignorer son intervention.
Monsieur le Président, j'aimerais que vous éclaircissiez ce point car cela sera repris d'une manière plus générale, à la fin du Conseil.
LE PRESIDENT: Je crois que vous posez une question très judicieuse et pertinente. Il y sera répondu mais vous me permettrez de ne pas le faire maintenant.
Je vais maintenant donner la parole au premier observateur inscrit.
Mohamed Sidya OULD BAH (Observateur de Mauritanie): Monsieur le Président, au nom de la délégation mauritanienne à la présente session, je vous présente nos vives félicitations pour votre élection à la présidence du Conseil et pour la manière sage et compétente avec laquelle vous dirigez nos travaux et nos discussions. Nos félicitations vont également aux trois vice-présidents et au Secrétariat pour leur contribution respective fort satisfaisante pour la réussite de notre session. Je ne saurais passer sous silence, à ce niveau de mon intervention, les sincères remerciements que nous devons aux interprètes pour la haute qualité de leurs services.
Le Représentant du Maroc a déjà parlé au nom des pays maghrébins et je suis tout à fait d'accord avec ce qu'il a déclaré. Mais compte tenu de la spécificité des problèmes de la Mauritanie, je voudrais faire part de notre expérience dans ce domaine extrêmement important des relations entre la FAO et le PAM. J'ai gardé à l'esprit l'exhortation que vous avez formulée au début de la présente session en nous incitant à être concis et à éviter les répétitions inutiles. Cette recommandation répond à mes convictions en la matière. C'est pourquoi je prends la parole pour la première fois, sur un sujet auquel mon gouvernement accorde une grande importance: il s'agit du principe de soutien permanent dont devraient bénéficier, de la part de tous les Etats du monde, nos deux grandes institutions-je veux dire la FAO et le PAM.
Pour être plus clair, je dois préciser dès à présent que mon pays, qui coopère bien avec la FAO comme avec le PAM depuis longtemps, estime qu'il est bien placé pour pouvoir parler de la nécessité de mettre en permanence à la disposition des deux organisations tous les moyens institutionnels, matériels et financiers indispensables pour un accomplissement satisfaisant de leurs missions respectives, sans oublier le moteur des instruments précités, à savoir des cerveaux suffisants au plan quantitatif ou qualitatif.
Je viens d'annoncer que je vais être clair. Pour ce faire, la suite de mon intervention va obéir au plan suivant:
Premier point: les raisons qui me font dire que mon pays est bien placé pour parler des conditions d'efficacité d'intervention de la FAO, d'une part, et du PAM, d'autre part, notamment dans le domaine combien important de la sécurité alimentaire.
Deuxième point: la redéfinition du rôle que doit jouer à l'avenir chacune des deux organisations dans le domaine de la sécurité alimentaire et les moyens de tous ordres nécessaires à chacune d'elles pour faire face aux multiples obligations découlant des missions respectives qui leur sont confiées.
En ce qui concerne le premier point, la République islamique de Mauritanie-vous le savez, j'en suis sûr-est un pays malheureusement demandeur et utilisateur de l'aide fournie par la communauté internationale à travers les deux organismes précités et ce, depuis la grande sécheresse de 1972-73.
Malgré les efforts énormes déployés par la Direction nationale actuelle-34 pour cent des investissements publics à l'agriculture, incitations alléchantes à l'endroit du secteur privé pour l'encourager à investir dans l'agriculture, l'élevage, la pêche, etc.-le pays reste déficitaire en produits vivriers et demeure demandeur d'aide d'urgence. Cette situation de sécheresse et son corollaire, le déficit vivrier, qui dure, a fait acquérir à la Mauritanie une certaine expérience dans le domaine de la sécurité alimentaire et, par voie de conséquence, dans celui de l'une de ses composantes: l'aide alimentaire. Donc la Mauritanie, utilisatrice de l'aide alimentaire, a eu le temps de suivre et d'analyser les mécanismes, les rouages quelquefois lourds, donc lents auxquels est soumis tout octroi d'aide alimentaire distribuée sous l'égide du bicéphalisme actuel.
Mon gouvernement qui suit de très près les problèmes liés à la FAO et au PAM, m'a fait le privilège de me désigner pour le représenter aux présentes assises, non point pour faire une dissertation théorique mais, au contraire, pour être pratique dans le sens de contribuer à la recherche de solutions concrètes et réalistes aux problèmes posés et débattus par le Conseil dont, cela va de soi, celui d'aujourd'hui.
Outre l'expérience accumulée par la Mauritanie durant une longue coopération aussi bien avec le PAM qu'avec la FAO, je dois préciser sans prétention aucune, que j'ai eu moi-même non seulement à suivre cette coopération mais encore à la vivre pleinement et quotidiennement, pour ne pas dire plus, et ce depuis plus de dix ans. Ce n'est pas pour raconter ma vie que j'aborde ces éléments mais tout simplement pour dire que nous croyons être en mesure de vous donner des informations précises qui contribueront peut-être à des solutions.
De juillet 1980 à décembre 1984, j'ai été membre d'une commission technique restreinte chargée de la sécurité alimentaire. Depuis décembre 1984, je suis commissaire à la sécurité alimentaire, c'est-à-dire responsable national de la sécurité alimentaire dans mon pays, sécurité alimentaire dont l'aide alimentaire d'urgence ou l'aide alimentaire tout court constitue une composante importante.
Avant d'aborder le deuxième et dernier point de mon exposé, je rappelle que tout ce que je viens de dire est destiné à justifier l'affirmation que j'ai faite il y a quelques minutes et qui se rapporte à la connaissance de ce dossier par la Mauritanie. Si vous le préférez, il s'agit d'une introduction répondant au pourquoi des propositions concrètes, objet du deuxième point de mon exposé que j'énonce maintenant.
En ce qui concerne la FAO, le Directeur général a porté à la connaissance du Conseil, ou plus exactement il lui a rappelé, à l'ouverture de la session, les difficultés, les problèmes humains, matériels et financiers auxquels se trouve confrontée la FAO, à l'heure actuelle.
La délégation mauritanienne souhaiterait à son tour, après tant d'autres délégations, que des solutions rapides soient trouvées, notamment grâce au paiement intégral des contributions annuelles des Etats et au remboursement des arriérés dus au titre des exercices passés.
Il va de soi que ces mesures, si elles devaient être appliquées par les Etats Membres, permettraient de redresser la situation de la FAO sur la voie de l'accomplissement de sa mission fondamentale qui, je pense, n'est pas et ne devrait pas être celle d'une académie des sciences agricoles. Au contraire, la FAO-de notre point de vue bien entendu-devrait, comme par le passé, pouvoir mener à la fois des interventions de terrain dans tous les domaines relatifs à l'agriculture, à l'alimentation et au travail régulier. Ceci pour la FAO.
En ce qui concerne le Programme alimentaire mondial, j'aurai, Monsieur le Président, en gros deux choses à dire:
- Premièrement: Accord de siège
Le document CL 98/22-1er paragraphe, précise que le Directeur général de la FAO est autorisé depuis 1987 à négocier l'Accord de siège pour le PAM sans avoir à en référer au Conseil. Je crois savoir, à moins d'une erreur de ma part, que les négociations en question ont été bien menées. Si c'est le cas, mon gouvernement en félicite le Gouvernement italien, le Secrétaire général des Nations Unies, et le Directeur général de la FAO.
Au cas où ce que je viens de dire est exact, la Délégation mauritanienne demande, bien entendu au nom du Gouvernement mauritanien, au Conseil de confirmer l'autorisation déjà accordée au Directeur général pour signer sans délai ce projet d'accord.
- Deuxièmement: Rapports FAO-PAM
Compte tenu du fait que ce point figure déjà à l'ordre du jour du CPA devant se tenir le mois prochain, la Délégation de mon pays propose que ce point soit laissé aux soins des délibérations du CPA.
D'ores et déjà, à ce niveau et sans rentrer dans le détail, j'affirme ici le désir de mon gouvernement de voir le PAM disposer de l'autorité administrative et financière nécessaire au bon accomplissement de sa mission humanitaire très importante-voire vitale-pour tous les peuples qui connaissent des difficultés alimentaires. Je rappelle, encore une fois, que la population mauritanienne figure sur la liste de ceux-ci. A ce niveau, mon gouvernement pense à la gestion du Fonds fiduciaire et de l'aide alimentaire d'urgence.
J'insiste pour dire que la proposition de mon gouvernement s'inscrit dans le sens de la gestion-au sens complet et plein du terme-de ce fonds dit fiduciaire du PAM et de l'aide alimentaire d'urgence, directement et
exclusivement par le Directeur exécutif du PAM sous l'autorité du CPA élargi pour les besoins d'une meilleure représentation des pays en voie de développement.
Monsieur le Président, l'objectif visé à travers cette proposition est l'allégement des procédures d'octroi de l'aide alimentaire d'urgence qui est destinée-comme tout le monde le sait-à des êtres humains nécessiteux, qui ne peuvent pas attendre et qui souffrent déjà, au niveau de leurs pays respectifs, de facteurs défavorables qui ont pour noms: capacités insuffisantes de stockage, insuffisance de moyens de conservation de denrées alimentaires tels que techniciens rompus au métier, produits phytosanitaires, mauvais état de la plupart des routes et pistes, parfois difficultés sérieuses de ciblage des vrais nécessiteux.
Monsieur le Président, à ces difficultés ne devraient pas continuer de s'ajouter des lenteurs au niveau de Rome, lenteurs qui, soit dit en passant, ne sont de la faute de personne en particulier, mais sont bel et bien inhérentes à l'état institutionnel qui est caractérisé par un bicéphalisme fort préjudiciable à l'efficacité.
J'ai vu et vécu plusieurs exemples qui illustrent des préjudices sérieux dans ce domaine, et que je ne citerai pas aujourd'hui faute de temps. Mais je le ferai plus tard à d'autres occasions si le problème n'est pas réglé d'ici là.
Je suis persuadé, convaincu même, que je ne suis pas le seul dans cette salle à avoir vu et avoir eu à sauver directement des dizaines de milliers, ou des centaines de milliers d'êtres humains menacés par la faim, la famine, quelquefois par la mort d'inanition.
Je m'excuse d'aborder cet aspect à odeur apocalyptique, mais si je le fais, c'est dans le but d'attirer l'attention du Conseil sur l'importance du facteur temps s'agissant des procédures lentes en vigueur actuellement et qui ne sont pas, de notre point de vue, dans l'intérêt de ceux auxquels est destinée l'aide d'urgence en particulier.
Bref, il est de notre avis urgent et important que l'aide alimentaire d'urgence et le Fonds fiduciaire du PAM soient entièrement et exclusivement confiés au PAM, bien entendu sous le contrôle du CPA.
Monsieur le Président, j'ai eu l'occasion d'exprimer avec moins de détails, faute de temps, le point de vue de mon gouvernement devant le Comité des 77 en date du 23.11.90.
La position de mon gouvernement à ce sujet sera exposée devant les instances internationales concernées.
Monsieur le Président, je ne voudrais pas terminer cet exposé (que je ne voulais pas long) sans remercier très sincèrement le PAM-et à travers le PAM, tous les Etats, tous les peuples et institutions qui financent le PAM-pour l'aide importante, variée et dont l'efficacité sera améliorée par les réformes préconisées. Je dis bien-et j'insiste-que je ne voudrais pas terminer cet exposé sans remercier le PAM, et l'ensemble des donateurs, pour l'aide accordée à mon pays depuis qu'il en a besoin, c'est-à-dire depuis 1973.
C'est enfin avec plaisir et une certaine fierté que je déclare ici, devant les représentants de toute les nations et devant témoins, en l'occurrence le PAM et les autres donneurs d'aide alimentaire, que cette aide ou plus exactement ces aides alimentaires ont été depuis le 12.12.84 strictement cogérées-par les donateurs représentés à Nouakchott, collectivement et individuellement, et le gouvernement-dans la transparence la plus "transparente" s'il peut être toléré de s'exprimer ainsi, avec tout ce que cette transparence peut impliquer comme rigueurs politiques, administratives, humaines, morales et surtout comptables.
En effet, au niveau national, le Conseil de surveillance du Commissariat à la sécurité alimentaire qui est, si vous préférez, un Conseil d'administration, compte en son sein, comme membres au sens plein du terme, des représentants des donateurs qui sont:
- tous les Etats donateurs ayant des Ambassadeurs accrédités à Nouakchott, par rotations;
- la Communauté économique européenne
- l’USAID- leProgramme alimentaire mondial
En plus, des instructions officielles ont été données par écrit à toutes les autorités administratives à travers le pays pour que chaque donateur puisse à tout moment, en tout lieu et en toute liberté, contrôler non seulement la tenue de la comptabilité de l'aide, mais encore et surtout la perception par chaque ayant droit de la part de l'aide alimentaire qui lui revient.
Le Gouvernement mauritanien, conscient des efforts consentis par les contribuables des pays et institutions donneurs d'aide, trouve tout à fait légitime que ces contribuables puissent avoir le coeur net, à travers leurs représentants locaux, que l'objectif de leurs sacrifices soit bien atteint, puisque l'aide alimentaire est intégralement, effectivement, directement, collégialement distribuée aux ayants droit.
Enfin, et ce sera mon dernier propos, cette fois-ci, je vous livre, pour mémoire, la valeur cumulée de l'aide alimentaire (et accessoire) accordée par le PAM et reçue effectivement par la Mauritanie depuis 1981, évaluée (en dollars des Etats-Unis à sa parité actuelle avec la monnaie nationale) à 37 millions de dollars E.U. Je vous remercie.
Monsieur le Président, je me rends compte et je m'en excuse, d'avoir été long, mais je suis mal tombé parce que c'est la fin de l'heure et je voulais vous apporter cette expérience pour que ma contribution soit utile.
The meeting rose at 12.45 hours
La séance est levée à 12 h 45
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.45 horas
