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 UNITED NATIONS - / www.MaximsNews.com, UN/ - 05 February 2007 --    Madame President,  

I would like to thank the Secretary-General for his statement which has received our full attention. It will allow us to better understand the restructuring proposals.  

The ability and flexibility of an organisation to adapt its structures are both essential for a successful work and to meet the challenges that lie ahead. We therefore support the principle that it is up to the Secretary-General to organise his secretariat.  

Changes in structure should lead to more efficiency and coherence. The efforts of the Secretary-General to restructure his Secretariat come at a time where both peacekeeping and disarmament face great challenges. Switzerland takes note of the Secretary-General's proposals and is ready to give them the attention they deserve. There success will be measured against the substantive output over the next two years.  

In the restructuring of DDA and DPKO the guiding principle should be: "form follows function". Before new structures are established, the strategies how to achieve the different objectives should be clear.  

With regard to possible financial implications we generally believe that any changes should occur within existing resources.  

***  

Switzerland welcomes the SG's intention to get involved more visibly in disarmament and nonproliferation issues and to appoint a Special Representative without touching upon the existing branches and the special function of the DG UNOG in the Conference on Disarmament.  

Disarmament and nonproliferation efforts are two equally important topics on our agenda. The Secretary-General, through his new office, should give both a high priority. For Switzerland, the balance between non-proliferation and disarmament, in particular nuclear weapons, must be adequately addressed.  

The new Office will also need to comprehensively tackle today’s challenges in the area of conventional weapons. Switzerland would like to see a particular focus on Small Arms and Light Weapons, mines and cluster munitions, but also on broader approaches like armed violence and development, as well as transparency in armaments and arms trade regulations.  

The success of the new structure will also very much depend on its leadership. We trust the Secretary-General will put in place a team that will be able to work in close cooperation with Member States in an equitable and transparent way.  

***  

A successful implementation of the reform agenda is essential for effective peacekeeping operations. Switzerland will continue to fully support these efforts.  

Switzerland pays high attention to the strategy of ‘integrated mission planning’. The new structure needs to reflect and support this objective. We will pay close attention to how the new structure will help to implement this integrated approach.  

Field Operations depend on efficient and effective management from Headquarters. Switzerland will closely follow the modalities of interaction between the two new departments and possible changes in the chain of command.  

In addition, there is a close link between the work of DPKO and the Department of Political Affairs. Switzerland expects the departments to continue to discharge their functions in close cooperation.  

I thank you, Madame President.

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