'Unprecedented expansion' not matched by financial support.

• Position: Increased demands for UN operations for peace and security in member-state nations - Includes brief summary of UN peacekeeping missions in 1993

An "unprecedented expansion" of UN peacekeeping and peacemaking responsibilities had generated optimism among Member States, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali reported on 14 March. That optimism was reflected in their support for peace-keeping operations and in the "greatly enlarged circle of States actively participating in them, providing unprecedented levels of personnel, equipment and other facilities", he stressed.

Regrettably, the same level of support had "not extended to the payment of financial contributions" assessed on Member States to meet UN peace-keeping expenses, the Secretary-General lamented.

More than a year ago, a "chasm had developed" between the Organization's tasks and the financial means provided to it. "Today, this chasm is wider than ever before", Mr. Boutros-Ghali stated (A/48/403-S/26450). He was particularly concerned that funds were routinely withheld for long periods of time, even after a peacekeeping operation had been established, its budget approved, perhaps even after troops were contributed to it. That led to "delays and makeshift arrangements", resulting in "inefficiencies and, very often, increased costs".

Also, troops assigned for UN duty had to be fully operational on arrival in their area of operation, and that must remain the responsibility of each Member State, the Secretary-General stressed. The UN should not "take upon itself the task, for which it does not now have the capacity", of providing the troops with essential equipment.

On the other hand, troop-contributing Governments had a right to expect timely reimbursement from the Organization, which had not always been possible because of the shortfall in assessed contributions. As a result, a number of Member States found it difficult to participate in peace-keeping operations, Mr. Boutros-Ghali stated.

He was also concerned by this development, not only because it limited the UN capacity for action, but also because "it erodes the Organization at its core, which is the compact among Member States to unite their strength...