S/PV.3062 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received letters from the representatives o£ Angola and Portugal, in which they request to be invitea to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I prepose, with the consent of the Council, to invite them to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided. At the invitation of the President, Mr. Van Dunem "Mbinda" (Anqola) took a place at the Council table; Mr. Reino (Portugal) took the place reserved for him at the side of the Council Chamber.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before’ them document §/23671 and Add.1, containing a report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission. Members of the Council’ also have before them document §/23743, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. There has been a minor revision to operative paragraph 8 of the provisional version of the draft resolution, and as a result the paragraph now reads as follows: (The President) (spoke in English) "Urges the parties to establish as soon as possible a precise timetable for the electoral process in Angola so that elections can take place at the date fixed and requests the Secretary-General to extend his cooperation to this end;". (spoke in Spanish) The first speaker is the representative of Angola, on whom I now call. Mr. VAN DUNEM "MBINDA" (Angola): On behalf of my delegation, may I congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of March. Indeed, your Government has often shown its enlightened position on various issues important to us. I also wish to thank you for your assistance in convening this meeting of the Security Council, especially at this time. I also thank your predecessor for the remarkable work he has done. On behalf of the Government of the People’s Republic of Angola, allow me on this very important occasion to thank the Council for the draft resolution it is about to adopt. My delegation does not have any special remarks vis-a-vis the draft resolution as such, On the contrary, I avail myself of this opportunity to pay a tribute to the members of the Security Council for their comprehensive draft resolution on Angola. This draft resolution will constitute for my Government another very important landmark in the process of peace and democratization of Angola, since it will guarantee the presence of international observers in the electoral process of Angola. My country has come a long way, and today, thanks to the international community, in which the United Nations plays an important role, Angola can finally have peace, harmony and understanding among Angolans. I am fully convinced that the decision about to be taken by the Council will be another historic moment for all Angolans, who deserve all our efforts to fulfil all the needs of the Angolan people. (Mr. Van Dunem "Mbinda", Angola) (Mr. Van Dunem “Mbinda”, Angola) I would like to avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm my Government's commitment to implement the Peace Accords - “Acordos de Paz para Angola" - signed in Lisbon on 31 May 1991. In this regard, we can congratulate ourselves on the results achieved so far: the cease-fire has been holding, the exchange of prisoners, the nomination of the National Electoral Commission, the Law of the Parties, the decision to have the internationally supervised elections under this very important draft resolution of the Council and, shortly - I hope very shortly - a date for elections to be announced as soon as the Government reaches an agreement with the other parties. My Government will continue to pave the way leading to peace and harmony, and together with all the international community, namely, the United Nations, to reinforce cooperation and mutual understanding between States in this world of constant change.

I thank the representative of Angola for his kind words addressed to me. Mr. JESUS (Cape Verde): Angola and Cape Verde share a common history and language, which over the years have cemented our relations and strengthened the special relationship that exists between our two peoples, In a way we belong to the same society, and we share the same aspiration to attain political stability and social and economic development. We attach the utmost importance to the consolidation of peace in the sisterly country of Angola. Over the years, before and since its independence, Angola has been plagued by war and instability, which have made it difficult for the Angolan people to enjoy the many resources of their rich and bountiful land, (Mr. Jesus, Cape Verde) As a country that has been close to Angola for centuries, and that has many of its nationals living and working in that’ country, Cape Verde welcomed the Peace Accords that set the framework for bringing peace and stability to Angola, We believe that the United Nations has played, and continues to play, an important role in assisting the establishment of a multiparty democracy and in the consolidation of peace in Angola. Today the Council is about to adopt a resolution on the extension of the United Nations. Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) mandate that will assist in the process of multiparty elections to take place in September this year. We believe this to be an important decision, for it will confer upon the electoral process the international credibility that will further contribute to the creation of a climate of confidence and stability in that country. At a time when the Angolan people are preparing to engage themselves in this important political event of their history, we would like to express the wish that the upcoming September elections will be an important landmark in harmonizing their differences.

The next speaker is the representative of Portugal. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. REINO (Portugal): First, may I congratulate you, Sir, on the way in which you have steered the Council's work in the current month. I should also like to extend my sincere congratulations to your predecessor, Ambassador Thomas Pickering, on the efficient manner in which he quided the Council's deliberations in February. (Mr. Reino, Portugal) Portugal wishes to express its full support for the draft resolution to be adopted by the Security Council and to convey my country's sincere appreciation to the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, as well as to the Special Representative for Angola, Miss Margaret Joan Anstee, for the continuing efforts fully to implement the mandate entrusted to the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM IT). Angola, a country which is very close to mine in view of our strong ties of friendship, mutual trust and cooperation, is on the threshold of a very important stage in its history. The signing of the "Acordos de Paz para Angola", which took place in Estoril, Portugal, on 31 May 1991, marked the beginning of a new era for Angola. The leaders of the parties involved in the conflict that had devastated Angola for more than 15 years now commit themselves to work together for a period which will end with the holding of free elections. In this regard, the role of the United Nations in observing and verifying the elections is essential. Portugal has the greatest confidence in the capacity of the Angolan people to bring about a successful conclusion of the peace process. We should like to reiterate our readiness to make continued efforts to contribute in every possible manner so that peace, democracy and the social and economic rebuilding of Angola may become a reality in the shortest time possible.

I thank the Ambassador of Portugal for his kind words addressed to me. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. If I hear no objection, I shall take it that that is the case. There being no objection, it is so decided. Before putting the draft resolution to the vote, I shall call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting. Mr. WATSON (United States of America): -As an observer of the Angola peace process, the United States is especially pleased to support the draft resolution, which will expand the responsibilities of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) to include electoral monitoring. We believe that the United Nations has an important role to play in that process, and commend the Secretariat for putting together a plan that should accomplish this goal. We will continue to work with the Secretariat and with other members of the Council to ensure that monitoring of Angolan elections is as efficient and cost-effective as possible. The direction outlined by the Secretary-General, with the very capable assistance of Special Representative Anstee and others, is a very useful and positive one. My Government is gratified by the progress being made towards peace and democratic rule in Angola. Great strides have been made since the signing of the “Acordos de Paz" last May in Lisbon. The cease-fire has held and all parties have begun to work together on the common goals of demobilization, the establishment of a national army and election planning. The progress is slow, but all parties must be commended for taking the first steps in the right direction of cooperating rather than fighting. Armed conflict produced nothing but hardship for the people of Angola in the last 17 years. They have now chosen the path of dialogue and reconciliation. We applaud the accomplishments made, but they will mean little unless there are free and fair multiparty elections in September as the goal of the entire peace process. The broadening of the mandate of UNAVEM II to include electoral monitoring is one small step in the effort on all sides to help ensure that (Mr. Watson, United States) the elections in September can take place in a peaceful and proper atmosphere. However, as with the cease-fire already in:place, the responsibility for elections must properly rest not with the United Nations but with the Angolans. It is they who must believe in elections with sufficient feryour and resolve that the endeavour will bring into being a Government chosen by the people of Angola. We pledge our best efforts to ensuring that, with hard work, continued commitment and the support and assistance of the United Nations and the international community, this exercise in democracy will be successful and open the door to the recovery of this war-devastated, but potentially wealthy, nation. Mr. SIDOROV (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The delegation of the Russian Federation would like to make the following points with regard to the draft resolution contained in document $/23743. We note the importance of the appeal to all parties in Angola to cooperate fully with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and with the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) in carrying out its mandate. | We believe it is also important to take note of the paragraph of the draft resolution urging the Angolan parties to comply scrupulously with the provisions of the “Acordos de Paz" and with the agreed deadlines with regard to the holding of elections in September. In this connection we support the appeal to the Angolan authorities and parties to finalize the political, legal, organizational and budgetary preparations for free and fair multiparty elections and to make available all necessary resources for the electoral process. a We deem it necessary to draw attention to the importance of the economic use of resources and of the search for additional sources of financing for the holding of free elections in Angola, including funds from various non-governmental organizations. The delegation of the Russian Federation, which is an observer in the Angolan settlement process, believes that the unanimous adoption of the draft resolution will be an important step towards the realization of the Angolan peace settlement, which is designed to put an end to long years of armed conflict in that country and to ensure that free and fair elections will reflect the will of the Angolan people. Mr. MERIMEE (France) (interpretation from French): Since the signature of the “Acordos de Paz" on 1 May 1991, that country, so hard hit by years of civil war, has embarked on the course of national reconciliation, stability and democracy. The cease-fire agreed upon by the parties is generally respected, as we are informed by the Secretary-General in his report, and the implementation of the provisions of the peace plan, with the assistance of the United Nations, has begun. ; However, a great deal remains to be done if the objectives of the peace pian are to be realized fully. We hope that the Angolan parties will make every effort to see that the delays in the implementation of certain provisions of the Accords are overcome and that the free and fair elections provided for in those Accords are held within the agreed time-frame. Although the essential responsibility for the implementation of the peace plan rests on the parties, the role of our Organization is also, as we know, of great importance. We pay a tribute to the work already accomplished by the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) in carrying out its mandate as set forth in resolutions 626 (1988) and 696 (1991), especially by participating in the monitoring of the cease-fire. In his report the Secretary-General, at the request of the parties, suggests adding to the tasks entrusted to the Organization within the framework of the implementation of the "Acordos de Paz" that of participating in the monitoring of the electoral process. France fully supports that proposal and expresses the hope that the draft resolution approving it will enjoy the Council’s unanimous support. We appeal to the parties to give every assistance to facilitating the preparation and holding of these elections and to offer all necessary cooperation to the United Nations in its new mission. Lastly, we hope that Mr. NOTERDAEME (Belgium) (interpretation from French): Belgium fully supports the broadening of the mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) to include the monitoring of the elections in Angola. Following the creation of the United Nations Protection Force in Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR) and the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), the United Nations has once again had its mission of restoring and maintaining international peace and security in all parts of the world confirmed. “Obviously, my country welcomes this development. We earnestly hope that the Angolan parties will be able to take advantage of this new effort made by the international community. _ For it must be clear that the United Nations is intervening in Angola only at the explicit request of the parties and ina precise context, namely, that of the "Acordos de Paz" signed at Estoril concluded on 15 May 1991 between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and UNITA. It is inthe context of these Accords that the parties have committed themselves to the hoiding of free, fair and - it goes without saying - multiparty elections before the end of the month of September. Thus, the parties must ensure that that timetable is respected. We are all aware that the task will not be an easy one, given the obstacles that remain to be overcome. They are referred to in the Secretary-General's report ~ to whom I should like to tender special thanks ~ and most of them are mentioned in the draft resolution: the demobilization of troops and their assembly in billeting areas, the formation of a unified national armed force, the effective operation of joint police monitoring units, extension of the central administration throughout the whole of the Angolan territory and the implementation of the preparations for the elections. (Mr. Noterdaeme, Beigium) Belgium would like to make an earnest appeal to both parties to the "Acordos de Paz" to make the necessary efforts to overcome the problems and to respect their commitments. We urge them to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Special Representative, With its partners in the European Community Belgium is prepared to continue its actions designed to contribute to the recovery and development of a pluralistic and stable Angola,

The Council will now vote on the draft resolution in document S/23743, as orally revised in its provisional form. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Austria, Belgium, Cape Verde, China, Ecuador, France, Hungary, India, Japan, Morocco, Russian Federation, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela, Zimbabwe Zhe PRESTDENT (interpretation from Spanish): There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has therefore been adopted unanimously as resolution 747 (1992). There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 4.30 p.m.