A/RES/52/238 Page 2 Recalling its previous decisions regarding the fact that, in order to meet the expenditures caused by the Observation Mission, a different procedure is required from that applied to meet expenditures of the regular budget of the United Nations, Taking into account the fact that the economically more developed countries are in a position to make relatively larger contributions and that the economically less developed countries have a relatively limited capacity to contribute towards such an operation, Bearing in mind the special responsibilities of the States permanent members of the Security Council, as indicated in General Assembly resolution 1874 (S-IV) of 27 June 1963, in the financing of such operations, Expressing its appreciation for the substantial voluntary contributions made to the Observation Mission by the Government of Kuwait and the contributions of other Governments, Mindful of the fact that it is essential to provide the Observation Mission with the necessary financial resources to enable it to fulfil its responsibilities under the relevant resolutions of the Security Council, 1. Takes note of the status of contributions to the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission as at 15 May 1998, including the contributions outstanding in the amount of 9.6 million United States dollars, representing some 4 per cent of the total assessed contributions from the inception of the Mission to the period ending 30 April 1998, notes that some 23 per cent of the Member States have paid their assessed contributions in full, and urges all other Member States concerned, in particular those in arrears, to ensure the payment of their outstanding assessed contributions; 2. Expresses its continued appreciation of the decision of the Government of Kuwait to defray two thirds of the cost of the Observation Mission, effective 1 November 1993; 3. Expresses concern about the financial situation with regard to peacekeeping activities, in particular as regards the reimbursement of troop contributors, which bear additional burdens owing to overdue payments by Member States of their assessments; 4. in full; Expresses its appreciation to those Member States which have paid their assessed contributions 5. Urges all other Member States to make every possible effort to ensure payment of their assessed contributions to the Observation Mission in full and on time; 6. Takes note of the observations and recommendations contained in the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions;2 7. Decides to examine the recommendation of the Advisory Committee for 5 per cent across-theboard reductions of the budget proposals of the Secretary-General in the light of the next series of relevant financial performance reports; 8. Requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary action to ensure that the Observation Mission is administered with a maximum of efficiency and economy; /...