S/PV.2924 Security Council

The Security Council will now begin its wnsideration of the item W its agenda. The Security C0uncil is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior mnsultatlons. Fol.lowing consultations amorrg lllembers OP the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Ctouncil.r “The numbers of the Security Council note with satisfaction that the United Nations has in recent years played an increasingly important and active role in restoring and maintaining international peace and security. The peaa-keeping operations of the Usited Nations have become a valuable instrument facilitating the settlement of international disputes. Recent 3UCCW3SfUl psaoe-keeping operations have for their part contributed to the enhanced standing and effectiveness of the United Nations. “The members of the Security Council express their deep satisfaction with the growing support of the international cmnnwnity for United Nations Pease-keeping and, in particular I with the participation of a grauing nun&er of timber States in the operations. The matiers of the Council pay tribute to the Secretary-General and his staff for their tireless efforts in the conduct of those operations. They also commend States which have provided resources for such operations. purthernrore, they commend the peace-keeping forces for their exemplary and dedicated service in the cause of internationa; peace and security . (The PresidentI “The rembars of the Security Council consider it of vital. importance that adequate resoures are available for the QreQaratian, deployment and nraintenmce of the United & tions peace-keepinq operations. This must be underlined all the more in view of the new challenges in prospect. The member6 of the Council urge the Hembet States to respond positively and rapidly to requesti from the Secretary-General for contributions of financial, human and material resources for the operations. They emphasize that the operations nust be launched and maintained on a sound and secure financial basis and stress the importance oE full and timely Payments of assessed contributions. At the same time they underscore that the operations rmst be planned and conducted with ~~~xirnum efficiency and cost-effectiveness. (The Pcesiclent) “The members of the security Council also emphasize the impartace of Political SU~C~ by all the Menbec States and in particular by .he parties concerned for United Nations peace-keeping and for the actia of the Secretary-(knecal in mnducting the ORrations. They stress that a peace-keeping operatim is essentially a timpotaty measure intended to facilitate the resolution of conflicts and disputes. Its rwndate is not automatically renewable. Peace-keepinq should never be cons trued as a substitute EOC the ultimate goal: an eaciy negotiated settlemnt. In the light of this, the members of the council will continua to examine carefully the mandate of kach operation and, when necessary, vary it in response to prevailing circuinstm~@s~ “The metiers of the Security Council , while cecognizing the principle that peace-keeping should be undectaken only with the consent of the host countries and the Patties Q)nOt3cned, urge the host countries and all pactfee involved to assist and facilitate in every way the successful and safe deplOp?nt and functioning of the United Nations peace-keeping operations in order to enable the fulfilment of their mandates, including the early COnClUSiOn of status-of-forces agreement.s with the United Nations and the provision of appropriate infrastructure support. “The IXMXXS of the Secucity &uncil ace encouraged by recent achievements of United Nations peace-keepira. Bearing in mind the primacy responsibility of the Security Council under the Charter of the United Nations, the rrembecs of the Council exptew their detecminatfcn tx3 continto work jointly and in ab-opecation with the SecretacY-Genecal for the prevention and resolution of international conflicts. The rrpmbecs of the Council rscmin ready to ax?ei&r launching new lZeaoe-k6?eping operations as and when necessary (The President) in the intereat of international peace ancl security in accordance with the plrpxws and principles of the United Nations Charter .* The Security Council hae thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meeting rcse at 5,30 p.m.