I refer to the letter by Leonard Gauci (November 25) who quotes a UN official document (ST/ADM/R.38/Rev.1) - the correct symbol is R.58 - which does indeed list represented nationalities in the United Nations as of January 1, 2004 but not exclusively those recruited on the basis of geographical representation or subject to Malta's desirable range.

The document shows that on January 1, 2004 there were five Maltese staff members but Mr Gauci is incorrect in stating that they would be considered part of the Maltese quota. He has neglected to read the annotations assigned to each name. These annotations reveal that only two of the five names listed were "subject to the system of desirable ranges".

The other three had different types of appointments that were not subject to this system and therefore not considered part of the Maltese quota.

The information contained in ST/ADM/R.58/Rev.1 is updated monthly. Since January 2004, one of the two Maltese listed as subject to the system of desirable ranges, resigned. The information I provided to the Foreign and European Affairs Committee of the Maltese Parliament, when I recently addressed it, therefore was accurate and correct as of June 2004.