D. whereas Guinea-Bissau's decades of political instability have led the country into a deep crisis, marked by a lack of access to clean water, health and education and by civil servants in many ministries facing months of wage arrears, and whereas the country is one of a handful of states on the agenda of the United Nations (UN) Peacebuilding Commission, which aims to help poor countries avoid sliding back into war or chaos; whereas the assassinations have come at a time of increased EU and international engagement aimed at building a democratic and stable Guinea-Bissau,

We've struggled with the issue around backlog and the definition of backlog, and unfortunately the person who made those statements is not here today to explain what they meant under those circumstances.

K. whereas the time factor is always crucial in such disasters; whereas it was not possible to reach the emergency towing machinery at the back of the vessel because of the condition the vessel was in at the time, and whereas, partly because of a shortage of manpower, it took nearly twenty four hours for the Prestige to be taken in tow by tugs,

J. whereas the time factor is always crucial in such disasters; whereas it was not possible to reach the emergency towing machinery at the back of the vessel because of the condition the vessel was in at the time, and whereas, partly because of a shortage of manpower, it took nearly twenty four hours for the Prestige to be taken in tow by tugs,

Mr. Peter Showler: You've made reference to the backlog, and I assume at this point we're talking about the backlog within the Convention Refugee Division, which will become the Refugee Protection Division.

The absence of any decision by the US Congress on the payment of arrears comes at a time when the UN is making an unprecedented effort to reform its structures and methods of operation.