S/PV.3244 Security Council

I should like at the outset of the meeting to extend, on behalf of the Council, a warm welcome to the new representative of New Zealand on the Security Council, His Excellency Mr. Colin Keating. We look forward to cooperating with him in the Council's work. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted THE SITUATION CONCERNING RWANDA INTERIM REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON RWANDA ($/25810 and Add.1)

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Rwanda 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. Bizimana (Rwanda) took a place at the Council table.

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 the interim report of the Secretary-General on Rwanda (§/25810 and Add.1). Members of the Council also have before them document S$/25981, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council's prior consultations. I should like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following other documents: 6/25536, letter dated 2 April 1993 from the Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General; $/25797, letter dated 18 May 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Uganda to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council; and $/25951, letter dated 14 June 1993 from the Permanent Representative of Rwanda to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council, It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any objection, I shall put the draft resolution (S/25981) to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: 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 has thus been adopted unanimously as resolution 846 (1993). I shail now call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the vcting. Mr. MERIMEE (France) (interpretation from French): My delegation welcomes the unanimous adoption of resolution 846 (1993), by which the Council decides to establish the United Nations Observer Mission Uganda-Rwanda (UNOMUR), and thus, at the request of the Governments of the two countries, to send observers to the Rwanda-Uganda border to verify that no transit of military equipment takes place. ; I pay a tribute to the positive attitude and desire for peace of the Government of Uganda, which has agreed that in view of the circumstances the observers should be deployed only on its side of the border. My Government is eager to preserve stability in Rwanda and throughout the region, and to forstall a resumption of hostilities, which could result in further massacres in view of the persistent mistrust and ethnic rivalry; we consider that the Council's decision today sends the parties a clear signal regarding the international community's commitment and its determination that this conflict should be resolved by non-military means. I should like to say that my Government, which has consistently advocated a political solution of the conflict in Rwanda, can only welcome the coming signing of the Arusha agreements between the Government of Rwanda and the Rwandese Patriotic Front. These agreements were reached under the auspices of (Mr, Mérimée, France) the Organization of African Unity and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania; to them we pay a tribute. My Government thinks it important to consider in due course the contribution the international community might make to the implementation of the agreements. We think that the presence of UNOMUR, which is a first confidence-building measure aimed at easing tension, could create a favourable climate and enhance the implementation of this overall peace agreement. Indeed, we think that United Nations intervention, now requested by both parties, is a precondition for the success of a lasting settlement of the conflict in Rwanda. Moreover, it is perfectly in keeping with the Secretary-General's approach of support for the efforts of regional organizations. France hopes that the process of national reconciliation will proceed actively in Rwanda, and we appeal to the parties to conclude the Arusha agreements, which will make it possible to restore peace and stability to Rwanda.

There are no further speakers 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 4.10 p.m.