The Security Council expresses its regret that there has been no progress regarding the establishment of a direct high-altitude flight route for UNMEE between Asmara and Addis Ababa. It notes with deep concern that the current extended flight route for UNMEE between the two capitals has significant security, logistical and financial implications. The Council calls on the parties once again to work with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in a spirit of compromise to settle the issue for the mutual benefit of all.
The Security Council, underlining the need for confidence-building measures, calls on the parties to release and return unconditionally and without further delay, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), all the remaining prisoners of war and release all other persons detained as a result of the armed conflict, in accordance with international humanitarian law and the Algiers Agreement. In this regard, the Council welcomes the repatriation yesterday of 25 Ethiopian prisoners of war from Eritrea under the auspices of the ICRC. The Council encourages authorities and civil society in both Ethiopia and Eritrea to afford humane treatment, without discrimination, to each other’s nationals and persons of each other’s origin within their respective territories.
The Security Council, inviting the parties to make further contributions to fulfil their financial responsibilities regarding the Boundary Commission, expresses its determination to support the practical demarcation of the border. It looks forward to the forthcoming recommendations by the Secretary-General in this regard.
The Security Council, expressing appreciation to those Member States that have already provided voluntary contributions, calls on Member States in a position to do so to provide further support to the peace process and to alleviate the difficult humanitarian situation and, where conditions allow, help facilitate reconstruction and development in both countries, including by making contributions through the following channels:
(a) United Nations Consolidated Appeals process for 2002;
(b) United Nations Trust Fund to Support the Peace Process in Ethiopia-Eritrea; and, in light of paragraph 13 above,
(c) United Nations Trust Fund for the Delimitation and Demarcation of the Border established pursuant to resolution 1177 (1998).
The Security Council confirms its intention to send a mission to the two countries in February 2002.
S/PRST/2002/2 Conflict prevention, peacekeeping cooperation in Africa
Date: 31 January 2002 Meeting: 4465
The Security Council expresses its appreciation to H.E. Mr. Amara Essy, Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), as well as the Ministers who participated in the Public Meeting on the “Situation in Africa” on 29 January 2002 for their invaluable contributions to the debate on the “Situation in Africa”.
The Security Council reaffirms the principles of political independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of all States and their obligation to settle their dispute by peaceful means.
The Security Council, recalling its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security as well as the provisions of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, underscores the importance of partnership and enhanced coordination and cooperation, based on complementarity and comparative advantage, between the United Nations, the OAU and subregional organizations in Africa in the promotion of regional peace and stability. It welcomes the decision of the OAU Summit held in Lusaka in July 2001 to undertake a review of the structures, procedures and working methods of the Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (CPMR). It emphasizes the importance of enhanced cooperation and of ensuring better coordination between the United Nations and the OAU with the view to achieving a lasting solution to conflicts. In this regard, it requests the Secretary-General to encourage the United Nations Liaison Office to the OAU in Addis Ababa to interact more closely with the OAU Mechanism for CPMR on the conflicts in Africa. The Security Council expresses its readiness to deepen its cooperation with the OAU and subregional organizations and invite them to inform it at the earliest possible stage over their decisions and initiatives that could have implications relating to its responsibilities under the Charter.
The Security Council calls on the United Nations system to intensify its cooperation, including assistance within existing resources, to the OAU and subregional organizations in Africa in the field of capacity-building, particularly in early warning conflict prevention and peacekeeping. It also stresses the importance of effective interaction between the United Nations system and the OAU and subregional organizations through the exchange of information and analysis at the conflict prevention stage; coordination and clear understanding of respective roles in forwarding peace processes; and coordinated support to national and regional peace-building efforts. In this regard, the Security Council welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Office in West Africa and requests the Secretary-General to take all necessary measures for that Office to be fully operational.
The Security Council notes with satisfaction that good offices missions carried out by prominent political leaders of Africa facilitated significant progress in the political settlement of certain conflicts; it encourages the OAU and subregional organizations, taking into account the specific situation of conflicts, to seek appointment of such figures as Special Envoys as well as to employ where appropriate the traditional methods of conflict resolution including the establishment of Councils of Elders; the Security Council stresses the importance of the preventive character of such efforts and emphasizes the need for their proper coordination. The Security Council stresses the specific needs of women and children in peace processes and encourages the strengthening of the role of women and youth in the search for solutions to conflicts in Africa.
The Security Council encourages the ongoing efforts undertaken by the international community in addressing the root causes of conflicts in Africa as indicated in the Report of the Secretary-General on the Causes of Conflicts and the Promotion of Durable Peace and Sustainable Development in Africa (A/52/871-S/1998/318). The Security Council, bearing in mind the linkages between conflicts in Africa and inter alia poverty and development, the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the problems of refugees and internally displaced persons, the illegal exploitation of natural resources and, social exclusion as a source of intra-State conflicts, reaffirms its continued commitment in addressing these problems and encourages the OAU as well as subregional organizations and international financial institutions to do likewise. The Security Council stresses that the early resumption of international cooperation and development aid to countries where a peace process is being implemented is of critical importance for the success of this peace process and further stresses the importance of the role of the donor community and international financial institutions in this regard.
The Security Council stresses that good governance, democracy, rule of law, and the respect of human rights and the fight against poverty are essential for peace, stability and sustainable development in Africa. It also stresses the importance of national reconciliation through dialogue in respective countries. It expresses its strong support to the decisions of the OAU Heads of State and Government at the Algiers Summit held in 1999 denying recognition to Governments that come to power through unconstitutional means and notes with satisfaction that this decision is being implemented. It reaffirms that resolution of conflicts in Africa requires, above all, the political will and courage of the parties themselves to seek peace.
The Security Council expresses concern over the effects of conflicts on civilian population including violations of human rights, in particular those affecting the most vulnerable groups such as the elderly, women and children. It emphasizes the responsibility of States concerned to put an end to impunity and prosecute those responsible for such acts.
The Security Council underlines the need to address the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons which in addition to humanitarian consequences constitute a burden on the affected countries and which may become a source of conflict. It notes the shortfall in funding for refugee and internally displaced persons programmes in Africa and reiterates its call upon the international community to provide such programmes with the necessary financial resources, taking into account the substantial needs in Africa.
The Security Council, recalling its resolution 1308 of 17 July 2000, inter alia recognizing that the HIV/AIDS pandemic is also exacerbated by the conditions of violence and instability and constitutes a potential risk to stability and security, reiterates that the pandemic, if unchecked, may pose a risk to stability and security. The Council urges the international community and donors to coordinate their efforts in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The Security Council reiterates the importance of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) in the process of conflict resolution and post-conflict peace-building, and notes the lack of adequate resources for effective reintegration programmes. In this regard, it urges the international community to support such programmes, including through the implementation of quick-impact projects.
The Security Council notes that African States can contribute to peace and security in the continent by implementing transparency and confidence-building measures. In this regard, the Security Council reiterates its call on all States to implement the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects.
The Security Council welcomes the participation of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) to its Public Meeting on the Situation in Africa on 29 January 2002. It reaffirms the importance of strengthening its cooperation, through greater interaction, with the ECOSOC, in accordance with Article LXV of the Charter of the United Nations, in the area of the prevention of armed conflicts, including in addressing the economic, social, cultural and humanitarian problems. The Security Council, taking note of the time it devotes to discussing African conflicts and the specificity of the problems of Africa, underlines that economic rehabilitation and reconstruction constitute important elements in the long-term development of post-conflict societies and the maintenance of lasting peace and calls for greater international assistance in this regard. The Security Council expresses its resolve to seek to establish the political conditions for non-recurrence of a particular conflict before withdrawing any peacekeeping operation.
The Security Council commends and supports the efforts of African countries within the framework of the fight against international terrorism.
The Security Council welcomes the ongoing transformation of the OAU into the African Union and encourages and supports the principles of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) to create the conditions for development and to enhance economic integration in Africa. It recognizes that sound economic policies will further enhance peace and stability in the region. It calls upon the donor countries and the Bretton Woods institutions to continue assisting Africa in implementing the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiatives and to work with African governments, through the NEPAD, to create necessary conditions to attract and mobilize public and private sector resources in support of economic growth and poverty reduction.
The Security Council notes the usefulness of its meeting with the Secretary-General of OAU and stresses the importance of holding such consultations on a regular basis, at least once a year, in the future.
The Security Council recognizes the need for adequate measures to prevent and resolve conflicts in Africa, and will consider the setting up of an ad hoc Working Group to monitor the above recommendations and to enhance coordination with ECOSOC.
S/PRST/2002/3 Support for Burundi Transitional Government
Date: 7 February 2002 Meeting: 4471
The Security Council pays tribute to the signatories to the Arusha Agreement, and the transitional president, His Excellency Mr. Pierre Buyoya in particular, for their efforts to advance the peace process. It expresses its full support for the transitional government set up on the basis of the Agreement, which was represented by President Buyoya at the meetings of the Council on 5 February 2002. The Council reiterates its gratitude for the facilitation efforts of former President Mandela. It also expresses its support for the ongoing efforts of President Bongo and Deputy President Zuma, as well as States in the region and South Africa to facilitate the implementation of the Arusha Agreement.
The Council reaffirms that continued fighting against the legitimate transitional government set up pursuant to an inclusive peace agreement is totally unjustifiable and unacceptable, and threatens the implementation of the peace process. It once more calls on the rebel groups immediately to lay down arms in the interest of all Burundians and recalls that only a negotiated solution will finally end the fighting. In this connection, the Council commends the commitment of the transitional government to enter into ceasefire negotiations and pays tribute to the efforts made to that end by the facilitation team and, in coordination with the latter, by the States in the region, particularly United Republic of Tanzania. The Council emphasizes that it is now up to the rebel groups to do their part. It calls on them immediately to translate into action the encouraging signals that they have given recently. It emphasizes further that, while the transition is moving ahead according to the established time frame, time is of the essence for the rebels finally to join the peace process.
The Security Council welcomes the steps taken by the Governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to normalize their relations. In this regard, it also welcomes the joint communiqué they issued on 7 January (S/2002/36). It calls on them to implement as soon as possible the elements agreed in this communiqué, and in particular to ensure that the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be used for armed attacks against Burundi, and to proceed to the effective withdrawal of Burundian troops from Congolese territory.
The Security Council emphasizes that national reconstruction and economic recovery are the other main challenges which the Burundi peace process must overcome in order to place itself on a stronger footing. The Council stresses the important role of the international community in this regard and calls on donor countries to honour as soon as possible the pledges which they made at the Paris (December 2000) and Geneva (December 2001) donor round tables, as well as on the United Nations system as a whole to support the transitional government for the reconstruction of the country.
S/PRST/2002/4 Support for special representative for Kosovo
Date: 13 February 2002 Meeting: 4473
The Security Council expresses its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General upon his assumption of the position as Head of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), as well as its appreciation to all the personnel of UNMIK for their untiring efforts in ensuring the full implementation of resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999.
The Security Council notes the progress made in the implementation of resolution 1244 (1999) and the Constitutional Framework for Provisional Self-Government, including the inauguration of the Kosovo Assembly following the elections on 17 November 2001 in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. It calls on Kosovo’s elected representatives to resolve the deadlock over the formation of executive structures of the provisional self-governing institutions and to allow the functioning of those institutions, in accordance with the Constitutional Framework and the outcome of the elections which expressed the will of the voters. It supports the development of cooperation between UNMIK, Kosovo’s elected representatives and the authorities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Such cooperation is vital in implementing resolution 1244 (1999).
The Security Council reaffirms the fundamental importance of the rule of law in Kosovo’s political development and condemns any attempt to undermine it. It supports all efforts of UNMIK, together with the international security presence (KFOR) and the Kosovo Police Service (KPS), to combat all kinds of crime, violence and extremism. It supports the measures taken to bring persons responsible for criminal acts to justice, regardless of ethnic or political background. It calls upon the elected leaders of Kosovo to cooperate fully with UNMIK and KFOR in promoting the rule of law and a multi-ethnic Kosovo with security and freedom of movement for all.
S/PRST/2002/5 Withdrawal of foreign troops from Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 25 February 2002 Meeting: 4476
The Security Council welcomes the tenth report of the Secretary-General of 15 February 2002 (S/2002/169) on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) and expresses its intention to consider its recommendations. The Council calls on all the parties to the conflict to display their political will in order to achieve a peaceful settlement and reconciliation. The Council urges all the parties to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement (S/1998/815) to fulfil all their commitments under the Agreement and under the relevant resolutions of the Council.
The Security Council stresses the importance of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, which is an essential element to achieve lasting peace. It reiterates its strong support for the Facilitator and his team. It calls on all Congolese parties to participate in this process, and to do so in a constructive spirit.
The Security Council reiterates its call for the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also stresses that the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration process of the armed groups mentioned in Annex A, Chapter 9.1 of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement is another key element for the settlement of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in this regard:
– reiterates its support for MONUC, which is deploying in the east of the country in order to facilitate this process;
– calls on the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to fulfil its commitments regarding the repatriation of the ex-combatants in Kamina;
– taking note of the request expressed by the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Security Council, requests MONUC to make a first assessment of the number of members of the Rwandan armed groups (ex-forces armés rwandais and Interahamwe) in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to report to the Council by the end of March. Based on this assessment, the Council will examine whether any further support should be given to MONUC in the execution of this task;
– recalls that all the parties have a major responsibility to contribute to the disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration process and that the Joint Military Commission has a role in this respect, in cooperation with MONUC.
The Security Council takes note of the reinforcement of the MONUC presence in Kisangani and reiterates its demand that the city be demilitarized, in accordance with its relevant resolutions. In this regard, it also stresses the importance of the full reopening of the Congo River, including to commercial traffic, and calls on all parties to cooperate in this regard.
The Security Council expresses its concern at the persistent human rights violations, in particular in the east of the country, and calls on all parties to put an end to these violations.
S/PRST/2002/6 Objectives for protecting civilians in armed conflict
Date: 15 March 2002 Meeting: 4493
The Security Council recalls its resolutions 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999 and 1296 (2000) of 19 April 2000 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict and the letter of 21 June 2001 from the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2001/614).
The Security Council reaffirms its concern at the hardships borne by civilians during armed conflict, and recognizes the consequent impact this has on durable peace, reconciliation and development, bearing in mind its primary responsibility under the Charter of the United Nations for the maintenance of international peace and security, and underlining the importance of taking measures aimed at conflict prevention and resolution.
Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General of 8 September 1999 (S/1999/957) and of 30 March 2001 (S/2001/331) on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict and welcoming the close cooperation with the Secretary-General in preparing the Aide Memoire attached to this statement, the Security Council adopts the Aide Memoire contained in the annex to the presidential statement as a means to facilitate its consideration of issues pertaining to protection of civilians. The Council further emphasizes the need, when considering ways to provide for the protection of civilians in armed conflict, to proceed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the particular circumstances.
The Security Council will review and update the contents of the Aide Memoire as appropriate, and will remain actively seized of the matter.
S/PRST/2002/7 Angolan Government intention to cease offensives
Date: 28 March 2002 Meeting: 4499
The Security Council welcomes the communiqué issued by the Government of Angola on 13 March 2002 (S/2002/270) as a positive, constructive, and forward-looking approach to ending the conflict and resuming the process of national reconciliation and calls upon the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) to show that it shares a similar position, with the aim of achieving national reconciliation including through a general ceasefire in Angola.
The Security Council urges UNITA to recognize the historic nature of this opportunity to end the conflict with dignity, to give a clear, positive response to the Government’s offer of peace, to implement fully the Lusaka Protocol (S/1994/1441, Annex), including by disavowing the use of arms and demilitarizing completely, and to re-enter political life to pursue its ideals as an important contributor to the process of national reconciliation towards a fully democratic Angola.
The Security Council recognizes the positive initiatives of the Government of Angola in this process. It also recognizes the vital role to be played by a peaceful UNITA and stresses the importance of the role of other political parties and civil society, including the churches, all supported by the international community.
The Security Council expects that the Government of Angola will fulfil its commitments as rapidly as circumstances permit, and notes that the response of the international community, including the provision of assistance, with the exception of humanitarian assistance, would be positively encouraged by the Government’s efforts and actions.
The Security Council calls on the Government of Angola to ensure further the transparency and credibility of the peace process, including by cooperating with the United Nations, in the first phase and beyond. The Council looks forward to discussions between the Under-Secretary-General/Adviser for Special Assignments in Africa and the Government of Angola to clarify the role of the United Nations.
The Security Council stresses the active role that the United Nations is expected to play in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, in close cooperation with the Government of Angola and notes the need to renew, and possibly redefine, the mandate of the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA) by 15 April 2002, taking into account recent developments in Angola, in consultation with the Government of Angola.
The Security Council declares its support for the full implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, and its willingness to work with all parties in this endeavour, and stresses the importance of the re-commencement of the Joint Commission as soon as UNITA is ready to name its members. It calls upon the Government to facilitate UNITA retaking its place on the Commission, while noting that it might be necessary for the parties to build upon the Lusaka Protocol, by common agreement, as appropriate to current circumstances without altering the fundamental nature and principles of the accord.
The Security Council stands ready to consider appropriate and specific exemptions from and amendments to the measures imposed by paragraph 4 (a) of United Nations Security Council resolution 1127 (1997) of 28 August 1997 in consultation with the Government of Angola and with a view to facilitating the peace negotiations.
The Security Council welcomes the Government of Angola’s statement on facilitation of the political reorganization of UNITA and the choice of their leadership in complete freedom, in order to have a legitimate interlocutor for national reconciliation.
The Security Council underlines that the legitimacy of the peace process depends upon a genuine role for, and full participation of, political parties and civil society without interference, as well as flexibility in approaching questions of national reconciliation.
The Security Council expresses its concern that the grave humanitarian situation, especially for internally displaced persons, continues to deteriorate and calls upon the Government of Angola to accelerate full and immediate access to all those in need of humanitarian assistance; it welcomes the decision by the Government of Angola to include humanitarian assistance in its plans to extend territorial administration throughout Angola, and expects that the Government of Angola cooperate fully through an agreed coordinating mechanism with the international donors in developing swiftly an appropriate and effective humanitarian response, including demining activities.
The Security Council invites the Government of Angola to brief the Council at the earliest opportunity on the peace process in all its aspects, as well as national reconciliation and the humanitarian situation.
S/PRST/2002/8 Working mission to Somalia
Date: 28 March 2002 Meeting: 4502
The Security Council recalls the Statements of its President of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/30) and of 11 January 2001 (S/PRST/2001/1) and all other previous decisions concerning the situation in Somalia. The Council, having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 21 February 2002 (S/2002/189) and having held a public meeting on 11 March 2002, reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia, reaffirming its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of the country, consistent with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Security Council reiterates its support to the Arta peace process, which continues to be the most viable basis for peace and national reconciliation in Somalia. The Council urges the Transitional National Government, local authorities and political and traditional leaders in Somalia to make every effort to complete, without preconditions, the peace and reconciliation process through dialogue and involvement of all parties in a spirit of mutual accommodation and tolerance, with the view to establish an all-inclusive government in Somalia based on the sharing and devolution of power through the democratic process.
The Security Council strongly supports the decisions by the 9th Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Summit and by the IGAD Foreign Ministers Committee on 14 February 2002 to convene a National Reconciliation Conference for Somalia in Nairobi in April 2002, including the Transitional National Government and all other Somali parties without conditionalities. The Council strongly supports the call upon Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti (the frontline States) by the 9th IGAD Summit to coordinate their efforts for national reconciliation in Somalia under the supervision of the IGAD Chairman, and to hold the Reconciliation Conference under President Moi of Kenya as the coordinator of the frontline States to continue the peace process in Somalia and report to the IGAD Chairman. The Council will follow the further developments closely and emphasizes that the constructive and coordinated involvement by all frontline States is crucial for the restoration of peace and stability in Somalia. The Council calls on all States in the region, including non-IGAD States, to contribute constructively to the peace efforts for Somalia, including by using their influence to bring on board Somali groups that have thus far not joined the peace process. The Council encourages the Secretary-General, through his Special Advisor and the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), to support actively the IGAD initiative in the important period ahead.
The Security Council, underlining that the future of Somalia depends, first of all, on the commitment of Somali leaders to end the suffering of their people by negotiating a peaceful end to the conflict, strongly urges all parties to participate at decision making level in the Reconciliation Conference in Nairobi scheduled for April 2002. The Council expresses its intention to consider the situation in Somalia taking into account the outcome of the Reconciliation Conference upon its conclusion, including with regard to participation in a constructive manner by the respective parties or any lack thereof.
The Security Council, deeply concerned about the recent fighting in Mogadishu and in the Gedo region, calls for an immediate end to all acts of violence in Somalia. The Council condemns the leaders of those armed factions who continue to be obstacles to peace and stability in Somalia. The Council emphasizes that the efforts for peace in the country should not be held hostage to deliberate acts of violence or other acts aimed at preventing the country from returning to normality and the setting up and rehabilitation of its governing structures.
The Security Council notes with serious concern the continued flow of weapons and ammunition supplies to Somalia from other countries and the reported training of militia and plans for major offensives in southern and northeastern parts of the country. The Council is also concerned about the illicit trafficking and trade in small arms in the entire subregion. The Council insists that no State, in particular those of the region, should interfere in the internal affairs of Somalia. Such interference only further destabilizes Somalia, contributes to a climate of fear and impacts adversely on individual human rights, and could jeopardize the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of the country. The Council insists that the territory of Somalia should not be used to undermine stability in the subregion. The Council emphasizes that the situation in Somalia and the objective of long-term regional stability can most effectively be addressed if all States in the region play a positive role, including in the process of rebuilding national institutions in Somalia.
The Security Council calls on all States and other actors to comply scrupulously with the arms embargo established by resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992 and to report all information on any violations to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992. The Council expresses its determination to put in place concrete arrangements and/or mechanisms, by 30 April 2002, for the generation of independent information on violations and for improving the enforcement of the embargo.
The Security Council emphasizes the necessity for further efforts against international terrorism in accordance with resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001. The Council notes the commitment of the Transitional National Government to combat international terrorism and welcomes the report submitted in this regard (S/2001/1287). The Council further notes the stated intentions by local authorities in various parts of the country to take steps pursuant to resolution 1373. The Council, insisting that persons and entities must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation in Somalia to finance, plan, facilitate, support or commit terrorist acts from the country, emphasizes that efforts to combat terrorism in Somalia are inseparable from the establishment of peace and governance in the country. In this spirit, the Council urges the international community to provide assistance to Somalia for the further and comprehensive implementation of resolution 1373.
The Security Council notes that the downturn in remittances and freezing of accounts of individuals following the closing of the offices of the Al-Barakaat Group reduced household incomes in Somalia. The Council underlines, as a matter of urgency, the necessity to develop mechanisms that facilitate legitimate financial transfer to and from Somalia while preventing further financial flows to terrorists and terrorist groups, taking fully into account the different concerns involved. The Council is encouraged by the initiative by the United Nations Development Programme to establish a monitoring and regulatory framework for money transfer companies to facilitate their operations locally and internationally.
The Security Council expresses concern about the humanitarian situation in Somalia, particularly in the Gedo and Bari regions. The Council draws attention to the urgent need for international assistance, inter alia, in covering food and water shortfalls, thereby also combating potentially further destabilizing migration and outbreak of disease. It further underlines that longer-term interventions are required to stimulate economic recovery, rebuild household asset bases and promote sustained productivity. The Council calls on Member States to respond urgently and generously to the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for 2002.
The Security Council, noting that problems in livestock exports have severely affected the humanitarian and economic situation in Somalia, welcomes the lifting of the export ban by some States, and calls on States who maintain the ban to take active steps towards the resumption of livestock imports from Somalia. The Council appreciates the efforts by the United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agricultural Organization to promote the lifting of the ban imposed by a number of States.
The Security Council notes the recent security assessment of the Inter Agency Mission to Somalia. The Council further notes that the security regime will follow the United Nations practice of incremental engagement with Somali communities that are moving towards peace through constant evaluation of security conditions. The Council requests the Secretary-General to keep the security situation under review, including through regular inter-agency headquarter assessment missions.
The Security Council notes with satisfaction that, in spite of the difficult security conditions, the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements and non-governmental organizations continue to provide humanitarian and development assistance to all areas of Somalia. The Council condemns attacks on humanitarian personnel and calls upon all parties in Somalia to respect fully the security and safety of personnel of the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations, and to guarantee their complete freedom of movement and access throughout Somalia.
The Security Council values the desire of the Transitional National Government and various local authorities in Somalia to cooperate with the United Nations in creating an enabling environment for humanitarian and development assistance, and commends the peace-building activities currently implemented by United Nations agencies in the country. The Council notes that safe access for staff and assets of the United Nations, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements and non-governmental organizations already exists in a number of areas. It further notes the trend towards improved security conditions in a number of areas in the north, middle and south of Somalia, in accordance with the Secretary-General’s report.
The Security Council notes the recommendation by the Secretary-General that the international community must increase its programmes of assistance to Somalia in creative and innovative ways, wherever the security situation allows, including by making greater efforts to ensure that the peace dividend aspect of targeted assistance is fully exploited. The Council reiterates that a comprehensive post-conflict peace-building mission should be deployed once security conditions permit.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General, as a matter of urgency and under the current circumstances, to utilize to the fullest his Representative, in close cooperation with the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Somalia, to coordinate ongoing peace-building activities and provide for their incremental expansion, including staff strengthening, in a coherent manner and in accordance with the security arrangements. Preparatory activities on the ground for a comprehensive peace-building mission should take the following elements into account, while also considering other proposals for post-conflict peace-building activities:
(a) community based peace-building;
(b) disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration of militia, including in particular child soldiers;
(c) assessing and combating illicit trade and trafficking of small arms;
(d) training of police with a view to establishing uniform standards of law enforcement throughout Somalia;
(e) quick impact projects aimed at improving security;
(f) intensification of women’s participation at all levels in peace building;
(g) intensification of dialogue on humanitarian and development issues, including resolution of land claims at the local level;
(h) AIDS education and prevention.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to establish, without further delay, a Trust Fund for Peace-Building in Somalia to support the preparatory activities on the ground for a comprehensive peace-building mission and supplement the United Nations Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal, as envisaged in his report of 19 December 2000 (S/2000/1211) and as indicated through the statement of its President of 11 January 2001 (S/PRST/2001/1) and of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/30), and invites donors to come forward and make contributions at an early stage.
The Security Council, underlining its strong resolve to support in a practical manner the United Nations system in its incremental approach to peace-building in Somalia in line with the present Statement, endorses a working mission to the region at the appropriate level consisting of interested members of the Council and secretariat staff. It would welcome the facilitation and inputs by UNPOS and the United Nations Country Team for Somalia in this regard. The Council expresses its determination to address, based on the report to be submitted by the mission and the upcoming report by the Secretary-General, how it may further support in a practical and concrete manner the peace efforts in Somalia on a comprehensive basis.
The Security Council endorses the establishment of Somalia Contact Group, to operate in Nairobi and New York. The Council invites the Nairobi branch of the Contact Group, inter alia, to promote the completion of the Arta peace process, including through the IGAD initiative referred to above; to support the implementation of the pilot peace-building programme, as stipulated above; and to elaborate practical ways and means of facilitating exchange of information through engaging various actors in the region, including the community of non-governmental organizations. The Council further underlines that the primary purpose of the New York branch of the Contact Group should be to support the Secretariat’s work on Somalia with the view to ensure that the situation in the country is given due consideration by the United Nations.
The Security Council welcomes the appointment of Mr. Winston A. Tubman as the new Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Political Office for Somalia upon his assumption of duties in Nairobi in April 2002. The Council expresses its gratitude to the departing Representative, Mr. David Stephen, for his tireless efforts over four years in support of national reconciliation in Somalia.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to address fully the requirements of the present Statement in his report due on 30 June 2002.
The Security Council remains seized of the matter.
S/PRST/2002/9 Support for joint statement on Middle East
Date: 10 April 2002 Meeting: 4511
The Security Council supports the Joint Statement (S/2002/369) issued in Madrid on 10 April 2002 by the Secretary-General, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Secretary of State of the United States, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain and High Representative for European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy, which is annexed to this statement, as transmitted to the Council by the Secretary-General. The Security Council calls upon the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and all States in the region to cooperate with the efforts to achieve the goals set out in the Joint Statement and insists on the immediate implementation of resolutions 1402 (2002) and 1403 (2002).
Annex
Joint Statement
The Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Igor Ivanov, Secretary of State of the United States Colin Powell, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain Josep Pique and High Representative for European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy Javier Solana met in Madrid today. We reviewed the escalating confrontation in the Middle East and agreed to coordinate our actions to resolve the current crisis.
We express our grave concern about the present situation, including the mounting humanitarian crisis and the growing risk to regional security. We reiterate our shared condemnation of violence and terrorism, express our deep distress at the loss of innocent Palestinian and Israeli life, and extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those killed and wounded. Believing that there has been too much suffering and too much bloodshed, we call on the leaders of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to act in the interests of their own people, the region, and the international community and to immediately halt this senseless confrontation.
In this regard, we express our grave concern about the most recent attacks from Lebanon across the UN-determined Blue Line. The Quartet calls on all parties to respect the Blue Line, halt all attacks, and show the utmost restraint. The conflict should not be allowed to spread and threaten regional security and stability.
The UN, EU and Russia express their strong support for Secretary of State Powell’s mission, and urge Israel and the Palestinian Authority to cooperate fully with his mission and with their continuing efforts to restore calm and resume a political process.
We reiterate that there is no military solution to the conflict and call on the parties to move towards a political resolution of their disputes based on UNSCR 242 and 338, and the principle of land for peace — which formed the basis for the Madrid Conference of 1991. We reaffirm our support for the objective expressed by President Bush and spelled out in UNSCR 1397, of two States, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side within secure and recognized borders. We warmly welcome Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah’s peace initiative, as endorsed in Beirut by the Arab League, as a significant contribution towards a comprehensive peace, including Syria and Lebanon.
To enable progress towards our shared goals, we reaffirm that UNSCR 1402 must be fully implemented immediately, as called for in UNSCR 1403. We call on Israel to halt immediately its military operations. We call for an immediate, meaningful ceasefire and an immediate Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah, specifically including Chairman Arafat’s headquarters. We call on Israel to fully comply with international humanitarian principles and to allow full and unimpeded access to humanitarian organizations and services. We call on Israel to refrain from the excessive use of force and undertake all possible efforts to ensure the protection of civilians.
We call on Chairman Arafat, as the recognized, elected leader of the Palestinian people, to undertake immediately the maximum possible effort to stop terror attacks against innocent Israelis. We call on the Palestinian Authority to act decisively and take all possible steps within its capacity to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, including terrorist financing, and to stop incitement to violence. We call on Chairman Arafat to use the full weight of his political authority to persuade the Palestinian people that any and all terrorist attacks against Israelis should end immediately, and to authorize his representatives to resume immediately security coordination with Israel.
Terrorism, including suicide bombs, is illegal and immoral, has inflicted grave harm to the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people and must be condemned as called for in UNSCR 1373.
We call on Israel and the Palestinian Authority to reach agreement on ceasefire proposals put forward by General Zinni without further delay. We commend the efforts of General Zinni to date to achieve this objective.
The Quartet stands ready to assist the parties in implementing their agreements, in particular the Tenet security workplan and the Mitchell recommendations, including through a third-party mechanism, as agreed to by the parties.
We affirm that the Tenet and Mitchell plans must be fully implemented, including an end to all settlement activity. We affirm that there must be immediate, parallel and accelerated movement towards near-term and tangible political progress, and that there must be a defined series of steps leading to permanent peace — involving recognition, normalization and security between the sides, an end to Israeli occupation, and an end to the conflict. This will allow Israel to enjoy enduring peace and security and the Palestinian people to realize their hopes and aspirations in security and dignity.
In support of these objectives, we call on the international community, particularly the Arab States, to preserve, strengthen and assist the Palestinian Authority, including through efforts to rebuild its infrastructure, security and governance capacity. We call also on the donor community and the international financial institutions to renew their commitment to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people, and to assist in economic and institutional reconstruction. We pay tribute to the courageous efforts of the humanitarian agencies.
We agreed on the need to keep the situation in the Middle East under review by the Quartet at the principal’s level through regular consultations. Our Special Envoys will continue their efforts on the ground to assist the parties in reaching an end to confrontation and a resumption of political negotiations.
S/PRST/2002/10 Support for Counter-Terrorism Committee
Date: 15 April 2002 Meeting: 4513
The Security Council welcomes the briefing by the Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (28 September 2001) (the Counter-Terrorism Committee) on the work of the Committee, and other reflections by members of the Committee on its work so far.
The Security Council recalls the note by its President of 4 October 2001 (S/2001/935) which recorded that it would undertake a review of the structure and activities of the Committee no later than 4 April 2002. The Council welcomes and confirms the continuation of the current Chairmanship and Bureau arrangements for a further six months. It invites the Counter-Terrorism Committee to continue its work as set out in the Work Programme for the Committee’s third 90-day period (S/2002/318), including to explore ways in which States can be assisted to implement the resolution; to build a dialogue with international, regional and subregional organizations active in the areas covered by resolution 1373 (2001) in accordance with the principles of the Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions; and to identify issues on which concerted international action would further the implementation of the letter and spirit of the resolution.
The Security Council considers it essential that those Member States which have not yet submitted a report pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1373 (2001) do so as soon as possible.
The Security Council invites the Counter-Terrorism Committee to report on its activities at regular intervals and expresses its intention to review the structure and activities of the Committee no later than 4 October 2002.
S/PRST/2002/11 Progress in Kosovo
Date: 24 April 2002 Meeting:4519
The Security Council welcomes the report of the Secretary-General (S/2002/436) and the briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and supports all efforts by the United Nations Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the international security presence (KFOR) to implement fully resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999, which remains the basis for building Kosovo’s future.
The Security Council welcomes progress made in the formation of the executive bodies of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to include representatives of all communities. It commends the efforts of the Special Representative and welcomes the priorities outlined in the Secretary-General’s report as well as his request to develop benchmarks to measure progress in Kosovo’s institutional development, consistent with resolution 1244 (1999) and the constitutional framework. The Council encourages the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, in full cooperation with the Special Representative and in strict compliance with resolution 1244 (1999), to take on the tasks assigned to them by the constitutional framework.
The Security Council reaffirms the fundamental importance of the rule of law in the political development of Kosovo. It strongly condemns attacks against UNMIK police in Mitrovica on 8 April and calls on all communities fully to respect UNMIK authority throughout Kosovo in line with resolution 1244 (1999). It supports the continuing efforts of UNMIK and KFOR, together with the Kosovo Police Service, in combating all kinds of crime, violence and extremism. It supports all efforts to control borders and boundaries, thus fostering regional stability. The Council supports and encourages further efforts to facilitate return of all displaced persons from the Kosovo Serb and other communities. Interlocking progress in the areas of public security, political development and economic reform and reconstruction contributes to sustainable returns and requires maximum support from member states and regional organizations. The Council calls on the leaders of the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government actively to demonstrate their commitment and support efforts to promote security, returns, human rights, economic development, and a multiethnic and fair society with peaceful co-existence and freedom of movement for all the population of Kosovo.
The Security Council welcomes the decision of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to transfer Kosovo Albanian prisoners into the custody of UNMIK, and encourages further progress regarding the return of displaced persons to Kosovo and efforts to trace those still missing from all of Kosovo’s communities as well as the other issues identified in the Common Document for cooperation between UNMIK and the authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia signed on 5 November 2001. It considers that the further development of dialogue and cooperation between the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, UNMIK and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities is vital to the full and effective implementation of resolution 1244 (1999).
The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter.
S/PRST/2002/12 Children in armed conflict
Date: 7 May 2002 Meeting: 4528
The Security Council, recalling resolutions 1261 (1999), 1314 (2000) and 1379 (2001) on children and armed conflict, expresses its commitment to the protection of children affected by armed conflict as an essential component of its work to promote and maintain international peace and security.
The Security Council expresses its concern at the grave impact of armed conflict in all its various aspects on children and reiterates its strong condemnation of the continued targeting and use of children in armed conflicts, including their abduction, compulsory recruitment, mutilation, forced displacement, sexual exploitation and abuse, and calls on all parties to conflict to desist from such practices immediately.
The Security Council reaffirms its call for the inclusion of provisions for the protection of children, with particular attention to the special needs of girls, in peace negotiations and peace agreements; mandates and reports concerning peacekeeping operations; rehabilitation and peace-building programmes; training programmes for peacekeeping and humanitarian personnel; as well as the inclusion of child protection advisers in peacekeeping and peace-building operations, in accordance with previous resolutions and presidential statements adopted by the Security Council, in particular 1379 (2001).
The Security Council looks forward to a successful final document concerning the protection of children affected by armed conflict on the occasion of the General Assembly special session on children. The Security Council further reiterates its call to all parties to abide by their obligations, as well as concrete commitments made to the SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict, UNICEF and other relevant United Nations bodies, to ensure the protection of children in situations of armed conflict in all its various aspects.
The Security Council welcomes the entry into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict and urges Member States to consider ratification and for States parties to fully implement these provisions.
The Security Council underscores the importance of unhindered humanitarian access for the benefit of children and, in this connection, calls on parties to conflict to make special arrangements to meet the protection and assistance requirements of children, including where appropriate the promotion of “Days of Immunization”.
The Security Council will remain actively seized of this matter.
S/PRST/2002/13 East Timor independence
Date: 20 May 2002 Meeting: 4537
The Security Council welcomes the attainment of independence by East Timor on 20 May 2002, which marks the culmination of a process of self-determination and transition that began in May 1999. The Council pays tribute to the people and leadership of East Timor for their efforts in achieving the goal of independence.
The Security Council affirms its commitment to the sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity and national unity of East Timor within its internationally recognized boundaries.
The Security Council takes this opportunity to express its deep appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, and notes with satisfaction the role played by the United Nations in restoring peace to East Timor, and in building a solid foundation for a democratic, viable and stable East Timor. The Council commends the United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) for the important work that it has done to achieve these important goals.
The Security Council expresses its strong support for the leadership of East Timor as it assumes authority for governing the new, sovereign State of East Timor. The Council recognizes that the people and democratically elected Government of East Timor bear the ultimate responsibility for the establishment and maintenance of a viable State. It expresses its confidence that the people and leadership of East Timor will demonstrate the necessary political will and determination to fulfil their aspirations.
The Security Council appreciates the efforts made by the General Assembly and the Special Committee on the Situation with regard to the Implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples towards East Timor’s achievement of independence. The Council expresses its appreciation to the Government of Indonesia and the Government of Portugal for their cooperation with the United Nations in concluding the 5 May 1999 Agreement which led to the establishment of the United Nations Mission in East Timor (UNAMET) to conduct the popular consultation. It also expresses its appreciation to Australia and all other countries that contributed troops to the International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and the UNTAET, which helped restore stability following the post-referendum violence.
The Security Council welcomes the Government of East Timor’s commitment to develop close and strong relations with Indonesia, and the Government of Indonesia’s stated readiness to cooperate with East Timor towards building a peaceful, unified and sustainable society in East Timor. The Council stresses that good relations with neighbouring States will be essential to East Timor’s future stability and that of the region, which are inextricably linked.
The Security Council is concerned that challenges to the security and stability of East Timor remain after independence. It notes with concern that shortcomings exist in a number of critical public administration elements of East Timor in the post-independence period. The Council reaffirms that a strong international commitment will be required in East Timor to ensure continued stability and development of the country for some time after independence. The Council expresses its confidence that the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNMISET) established through resolution 1410 (2002) on 17 May 2002 will help consolidate and strengthen a stable environment in East Timor.
The Security Council reaffirms the importance of complementing the United Nations peacekeeping contribution with other United Nations funds, programmes and specialized agencies, international financial institutions, bilateral donors and non-governmental organizations to assist the people of East Timor to develop a sustainable social system and economy. It also reaffirms the continued need for effective and close coordination among these programmes and donors to ensure a smooth transition towards a normal development assistance framework. The Council appeals to Member States to respond positively to the urgent appeal of the Secretary-General to fill vacancies in the Civilian Support Group. It also urges Member States and other actors to respond positively to the appeals for assistance in the development of the East Timor defence force, police service and justice sector; and in supporting social and economic development and poverty reduction.
The Security Council looks forward to the day in the near future when East Timor will join us as a Member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives. The Council notes that the East Timor Government today submitted a letter to the Secretary-General requesting the admission of East Timor as a Member of the United Nations.
The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter.
S/PRST/2002/14 Sierra Leone elections
Date: 22 May 2002 Meeting: 4539
The Security Council welcomes the elections held in Sierra Leone on 14 May 2002. It congratulates the people of Sierra Leone on the peaceful and orderly way in which the elections were held. It commends the National Electoral Commission and all those responsible for the successful management of the elections, and commends UNAMSIL for their invaluable supporting role. The Council notes that the various electoral observation groups were impressed by the Sierra Leonean people’s commitment to democracy and their determination to vote. The Council calls on all political parties and their supporters to work together to strengthen democracy and thereby assure continuing peace.
The Security Council considers the elections an important milestone on the road to peace and security in Sierra Leone and the Mano River region. The next challenge for Sierra Leone and the international community is the further consolidation of peace. There is much still to do, including the extension of public services to make real the restoration of government authority throughout the country, the further enhancement of the operational effectiveness of the security sector, and the effective reintegration of all ex-combatants. A sustained effort from the international community will be needed to achieve our shared objective of sustainable peace and security, which must be the basis for Sierra Leone’s economic regeneration and future development. The Council urges all donors to contribute generously towards these ends, including by providing urgently needed funds to the Special Court and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The Security Council will continue to pay close attention to developments in Sierra Leone and the Mano River region. The Council requests the Secretary-General to monitor the situation there closely and to keep the Council informed of any significant developments.
S/PRST/2002/15 Admission of East Timor
Date: 23 May 2002 Meeting: 4542
The Security Council has decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Democratic Republic of East Timor be admitted as a Member of the United Nations. On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Democratic Republic of East Timor on this historic occasion.
The Council notes with great satisfaction the Democratic Republic of East Timor’s solemn commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil all the obligations contained therein.
We look forward to the day in the near future when the Democratic Republic of East Timor will join us as a Member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives.
S/PRST/2002/16 Territorial integrity of Kosovo
Date: 24 May 2002 Meeting:4543
The Security Council reaffirms its previous relevant resolutions and statements regarding Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, in particular the statements of its President of 7 March 2001 (S/PRST/2001/7) and 9 November 2001 (S/PRST/2001/34).
The Security Council deplores the adoption by the Assembly of Kosovo, in its session of 23 May 2002, of a “resolution on the protection of the territorial integrity of Kosovo”. It concurs with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General that such resolutions and decisions by the Assembly on matters which do not fall within its field of competence are null and void.
The Security Council calls on Kosovo’s elected leaders to focus their attention on the urgent matters for which they have responsibility, in accordance with resolution 1244 (1999) of 10 June 1999 and the Constitutional Framework. Concrete progress in those areas is of paramount importance to improve the life of the people.
The Security Council reiterates its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. It urges Kosovo’s leaders to work in close cooperation with the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) and the international security presence (KFOR) with a view to promoting a better future for Kosovo and stability in the region. All steps undermining those efforts are detrimental to this common objective.
S/PRST/2002/17 Killings in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 24 May 2002 Meeting: 4544
The Security Council strongly condemns the killings, in particular of civilians, that recently took place in Kisangani. The Council calls for an immediate cessation of all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. It reiterates its demand that the city be demilitarized in accordance with relevant resolutions, in particular resolution 1304 (2000) of 16 June 2000, and with the pledge made by Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie-Goma to the last Security Council mission. The Council also calls on the parties to cooperate to the full reopening of the Congo River, including to commercial traffic.
The Security Council invites the Secretary-General to consider whether a temporary increase in the deployment in Kisangani of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), within the current authorized troop level, may contribute to easing tensions. The Council requests MONUC to continue to monitor reports of extrajudicial violence and report to the Council.
The Security Council draws the attention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to the seriousness of the events that took place in Kisangani on 14 May 2002 and immediately thereafter.
The Security Council stresses the importance of MONUC assisting, within the current mandate, in the full demilitarization of Kisangani. In this respect, the Council welcomes the proposal by the Secretary-General in paragraph 50 of its tenth report of 15 February 2002 (S/2002/169), in accordance with resolution 1355 (2001) of 15 June 2001 and 1376 (2001) of 9 November 2001 to reinforce MONUC’s civilian police unit with 85 officers to assist in the training of the local police.
The Security Council expresses its intention to consider expeditiously any further recommendation that the Secretary-General may deem necessary.
S/PRST/2002/18 Extension of UN Disengagement Observer Force
Date: 30 May 2002 Meeting: 4546
In connection with the resolution just adopted on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, I have been authorized to make the following complementary statement on behalf of the Security Council:
“As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/2002/542) states in paragraph 11: ‘... the situation in the Middle East is very tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached’. That statement of the Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council.”
S/PRST/2002/19 Intimidation, anti-UN statements in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 5 June 2002 Meeting: 4548
The Security Council condemns in the strongest terms the acts of intimidation and unfounded public statements against the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), in particular attempts by the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie-Goma (RCD-Goma) to “ban” the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the “expulsion” of several MONUC and other United Nations personnel from areas under its control. It reaffirms its full support for the Special Representative and for the dedicated staff of MONUC.
The Security Council stresses that these unjustifiable attacks are directly contrary to the process of peace and national reconciliation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to RCD-Goma’s interest.
The Security Council reiterates its condemnation of the killings and attacks against civilians and soldiers that followed the events that took place on 14 May and thereafter in Kisangani and looks forward to receiving the joint MONUC/UNOHCHR report and recommendations on the violence in Kisangani. The Council holds RCD-Goma, as de facto authority, responsible to bring to an end all extrajudicial executions, human rights violations and arbitrary harassment of civilians in Kisangani and all other areas under RCD-Goma’s control.
The Security Council demands that RCD-Goma immediately:
– cease its harassment of United Nations officials and assist with the deployment and operations of MONUC;
– fully cooperate with all investigations of violence in Kisangani and the surrounding areas;
– comply with all relevant resolutions of the Security Council, in particular by demilitarizing Kisangani.
The Security Council calls upon Rwanda to exert its influence to have RCD-Goma meet without delay all its obligations under the resolutions of the Council and this presidential statement.
The Security Council encourages the Government of the DRC, Mouvement pour la Libération du Congo (MLC) and RCD-Goma to hold new discussions as soon as possible and in good faith, taking into account the progress in the inter-Congolese dialogue achieved in Sun City, in order to reach an all-inclusive agreement on the political transition. In this respect, the Council supports the efforts of the newly appointed Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Inter-Congolese dialogue, Mr. Mustapha Niasse.
S/PRST/2002/20 Support for Quartet statement on Middle East
Date: 18 July 2002 Meeting: 4578
The Security Council supports the Joint Statement of the “Quartet”, annexed to this statement, which was issued in New York on 16 July 2002 by the Secretary-General, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Secretary of State of the United States, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the High Representative for the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy and the European Commissioner for External Affairs. The Security Council appreciates also the involvement in discussions with the “Quartet” of senior representatives of Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
The Security Council calls upon the Government of Israel, the Palestinian Authority and all States in the region to cooperate with the efforts to achieve the goals set out in the Joint Statement and stresses the importance of, and the need to achieve, a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, based on all its relevant resolutions including its resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967, 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973 and 1397 (2002) of 12 March 2002, the Madrid terms of reference and the principle of land for peace.
S/PRST/2002/21 Transfer of former Yugoslavia tribunal cases to national courts
Date: 23 July 2002 Meeting: 4582
The Security Council welcomes the report on the judicial status of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia and the prospects for referring certain cases to national courts (S/2002/678) submitted by the President of the Tribunal on 10 June 2002.
The Council recognizes, as it has done on other occasions (for example in its resolution 1329 (2000) of 30 November 2000), that the ICTY should concentrate its work on the prosecution and trial of the civilian, military and paramilitary leaders suspected of being responsible for serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of the former Yugoslavia since 1991, rather than on minor actors.
The Security Council therefore endorses the report’s broad strategy for the transfer of cases involving intermediary and lower-level accused to competent national jurisdictions as likely to be in practice the best way of allowing the ICTY to achieve its current objective of completing all trial activities at first instance by 2008. The Council invites States and relevant international and regional organizations to contribute as appropriate to the strengthening of national judicial systems of the States of the former Yugoslavia in order to facilitate the implementation of this policy.
The Security Council takes note of the recommendations of the ICTY with regard to the creation, as proposed by the High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina, of a specific Chamber, within the State Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to deal with serious violations of international humanitarian law. The Security Council is ready to look constructively and positively at this matter when more details of the proposed arrangements are available. The Council also takes note of the intention of the ICTY to amend its Rules of Procedure and Evidence in order to facilitate the referral of cases to competent national jurisdictions.
The Security Council will remain seized of this matter.
S/PRST/2002/22 Perpetrators of Kisangani massacres
Date: 23 July 2002 Meeting: 4583
The Security Council recalls the seriousness of the events that took place in Kisangani on 14 May 2002 and immediately thereafter, and expresses its appreciation for the report and recommendations presented to the Council by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) (S/2002/764), building on the investigation conducted in association with the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) into the events to which the Council had drawn the attention of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (S/PRST/2002/17). It reiterates its strong condemnation of the killings and attacks against civilians, soldiers and police officers that took place on 14 May 2002 and thereafter in Kisangani. The Security Council stresses that the Rassemblement Congolais pour la Démocratie (RCD-GOMA) is responsible for the massacres that took place after regaining control over the city’s radio station on 14 May. The Security Council demands that RCD-GOMA take the necessary measures to bring the perpetrators and those among them who ordered or were involved in the massacre to justice. The Security Council stresses that Rwanda has a duty to use its strong influence to ensure that RCD-GOMA comply with this demand.
The Security Council stresses that RCD-GOMA will be held accountable for any extrajudicial executions, including among members of the civil society or detainees at the detention centres of RCD in Kisangani. It also stresses that Rwanda has a duty to use its strong influence to ensure that RCD-GOMA takes no such action. It requests MONUC to continue its investigations in cooperation with the OHCHR in order to gather further information concerning the massacres in Kisangani and to make recommendations on concrete measures to be taken to effectively end impunity. It recalls MONUC’s mandate to extend its protection, in accordance with its resolution 1417 (2002) of 6 June 2002, to civilians under imminent threat of physical violence, in the areas of deployment of its armed units and as it deems it within its capabilities.
The Security Council reiterates that the RCD-GOMA must demilitarize Kisangani without any further delay or condition and stresses this would prevent any future recurrence of these recent tragic events. RCD-GOMA must also cooperate with MONUC and OHCHR in their investigations to identify all the victims and perpetrators in Kisangani so that the latter will be brought to justice, and also to ensure an end to all violations of human rights and to impunity in all areas under its control.
The Security Council expresses its serious concern at the absence of accountability throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo noted in the report of the OHCHR, and calls on all parties to take immediate steps to ensure an end to impunity and full respect for human rights.
The Security Council also expresses its deep concern at the strengthening of troops in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It expresses particular concern at the situation in South Kivu, in particular in the Hauts Plateaux and around Minembwe, where fighting has increased between the Rwandan Patriotic Army and Banyamulenge, supported by other armed forces. It calls for the cessation of this fighting, which is having a severe humanitarian impact on the population in the area. It calls on the Government of Rwanda to cooperate with the teams from MONUC and OCHA which are to be sent to the area as soon as possible to establish the facts, including by providing the necessary security guarantees.
The Security Council also expresses its concern at the rising tensions in the Ituri region and calls on all parties to exert restraint. It also expresses concern at the military actions in Pweto. It requests the Political Committee of the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement to address expeditiously the issue of Pweto, in accordance with the Kampala and Harare plans for disengagement and with the decisions taken by the Joint Military Commission (JMC), and in accordance with its resolution 1399 (2002) of 19 March 2002.
The Security Council welcomes efforts and good offices of the Republic of South Africa, in its capacity as chair of the African Union, and of the Secretary-General, to help the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda reach an agreement to tackle the problem of the armed groups and to take forward the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, in the context of the full withdrawal of all foreign troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in accordance with the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement and relevant Security Council resolutions. In this regard, it encourages the leaders of the two countries to continue working out ways to address their fundamental security concerns, and welcomes the discussions between representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on the idea of a curtain of troops, as a mechanism for countries of the region to cooperate to ensure the security of their common borders. The Security Council requests MONUC and the JMC to assist the parties in the development of the curtain mechanism.
The Security Council reiterates the importance it attaches to an all-inclusive agreement on the political transition, taking into account the progress achieved in Sun City, and in this regard expresses its full support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General and calls on all actors in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in the region to cooperate fully with him. The Council welcomes the support of the African Union, in particular through the Special Representative of the Interim Chairman of its Commission, for this process.
The Security Council reaffirms the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all other States in the region.
The Security Council reiterates its full support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for all MONUC personnel, and demands that RCD-GOMA fully cooperate with the Special Representative and MONUC in the implementation of their mandate.
The Security Council, noting the encouraging political developments both in terms of contacts among the Congolese parties and among regional States, calls on all the parties to recommit themselves to taking forward these political processes and to refrain from any military action that would undermine the progress for peace.
S/PRST/2002/23 Admission of Switzerland
Date: 24 July 2002 Meeting: 4585
The Security Council has decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Swiss Confederation be admitted as a Member of the United Nations. On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Swiss Confederation on this historic occasion.
The Council notes with great satisfaction the Swiss Confederation’s solemn commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil all the obligations contained therein.
We look forward to the day in the near future when the Swiss Confederation will join us as a Member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives.
S/PRST/2002/24 Support for Democratic Republic of the Congo agreement
Date: 15 August 2002 Meeting: 4602
The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Foreign Ministers of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the Special Envoy of the President of Rwanda, who participated in its meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 8 August 2002.
The Security Council welcomes the Peace Agreement of 30 July 2002 between the Governments of the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Implementation Programme for the withdrawal of Rwandan Troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the dismantling of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe Forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2002/914). The Council commends the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda for engaging in direct dialogue on their mutual security concerns and urges them to continue this dialogue.
The Security Council expresses its full support for the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this regard, the Council looks forward to considering as soon as possible the recommendations of the Secretary-General on how the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and through MONUC’s coordination all relevant United Nations agencies, can assist the parties in their responsibilities to implement the Peace Agreement.
The Security Council commends the Government of the Republic of South Africa for its facilitation of the Peace Agreement, and for its further role, together with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, regarding the Peace Agreement.
The Security Council stresses in particular the responsibilities of the two parties set out in the Peace Agreement and Implementation Plan and calls upon the international community to assist and expedite the carrying out of these responsibilities.
The Security Council reiterates its support for the mandate of MONUC, as established by its resolution 1417 (2002) of 14 June 2002, in particular in the area of voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration (DDRRR).
The Security Council expresses the importance of close consultations and cooperation between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and the Republic of South Africa, as well as MONUC, and through MONUC’s coordination, all relevant United Nations agencies, on measures that can help implement this Agreement and facilitate voluntary DDRRR.
The Security Council welcomes the commitments of both the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda under the Peace Agreement to cooperate in the identification, disarmament and repatriation of ex-FAR and Interahamwe. The Council urges the parties to the Peace Agreement to make every effort to fully comply with all their obligations in conformity with Security Council resolution 1341 (2001) of 22 February 2001 and the programme of implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Council also welcomes the commitment of the Government of Rwanda, under the Peace Agreement, regarding the withdrawal of its troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, in this regard, notes Rwanda’s submission of its initial troop withdrawal plan to the “Third Party”.
The Security Council will remain seized of these matters.
S/PRST/2002/25 Anniversary of 11 September attacks on United States
Date: 11 September 2002 Meeting: 4607
The Security Council meets today in remembrance and resolve. One year ago, infamous and horrifying acts of terrorism took almost 3,000 innocent lives. They included nationals of half the countries of the world. These attacks changed the way we see our world. Today, the Council honours those innocents killed and injured in the attacks of 11 September 2001. The Council expresses solidarity with their families.
New York is the home of the United Nations. The Security Council admires this city’s determination to forge ahead, to rebuild, not to give in to terrorism. The deaths and destruction of 11 September strengthen our common bonds and aspirations. The Council affirms that these attacks were an assault on global civilization and our common efforts to make the world a better and safer place. The world saw terrorists use civilian aircraft for mass murder. They struck at the ideals embodied in the Charter of the United Nations. The attacks challenged each member to rise to the task of defeating terrorism, which has claimed victims in all corners of the world.
Following 11 September 2001, both the General Assembly and the Security Council reacted in outrage and condemnation. They demanded that those responsible for these crimes be brought to justice. The Council described such acts, like any acts of international terrorism, as threats to international peace and security.
The international community has responded to the atrocities of 11 September with unyielding determination. A broad coalition of States has taken action against the Taliban, Al-Qaida, and their supporters. It did so in defence of common values and common security. Consistent with the high purposes of this institution and the provisions of the United Nations Charter, the coalition continues to pursue those responsible.
The international community as a whole provides vital support as Afghans rebuild their country. The Council applauds the efforts of so many from every continent and corner of the world. And, today, the Council also honours those who died in this common effort.
The Security Council gave substance to its determination to combat international terrorism with its historic resolution 1373 (2001). In it, we made the fight against terrorism a mandatory obligation of the international community, consistent with the United Nations Charter and international law. The Council’s Counter-Terrorism Committee promotes cooperation and works to achieve the effective implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). The Council has also established and oversees the worldwide sanctions regime against Al-Qaida and the Taliban.
The Security Council calls on all States and regional and subregional organizations to carry forward and build on their cooperation with the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Committee established by resolution 1267 (1999) of the Security Council.
The threat is real, the challenge is enormous, and the fight against terrorism will be long. The Security Council will remain steadfast against the threat that endangers all that has been achieved, and all that remains to be achieved, to fulfil the principles and purposes of the United Nations for all people everywhere.
Now let us all remember and reflect with a minute of silence.
S/PRST/2002/26 Continuation of Counter-Terrorism Committee
Date: 8 October 2002 Meeting: 4619
The Security Council welcomes the briefing by the Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (28 September 2001) (the Counter-Terrorism Committee) on the work of the Committee in the year since its establishment, and other reflections by members of the Committee.
The Security Council recalls the statement of its President of 15 April 2002 (S/PRST/2002/10) which recorded its intention to review the structure and activities of the Committee no later than 4 October 2002. The Council confirms the continuation of the current arrangements for the Bureau of the Committee for a further six months. It invites the Counter-Terrorism Committee to pursue its agenda as set out in the work programme for the Committee’s fifth ninety-day period (S/2002/1075), focusing on ensuring that all States have legislation in place covering all aspects of resolution 1373, a process in hand for ratifying as soon as possible the twelve international conventions and protocols relating to terrorism, and effective executive machinery for preventing and suppressing terrorism financing; exploring ways in which States can be assisted to implement resolution 1373 (2001), in particular in the areas of primary focus; and building a dialogue with international, regional and subregional organizations active in the areas covered by the resolution. The Security Council invites these organizations to continue to find ways of improving their collective action against terrorism and, where appropriate, to work with donor States to establish suitable programmes.
The Security Council notes with satisfaction that 174 Member States and 5 others have submitted a report to the Counter-Terrorism Committee pursuant to paragraph 6 of resolution 1373 (2001). It calls on the 17 Member States which have not yet submitted a report to do so urgently.
The Security Council invites the Counter-Terrorism Committee to report on its activities at regular intervals and expresses its intention to review the structure and activities of the Committee no later than 4 April 2003.
S/PRST/2002/27 Call for halt to hostilities in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 18 October 2002 Meeting: 4626
The Security Council welcomes the progress on withdrawal of foreign forces from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, stresses that these withdrawals must be completed, and calls for the implementation of all the agreements signed by the parties and all relevant resolutions of the Security Council. At the same time, the Council expresses its strong concerns at the rising tensions in the East of the country, in particular in Uvira and in the Ituri region.
The Security Council condemns the continuing violence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular the attack on Uvira by Mai Mai and other forces, and views with great concern the build up of forces around Bukavu. The Council notes with concern that these actions add to the instability in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and threaten regional stability, have severe humanitarian consequences, especially by increasing the numbers of internally displaced persons and refugees, and could threaten the border security of Burundi and Rwanda.
The Security Council calls on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities immediately and without preconditions, welcomes the call by the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in its communiqué of 14 October (S/2002/1143) for such a ceasefire and calls on the Government of the DRC and all governments in the region to exert their influence on all the parties to this effect and to refrain from any action which would further exacerbate the situation or undermine the peace process.
The Security Council invites the Secretary-General to report further on the events in the region of Uvira and stresses the importance for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) to increase its monitoring presence in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular in the regions bordering Burundi and Rwanda, as soon as security conditions allow such a deployment. It encourages all local actors, including the parties to the conflict as well as civil society and the religious organizations, to engage in talks in order to end the hostilities and agree on a basis for peaceful coexistence in the region during the transitional period in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In this regard, the Council encourages the Secretary-General to consider using his good offices to promote and facilitate such talks, with MONUC providing support where applicable.
The Security Council reminds all parties in Uvira and in the area that they must abide by international humanitarian standards and ensure respect for human rights in the sectors they control.
The Security Council expresses its deep concern over the intensification of ethnically targeted violence in the Ituri region. It condemns all such violence or incitement to violence. It requests all parties to take immediate actions to defuse these tensions, ensure the protection of civilians and end violations of human rights. The Council welcomes the efforts by the governments of Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to set up the Ituri Pacification Commission, as set out under the Luanda Agreement, and requests MONUC to provide support in this regard when applicable.
The Security Council stresses that no government, military force or any other organization or individual should provide military or other supplies or any other form of support to any of the groups involved in the fighting in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi.
The Security Council also expresses its concern at the situation in Kisangani, and reiterates its demand that the city be demilitarized.
The Security Council urges all Congolese parties to accelerate efforts to reach agreement on an all-inclusive transitional government and expresses its support for the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General in this regard.
The Security Council calls on all parties and armed groups involved in the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to commit themselves to achieving a peaceful settlement for the region, and condemns any attempt to use military action to influence the peace process.
The Security Council expresses its full support for the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, MONUC and the Government of South Africa.
The Security Council calls on regional leaders to continue to support efforts to end the conflict in Burundi, and in this regard welcomes the recent visit of the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Burundi and the adoption of a joint communiqué by the two governments (S/2002/1142). The Council calls on the two governments rapidly to conclude an agreement on the normalization of relations and cooperation in security matters.
S/PRST/2002/28 Cooperation between Chad, Central African Republic
Date: 18 October 2002 Meeting: 4627
The Security Council welcomes the holding of the Summit of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community in Libreville on 2 October 2002 to consider the situation between the Central African Republic and the Republic of Chad. It commends the leading role played by the President of the Gabonese Republic, El Hadj Omar Bongo, in organizing this meeting. It welcomes the undertaking by the Central African Republic and the Republic of Chad to relaunch cooperation at various levels. It strongly supports the intention of the President of the Republic of Chad to visit Bangui in the very near future. It encourages further confidence-building measures to help normalize the relations between the two countries.
The Security Council further also welcomes the readiness expressed by the African Union to continue to contribute towards ongoing efforts to normalizing the relations between CAR and Chad and to promote peace and stability in the Central African Region as stipulated in the Communique of the Eighty-Fifth Ordinary Session of the Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution issued on 11 October 2002, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Security Council further welcomes the final communiqué of this meeting (S/2002/1113). In particular, it expresses its full support for the decision to deploy in the Central African Republic an International Observation Force (FIO) of 300 to 350 troops from Gabon, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Mali with three main tasks: ensuring the safety of the President of the Central African Republic; observing and ensuring security on the border between Chad and the Central African Republic; and participating in the restructuring of the Central African Republic armed forces.
The Security Council expresses once again its strong support for the Representative of the Secretary-General in the Central African Republic, General Lamine Cisse, whose efforts have been essential in this initiative. It encourages him to continue to provide advice to the Governments taking part in this initiative.
The Security Council calls upon Member States participating in the FIO to work in close consultation with the Representative of the Secretary-General and the United Nations Peace Building Support Office in the Central African Republic (BONUCA). It requests the Secretary-General, through his Representative, to establish appropriate liaison with the FIO.
The Security Council encourages all Member States to provide financial, logistical and material support to the Member States participating in the FIO.
The Security Council invites the leadership of the FIO to provide periodic reports, at least every three months.
S/PRST/2002/29 Voter participation in Kosovo municipal elections
Date: 24 October 2002 Meeting: 4633
The Security Council reaffirms its continued commitment to the full and effective implementation of Council resolution 1244 (1999) in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, commends the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Commander of the international security presence (KFOR) for the ongoing efforts to this end and calls upon the Provisional Institutions of Self-Government, local leaders and all others concerned to cooperate fully with them.
The Security Council welcomes the progress made in preparing the municipal elections on 26 October 2002, calls upon all eligible voters, including those from minority communities, to seize the chance to have their interests properly represented by taking part in the elections. The Council expresses its firm belief that wide participation in the voting is essential to provide the best opportunity for future progress towards the building of a multi-ethnic and tolerant society.
S/PRST/2002/30 Limitation on illicit small arms trade
Date: 31 October 2002 Meeting: 4639
The Security Council reaffirms the Statement of its President of 24 September 1999 (S/PRST/1999/28) and its resolution 1209 (1998) of 19 November 1998, the statement of its President of 31 August 2001 (S/PRST/2001/21), takes note with appreciation of the Report of the Secretary-General entitled Small Arms (S/2002/1053) of 20 September 2002, and welcomes all initiatives taken by Member States following the adoption of the Programme of Action by the July 2001 United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All its Aspects. The Council expresses grave concern at the harmful impact of small arms and light weapons on civilians in situations of armed conflict, particularly on vulnerable groups such as women and children, and recalls in this regard its resolutions 1296 (2000) of 19 April 2000, 1314 (2000) of 11 August 2000, 1379 (2001) of 20 November 2001, and the statement of its President of 7 May 2002 (S/PRST/2002/12).
The Security Council encourages all Member States to continue to take all measures to fully implement at the national, regional and international levels the recommendations contained in the Programme of Action. The Council recognizes its responsibility to examine ways and means in which it can further contribute to dealing with the question of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in situations under its consideration.
The Security Council reaffirms the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations and, subject to the Charter, the right of each State to import, produce and retain small arms and light weapons for its self-defence and security needs. Bearing in mind the considerable volume of licit trade in small arms and light weapons, the Council encourages States to adopt legislative and other measures to ensure effective control over the export, import, transit, stocking and storage of small arms and light weapons. The Council urges Member States to consistently and responsibly use end-user certificates in their transfers of small arms and light weapons and calls on States to establish an effective national end-user certificate system and to study the feasibility as appropriate of developing an end-user certificate system at the regional and global levels, as well as an information exchange and verification mechanism.
Arms-exporting countries are encouraged to exercise the highest degree of responsibility in small arms and light weapons transactions. All States have the responsibility of preventing the illegal diversion and re-export of small arms and light weapons. The Security Council welcomes the establishment of the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts with a mandate to examine the feasibility of developing an international instrument to enable States to identify and trace in a timely and reliable manner illicit small arms and light weapons. The Security Council encourages international cooperation in the consideration of the origin and transfers of small arms and light weapons.
The Security Council stresses the importance of further steps to enhance international cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in small arms and light weapons, and calls upon States that have not already done so to establish, where applicable, a national register of arms brokers and, in the case of supply of arms to embargoed destinations, of intermediary firms, including transport agents. The Council urges States to impose appropriate penalties for all illicit brokering activities, as well as arms transfers that violate Security Council embargoes, and to take appropriate enforcement action.
The Security Council stresses the need for cooperation and sharing of information among the Member States, among the different Sanctions Committees, and among the panels of experts and the monitoring mechanism on arms traffickers that have violated arms embargoes established by the Council. The Security Council welcomes the identification in cooperation with the States concerned of those arms traffickers who have violated the arms embargoes. The Security Council calls upon Member States to impose appropriate penalties on those arms traffickers who have violated its arms embargoes. In this connection, the Council calls on Member States to provide technical and financial support to Interpol’s International Weapons and Explosives Tracking System (IWETS).
The Security Council recognizes the important role that the United Nations Coordinating Action on Small Arms (CASA) mechanism can play in assisting Member States with the implementation of the Programme of Action. In this regard, the Council notes the proposal of the Secretariat to create a Small Arms Advisory Service.
The Security Council recognizes the important role of arms embargoes as targeted measures and their contribution to an overall strategy for preventive diplomacy particularly with respect to illicit trade in small arms and light weapons. In this regard, the Council underlines the importance of pursuing more vigorously and expeditiously the application of arms embargoes in countries or regions threatened by, engaged in or emerging from armed conflict and to promote their effective implementation. The Council shall also consider taking measures to restrict the supply of ammunition to such regions.
The Security Council recognizes that the primary responsibility for the implementation of sanctions measures rests with States. At the same time, the Council underlines the importance of establishing on a case-by-case basis specific monitoring mechanisms or similar arrangements as appropriate to oversee the strict implementation of arms embargoes decided by the Council. The Council may wish to study ways to strengthen such mechanisms with a view towards better coordinating their work. The Security Council should consider innovative strategies to address the close interrelationship between the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons and, among others, drug trafficking, terrorism, organized crime and the illicit exploitation of natural and other resources. In this regard the Council calls on Member States to make available all relevant information concerning such activities.
The Security Council reiterates its call for the effective implementation of arms embargoes imposed by the Council in its relevant resolutions, and encourages Member States to provide the Sanctions Committees with available information on alleged violations of arms embargoes. The Security Council also calls on Member States to give due consideration to the recommendations of the report of the Monitoring Group established pursuant to resolution 1390 (2002) (S/2002/1050 and Corr.1); the Report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Angola Sanctions (S/2000/1225 and Corr.1 and 2); the Report of the Panel of Experts on Sierra Leone Diamonds and Arms (S/2000/1195); and the Report of the Panel of Experts on Liberia (S/2001/1015 and S/2002/470).
The Council also stresses the need to engage the relevant international organizations, non-governmental organizations, business and financial institutions and other actors at the international, regional and local levels to contribute to the implementation of arms embargoes.
Arms embargoes help to reduce arms flows to the targeted regions and groups but do not address weapons already existing in conflict areas. The Security Council therefore reiterates the importance of carrying out Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Programmes as comprehensively and effectively as possible in post-conflict situations under its consideration.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to report, no later than December 2003, on the implementation of all the recommendations contained in his report.
S/PRST/2002/31 Stronger partnership between UN, Central African States
Date: 31 October 2002 Meeting: 4640
The Security Council recalls all the statements by its President concerning the situation in Africa and the action taken by the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, in the field of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building.
The Security Council emphasizes the importance of the report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa (S/1998/318).
The Security Council recognizes that despite its enormous potential which could make it one of the poles of development of the continent, Central Africa has yet to achieve the stability that would enable it to utilize its resources to the maximum benefit of its population in an equitable manner.
The Security Council notes that five of the twelve peacekeeping and peace-building missions under way on the continent are established in Central Africa. The Council also notes that of the sixteen Special Representatives and Special Envoys of the Secretary-General in Africa, six are in Central Africa. In this regard, it notes the work being done by the ad hoc Working Group on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa to improve the effectiveness of the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Africa.
The Security Council observes that the inadequacy of institutional and human capacities, particularly those directed towards the integration process, has hindered the social, economic and political integration in Central Africa.
The Security Council takes note with satisfaction of the efforts made by the Central African States, both on their own initiative and with the support of the international community, to focus on the difficulties afflicting this key region of Africa. It also commends the progress made by certain Central African countries with regard to the promotion of democracy, the protection of human rights and sustainable development and encourages further efforts in this regard throughout the region.
The Security Council welcomes the increasing awareness of these difficulties among the Central African States which, at the ninth session of the Summit of Heads of State and Government, held at Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 24 June 1999, permitted a revival of the activities of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and in particular the incorporation of a collective security component. In that connection, the Heads of State and Government set three principal priorities:
To develop sufficient capacities to ensure peace, security and stability in the region, as a prerequisite for economic development;
To promote the social, economic and monetary integration of Central Africa;
To develop within the subregion a genuine culture of integration.
The Security Council also welcomes subregional efforts to promote conflict prevention, management and resolution in Central Africa. In that connection, the Council recognizes the steps taken by Central African countries to settle conflicts by peaceful means including through the conclusion, with the strong support of the United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa, of a Protocol establishing, on 24 June 2000 (A/RES/55/34 B), the Council for Peace and Security in Central Africa (COPAX), comprising a Mutual Assistance Pact and a Non-Aggression Pact. In this regard, it encourages its speedy ratification and implementation by all the countries concerned and urges United Nations Member States in a position to do so, to support the operationalization of its main structures, inter alia, the Central African Early Warning System, the Defence and Security Commission the Central African Multinational Force, with the full support of the United Nations system.
The Security Council also recognizes the important role that regional and subregional organizations can play in preventing the illicit traffic of small arms and light weapons and the flow of such arms to conflicts, and underscores the importance of regional agreements and cooperation as well as strengthening subregional technical capacities to prevent such flows.
The Security Council notes with satisfaction that as a result of all these efforts the subregion is gradually emerging from the conflicts that affect it, which offers an opportunity to build peace to be seized by all parties, with a requirement for the mobilization of significant resources to support demobilization, disarmament and reintegration programmes.
The Security Council affirms the need to promote and strengthen the partnership between the United Nations system and Central African States in relation to the maintenance of peace and security, and, in that connection, it emphasizes that capacities in the subregion, inter alia, in the area of conflict prevention and the maintenance of peace and security, as well as economic integration, should be strengthened. It also calls on the Central African States with the support of the United Nations system to improve the effectiveness, coordination and cohesion of the subregional organizations.
The Security Council also reaffirms the importance of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes in the process of conflict resolution in Central Africa. In that connection, it urges the Central African States to initiate such programmes where they are needed, inter alia, through the implementation of quick impact projects and calls on the International Community to support them. The Security Council expresses its appreciation of the renewed commitment of the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist post-conflict operations in Central Africa in the short, medium and long term and encourages the organizations to closely coordinate their efforts with the Secretary-General and his Representatives in the field to ensure more efficiency and complementarity.
The Security Council recommends the inclusion, where appropriate, of support for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in the mandates of peacekeeping and peace-building operations. It recognizes the interlinkage between peacekeeping and peace-building activities, and will continue to take into account the need for coordination and smooth transition from one phase to the other during its consideration of peace operations.
The Security Council emphasizes the urgency of reaching an appropriate solution to the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons in Central Africa.
The Security Council emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive, integrated, resolute and concerted approach to the issues of peace, security and development in Central Africa. In that connection, it invites the Secretary-General to brief the Security Council, within six months, on ways to implement such an approach for Central Africa, including through the dispatch to the region of an inter-agency evaluation mission.
S/PRST/2002/32 Role of women in peacekeeping, post-conflict situations
Date: 31 October 2002 Meeting: 4641
The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the continuing and full implementation of resolution 1325 (2000), and welcomes the increasing focus over the last two years on the situation of women and girls in armed conflict, and recalls the Statement by its President of 31 October 2001 (S/PRST/2001/31) and the meetings held on 25 July 2002 and 28 October 2002 as expressions of that commitment.
The Security Council welcomes the Report of the Secretary-General on women, peace and security (S/2002/1154) and expresses its intention to study the recommendations contained therein. The Council also welcomes the efforts of the United Nations system, Member States, civil society and other relevant actors, to promote equal participation of women in peace and security.
The Security Council remains concerned about the slow progress in the appointment of women as special representatives and envoys of the Secretary-General, and urges the Secretary-General to increase the number of women serving as high-level representatives to achieve the overall goal of gender balance. The Council also urges Member States to continue to provide candidates to the Secretary-General for inclusion in a database.
The Security Council, reaffirming the importance of gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations and post-conflict reconstruction, undertakes to integrate gender perspectives into the mandates of all peacekeeping missions, and reiterates its request to the Secretary-General to ensure that all reports submitted to the Security Council in accordance with such mandates systematically address gender perspectives. The Council also requests the Secretary-General to provide systematic training of all staff in peacekeeping operations on gender perspectives, and to integrate gender perspectives into all standard operating procedures, manuals and other guidance materials for peacekeeping operations.
The Security Council considers that the appointment of gender advisers at sufficiently senior levels at Headquarters is necessary. The Council notes that some progress has been made in gender mainstreaming at mission level, specifically through the establishment of gender units and gender advisers, but that more remains to be done in order to ensure that gender mainstreaming in peacekeeping operations and post-conflict reconstruction is thorough and effective, and applied systematically.
The Security Council undertakes to integrate gender perspectives into the terms of reference of its visits and Missions to countries and regions in conflict. To that end, the Council requests the Secretary-General to establish a database of gender specialists as well as women’s groups and networks in countries and regions in conflict, and to include gender specialists in the teams where relevant.
The Security Council recognizes the vital role of women in promoting peace, particularly in preserving social order and educating for peace. The Council encourages its Member States and the Secretary-General to establish regular contacts with local women’s group and networks in order to utilize their knowledge of both the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, including as victims and ex-combatants, and of peacekeeping operations, to ensure that those groups are actively involved in reconstruction processes, particularly at decision-making levels.
The Security Council, recalling its resolutions 1265 (1999), 1296 (2000), 1324 (2000) and 1379 (2001), encourages Member States, the entities of the United Nations system, civil society and other relevant actors, to develop clear strategies and action plans with goals and timetables, on the integration of gender perspectives in humanitarian operations, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes, including monitoring mechanisms, and also to develop targeted activities, focused on the specific constraints facing women and girls in post-conflict situations, such as their lack of land and property rights and access to and control over economic resources.
The Security Council deplores the continuing occurrence of sexual exploitation, including trafficking, of women and girls in the context of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian activities, and calls for the further development and full implementation of codes of conduct and of disciplinary procedures to prevent such exploitation. The Council encourages all actors, in particular troop-contributing countries, to enhance monitoring mechanisms, and to investigate and prosecute effectively cases of alleged misconduct.
The Security Council condemns all violations of the human rights of women and girls in situations of armed conflict, and the use of sexual violence, including as a strategic and tactical weapon of war, which, inter alia, places women and girls at increased risk of contracting sexually-transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
The Security Council decides to remain actively seized of this matter and requests the Secretary-General to prepare a follow-up report on the full implementation of resolution 1325 to be presented to the Security Council in October 2004.
S/PRST/2002/33 Conclusion of Bosnia and Herzegovina mission
Date: 12 December 2002 Meeting: 4661
The Security Council welcomes the briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of the United Nations Operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to support the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the annexes thereto (collectively the Peace Agreement, S/1995/999, annex), as well as the relevant decisions of the Peace Implementation Council (PIC).
The Security Council takes this opportunity to express its deep appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Representative Mr. Jacques Paul Klein and the personnel of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH), which includes the International Police Task Force, for their contributions to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Council highly appreciates the achievements of cooperative efforts in bringing about the successful conclusion of UNMIBH’s mandate, which will expire on 31 December 2002, and expresses its thanks to all of the countries which took part in and contributed to the accomplishments of this Mission.
The Security Council welcomes the decision of the European Union (EU) to send a Police Mission (EUPM) to Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1 January 2003, as part of a broader rule of law approach, as well as the close coordination between all those concerned to ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities from IPTF to the EUPM, with the participation of the interested States non-members of the EU.
The Security Council reiterates that the primary responsibility for the further successful implementation of the Peace Agreement lies with the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina themselves and that the continued willingness of the international community and major donors to assume the political, military and economic burden of implementation and reconstruction efforts will be determined by the compliance and active participation by all the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementing the Peace Agreement and all reforms needed to rebuild a civil society.
The Security Council reaffirms its commitment to the principles of the sovereignty and territorial integrity and inviolability of the borders of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council encourages continued commitment by Bosnia and Herzegovina to the promotion of peace and stability in the region, including through enhanced political and economical cooperation.
The Security Council expresses its intention to keep the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina under review. The Council invites the EU to keep it regularly informed as appropriate on the activities of EUPM.
S/PRST/2002/34 Agreement between Croatia, Yugoslavia on Prevlaka Peninsula
Date: 12 December 2002 Meeting: 4662
The Security Council welcomes the protocol signed by the Government of Croatia and the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 10 December 2002, establishing a provisional cross-border regime on the Prevlaka peninsula, as referred to in the letter from their representatives dated 10 December 2002 (S/2002/1348). The protocol represents a further step forward in the process of strengthening of confidence and good neighbourly relations between both countries. The Council welcomes the commitment of both governments to continue negotiations on Prevlaka with a view to amicably resolving all outstanding issues, and commends their diplomatic efforts to bolster peace and stability in the region.
The Council commends the important role, played by the United Nations Mission of Observers in Prevlaka (UNMOP) in helping to create conditions conducive to a negotiated settlement of the dispute. The Council takes this opportunity to express its appreciation for the efforts of all UNMOP personnel, past and present, and its gratitude to those countries that contributed personnel or other resources in the successful completion of its mandate.
S/PRST/2002/35 Cessation of hostilities in Somalia
Date: 12 December 2002 Meeting: 4663
The Security Council, recalling its previous decisions concerning the situation in Somalia, in particular the statement of its President of 28 March 2002 (S/PRST/2002/8), resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992 and resolution 1425 (2002) of 22 July 2002, and taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of 25 October 2002 (S/2002/1201), reaffirms its commitment to a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the situation in Somalia and reaffirms its respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of the country, consistent with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Security Council firmly supports the unified approach of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to national reconciliation in Somalia, and reiterates its strong support for the Somalia National Reconciliation Process and the ongoing Somalia National Reconciliation Conference in Eldoret, Kenya, as sponsored by IGAD. The Council urges all parties throughout Somalia to participate in the process in accordance with the framework established by IGAD, and expects the decisions adopted throughout the process to be abided by and implemented expeditiously, including the Declaration on Cessation of Hostilities and the Structures and Principles of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process, signed by all delegates in Eldoret on 27 October 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the “Eldoret Declaration”).
The Security Council welcomes the Eldoret Declaration as an important step towards the overriding objective of ending the violence and the suffering of the Somali people and bringing them the peace they so dearly deserve. The Council calls on all parties to cease all acts of violence and to respect the cessation of hostilities.
The Security Council further welcomes the Joint Declaration issued by the involved parties in Mogadishu on 2 December 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the “Mogadishu Declaration”), including their stated commitment to cease all hostilities and jointly bring an end to all killings and abductions of innocent people and hijacking of public transportation in the city, as well as to solve all differences through dialogue and goodwill. The Council notes the further agreement reached on 4 December 2002 by involved parties to cooperate through peaceful means in order, inter alia, to reopen the International Airport and Seaport in Mogadishu and to restore public services in the city.
The Security Council notes with satisfaction the commencement of the second phase of the Somalia National Reconciliation Process in Eldoret on 2 December 2002 and welcomes this as a significant step forward. The Council will continue to follow this process with keen interest and strongly encourages all parties to continue to participate constructively, in accordance with the framework established by the IGAD Technical Committee, in a spirit of tolerance and mutual accommodation during each phase of the Process.
The Security Council commends the Government of Kenya for its special commitment as host and IGAD’s Technical Committee, comprised of the three frontline states, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti, for its crucial role in facilitating the process. The Council strongly encourages their continued active and positive role in promoting the process.
The Security Council encourages Member States in a position to do so urgently to provide further contributions in support of the process through the IGAD Technical Committee.
The Security Council, condemning recent attacks on humanitarian personnel and civilians in Somalia, welcomes the agreement by all delegates in Eldoret to guarantee the security of all humanitarian and development personnel and installations, and urges them to take practical steps to grant safe and unfettered access to humanitarian personnel in their efforts to deliver assistance throughout Somalia.
The Security Council expresses serious concern regarding the situation of displaced persons in Somalia and urges relevant authorities and Member States to provide support for the return and reintegration of Somali refugees and the provision of urgent humanitarian assistance to, and protection for, those who have been internally displaced. It notes with particular concern the situation of 150,000 internally displaced persons in areas of Mogadishu that remain inaccessible to humanitarian workers. The Council calls on the armed factions to provide immediate safe access to these and other vulnerable populations throughout the country, consistent with the Eldoret Declaration and the Mogadishu Declaration.
The Security Council calls again on all Member States, entities and individuals to respect fully the arms embargo established by resolution 733 (1992), as strengthened by resolution 1425 (2002), and urges all Somali and regional parties as well as government officials and other actors contacted outside the region to cooperate fully with the Panel of Experts in its quest for information related to the embargo, in accordance with resolution 1425 (2002) and article 2.5 of the Eldoret Declaration. The Council appreciates the Panel’s oral briefing on 14 November 2002 to the Council, through the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia, and looks forward to the Panel’s written report at the end of its mandated period.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to continue putting in place, in a coherent manner, preparatory activities on the ground for a comprehensive post-conflict peace-building mission in Somalia once security conditions permit, as stipulated in the statement by the President of the Council of 28 March 2002.
The Security Council recognizes that a comprehensive post-conflict programme for disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration will be an important contribution for peace and stability in Somalia.
The Security Council encourages the Secretary-General to support actively the IGAD-sponsored Somalia National Reconciliation Process and the ongoing Conference in Eldoret.
The Security Council expresses its commitment to assist the parties in the implementation of the steps and conclusions for peace, as adopted throughout the Somalia National Reconciliation Process.
S/PRST/2002/36 Lack of compliance with arms embargo in Liberia
Date: 13 December 2002 Meeting: 4665
The international community and the United Nations Security Council have made joint and consistent efforts to promote peace and security in Western Africa, particularly in the Mano River Union region. Such efforts have represented a major investment of resources and capabilities. The peace process in Sierra Leone is the tangible result of those efforts. The Council will maintain its efforts and continue to promote understanding and peace in the region in order to guarantee that the peace process in Sierra Leone, which remains fragile, takes root and benefits the people of Sierra Leone and the entire Mano River region.
On the other hand, the Security Council is deeply concerned about the situation in Liberia and the threat it constitutes to international peace and security in the region as a result of the activities of the Government of Liberia and the continuing internal conflict in that country, including the armed attacks by the “Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy” (LURD). The internal conflict and significant violence in Liberia are producing widespread refugee flows and displacement of people in Liberia, exacerbating the humanitarian situation and fuelling the movement of irregular combatants and the flow of weapons throughout the region. The Council condemns the failure of the Government to comply with the Council’s demands in resolution 1343 (2001) of 7 March 2001, and the failure of the Government, other States, and others, including the LURD, to respect the measures imposed in that resolution, including the continuing import of weapons in breach of the arms embargo. All of these developments threaten the peace process in Sierra Leone, the stability of the entire West African region, and, most tragically, are causing great humanitarian suffering for the Liberian people themselves.
To address the situation in Liberia and the threat it poses to international peace and security in the region, the Security Council and the international community should cooperate on a comprehensive strategy that mobilizes international efforts to reach a ceasefire, resolve the internal conflict and establish an inclusive peace process; promotes peace and national reconciliation in Liberia and the development of a stable and democratic political process; addresses humanitarian issues; combats the illicit flow of weapons into the country; and guarantees human rights. The Council is committed to support the efforts of regional and other international actors to carry out such a strategy.
Such a strategy must be based on two fundamental principles. First, it must have the input of key regional actors and be part of a comprehensive approach to building an integrated system of regional peace and security. Second, peace and security in the Mano River Union region requires the President of Liberia to engage constructively with the international community in working to achieve national reconciliation and political reform in Liberia.
With these principles in mind, the Security Council’s work on a coordinated strategy with the international community will promote the following objectives:
In terms of the regional perspective, the Security Council will maintain its support for the Rabat Process, under the sponsorship of the King of Morocco, and strongly encourage Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia to follow up on their commitments to undertake confidence-building measures and the establishment of security measures along their shared borders. In this connection, the Council considers that the initiative taken by the Presidents of the three countries to hold a direct dialogue in order to give impetus to the Rabat Process is a most desirable development. The Council urges the President of Liberia to actively participate in those meetings.
The Security Council expresses its strong support for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) moratorium on small arms and light weapons in the region. The Council encourages the ECOWAS countries to implement these commitments fully and to strengthen the implementation mechanisms in order to stop the illegal trade of arms, in particular the flow of small arms and light weapons into Liberia.
The Security Council commends the efforts made by ECOWAS, and that of the newly established International Contact Group on Liberia, to promote peace and stability in Liberia and in the Mano River region. The Council considers that the active involvement of these mechanisms is critical for national reconciliation and political reform.
In this regard, the Security Council encourages the African Union and ECOWAS member States actively to promote the full implementation of existing security arrangements as well as further initiatives designed to support such arrangements among the countries of the Mano River Union.
The Security Council reiterates its demands to the Government of Liberia to comply with resolutions 1343 (2001) and 1408 (2002) and to all parties to respect the measures which those resolutions imposed and extended. The demands referred to in those resolutions must be met for these measures to be terminated in accordance with those resolutions. The Council takes note of the positions of the African Union and ECOWAS on the sanctions regime in Liberia. The Council will keep sanctions under review to ensure they are consistent with this statement and resolutions 1343 (2001) and 1408 (2002) and will continue to monitor whether sanctions are having any humanitarian impact on the population of Liberia.
The Security Council urges all States in the region to honour their commitments to prevent armed individuals from using their national territory to prepare and launch attacks on neighbouring countries. The Council reminds again all States of their obligations to comply with the embargo on the sale or supply of arms and related materiel to Liberia imposed by resolution 1343 (2001). The Council underlines that the embargo applies to all sales or supplies to any recipient in Liberia, including all non-State actors such as the LURD.
In terms of a constructive engagement in Liberia, in particular by the President of Liberia on achieving the objectives of ending the violence and promoting national reconciliation, the Security Council is committed to promote:
An expanded role for the United Nations Peace-building Support Office in Liberia (UNOL), along with the more active participation of the recently created United Nations Office for West Africa. In this regard, the Council welcomes the appointment of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Liberia and urges the Government of Liberia to cooperate fully with the activities of UNOL. The Council would like UNOL to carry out, inter alia, the following tasks:
– Offering assistance to the Liberian authorities and to the public for strengthening democratic institutions and the rule of law, including the promotion of an independent press and an enabling environment for political parties to operate freely in Liberia;
– Contributing to and monitoring the preparation of free and fair elections in 2003, especially through the promotion of an independent electoral commission;
– Enhancing and monitoring respect for human rights in Liberia, including through constructive dialogue with the Government of Liberia, with particular attention to reaching out to local civil society groups and to encouraging the establishment of an independent and functional human rights commission;
– Promoting national reconciliation and resolution of the conflict, including through support for initiatives on the ground;
– Supporting the Government of Liberia in the implementation of peace agreements to be adopted;
– Engaging in an educational campaign to present accurately United Nations policies and activities regarding Liberia.
The Security Council has written to the Secretary-General recommending such a strengthening of the mandate of UNOL and requesting reports every three months.
The Security Council considers that an urgent effort is required to improve the serious humanitarian situation in Liberia, especially to address the needs of internally displaced persons and refugees. In that regard, the Council urges the Government of Liberia and the combatants, particularly the rebel group LURD, to provide unrestricted access to United Nations humanitarian agencies and non-governmental organizations to areas where refugees need to be assisted and human rights protected. Likewise, the Council encourages neighbouring countries of Liberia to continue to give access to international humanitarian organizations and non-governmental humanitarian groups to border areas where refugees and displaced people are. It calls on all States in the region to respect fully international law on the treatment of refugees and displaced persons.
The Security Council urges all humanitarian organizations and donor countries to continue to provide humanitarian relief to the refugees and internally displaced persons.
The Security Council is committed to support efforts to promote national reconciliation, the restoration of peace and the creation of new conditions for internal political stability. For that purpose, the Council urges the Government of Liberia and the LURD to conclude a ceasefire agreement and a comprehensive peace process, including provision for disarmament and demobilization of combatants and comprehensive security sector reform. In this regard, the Council calls upon all States to refrain from providing any military support to all parties in Liberia and from any act that might aggravate the situation on the borders between Liberia and its neighbours.
The Security Council calls on the Government of Liberia to work to create a favourable environment so that a genuine national reconciliation conference can succeed, with the broad participation of all groups in Liberian society, based inside the country and abroad.
The Security Council also calls on the Government of Liberia to implement the necessary measures and political reforms which are a prerequisite for universal, free, fair, transparent and all-inclusive elections in 2003. The Council stresses the importance of a broad and overall participation in this process by all political parties and the return of all political leaders to the country.
The Security Council calls upon the international community to consider how it can support through financial and technical assistance any disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme that may be established as part of cessation of hostilities and commitment to political reform in Liberia. Special attention and resources should be given to assist women and children in the process of their reintegration and to provide opportunities for young ex-combatants and child soldiers to be fully reintegrated into society.
The Security Council recognizes that the success of a comprehensive international strategy to Liberia rests on the direct and active involvement of the African Union, ECOWAS, and the International Contact Group, working with the United Nations Offices in the region in accordance with their mandates.
The Security Council calls on the Government of Liberia to cooperate with all these efforts as a means to find a peaceful solution of the conflict, reform its political processes and fulfil its humanitarian, social and economic responsibilities to the Liberian people. Liberia’s cooperation is also essential to restore fully relations with its neighbours and to normalize its relations with the international community.
As the Government of Liberia makes progress working with the international community in achieving the objectives set out in this statement, the Council calls on the international community to consider how it might help future economic development in Liberia aimed at improving the welfare of the people of Liberia.
The Security Council will remain engaged with the Liberian Government and its people, given the Council’s conviction that peace in that country will put an end to the suffering of the Liberian people and find a basis for lasting peace in the region.
The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to monitor the situation in Liberia and to keep the Council informed of developments to fulfil the objectives described herein. The Council is considering sending a mission to the region, including to Liberia, to assess the situation during the first half of 2003.
S/PRST/2002/37 Extension of UN Disengagement Observer Force
Date: 17 December 2002 Meeting: 4670
In connection with the resolution just adopted on the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, I have been authorized to make the following complementary statement on behalf of the Security Council:
“As is known, the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (S/2002/1328) states in paragraph 11: ‘... the situation in the Middle East is very tense and is likely to remain so, unless and until a comprehensive settlement covering all aspects of the Middle East problem can be reached’. That statement of the Secretary-General reflects the view of the Security Council.”
S/PRST/2002/38 Counter-Terrorism Committee relations with similar organizations
Date: 17 December 2002 Meeting: 4672
The Security Council recalls the statement of its President of 8 October 2002 (S/PRST/2002/26) concerning the Work Programme (S/2002/1075) of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001 (the Counter-Terrorism Committee).
The Security Council notes the key role to be played by international, regional and subregional organizations in supporting Government capacity strengthening on counter-terrorism and in furthering the implementation of resolution 1373 (2001). It encourages the Counter-Terrorism Committee to build a dialogue with and encourage a dialogue between such organizations active in the areas covered by that resolution.
In this context, the Security Council requests the Counter-Terrorism Committee, with a view to improving the flow of information on experiences, standards and best practice, and to coordinating ongoing activity, to invite all relevant international, regional and subregional organizations to:
(a) Contribute to a report information on their activities in the area of counter-terrorism;
(b) Send a representative to attend a Special Meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee with international, regional and subregional organizations on 7 March 2003.
The Security Council invites the Counter-Terrorism Committee to report on developments at regular intervals.
S/PRST/2002/39 Cooperation with Yugoslavia, Rwanda tribunals
Date: 18 December 2002 Meeting: 4674
The Security Council takes note of the report to the Security Council, dated 23 July 2002, of the Prosecutor of the International Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) (S/2002/938), of the letter to the President of the Security Council, dated 26 July 2002 from the President of the ICTR (S/2002/847), of the letter from the Permanent Representative of Rwanda, dated 26 July 2002, enclosing the reply of the Rwandan Government to the Prosecutor’s report (S/2002/842), of the letter to the President of the Security Council, dated 8 August 2002, from the President of the ICTR, enclosing a Note of the ICTR on the reply of the Rwandan Government (S/2002/923), and of the letter from the Permanent Representative of Rwanda, dated 17 September 2002, enclosing a letter from the Association of Survivors of Rwandan genocide.
The Security Council also takes note of the letter to the President of the Security Council, dated 23 October 2002, from the President of the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and of the letter to the President of the Security Council, dated 25 October 2002, from the Permanent Representative of Yugoslavia to the United Nations, enclosing a Non-Paper.
The Security Council reaffirms its support for the ICTR and ICTY (the Tribunals), impartial and independent bodies, which contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security and to bringing justice and reconciliation to the people of the countries concerned.
The Security Council recalls the mandatory obligation of all States, including the Governments of Rwanda and Yugoslavia, under resolutions 955 (1994) and 827 (1993) and the Statutes of the Tribunals, to cooperate fully with the Tribunals and their organs, including the duty to comply with the requests by the Tribunals for the arrest or detention of indictees and their surrender or transfer to the Tribunals, to make witnesses available to the Tribunals, and to assist with the Tribunals’ ongoing investigations.
The Security Council stresses the importance it attaches to the full cooperation by all States, particularly those directly concerned, with the Tribunals.
The Security Council also stresses the importance of constructive dialogue between the Tribunals and the Governments concerned to resolve any outstanding issues affecting the work of the Tribunals that arise in the course of their cooperation but insists that such dialogue or lack of dialogue must not be used by States as an excuse for failure to discharge their obligations to cooperate fully with the Tribunals as required by Security Council resolutions and the Statutes of the Tribunals.
The Security Council will remain seized of the matter.
S/PRST/2002/40 Ceasefire in Burundi
Date: 18 December 2002 Meeting: 4675
The Security Council welcomes the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the Transitional Government of Burundi and the Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Front de défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD) on 2 December 2002 in Arusha (“the Ceasefire Agreement”). It pays tribute to the courageous and responsible decision by the President of the Transitional Government of Burundi, Mr. Buyoya, and by the legal representative of CNDD-FDD, Mr. Nkurunziza, to sign the agreement. It welcomes their decision to implement the truce immediately, while finalizing all pending political issues within the time limits set by the agreement.
The Security Council supports the decision of the 19th regional Head of States summit of the Regional Initiative to direct the Palipehutu Forces Nationales de Libération (FNL), to enter into negotiation immediately and conclude a ceasefire agreement by 30 December 2002 or face the consequences. In this regard, the Council strongly urges the FNL, under the leadership of Mr. Rwasa, to put an end immediately to the hostilities, sign a ceasefire agreement and commit themselves to political negotiations. It recalls that the settlement of the crisis in Burundi depends on a political solution, and that only a negotiated settlement in the framework of the Arusha Agreement of 28 August 2000 will enable the country to restore stability, in accordance with the will of the Burundian people.
The Security Council expresses its intention to support the immediate and full implementation of the agreements signed between the Burundian parties, in particular the Ceasefire Agreement of 2 December 2002. It requests the Secretary-General to study ways of responding positively and with urgency to the requests of the Burundian parties and of the Facilitator, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, in particular with regard to:
– Any expertise and advice which the Secretariat could provide to facilitate the definition of the mandate and the deployment of the African mission provided for in the Ceasefire Agreement of 2 December;
– Facilitation of logistical assistance to the deployment of this mission;
– Mobilization and coordination of donor contributions;
– Designation, at the request of the parties, of a person to chair the Joint Ceasefire Commission.
The Security Council emphasizes the merits of cooperation between the African mission and the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), in particular in the border area.
The Security Council expresses its thanks for the historic role played by former President Mandela, pays tribute and expresses its full support to the efforts of the Republic of South Africa, in particular its Deputy President, M. Zuma, the Facilitator of the Burundian peace process. It pays tribute to the role of the African Union. It also pays tribute to the efforts of the Republic of Tanzania and President Mkapa, President Bongo of Gabon, President Museveni of Uganda, and the other Regional Initiative countries. The Council also expresses its full support to the action taken by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi and approves the recommendations of the Secretary-General, in paragraphs 47 to 51 of his report of 18 November 2002 (S/2002/1259), with a view to increasing the resources of the United Nations Office in Burundi.
The Security Council recalls that the responsibility for the Burundi peace process lies primarily with the Burundian parties themselves. The parties must agree without further delay the modalities of the reform of the Army, as well as the political issues mentioned in Annex 2 of the Ceasefire Agreement of 2 December 2002. The Council requests the parties to continue to respect their commitments. The Council condemns the human rights violations that have taken place in Burundi and calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The Security Council recalls the joint communiqué issued by the Governments of Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 7 January 2002 (S/2002/36) expressing their intent to normalize their relations. It calls on them to finalize and implement an accord as soon as possible ensuring the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will not be used for armed attacks against Burundi, as well as the effective withdrawal of Burundian troops from Congolese territory. It also notes that, as the Burundi parties have taken the bold step of reaching the 2 December 2002 Ceasefire Agreement, the Security Council stands ready to consider steps against States that are found to continue to support armed attacks by the Burundi rebels.
The Security Council recalls that the support of the international community, in particular financial support, is critical to the success of the peace process. In that regard, it welcomes the success of the donor round table organized in Geneva on 27-28 November 2002, and calls on donors to respond urgently to the significant progress made recently and to disburse fully the contributions promised so far. In particular, it calls on donors to provide the necessary financial assistance to facilitate the return to development and financial stability, and to consolidate the substantial efforts deployed by the Burundian authorities in this regard.
The Security Council pays tribute to the donors that are supporting the deployment of the South African Special Protection Unit, encourages them to continue their efforts and calls on the donor community to mobilize to help the countries concerned set up, as soon as possible and in liaison with the United Nations, the African mission provided for in the Ceasefire Agreement of 2 December 2002, and to participate to the financing of the repatriation and the reintegration of Burundian refugees.
The Security Council strongly condemns all massacres and other acts of violence against civilians in Burundi.
The Security Council expresses serious concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Burundi. The Council calls on all Burundian parties to take practical steps to grant safe access to humanitarian personnel in their efforts to deliver assistance to vulnerable populations throughout Burundi.
S/PRST/2002/41 Condemnation of violence against civilians
Date: 20 December 2002 Meeting: 4679
The Security Council recalls its resolutions 1265 (1999) of 17 September 1999 and 1296 (2000) of 19 April 2000 on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, as well as the statements by its President of 12 February 1999 (S/PRST/1999/6) and of 15 March 2002 (S/PRST/2002/6); welcomes the third report by the Secretary-General on the protection of civilians in armed conflict (S/2002/1300); and reaffirms the need to keep the protection of civilians in armed conflict as an important item on the Council’s agenda.
The Security Council strongly condemns all attacks and acts of violence directed against civilians or other protected persons under international law, including international humanitarian law, in situations of armed conflict; reaffirms its concern at the hardships borne by civilians in conflict situations, and the need for parties to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel as well as personnel of international humanitarian organizations. The Council recognizes that secure humanitarian access, a clear separation of civilians and combatants, and the swift re-establishment of the rule of law, justice and reconciliation are essential for an effective transition from conflict to peace.
The Security Council calls upon all parties to armed conflict to comply fully with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations and with the rules and principles of international law, in particular international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law, and to implement fully the relevant decisions of the Security Council. The Security Council recalls the obligations of States to respect and to ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the four Geneva Conventions, and emphasizes their responsibility to end impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of humanitarian law.
The Security Council underscores the importance of the aide-memoire adopted by the Council on 15 March 2002 (S/PRST/2002/6), as a practical tool that provides a basis for improved analysis and diagnosis of key protection issues during deliberations on peacekeeping mandates, and stresses the need to implement the approaches set out therein on a more regular and consistent basis, taking into account the particular circumstances of each conflict situation. The Council agrees to continue to review current mandates and resolutions, as appropriate, taking into consideration the aide-memoire, and expresses its willingness to update it annually to reflect emerging trends in the protection of civilians in armed conflict.
The Security Council notes that a number of obstacles undermine efforts to secure access of humanitarian and United Nations agencies to persons in need, including attacks on humanitarian personnel, denial of access by authorities and a lack of structured engagement with non-State actors. In that respect, the Security Council recognizes the importance of the comprehensive framework agreements based on agreed standards and mechanisms to improve access; and encourages the ongoing work by United Nations agencies to prepare a manual of field practices of negotiations with armed groups to better assist coordination and to facilitate more effective negotiations.
The Security Council is mindful of the particular vulnerability of refugees and internally displaced persons and reaffirms the primary responsibility of States to ensure their protection, in particular by maintaining the security and civilian character of camps of refugees and internally displaced persons. The Council underscores the rights of all refugees under international law, including international humanitarian law and refugee law. The Security Council notes that United Nations multidisciplinary assessment teams, with the consent of the host States, could assist and support States in the separation of combatants and civilians. The Council, moreover, recognizes the needs of civilians under foreign occupation and stresses further, in this regard, the responsibilities of the occupying Power.
The Security Council acknowledges the emerging issues raised in the Secretary-General’s report that could seriously affect the capacity of Member States to protect civilians. Regarding gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation, abuse and trafficking of women and girls, the Council encourages States, in particular troop-contributing countries, to use the six core principles developed by the United Nations and other humanitarian partners to prevent and remedy situations of sexual abuse and exploitation, when their nationals are involved in such cases. The Security Council, further, condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, however and by whomever committed.
The Security Council recognizes the importance of a comprehensive, coherent and action-oriented approach to the protection of civilians in armed conflict. It encourages further cooperation between Member States, OCHA, DPA, DPKO, UNHCR, UNRWA, OHCHR, UNDP and other relevant United Nations agencies and offices, bearing also in mind the contents of resolutions 1325 on women, peace and security and 1379 on children in armed conflict; welcomes the regional workshops and encourages Member States to give them their operational and financial support. The Security Council requests the Secretary-General to submit by June 2004 his next report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, including information on the implementation of Security Council resolutions previously adopted on this subject and any other matter he wishes to bring to the attention of the Council. It also welcomes the oral briefings to be given to the Council every six months, including progress made to further develop the road map concept, as set out in the most recent report by the Secretary-General (S/2002/1300).
S/PRST/2002/42 Condemnation of attempted overthrow in Côte d’Ivoire
Date: 20 December 2002 Meeting: 4680
The Security Council expresses its grave concern at the situation in Côte d’Ivoire and its serious consequences for the population of this country and the region. The Council firmly condemns attempts to use force to influence the political situation in Côte d’Ivoire and to overthrow the elected Government. It calls for full respect for the constitutional order of Côte d’Ivoire and emphasizes its full support for the country’s legitimate Government. It stresses also the need to respect the sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity of Côte d’Ivoire. It calls on all States in the region to refrain from any interference in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Security Council stresses that the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire can be resolved only through a negotiated political solution. It calls upon all parties involved in the conflict to work actively to achieve such a solution and to abstain from any act or declaration that could jeopardize efforts to that end. Such a solution must address the underlying causes of the conflict.
The Security Council strongly supports the efforts of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), currently chaired by Senegal, to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict. It urges ECOWAS leaders to continue their efforts in a coordinated manner. In this regard it welcomes the Final Communiqué adopted on 18 December 2002 (S/2002/1386) at the extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS in Dakar.
In particular, the Security Council welcomes the commitment by the President of Côte d’Ivoire to present in the coming days a comprehensive plan to end the crisis. It stresses that such a plan is a crucial step towards achieving a peaceful solution and calls upon the President of Côte d’Ivoire to involve all parties fully and to seek consensus among them.
The Security Council also takes note of paragraph 18 of the Final Communiqué of the Dakar Summit, in which ECOWAS requests the United Nations and the Secretary-General to contribute to the resolution of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. The Council commends the Secretary-General for his efforts to promote a negotiated settlement, in coordination with ECOWAS. The Council requests him to continue those efforts, particularly by providing all necessary support and assistance to the mediation efforts of ECOWAS. The Council requests the Secretary-General to keep it regularly informed about the situation.
The Security Council expresses its full support for the deployment in Côte d’Ivoire of the ECOMOG force, under Senegalese command, by 31 December 2002, as called for in the Final Communiqué of the Dakar Summit. It commends all ECOWAS countries which have decided to contribute troops to this force and calls upon the international community to provide assistance to it.
The Security Council also commends France for the efforts it has made, at the request of the Government of Côte d’Ivoire, to prevent further fighting, on a provisional basis pending the deployment of the ECOMOG force. It also expresses its appreciation for the efforts of France to contribute to a political solution of the crisis, including the possible hosting of meetings on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire. It also recognizes the efforts of the African Union to bring about a resolution of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Security Council expresses its deepest concern at reports of mass killings and grave violations of human rights in Côte d’Ivoire. It calls on all parties to ensure full respect for human rights and international humanitarian law, particularly with regard to the civilian population, regardless of its origin, and to bring to justice all those responsible for any violation thereof. The Council welcomes the decision by the Secretary-General to request the High Commissioner for Human Rights to gather precise information about violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Côte d’Ivoire, including through the dispatch of a fact-finding mission to that country.
The Security Council also expresses its concern at the humanitarian consequences of the crisis in Côte d’Ivoire. It calls upon the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to those in need in all the countries of the subregion that are affected by the Ivorian crisis. It also calls on all parties to provide unhindered access to the affected populations.
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