3795th Meeting of Security Council: Situation in Angola - Part 2

The Security Council this morning decided to establish, as of 1 July, the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA) to assist the Angolan parties in consolidating peace and national reconciliation, enhancing confidence-building and creating an environment conducive to long-term stability, democratic development and rehabilitation of the country.

The Council took that action by unanimously adopting resolution 1118 (1997). Also by the text, the Council decided that the initial mandate of MONUA should extend to 31 October 1997, with the expectation that it would be completed by 1 February 1998.

Further by the resolution, the Council called upon the Government of Angola and, in particular, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) to cooperate fully with MONUA. It strongly urged the Government of Angola and UNITA to complete the remaining political aspects of the peace process, including the normalization of State administration throughout the country in accordance with a timetable and procedures to be agreed upon by the parties within the context of the Joint Commission, the transformation of UNITA into a political party and the conversion of its radio station into a non-partisan facility.

The Council also strongly urged the Government of Angola and in particular UNITA to complete without delay the remaining military aspects of the peace process, including the registration and demobilization of all remaining military elements, the elimination of all obstacles to the free circulation of people and goods, and the disarmament of the civilian population. Also by the resolution, the Council appealed in the strongest terms to both parties to refrain from the use of force and called upon the Government of Angola to notify MONUA of troop movements. It demanded that UNITA provide the Joint Commission complete information with regard to its military forces, including the security detachment of the leader of the largest opposition party, the so-called "mining police,” armed UNITA personnel returning from outside the national boundaries, and any other armed UNITA personnel not previously reported to the United Nations, in order for them to be disarmed and demobilized.

The Council expressed the hope that issues now delaying the full implementation of the Lusaka Protocol may be resolved through a meeting on Angolan national territory of the President of Angola and the leader of the largest opposition party. It urged the international community to provide assistance to the demobilization of combatants and their social reintegration and the reconstruction of the national economy in order to consolidate the gains in the peace process.

Statements were made by the representatives of the Netherlands (speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States), Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Lesotho, Argentina, Mauritius, Portugal, France, United Kingdom, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Chile, Poland, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Sweden, Egypt, Costa Rica, China, United States, Russian Federation, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3795

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE