U.N. General Assembly allots $52 million for U.N. Sahara mission

The United Nations General Assembly decided to allot more than $52 million to finance activities of the U.N. mission in charge of supervising the referendum process in the Sahara (MINURSO).

Under a resolution adopted without vote, the Assembly asked the U.N Secretary-General to take all measures to ensure that the MINURSO be managed with the maximum efficiency and economy with a view to reduce the expenses entailed by the employment of general services agents.

The Assembly also asked the Secretary-General to hire local agents for the general services taking into account the mission's needs.

The U.N. Security Council extended last May the MINURSO mandate until next September 14 to pave the way for the resumption of the identification of would-be voters in the self-determination referendum, slated for July 2000.

The MINURSO which supervises a cease-fire in force since September 1991 currently comprises 203 military observers, 10 staff officers, 248 troopers and 80 civilian police observers.