S/PV.3152 Security Council

The PRESIDENT: I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Angola in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative 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 Punem "Mbi nda" (Angola) took a place at the Council table.

The PRESIDENT: 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 S/24996, which contains the text of a letter dated 18 December 1992 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council, Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on hehalf of tha Cauncil, 1f understand that the Russian text of the statement should be amended to conform to the English text, which reads as follows: "The Security Council has taken note of the letter dated 18 December 1992 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Council (8/24996) concerning the situation in Angola. It expresses serious concern at the lack of progress in implementing the 'Acordos de Paz para Angola' and at the continuation of the dangerous political and security situation in the country. "The Security Council reiterates its strong appeal to the two parties to engage in a continuous and meaningful dialogue aimed at national reconciliation and at the participation of aii parties in the democratic process, and to agree on a clear timetable and programme of action to complete the implementation of the 'Acordos de Paz'. The Security Council urges that the military forces of the Uniao Nacional para a Independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) be immediately withdrawn from Uige and Negage and that the Government administration be fully restored there and that the two parties resume the direct talks started in Namibe on 26 November 1992. It again urges both parties to Gemonstrate their commitment to the 'Acordos de Paz', in particular with regard to confinement of their troops and collection of their weapons, Gemobilization, formation of the national armed forces and restoration of the central administration throughout the country. "The Security Council also considers it essential that both parties agree without delay on security and other arrangements which would allow all ministers and other high-ranking officials to occupy the posts which have been offered by the Government and for all deputies to assume their functions in the National Assembly. "The Security Council also considers it imperative that both parties agree on a realistic plan of action for full implementation of the 'Acordos de Paz', and to facilitate a continuing United Nations presence in Angola. It underlines the need for the two sides to produce early evidence of their willingness and ability to work together to implement the 'Acordos de Paz', so that the international community would feel encouraged to continue to commit its scarce resources to the continuation of the United Nations operation in Angola on its present scale. "Toe Security Council fully supports the action of the Secretary-General aimed at resolving the present crisis and appeals to President dos Santos and Dr. Savimbi to accept the Secretary-General's invitation to attend, under his auspices, a joint meeting at an agreed location, to confirm that real progress has been made in the reactivation of the Bicesse Accords with a view to their full implementation and that agreement has been reached on a continuing United Nations presence in Angola." The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The_meeting rose at 5.50 p.m.