S/PV.3267 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 prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: been "The Security Council deplores the recent upsurge in violence and discord in South Africa, especially in the East Rand. This violence - terrible in its human toll - is even more tragic as the country proceeds on the path to a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa and a new, more promising future for all its citizens. "The Council recalls its statement in resolution 765 (1992) that it is the responsibility of the South African authorities to take all necessary measures to stop immediately the violence and protect the life and property of all South Africans. The Council affirms that all parties in South Africa must assist the Government in preventing opponents of democracy from using violence to threaten the country’s democratic transition. In this regard, the Council notes the proposal for a national peace force to restore and maintain order in volatile areas. Any such force should be genuinely representative of South African society and its major political bodies. Just as importantly, it must have the confidence, support and cooperation of the people of South (The President) Africa. The Council also welcomes efforts by the leaders of the African National Congress and the Inkatha Freedom Party to convince their followers to avoid further violence. The Council urges all of South Africa's leaders to work jointly to prevent violence in the election period ahead. (The President) "The Security Council commends the international community, including the Organization of African Unity, the European Community and the Commonwealth, for playing a constructive role in helping to curb the violence in South Africa. The United Nations Peace Monitors, under the able supervision of the chief of the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa, have made a difference. People are alive today because of the tireless and courageous efforts of these and other international monitors. Yet far too many are dying. The world community must continue to signal firmly that it will not allow the violence to derail South Africa's political transition. "The Council emphasizes the key role of the multiparty negotiating process in securing the transition to a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa. It urges the parties to reaffirm their commitment to the multiparty negotiating process, to redouble their efforts to reach consensus on the transitional arrangements and constitutional issues still outstanding and to proceed to elections as planned in the coming year. "The Security Council reaffirms its determination to remain supportive of efforts to facilitate this peaceful transition to a non-racial democracy for the benefit of all South Africans. The Council is following developments in South Africa closely and will remain seized with the matter." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/26347. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meeting rose at 5.10 p.m.