S/PV.3225 Security Council

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. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, 4 have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "In accordance with its statement of 29 October 1992 (S/24728), the Security Council held a special meeting devoted to the Secretary- General's report entitled ‘An Agenda for Peace' (S/24111). This meeting concluded the present stage of the examination of this report by the Council. On this occasion, the Council wishes to express once again its gratitude to the Secretary-General for his report. "The Security Council recommends that all States make participation in and support for international peace-keeping a part of their foreign and national security policy. It considers that United Nations peace-keeping operations should be conducted in accordance with the . following operational principles consistent with the provisions of the United Nations Charter: a clear political goal with a precise mandate subject to periodic review and to change in its character orduration only by the Council itself; the consent of the Government and, where appropriate, the parties concerned, save in exceptional cases; support for a political process or for the peaceful settlement of the dispute; impartiality in implementing Security Council decisions; readiness of the Security Council to take appropriate measures against parties which do not observe its decisions; the right of the Security Council to authorize all means necessary for United Nations forces to carry out their mandate and the inherent right of United Nations forces to take appropriate measures for self-defence, In this context, the Security Council emphasizes the need for the full cooperation of the parties concerned in implementing the mandates of peace-keeping operations, as well as relevant decisions of the Security Council and stresses that peace- keeping operations should not be a substitute for a political settlement nor should they be expected to continue in perpetuity. "The Security Council has studied thoroughly the recommendations of the Secretary-General contained in 'An Agenda for Peace', It pays tribute to the valuable contributions made by the Special Committee on Peace-keeping Operations and other relevant bodies of the, General Assembly. These discussions and consultations make it possible to formulate more clearly the common priorities of the Member States. "In the context of the rapid growth in and new approaches to peace-keeping operations, the Security Council commends the initial measures taken by the Secretary-General to improve the capacity of the United Nations in this field. It believes that bold new steps are required and invites all Member States to make their views known to the Secretary-General and the Secretary-General to submit by September 1993 a further report addressed to all the Members of the United Nations containing specific new proposals for further enhancing these capabilities, including: the strengthening and consolidation of the peace-keeping and . military structure of the Secretariat, including creation of a plans and current operations directorate reporting to the Under-Secretary-General for peace-keeping operations to facilitate planning and to enhance coordination; notification by Member States of specific forces or capabilities which, with the approval of their national authorities, they could make available on a case-by-case basis to the United Nations for the full spectrum of peace-keeping or humanitarian operations: in this context, the Council welcomes the Secretary-General's effort to ascertain the readiness and availability of Member States' forces or capabilities for peace-keeping operations rand encourages Member States to cooperate in this effort; the feasibility of maintaining a limited revolving reserve of equipment commonly used in peace-keeping or humanitarian operations; elements for inclusion in national military or police training programmes for peace-keeping operations to prepare personnel for a United Nations p&ace-keeping role, including suggestions concerning'the feasibility of conducting multinational peace-keeping exercises; refinement of standardized procedures to enable forces to work together more effectively; developing the non-military elements of peace-keeping operations. "In view of the mounting cost and complexity of peace-keeping operations, the Security Council also requests the Secretary-General in his report to address measures designed to place them on a more solid and durable financial basis, taking into account where appropriate the Volcker-Ogata report and addressing the necessary financial and managerial reforms, diversification of funding, and the need to ensure adequate resources for peace-keeping operations and maximum transparency and accountability in the use of resources. In this context the Council recalls that, in accordance with the Charter and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, the financing of peace-keeping operations is the collective responsibility of all Member States. It calls upon all Member States to pay their assessed contributions in full and on time and encourages those States which can do so to inake voluntary contributions. "The Security Council expresses gratitude to the soldiers and civilians who have served or are serving in United Nations peace-keeping operations. It pays tribute to the courageous nationals of dozens of States who were killed or wounded while fulfilling their duty to the United Nations. It also strongly condemns attacks on United Nations peace-keepers and declares its determination to undertake more decisive efforts to ensure the security of United Nations personnel in the course of fulfilling their duties. "In accordance with Chapter VI of the Charter, the Security Council notes the necessity to strengthen the United Nations potential for preventive diplomacy. It welcomes'United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/120. It notes with satisfbction the increased use of fact-finding missions. It invites Member States to provide the Secretary-General with relevant detailed information on situations of tension and potential crisis. It invites the Secretary-General to consider appropriate measures for strengthening the Secretariat's capacity to collect and analyse information. The Security Council recognizes the importance of new approaches to prevention of conflicts, and supports preventive deployment, on a case-by-case basis, in zones of instability and potential crisis the continuance of which is likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security. "The Security Council underlines the close link which may exist, in many cases, between humanitarian assistance and peace-keeping operations and highly appreciates recent efforts by the Secretary-General aimed at further improvement of coordination among Member States and relevant agencies and organizations, including non-governmental organizations. It reiterates, in this context, its concern that humanitarian personnel should have unimpeded access to those in need. "The Security Council reaffirms the importance it attaches to the 'role of regional arrangements and organizations and to coordination between their efforts and those of the United Nations in the maintenance of international peace and security. The Council welcomes the readiness of Member States, acting nationally or through regional organizations or arrangements, to cooperate with the United Nations and other Member States by providing their particular resources and capabilities for peace-keeping purposes. The Security Council, acting within the framework of Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter, calls upon regional organiaations and arrangements to consider ways and means of enhancing their contributions to the maintenance of peace and security. For its part the Security Council expresses its readiness to support and facilitate, taking into account specific circumstances, peace-keeping efforts undertaken in the framework of regional organizations and arrangements in accordance with Chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. The Security Council looks forward to the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation between the United Nations and regional organisations. "The Security Council draws attention to the increasing significance Qf post-conflict peace-building. The Council is convinced that in present circumstances peace-building is inseparably linked with the maintenance of peace. "The Security Council stresses the value of high-level meetings of the Security Council and expresses its intention to convene such a meeting on the subject of peace-keeping in the near future." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/25859. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meetinu rose at 6.25 o.m.