Tenth Session

(3 - 7 April 1995)

STATEMENT BY THE EASTERN EUROPEAN GROUP

AT THE TENTH PLENARY SESSION OF THE COMMISSION

The Eastern European Group (the Group), committed to an early entry into force (EIF) and effective implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, welcomes the increased pace of its ratification.  A significant part of the Signatory States from Eastern Europe have already deposited their instruments of ratification.  Other Member States have made substantial progress towards completing the ratification process.

The Group observes that although some important tasks assigned to the Commission by the Paris Resolution have already been fulfilled, numerous substantive issues under these tasks remain to be agreed upon.  It believes that the development of common understandings on key issues would speed up preparations for national implementation and strengthen the determination of Member  States to ratify the Convention.  The Group reiterates its readiness to contribute further to the work of the Commission, including through accepting a greater share of responsibility in chairing its subsidiary bodies.

The Group considers that the transition from the Commission to the OPCW cannot be an automatic process, but should rather be accomplished through co-operative efforts by all Member States to ensure the necessary prerequisites for successful operation of the Organisation.  In order to ensure a smooth transition, the Group favours the continuation of the negotiations on the overall structure of the OPCW, in accordance with the agreed provisions of the 1995 Programme of Work and Budget.  In this context the Group believes that any structural change in the Secretariat of the Commission should be viewed in a long-term perspective, avoiding selective or premature solutions.

The Group continues to be seriously under-represented in the PTS.  The Group attaches great importance to measures to increase transparency in the staff recruitment process.  It welcomes in this respect the initial information provided by the Executive Secretary on the pre-selection screening process concerning inspector trainee candidates (Report PC-X/10, 31 March 1995).

The Group notes with regret that two years of the implementation of the Secretariat's staffing policy have not led to creating a well balanced geographical distribution of professional and higher posts including consultants and on-loan staff.  The Group observes that the staffing situation has not been improved by recent appointments in the PTS.  Such a situation does not reflect the  recommendations on this sensitive issue by the Commission and the relevant budgetary assumption contained in the 1995 Budget (para. 1.18 (h), Annex to                    PC-VIII/A/WP.7).  The Group remains concerned, inter alia, with the established imbalance at P-5 and P-4 grade levels which play a key role in the Secretariat's activities.

The Group expects the Executive Secretary to take firm action in redressing the situation of under-representation of the Members of the Eastern European Group in the Secretariat, particularly when the Commission comes closer to the end of Phase I and during the Phase II period.

The Group considers that all Phase II Vacancy Notices with respective job descriptions should be prepared and issued at the same time in a comprehensive manner in accordance with the relevant budgetary and programme provisions in 1995 Budget document.

The Group welcomes the steps being taken by the Executive Secretary in fulfilling the mandate of the Preparatory Commission and believes that the Executive Secretary should play a still more active role in assisting Member States in their efforts to ensure an early entry into force of the Convention.  The Group will continue to provide all necessary cooperation and support in attaining this objective.

The Group requests the Secretariat to have this statement issued as an official document of the Tenth Session of the Commission.

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