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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 May 2009
Among the many differences between the League of Nations and the UN systems is that characterized by the increasing expansion in the latter's structure of field operations along with the development of the administrative structure of field offices. This essay deals with the key field post, that of the UN Technical Assistance Board (TAB) Resident Representative, in the most far-flung of the new UN field networks.
1 The TAB field network also embraces about a dozen field liaison officers and correspondents. These offices perform important functions but they are not dealt with in this article, which is limited to consideration of the office of resident (or regional) representative.
2 Under Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Resolution 222 (IX) and General Assembly Resolution 304 (IV). Subsequent legislation has included ECOSOC Resolutions 400 (XII), 45) A (XIV), 470 (XV), 551 A and C (XVII). 542 B (XVIII), 623 B II and III (XXII), 647 (XXIII), and 795 (XXX); and General Assembly Resolutions 519 (VI), 621 (VII), 831 (IX), 1022 (XI), and 1240 (XIII).
3 ECOSOC Resolution 222 (IX).
4 ECOSOC Resolution 433 A (XIV).
5 General Assembly Resolution 621 (VII).
6 ECOSOC Resolution 542 B II (XVIII).
7 Document E/TAC/L.106.
8 General Assembly Resolution 1240 (XIII).
9 Afghanistan, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua), Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, the Sudan, Thailand (regional representative covering also China, Japan, Korea, Malaya, and the British Territories of Hong Kong, Singapore, and British Borneo), Tunisia, Turkey, the United Arab Republic, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia.
10 There are no major differences between the responsibilities of resident representatives appointed to one country and those of regional representatives serving several countries, and in this essay no distinction is made between them.
11 Document TAB/R.275.
12 Document E/TAC/L.106.
13 Cf. Technical Assistance Newsletter, issued by the UN Department of Public Information in collaboration with the Technical Assistance Board, 04 1958 (No. 42), P. 2, 3Google Scholar.
14 The appropriation subtitle was amended in 1958 to exclude the word “expanded” in order to make the funds available also for counterpart support of projects in the regular programs.
15 Experts prepare much more detailed project reports.
16 The figures in this and the following paragraph are from budget estimates for the Secretariat of the Technical Assistance Board for the Year 1959 (Document E/TAC/79).
17 There was considerable overlapping in these categories, e.g., the same person may have been an economist, a professor, and a government official.
18 In 1960 the base salary scale for these posts was estimated as follows: Director, $18,000 (gross) and $12,500 (net); principal officer, $13,33O–$17,000 (gross) and $10,000–$12,000 (net); and senior officer, $11,31O–$15,OOO (gross) and $8,750–$11,000 (net). See General Assembly Official Records (14th session), Supplement No. 5, “Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 1960 and Information Annexes.”
19 The UN Charter recognizes the usefulness of UN operations to the community of nations as a whole by placing a shield of immunities about UN officials somewhat resembling that which protects diplomats. For example, the Charter provides (Article 105) that the “organization shall enjoy in the territory of each of its members such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the fulfillment of its purposes.” The UN Convention on Privileges and Immunities provides (Article II) that “the United Nations, its property and assets wherever located and by whomsoever held, shall enjoy immunity from every form of legal process …, “ and (Article VI) that experts on UN missions “shall be accorded such privileges and immunities as are necessary for the independent exercise of their functions … immunity from arrest… the same immunities and facilities in respect of their personal baggage as are accorded to diplomatic envoys.”
20 Since this was written, the Special Fund has agreed to provide a subvention toward the costs of the TAB field offices.
21 Since this was written, an arrangement somewhat along the lines herein recommended has been undertaken experimentally in India.
22 ECOSOC Resolution 795 (XXX).
23 Ibid.
