Assembly endorses UN chief's restructuring plan

United Nations, Mar 16: The United Nations General Assembly endorsed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's plan to split the world body's burgeoning peacekeeping department into two units.

Persistent in convincing members that the restructuring would raise efficiency, Ban insisted that two units were needed to handle the 18 peacekeeping missions fielding nearly 100,000 soldiers and civilians around the world, mainly in Africa.

The plan initially came under criticism because of a possible conflict in reporting lines and because most diplomats believed it was conceived for political purposes to create another high-level post.

But in a resolution adopted by consensus, without a vote, the 192-member assembly supported Ban's plan and asked him to submit another report on financial implications and unity of command.

''I am very much encouraged by the strong support rendered by the General Assembly on my two reform proposals,'' Ban, who took office on Jan. 1, told reporters yesterday. ''It was a good beginning for me in the early stage of my tenure.'' With about 600 staff in New York and a budget of more than billion a year, the department may face extra strain soon if the United Nations sends peacekeeping troops to Sudan.

Under Ban's proposal, the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, headed by Frenchman Jean-Marie Guehenno, would continue to plan, direct and manage field operations.

A new unit called the Department of Field Support would provide services on personnel, finance, procurement, logistics, communication and information technology and report to two officials.

The assembly also supported Ban's plan make disarmament affairs part of his office rather than keep it as a separate department.

Originally he had wanted to fold that department into political affairs, now headed by an American. But developing nations argued that a citizen from a nuclear power could not advocate disarmament.

Reuters

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