United Nations

NEW YORK, 23 December (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of a statement by Secretary-General Kofi Annan made today:

I am delighted that the General Assembly has at last been able to reach agreement on the vexed issue of the Scale of Assessments. It is the best possible seasonal gift for our Organization. I congratulate all those who have worked so hard to find a fair and acceptable compromise, and especially those Member States that have agreed to increase their contributions.

This agreement should remove a major source of tension among Member States, and between them and the Organization. In particular, we can now look forward to a normal and constructive relationship with the United States Administration.

The United Nations now can begin the new century on a firmer financial footing, and we can focus our energies on our true task, which is to advance the principles and purposes of the United Nations. We must now concentrate on responding to the needs and expectations of our peoples.