A/RES/52/229 Page 2 Recalling its previous decisions regarding the fact that, in order to meet the expenditures caused by the Mission of Observers, 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, Noting with appreciation that voluntary contributions have been made to the Mission of Observers, Mindful of the fact that it is essential to provide the Mission of Observers 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 Mission of Observers in Tajikistan as at 20 March 1998, including the contributions outstanding in the amount of 3,232,333 United States dollars, representing 12 per cent of the total assessed contributions from the inception of the Mission of Observers to the period ending 15 May 1998, notes that some 12 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 concern about the financial situation with regard to peacekeeping activities, in particular as regards the reimbursement of troop contributors, which bear burdens owing to overdue payments by Member States of their assessments; 3. in full; Expresses its appreciation to those Member States which have paid their assessed contributions 4. Urges all other Member States to make every possible effort to ensure the payment of their assessed contributions to the Mission of Observers in full and on time; 5. Endorses the observations and recommendations contained in the report of the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions;2 6. Requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary action to ensure that the Mission of Observers is administered with a maximum of efficiency and economy; 7. Decides, taking into account the commitment authority provided by the Advisory Committee, to appropriate to the Special Account for the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan a total amount of 15 million dollars gross (14,335,000 dollars net) for the expansion of the Mission of Observers for the period from 1 July 1997 to 30 June 1998, inclusive of the amount of $8,275,700 gross ($7,721,300 net) already appropriated under the provisions of General Assembly resolution 51/237; 8. Decides also, as an ad hoc arrangement, to apportion the amount of 5,379,440 dollars gross (5,290,960 dollars net) for the period ending 15 May 1998 among Member States in accordance with the /...