S/PV.3198 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representatives of Mozambique and Portugal, in which they request to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In accordance with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite those representatives to participate in the discussion without the right to vote, in conformity 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. t At the invi ation of th Pr Mozambiau took a place a> 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 the agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council‘have before them the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Mozambique, document S/25518. Members of the Council also have before them document S/25591, which contains the text of a draft resolution which was prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. The following revision should be made to the draft resolution contained in document S/25591 in its provisional form: Add the following at the end of operative paragraph 12: "pursuant to the commitments made under the General Peace Agreement". I should like to draw the attention of members of the Council to document S/25044, which contains the text of a letter dated 30 December 1992 from the Char96 d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, The first speaker is the representative of Mozambique, and I now call on him. Mr, AFONSO (Mozambique): On behalf of my Government, I wish to extend to you, Sir, our warmest congratulations on your assumption of'the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. We have on numerous occasions been highly impressed with your performance. Our fruitful " consultations with you, Sir, prior to this meeting and your outstanding experience provide us every reason to trust in your leadership for a successful outcome to our deliberations. I should also like to extend our warm congratulations to your predecessor, Ambassador Terence O'Brien of New Zealand, for the excellent and skilful manner in which he guided the Council's business last month. I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm my Government's high regard for, and appreciation of our Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for his continued commitment to peace in my country. Through him, I should like to extend our most profound gratitude to the international community as a whole, particularly to the men and women who are currently working in the field in order to consolidate the hard-won peace in my'country. Six months have already elapsed since the signing 'of the General Peace Agreement, and, despite the existence of numerous obstacles, peace, fragile as it may be, is a tangible reality in Mozambique. Our nation is involved in a dynamic process of national reconstruction and national reconciliation. A cease-fire is being observed by the parties, even in the absence of international supervision and monitoring. The spirit of reconciliation is high and peace is all-embracing. Therefore, both parties are to be commended for maintaining the cease-fire. As we tread the path of peace, there are many risks that we may come across. The fundamental issue, however, is that the General Peace Agreement has to be fully respected and faithfully implemented in letter and spirit. As members of the Council are fully aware, the Agreement is made up Of seven Protocols 'and four other important documents. Beyond a doubt, one of the most fundamental and decisive components of the Agreement is the one dealing with the cessation of the armed conflict, contained in Protocol 111. According to this Protocol, the cessation of the armed conflict will be a brief and dynamic process, lnd it must have a predetermined duration. More importantly, perhaps, the d*)cument establishes an operational timetable far the cease-fire. According to the timetable, the separation, concentration and &amobiliZation of forces wi'.l take place within 180 days of the entry into force of the Agreement. As the Council will recall, six months since the entry into force of the Agreement will elapse tomorrow, 15 April 1993, and yet none of the steps described above and envisaged under the cease-fire Protocol has been implemented. The Government - and, indeed, the entire people - are therefore concerned about the fact that the delay in the process of the separation, concentration and demobilization of forces will impose a delay in the timetable for the conduct of the electoral process and related aspects, In addition, the electoral campaign can be. started only after the conclusion of the formation of the Mozambican Defence Force, a process that has not yet been started because of the failure of RENAMO to select their candidates for the training of the first group of instructors in Nyanga, Zimbabwe. The implementation of the process of cessation of the armed conflict is basically the responsibility of the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO, within the framework of mechanisms established under the General Peace Agreement. Also because of the failure of RENAMO to appoint its representatives, it has not been possible to set up the National Police Affairs Commission and the ComiSSiOn on Territorial Administration. However, we are encouraged by recent declarations by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the effect that RENAMO will soon appoint its members to these Commissions. (Mr. Afonso, Mozambiaue) We would very much like. to see RENAMO back in the Commissions that have already been set up. Members will recall that RENAMO decided to withdraw temporarily from the Commissions early this month, invoking logistical problems. I now wish to offer a brief comment on the issue of logistics. As I stated at the beginning of my remarks, the General Peace Agreement constitutes the basis for the peace we have embarked upon. Under the Agreement, "The Government undertakes to assist in obtaining facilities and means so that RENAMO may secure the office space and transport and communication facilities it needs to carry out its political activities in all the provincial capitals, and in other locations to the extent that the available resources so permit". (Protocol III, para. 7 (b), S/24635 p. 17) The Agreement goes on to say that in this the Government of Mozambique will be assisted by the international community. In keeping with the spirit of the Rome Agreement, the Government has made available to RENAMO 18 houses and apartments; vehicles; and a number of other facilities. It is worth mentioning that RENAMO has already established its headquarters in Maputo and in some other provinces. As can be observed, in a spirit of cooperation and flexibility the Government is doing everything in its power, given the limited resources at our disposal. We are hoping that the problems will be overcome as reSOUrCeS pledged in Rome or elsewhere becomg available. Another important component of the Agreement package is Protocol III, on the principles of the Elecixral Act. On this, I am happy to convey to the ' Council that my Government has just handed over to the political parties, including RENAMO, a draft electoral law for their consideration before the consultative meeting scheduled to take place late this month or early in May. It is our hope that the Government and the political parties will conclude their consideration in time to allow the Assembly to adopt the draft electoral law some time next June. This is the situation as it stands today. We have a relatively stable cease-fire and a number of steps that must be taken to consolidate the present atmosphere of peace, The rapid deployment of the United Nations forces is absolutely crucial: the process cannot be sustained without international supervision and monitoring. The separation, concentration and demobilization of forces depend on this decisive element, Without the disarming of the forces and their demobilisation, the cease-fire will remain fragile. A number of very significant processes such as the repatriation of refugees, the resettlement of displaced populations and the electoral campaign are not compatible with a situation where we still have mines planted and people's movement limited. I should like to reaffirm my Government's readiness to provide at any time to the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) all relevant information regarding the complete lists of troop strength, arms, ammunition and mines and other explosives. As we have pointed out, this operation can produce better results provided there is a firm commitment by both sides to honour fully their obligations under the General Peace Agreement. Furthermore, the correct functioning of the Commissions created in pursuance of the General Peace Agreement also depends upon the participation of both parties in these Commissions. As is well documented in the Secretary-General's report, some of the Commissions are yet to be established. As in the previous case, the Government stands ready to participate fully in all the Commissions envisaged in the Rome Agreement. Regarding the situation of refugees and displaced persons, we have recently concluded, in Geneva, a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the repatriation of 1.5 million Mozambican citizens from neighbouring countries. The prospects for their voluntary return are coupled with current efforts aimed at resettling and rehabilitating a large portion of our population victimized by war and natural calamities. It is for those reasons that we regard it to be of the utmost importance that emergency assistance be linked with rehabilitation. As pointed out in the Secretary-General's report, despite progress made in humanitarian relief assistance, our nation will continue to require international assistance in times to come in order to overcome the adverse consequences of war and natural calamities. In this regard, my Government warmly welcomes the establishment of a United Nations Trust Fund for Humanitarian Assistance to Mozambique, under the auspices of the Department of Humanitarian Affairs. We believe that the establishment of this Fund is of paramount importance in the initiatives to help address the humanitarian dimension of the General Peace Agreement, as well as to complement the efforts undertaken by the Office for Humanitarian Assistance Coordination in Maputo, by providing the needed funds for the reintegration of demobilized combatants and for the resettlement of refugees and displaced persons. As illustrated in,my presentation, our assessment is that despite the progress so far made the overall peace process in Mozambique is running behind schedule. As far as the Government is concerned, all efforts are being made to implement our share of responsibilities. To that end, since receiving the draft status-of-forces agreement on 16 February this year - that is, four months after the adoption by the Security Council,of its resolution 782 (1992) - we have taken appropriate action in order to provide an appropriate response. As a matter of fact, I am pleased to inform the Council that my Government has just submitted its views on the draft status-of-forces agreement. We look forward to signing the agreement as soon as the negotiations are concluded. As the Council may recall, since the establishment of ONUMOZ in October last year, we have undertaken to ensure maximum flexibility in granting ONUMOZ the inherent privileges and immunities, and to prevent obstacles additional to the already existing difficulties in the overall implementation of the General Peace Agreement. It would therefore appear that the original delays in submitting the draft status-of-forces agreement are a factor contributing to the present situation. On our part, we regretted this situation, just as we did the delays in the submission of the ONUMOZ budget proposal, which was adopted only on 16 March 1993 - exactly five months after the decision by the Security Council to establish the United Nations Operation in Mozambique. While expressing our understanding of the complexity of the issues at stake, we nevertheless wish to reaffirm our readiness to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his colleagues in expediting the solution of this issue. All these issues were reviewed at the meeting between the Secretary-General and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mozambique on 31 March. Both the Secretary-General and the Minister concluded that it was necessary to speed up the implementation process. In this regard, I wish to place on record my Government's appreciation for the Secretary-General's determination to hasten the deployment of the military component. Its presence in the field will certainly enhance confidence between the parties and allow for the beginning of the crucial phase of the operation, in particular with regard to the assembly and demobilisation of forces. I should like to inform the members of the Council that despite the difficulties we are facing the Government has maintained to the best of its ability the channels of communication with RENAMO. High-level Government officials, and in some instances President Chissano, himself, have had talks and exchanges of views with the RENAMO officials. Recently, my Government has proposed the dates and venue for a meeting between President Chissano and Minister Dhlakama. If acceptable to RENAMO, such a meeting will take place very soon. However, we should like to dispel any impression that only such meetings will remove the prevailing hurdles in our peace process. The General Peace Agreement is a very detailed legal and political framework for solving problems arising in its implementation, It offers an adequate mechanism and institutions to deal with almo'st every kind of problem, and therefore the use of such a mechanism and such institutions should be strongly encouraged. The challenges ahead are great but not insurmountable. With the support of the international community, our people can enjoy the fruits of lasting peace and tranquillity. My Government will continue to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in the' fulfilment of the noble objectives for the establishment of a lasting peace and effective democracy in Mozambique, as prescribed in the General Peace Agreement.

I thank the representative of Mozambique for his kind words addressed to me. Mr. JESUS (Cape Verde): I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Sir, on presiding over the Council this month. We are very pleased to have seen you already handling the issues before the Council in a very efficient and skilled manner. I express my best wishes to you. I extend to your predecessor, Ambassador O'Brien of New Zealand, my warm congratulations on his personal dedication and on the effective leadership he provided the Council in dealing with important issues on our agenda. My country has been following the situation in Mozambique very closely and with deep interest. The special relations that over the centuries we have had with the brotherly people of Mozambique, with whom we share a common history, language and struggle for our independence, explain the strong interest on the part of the people of my country in the ongoing democratization process in Mozambique. After years of armed conflict, it is high time that lasting peace finally prevailed. The General Peace Agreement concluded last year betwen the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO provides the framework to attain this goal. It is important that its provisions and the commitments undertaken therein by both parties be implemented in a timely manner. We are concerned over the delays that have been reported in the implementation of major aspects of that Agreement. We appeal to both parties to take the necessary steps as soon as possible with a view to ensuring the early implementation of that Agreement. In this context, it is important that a precise timetable for the full implementation of the provisions of the General Peace Agreement, including the separation, concentration and demobilisation of forces, as well as elections, be worked out between the two parties as soon as possible. We are pleased to note that both parties have maintained the cease-fire. We commend their commitment to continue to abide by the cease-fire, a Sine oua non condition for the success of the entire democratization process. The assistance of the United Nations in the implementation of the Agreement is vital for the successful outcome of the whole operation. In this context, it appears to us that an early deployment of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) forces plays a fundamental role in helping the parties to take the necessary steps for the implementation of major aspects of the Agreement. A much prolonged delay in the deployment of the bulk of ONUMOZ contingents could have an adverse impact on the timely implementation of such major aspects of the Agreement. The past experience of the United Nations in handling similar situations tends to make US cautious and concerned about the proper handling of United Nations assistance designed to facilitate the consolidation of the peace process in Mozambique. In this regard, we appeal to the troop-contributing countries that have undertaken to make their troops available to the Secretariat for ONUMOZ to do so as soon as possible. We commend the commitment of the Secretary-General and his Special Representative and their' personal interest in this process, and look forward to their efforts in bringing ONOMUZ into full operation as early as required.

I thank the representative of Cape Verde for the kind words addressed to my predecessor and to me. Mr. SARDENBERG (Brazil): May I express the satisfaction of my delegation at seeing you, Sir, preside over the work of the Security Council in the current month. It comes as no surprise to us that your diplomatic skill and experience are proving to be major assets for the work of the Security Council. Let me also express my delegation's recognition of Ambassador Terence O'Brien, of New Zealand, for the very able manner in which he guided our deliberations during March. We listened with interest to the statement in which the Permanent Representative of Mozambique reaffirmed clearly and comprehensively his Government's commitment to -he full implementation of the General Peace Agreement, in cooperation with the United Nations, It is heartening for Brazil that, after so many years of violence, Mozambique has now found the road to peace and is moving ahead towards a new era, which we all hope will be one of stability and growing prosperity for the Mozambican people. Mozambique is a nation with which Brazil has especially close ties of friendship and cooperation, which take root in the identity of language, in deep similarities of culture and in a common historical background, as well as in shared aspirations for economic and social development, In Mozambique, buildiny the road to peace also means removing obstacles that have significantly, and for too long, encumbered the road to national development and progress. For too long, indeed, has the scourge of armed conflict deprived the people of Mozambique of the opportunity to dedicate their already proven talents to the urgent tasks of developmentand economic growth. That opportunity is now within reach, and we believe it is the duty of the United Nations to be ready to lend a helping hand. It should do the utmost to make sure that Mozambicans will indeed have a chance to live in peace and to beat swords into,plowshares, and thus direct their hard work to the search for solutions to the problems related to poverty and underdevelopment. No one ignores the extremely difficult situation faced by the people of Mozambique. The protracted drought that affected southern Africa until recently compounded the suffering resulting from war, thus placing an extra burden of hardship on the Mozambican people and creating additional incentives for refugee flows and posing an enormous humanitarian challenge to the international community. Efforts to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid must be kept in the forefront of our concerns. At the same time, promoting effective and durable solutions to the problem of refugees and internally displaced persons are important elements in achieving stable peace in Mozambique. The contribut,ion the United Nations can bring to the efforts of Mozambique is, indeed very significant. The establishment of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) last December, to assist in the implementation of the Gener‘il Peace Agreement, was an extremely important decision by the Security Council. Brazil is strongly committed ta supporting the work of ONUMOZ and to participating in efforts to ensure its effectiveness. In this connection, I note that a distinguished Brazilian, General Lelio Gongalves Rodrigues da Silva, was appointed Commander of the operation. It is hardly necessary to stress that every effort should be made to hasten the deployment of ONUMOZ's military component, and that full force deployment should be completed by May. We believe it important that the United Nations be ready to respond promptly to the various needs arising from the circumstances of the peace process on Mozambique. As indicated by the Secretary-General in his report, and as has been stated by the Government of Mozambique, the peace process in that country is a complex, t,any-sided undertaking. We are pleased to see that, in spite of some difficulties, the process ia moving ahead and that, in particular, a cease-fire has been in place, although not without breaches. Nevertheless, serious delays are happening with regard to the implementation of some of the most important aspects of the General Peace Agreement., Most notably, as the Secretary-General points out in his report, scant progress has been achieved so far in giving effect to the provisions of the Agreement related to the assembly and demobilization of troops, as well as to the formation of the new Mozambican armed forces. That is no doubt regrettable, It is not superfluous to emphasize that the faithful implementation of those provisions is a crucial element in ensuring the success of the whole peace process. The good functioning of the structures set up by the General Peace Agreement, in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement itself, must continue to be seen as a priority. In that connection, it is appropriate that the draft resolution now before the Council strongly appeals to RENAMO to ensure the effective and uninterrupted functioning of the joint Commissions and monitoring mechanisms, and alSO appeals both to the Government of Mozambique and to RENAMO to allow the timely investigation of all cease-fire violations and to ensure the freedom of movement of people and goods, as foreseen in the Agreement. The steps towards the convening and organization of elections have also been significantly delayed, which by now has made it very difficult to observe the timetable originally established. The Secretary-General has indicated that a relationship exists between the question of the timetable for the holding of elections and the military situation in Mozambique. We agree with that assessment, AS set out in the draft resolution before us today, it is important that the Security Council be kept apprised of the evolution of the situation in Mozambique with regard to all aspects relevant to the implementation of the General Peace Agreement. The role of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General is particularly relevant. AS a member of the Security Council, Brazil will continue to do its best to help the Council follow events in Mozambique and work towards securing an irreversible, peaceful and democratic solution to the conflict in that country, We shall be looki?lg forward to receiving updated information from the Secretary-General, when?ver the situation warrants, on all aspects that may require the attention of: the Security Council in order to ensure smooth progress in the peace process and the effective implementation of the ONUMOZ mandate. The Government and the people of Mozambique are making extraordinary efforts. They must know that those efforts have the full backing of the Security Council and of the United Nations.

I thank the representative of Brazil for his kind words addressed to my predecessor and to me. Mr. OLHAYE (Djibouti): Allow me at the outset to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. Your rare diplomatic and negotiating skills are serving us very well indeed in our deliberation of the many complex and pressing issues before the Councii. We also wish to express our deep gratitude to Ambassador Terence O'Brien of New Zealand for his effective and inspiring leadership last month. My delegation wishes to express its high appreciation for the thoroughness, clarity and forthrightness of the Secretary-General's report on the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ). There is no question that it will enable members of the Council better to understand events in that country and to make more effective contributions to policy guidelines. There is perhaps no better overview of the situation in Mozambique and its daunting complexity than the draft resolution before us, which touches upon so many diverse areas. It also underscores the manner in which these issues are interrelated, so that a delay in the implementation of one invariably hinders the progress of another, But above all, to the credit of all parties in Mozambique and as a message to everyone, there has been a clear desire for peace and a willingness to abide by the spirit of that objective. Troubling though they may be, therefore, it is perhaps against this background that the unending delays, false starts, non-starts and missed dates should be viewed. However, as we all realize, though pivotal, the purpose Of the General Peace Agreement and the presence of ONUMOZ is not to rely totally on this basic desire as'a solution to Mozambique's many problems. The goal is both to strengthen this desire and to make it physically, militarily and log i stically impossible to thwart. For this, it is dependent upon the actions and measures taken by the parties in Mozambique and the United Nations. From this perspective, my delegation must add its voice to those expressing deep concern at the pace - or lack of pace - of the implementation of several crucial elements of the General Peace Agreement and the ONUMOZ mandate. We are particularly hopeful at the fact that the proposed date of May 1993 for the full deployment of ONUMOZ military units is on the way to being met and that a status-.of-forces agreement can be concluded with the Government immediately. The absence of this agreement is a needless nuisance and a hinderance to the mobility and effectiveness of ONUMOZ. We are also concerned by the sluggish pace of demobilization, concentration and assembly. We hope that the leadership of RENAMO can be Persuaded to modify its reflAsa1 to begin the assembly and demobilization of its troops until substantially all United Nations forces are deployed, for the continued presence of armed military units is clearly a danger. At the same time, we support the efforts of the Secretary-General in his continuing to Press those members who have promised mi1itar.y units to put them in place expeditiously. We could then press fog measures to establish the combined military force contemplated under the guidance of the Joint Commission for the Formation of the Mozambican Defence Force. We also fully support the steps outlined by the Secretary-General to move forward urgently with demining, particularly of critical roads and fields, and throughout the country in general. Development will be slow indeed in movement, settlement and agriculture until this problem is overcome. Progress in the electoral process would be a strong confidence-builder for all concerned. We hope the multiparty conference scheduled for 20 April to discuss the draft electosal law is able to complete it and that it can then be approved by the Assembly to enable the Government to set up the National Elections Commission. All !:his is necessary to begin the actual election process and to hold elections, and it is of clear concern that both the proposed election date of October 1993 has proved to be impossible and that no alternative timetable has been substituted. Such a matter cannot be left hanging, and we urge all parties to work diligently to confirm new dates. Combined with the cease-fire and the disarmament of Mozambique will be the problem of providing immediate humanitarian aid to the many returning refugees, displaced persons, demilitarized soldiers and the general poor. We are happy to see that the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Assistance Coordination has begun its activities as outlined by the Rome meeting on humanitarian assistance, and that it is preparing a consolidated humanitarian assistance programme for 1993-1994. The goals of assisting resettlement by PrOmOting eSSentia1 services at the local level - road repair, agricultural production, water supply and sanitation, health care and education, and so on - and to open up the long isolated RENAMO areas appear well focused. As we have stressed before, the full use of local manpower and administrative expertise should be a priorjty for the United Nations and the international relief aqencies, both as a way of involving Mozambicans in the development process and of creating maximum employment and income injection into the economy. Bearing in mind the magnitude of tasks involved in Mozambique and the logistical problems which have occurred to delay the implementation of some key ,activities, it is all the more imperative that President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama meet to maintain and strengthen the desire for peace and their mutual confidence in the total effort and in each other. This is a pivotal period in the history of that region of Africa - a window of opportunity for development which must be seized. With peace and stability, Mozambique will be able to contribute to and to enjoy this process, a fact of which both leaders so far appear well aware.

I thank the representative of Djibouti for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to me. The next name inscribed on the list of speakers is that of the representative of Portugal. I invite him to take a place at the Council table and to make his statement. Mr. da COSTA PEREIRA (Portugal): First of all I should like to congratulate you, Sir, on the very competent way in which you have been conducting the work of the Council during the current month. I should also like to express sincere congratulations to your predecessor, Ambassador Terence O'Brien, for the efficient manner in which he guided the deliberations of the Council during the month of March. Portugal and Mozambique have a very special relationship based on historical and cultural ties developed over many centuries. Today we maintain a close friendship and have a sound level of cooperation at several levels. Portugal has followed with great interest and fully supported from the very beginning the peace process in Mozambique and has participated, in its capacity as observer, in the negotiations that led to the General Peace Agreement signed in Rome. It is with great satisfaction that we acknowledge that the cease-fire has largely held and that the parties have continued to exercise restraint. In our view, this is of the utmost importance since, after 16 years of devastating conflict, the Mozambican people can now look forward to an era of peace and stability for the near future. Nevertheless, there are some sources of concern in the current situation, the importance of which must not be underestimated. In this respect, the timetable for the implementation of the cease-fire arrangements, including that concerning the assembly of troops and their demobilization, cannot be delayed any longer. Portugal urges the parties to implement all aspects of the Rome Agreement fully and without further delays. Portugal is participating actively in the peace process through its role in the Commissions to monitor and implement the objectives set forth in the agreement. At the bilateral level we are involved in the formation and training of a new unified Mozambican armed forces. Furthermore, we are participating fully in the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), having contributed a Portuguese Army communications battalion to this United Nations peace-keeping operation. We consider the role and the continued involvement of the United Nations in the peace process to be essential, and it is our belief that without the United Nations peace and stability will not come to Mozambique in the foreseeable future. In Conclusion, we should like to reiterate our appreciation for the efforts carried out by the Secretary-General and by his Special Representative, Mr. Aldo Ajello, in pursuit of the implementation of the Rome Agreement. Portugal fully supports the draft resolution before the Council, and I wish to reaffirm my Government's active commitment and support in the coming crucial period to contribute to the solution of outstanding problems. The success of the peace process in Mozambique is of the utmost importance. It will contribute significantly to the peace and stability of the region and will permit r,he creation of the necessary conditions for the economic reconstruction that Mozambique so rightly deserves.

I thank the representative of Portugal for his kind words addressed to my predecessor and to me. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to vote on the draft resolution before it (S/25591), as orally revised in its provisional form. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided. o. Avt w In: Brazil, Cape Verde, China, Djibouti, France, Hungary, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution, as orally revised in its provisional form, has been adopted unanimously as resolution 818 (1993). I shall now call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting. Fir David HANNAY (United Kingdom): I should like to begin by congratulating you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency and the way YOU have conducted it this month, and your predecessor on the exemplary way in which he presided over the Council last month. When the General Peace Agreement was signed on 4 October last year, the European Community and its Illember States welcomed that signing very warmly and stressed the importance of the Government of Mozambique and of RENAMO carrying out the Agreement in good faith. My Government would like to congratulate both of them on the fact that so far, with one or two minor breakings of the cease-fire, that implementation has indeed been carried out. (Sir David Hannav. United Kinadorn) But I must confess that., like many other speakers and, indeed, like the representative of the Government of Mozambique, we remain concerned at the very serious delays which the Secretary-General himself mentioned in his report of 2 April. I do not think it would be pointing the finger at anyone to say that there is a certain amount of shared responsibility for that - in the United Nations, the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO. Be that as it may, the view of my Government, at least, is that this is the moment at which we should try to change gear in this peace-keeping operation and get into high gear now. Because the troops being deployed by the United Nations are arriving, this resolution marks a kind of turning-point in the operation, and we hope that all concerned will see it as such and will now cease to postpone the concentration of troops in the assembly areas, the identification of the assembly areas and so on. The work of the Commission for the creation of a new united defence force is one of those activities that has lagged behind somewhat. We believe it should be initiated now so that the training can start without delay. It is really crucial that both parties should select and send the first groups of trainees to the facility at Nyanga, where my Government has provided training facilities. I know the Government of Mozambique responded very positively to that quite recently, It is imperative that delayed training should not become in itself an impediment to the formation of the new defence force, which will, in its turn, postpone the process of demobilization. It is also extremely important, as the resolution makes clear, that the Government of Mozambique should complete the negotiations with the United Nations on a status of forces agreement. I welcome very much what the representative of Mozambique had to say on that. I just hope that now the ($ir David Hannav. United Kinodom) negotiations can be concluded really quickly, because the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) does need a status of forces agreement if it is to work effectively; and the more troops that are deployed there, the more civilian personnel that are on the ground, the more essential it is to have this status of forces agreement. We are a bit concerned that RENAMO has not so far agreed to participate in the work of the overall peace Commissions in Maputo; or rather, it has agreed to do so in principle, but its members have not come to the capital. We hope that RENAMO will now, without delay, appoint its members to all the Commissions that have been established in accordance with the Peace Agreement. It is really desirable that the President of RENAMO, Mr. Dhlakam% should become available in Maputo, and in that context we welcome very much the call in this resolution for meetings between President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama, which we feel could make an important contribution to the peace process and its full implem.Jntation. It is clear, I think, from what I have said that a lot remains to be done. But we, for our part, would urge the Government and RENAMO to work together in the spirit of compromise that they showed in the latter stages of the negotiations in the peace process so that they can build on the progress made so far and move forward to the elections which are foreseen. We hope very much that the finalization of the arrangements and the dates for those elections will be accomplished and reported to the Council when next we take this matter up.

I thank the representative of the United Kingdom for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to myself. Mr. HATANO (Japan): I wish to congratulate you at the outset, Sir, On your assumption of the presidency, and I am certain that the Council will benefit from your skilful guidance and leadership in our deliberations. I also wish to thank Ambassador O'Brien for his excellent performance as President during the busy month of March. Japan notes with satisfaction that the parties to the conflict in Mozambique have so far exercised restraint and that the cease-fire has largely held. An official mission my Government sent to Mozambique last month was encouraged by the people's strong desire for peace so that they can engage in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of their country. It is important for the United Nations and the international community to extend support for the efforts of the people of Mozambique. At the same time, however, the delay in the implementation of the Peace Agreement gives us cause for concern. Now that the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) is expected to complete its deployment in May, further delay in that implementation will raise very serious problems. One of the major reasons for the delay is, in our view, the lack of mutual trust between the Government and RENAMO. We appeal to both parties to maintain constant communication and to conduct, as may be necessary, meetings at a high level. We hope that President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama will meet at an early date. In particular, my delegation is concerned at the various severe restrictions - including taxes, duties, registration and so on - which impede the free movement of ONUMOZ. If the parties of Mozambique expect ONUMOZ to discharge its mandate smoothly and effectively, it is essential that they take the necessary measures to ensure its freedom of movement. As suggested in the Secretary-General's report (S/25518), we strongly invite the Government of Mozambique to conclude with the United Nations a status-of-forces agreement as soon as possible. Japan, for its part, wishes to contribute to the process of peace and rehabilitation in Mozambique. We will dispatch our self-defence-forces unit to participate in ONUMOZ. Japan also recently decided to extend emergency humanitarian aid in addition to the commitment it previously made to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to repatriate and reintegrate Mozambican refugees. We in Japan will continue to work hard for the future of Mozambique, and we look forward to full cooperation on the part of the Government and people of Mozambique. -PRESIDENT: I thank the representative of Japan for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to myself. Mr, MERIMEE (France) (interpretation from French): It is an agreeable duty for my delegation to convey to you, Sir, our congratulations on your assumption of the presidency, We should also like to express our warm thanks to Ambassador O'Brien for the manner in which he conducted the proceedings of the Council last month. My delegation welcomes the Council's adoption of this resolution, which testifies to the consistent atte:tion paid by the Council to the implementation of'the Rome Agreements. The situation that has prevailed in Mozambique since the signing of these agreements gives us certain grounds for satisfaction. The cease-fire is, on the whole, being respected. The country is enjoying a period of calm, which has enabled it to begin to embark upon its reconstruction. My Government would like to pay tribute in this respect to the work done in a few months by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. The restraint observed so far by the Mozambican parties also deserves our mention and encouragement. We feel, however, that this situation should be consolidated, and we should not like to see this initial success jeopardised by a delay in the implementation of the Peace Agreement or by unrealistic demands on the part of the Mozambique factions. We would therefore like to express our whole-hearted support for the determination of the Secretary-General to accelerate the deployment of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ). But the United Nations must be able to work as effectively as possible. We therefore would urge the parties concerned to facilitate his task by signing a status-of-forces agreement and by granting ONUMOZ personnel full freedom Of movement. The control commission; and machinery created by the Rome Agreements have an important part to play, and they must be made operational as soon as possible. The parties should therefore immediately appoint representatives and cooperate SO that these institutions may function effectively. France, which has taken an active part in some of these commissions, will continue to support this process. In order to promote a lasting peace, it is essential that the military arrangements under the Agreement be fully respected. We therefore call upon the parties to begin immediately regroupment and demobilization operations. The logic of confrontation and distrust must now give way to the logic of peace and reconciliation. The purpose is to give the Mozambican people the possibility of freely choosing their own destiny through free and fair elections. The United Nations has acted at the request of the parties and will perform its allotted task, but establishing peace and confidence is ultimately the primary responsibility of the Mozambicans themselves. We would like once again to stress this point, as we have done for other United Nations operations. We appeal to the Mozambique parties to show wisdom and realism, and to cooperate in order to ensure the success of the peace process and the reconstruction of the country.

I thank the representative of France for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to myself. Ms. ALBRIGHT (United States of America): Let me congratulate you, Sir, on the assumption of tne presidency of the Council, We are already deeply appreciative of your tremendous diplomatic ability and your fine leadership. We are also extremely grateful for the excellent work of your predecessor, Ambassador O'Brien, during March's full and complicated agenda. The United States has reviewed the Secretary-General's 2 April status report on the United Nations peace-keeping operation in Mozambique and fully endorses its major findings. My Government is aware of the many difficulties that the United Nations Secretariat faced in implementing the operational plan for the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) and appreciates the Secretary-General's candor in explaining the reasons for delays in the deployment of ONUMOZ forces. (Ms. Albricrht, United States) In this regard, we are pleased to note that these problems are steadily being overcome, and that the first contingent of United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) peace-keeping forces, an Italian infantry battalion, has now arrived and set up camp in Mozambique. We welcome the Secretary-General's assurances that every effort is being made to expedite the deployment of the remainder of the ONUMOZ military component, and note, favourably, his estimation that this should be accomplished by the end of May. We agree completely with the Secretary-General's view that it is now up to the Mozambican Government and to the RENAMO to ensure the speedy implementation of the major aspects of the peace accord, especially demobilization of combatants. With the bulk of the infantry clnits in place by the end of April, demobilization should begin within the next several weeks.. We call upon the Mozambican Government as a matter of high priority to conclude a status-of-forces agreement with the United Nations to facilitate the ONUMOZ mission. At the same time, we urge RENAMO to participate fully in the operations of joint Commissions and monitoring mechanisms established under the accord. Both parties should ensure that United Nations personnel have the flexibility and full access that they were guaranteed in Protocol VI of the Agreement of 4 October 1992. I am pleased to report that the United States has identified significant resources for several aspects of the implementation of the accord, including support for demobilization and elections. We encourage other donors to provide appropriate assistalce for the various facets of the transition to peace and democracy. We should like to make special note of the fine work of the Secretary-General's Special Representative in organising ONUMOZ and coordinating the various aspects of the peace process under difficult circumstances. We are confident that we will continue to work with the Mozambican .1. Government, RENAMO and other interested parties to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

I thank the representative of the United States for her kind words addressed to me and to my predecessor. Mr. PEDAUYE (Spain) (interpretation from Spanish): I should like, firstly, to congratulate you on the efficiency and effectiveness with which. You are carrying out your functions, Your long and varied diplomatic experience is our best assurance that the work of the Council this month will be fruitful, I wish also to express my delegation's appreciation to Ambassador O'Brien of New Zealand for the excellent way in which he guided our work during the month of March. The Secretary-General's report of 2 April 1993 on the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) presents a picture of light and shadows. Firstly, even if the cease-fire, generally speaking, has held and the parties are continuing to display moderation, and the population of Mozambique, after 16 long years of a devastating conflict, feels the need for peace most keenly, it is also true that there are a number of reasons for concern that must not be underestimated, Many of the timetables set in the Peace Agreement have proved to be rather unreali;tic, and the delays have been mounting up, including the very worrying delays in deploying ONUMOZ. We believe that the uncertainties hanging over the process can and must be overcome. Both the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO must strive to create a climate of confidence in which the provisions of the complex General Peace Agreement can be fulfilled and in which the United Nations can deploy the personnel of ONUMOZ effectively. We think that it is important for an agreement to be concluded as soon as possible on a framework for the force that will put an end to the logistical problems faced by ONUMOZ, In this regard, it is important that the Government of Mozambique sign the appropriate agreement with the United Nations. We take good note of, and welcome, the fact that the Secretary-General has received assurances from the Minister of External Relations of Mozambique that the agreement will be signed without further delay, as is reflected in paragraph 57 of the report. Similarly, it is necessary for the de facto forces that seem to be standing in the way of the deployment of ONUMOZ to cooperate with their authorities so that the deployment can be completed without delay. Secondly, RENAMO should, without further delay, send its representatives to Maputo so that the various Commissions can continue their work and so that those that have not yet been formed can be set up. Some of the same problems that RENAMO is making out to be the reasons for not sending its representatives could be discussed and solved within those Commissions. My delegation wishes to express its concern at the delay in the process of clearing mines from roads and railways, which is something that has a close linkage with the economic development of Mozambique and the creation of a climate of confidence. (Mr. Pedauve, Spain) Notwithstanding what I have just said, my delegation welcomes the emergence of hopeful signs. Specifically, we welcome the recent news regarding the possible holding in the very near future of a meeting between President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama. Similarly, the resumption of the deployment of ONUMOZ military observers to oversee the concentration and billeting of Government and RENAMO forces, if it is confirmed, would be an encouraging development. My delegation is aware that this process requires the active support of the international community and that recent United Nations experience in peace-keeping operations has made it quite clear that political reconciliation is intimately linked to economic and social reconstruction. Accordingly, those countries that have undertaken to participate in the United Nations Operation in Mozambique should do all that they can to speed up their procedures for sending military and other personnel. Similarly, it is necessary for the financial commitments taken on at the donors' conference in Rome to be met as soon as possible. Spain is a country in both of the categories I have just mentioned: in addition to the economic commitments it has made, it is participating in ONUMOZ by sending military observers, some of whom are already in Mozambique. There are many other points that could be raised and are to be found in the report of the Secretary-General. We should without a doubt welcome the fact that the cease-fire continues to be observed both by the Government of Mozambique and by RENAMO, but this situation cannot go on indefinitely if there is no progress in the political negotiations. We wish to e,xpress our clear and resolute support *ior the resolution we have just adopted, which is a serious warning and a serio;ls invitation to relaunch the peace process. There is still a long way to go, and the success of the process depends largely on the good will of the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO. Given that good will and with the support of the international community, we are convinced that it will be possible to consolidate the peace process in Mozambique and lead it on to final success. The Government and people of Mozambique may be sure that Spain will continue to work intensively to achieve that end.

I thank the representative of Spain for his kind words addressed to my predecessor and myself. Mr. ARRIA (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish): My delegation is especially pleased to see you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council at a time when we are considering matters of such great complexity, including one in which the very existence of a people is at stake. In these circumstances, your great talent, your sensitivity and your sound judgement will be of fundamental assistance to us. My delegation joins in the congratulations and thanks that have been expressed to our friend Ambassador Terence O'Brien of New Zealand and the members of his delegation for the remarkable and very productive way in which the Council's work was conducted last month. The international community's aspiration to bring an end to the long and cruel conflict in Mozambique and to help place that devastated country on the road to national reconciliation and development was evident in the original timetables - dates that have obviously proved to be optimistic. Now, in the light of the new realities, we must do everything necessary to gain time - that is, to gain peace. Along these lines, the indication by the Secretary-General that the problems initially encountered in the effective deployment of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) are being overcome is a truly crucial development, in accordance with what has been recognised and is desired by the Parties to the conflict. The security of the peace process is based largely on the international presence represented by ONUMOZ. There is no doubt that a framework of security is indispensable for the normalisation of political and social life in Mozambique..and especially for the reintegration of RENAMO into a true process of reconciliation,' which is (Mr. Arria. Venezuela) indispensable to the achievement of lasting peace. Accordingly, we understand that the date envisaged for the elections - October 1993 - must be changed. But we venture to reiterate the importance we attach to this exercise taking place as soon as possible. A new political structure in Mozambique cannot be attained until free and democratic elections have been held. In Venezuela, on the basis of experience with similar peace processes in Central America - in which Venezuela had the privilege of participating - we have been able to learn the importance of perseverance and international support as basic, indeed necessary, elements for bringing the process to a successful conclusion. A whole series of difficulties has, without any doubt, emerged and will continue to be with us. Finally, let us address an appeal to the parties to shoulder the obligations they themselves undertook in Rome in October last year. The statements made today in the Council by the Permanent Representative of Mozambique, Ambassaror Pedro Comissario Afonso, could not have been more constructive or more positive in these circumstances, The people of Mozambique deserve the continued support of the international community for the peace process and good use of the spirit of moderation shown by the parties - a spirit which only reflects the collective feelings and yearnings of a devastated people that has suffered for so long, has decided to put an end to a long war against itself and wishes to live in peace,

I thank the representative of Venezuela for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to me, Mr. CHEN Jian (China) (interpretation from Chinese): First of all, please allow me to congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the presidency (Mr. Chen Jian, China) of the Security Council for this month. I am confident that with your rich diplomatic experience and remarkable talents you will successfully guide the work of the Council in April. I should also like to take this Opportunity to thank your predecessor, Mr. O'Brien, Ambassador of New Zealand, for his active contribution to the satisfactory conduct of the Council's work last month. In October 1992, thanks to the concerted efforts made by the Mozambique Government and RENAMO, the General Peace Agreement was signed in Rome. This is an important document in ending the civil war and achieving national peace in Mozambique. It not only opens up new prospects for restoring peace and revitalizing the economy in Mozambique, but also has a significant bearing on peace and stability in southern Africa. At present, Mozambique's peace process is at a crucial historical moment. We have noted that, on the one hand, with United Nations assistance and the joint endeavours of the two Mozambican sides, the peace process has made some progress, while, on the other hand, as is pointed out by the Secretary-General in his report, for various reasons the deployment of the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) has met with obstacles, and the implementation of the General Peace Agreement is also faced with difficulties, activities in implementing various timetables are all behind schedule, and it is difficult to hold national elections in Mozambique on time, The Chinese delegation cannot but express its deep concern about this. Early realisation of peace and stability in Mozambique is the ardent expectation of all the African countries as well as the entire international Community. We therefore ho?e the Mozambican Government and RENAMP can promptly resolve their differences through consultations and negotiations and implement comprehensively the General Peace Agreement and the relevant Security Council resolutions. We also hope that ONUMOZ can be deployed as soon as possible. We are glad that the Security Council has just adopted a timely resolution. We-believe that the comprehensive implementation of this important resolution will create favourable conditions for Mozambique to engage in national reconciliation and embark on economic development at an early date.

I thank the representative of China for the kind words he addressed to my predecessor and to me. Mr. VORONTSOV (Russian Federation) (interpretation from Russian): The Russian delegation is happy to see you, Sir, presiding over the Security Council this month. Your wisdom, diplomatic talents and vast experience give us the conviction that the Council, by its concerted efforts, will successfully perform the important tasks it faces this month. We also express our deep gratitude to your predecessor, the representative of New Zealand, Ambassador O'Brien, for the excellent and constructive leadership of the Council's work last month. The Russian delegation supports the draft resolution just adopted by the Council, since we believe that it will lend additional momentum to the performance of the tasks fa:ing the United Nations in conducting the operation in, Mozambique, The resolution contains an important appeal to the Government of Mozambique and to RENAMO to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General and his Special Representative in the full and timely implementation of the mandate of ONUMOZ. It is important also for the Secretary-General as soon es possible, in consultation with the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO, to (Mr, Vorontsov. Russian Federation) finalize the precise timetable for the full imp1ementatio.n of the provisions of the General Peace Agreement, including the separation, concentration and demobilization of the armed forces of both sides and also the holding of national elections. We believe that the successful conclusion of the process,of a settlement will be helped by the scrupulous observance by the Mozambican parties of the agreed timetable for the implementation of the General Peace Agreement. We welcome the initiatives taken by both sides for the early organization of a meeting between the President of the Republic of Mozambique and the President of RENAMO to discuss the fundamental items involved in the peace settlement in Mozambique. The Russian delegation expresses the hope that the Government of Mozambique and the leadership of RENAMO will, on the basis of national interests, evince political wisdom and take a constructive approach to'finding mutually acceptable solutions to the outstanding questions involved in the Settlement, and will work for the establishment of peace and democracy in the country. The Russian delegation is ready to join the international community in doing everything possible to promote this process. ' The PRESIDENT: I thank the representative of the Russian Federation for the kind words addressed to my predecesor and to me. Mr. O'BRIEN (New Zealand): We congratulate you, Mr. President, on assuming your office. I know that the Security Council will be in the very best of hands during April. New Zealand commends the efforts of the Government of Mozambique and of RENAMO to maintain, substantially, a cease-fire in the country. The success of the ongoing negotiating process depends vitally on the maintenance of such peace, and we urge continuing restraint. In this connection, my delegation listened with great attentiveness ,to the most important contribution by the Ambassador of Mozambique earlier in our discussion today. Like other members of the Council, New Zealand is concerned over the delay in the implementation of provisions of the General Peace Agreement. We therefore fully support the call in the resolution we have just adopted for the Government of Mozambique and RENAMO to take urgent steps to comply with their various obligations and commitments under the Agreement, and for the United Nations itself to discharge its responsibilities effectively and promptly. At the bottom line, the political will that has enabled the cease-fire to be maintained in Mozambique must also provide the impetus for both sides to address together the outstanding issues pertaining to peace in Mozambique, because in the end it is the cooperative efforts of Mosambicans themselves that must primarily lay the foundations for enduring peace and well-being in ,that important country.

I thank the representative of New Zealand for the kind words expressed to me. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Pakistan. I should like to begin by expressing the deep appreciation and admiration of my delegation for the extremely competent, skilful and efficient leadership provided to the Security Council by my illustrious predecessor, Ambassador Terence O'Brien, during March. My delegation welcomes the report submitted by the Secretary-General on the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ). The report is comprehensive, and presents in an objective manner the delays caused and the difficulties being faced in the implementation of various aspects of Security COUnCil resolution 797 (1992) and the General Peace Agreement for Mozambique. It is our sincere hope and expectation that the Government of Mozambique and RBNAMO will extend full cooperation to the Secretary-General and ONUMOZ SO that the targets set forth in the General Peace Agreement are achievedas soon as possible. In this context, we place particular emphasis on the earliest finalization of a "status of forces agreement" between the Government of Mozambique and the United Nations, the provision of complete lists of troop strengths, arms, ammunition etc. by both the Mozambican Government and RENAMO to ONUMOZ, and the separation, concentration and demobilization of the Government and RENAMO forces, as well as the formation of the new unified armed forces of Mozambique. It is also essential that the Government Of Mozambique and RENAMO do all in their power to maintain the cease-fire and extend the fullest cooperation to ONUMOZ, in investigating any violation of the cessation of hostilities that might be reported. (The President) We note that the deployment of ONUMOZ units has been unavoidably delayed, but it is our hope that the full deployment level will be achieved during the next month. This would act as a catalyst to make things move faster in other areas. It is also important that the various Commissions envisaged in the General Peace Agreement start operating regularly and with vigour. The outcome of the Donors Conference for Mozambique, which was held in Rome in December last year, was indeed encouraging. My delegation is pleased to note that a consolidated humanitarian assistance programme for Mozambique is nearing completion and will be submitted to a further Donors Conference next month. The well-known humanitarian dimensions of the conflict in Mozambique, which has displaced almost 5 million people, call for expeditious and determined efforts in this regard also. In our view, the earliest finalization of an electoral,law, under which general elections would be conducted in Mozambique, is another priority area. We hope that the parties concerned will move fast in this area as well. My delegation applauds the willingness of the President of Mozambique and the RENAMO President to meet at an early date to address major issues pertaining to peace in Mozambique. We hope that such a meeting will create the desired atmosphere for the full implementation of all aspects of the Peace Agreement. The United Nations involvement in the Mozambique peace process is yet another example of this world body's readiness to confront challenging situations all over the globe. Therefore, success in this latest venture is of vital importance to all of us. Pakistan remains committed to the objectives of the resolution just adopted by us and we wish all concerned every success in its implementation. (The President) I now resume my functions as President of the Council. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meetins rose at 6.25 p.m.