S/PV.3296 Security Council

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 document S/26608, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to adopt the draft resolution before it without a vote. Unless I hear any objection, I shall take it that the draft resolution is adopted. There being no objection, the draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 877 (1993). Mr. TAYLHARDAT (Venezuela) (interpretation from Spanish): The delegation of Venezuela wishes to thank all the members of the Council for the support for and confidence placed in, Mr. Ramón Escovar Salom to discharge the very important duties of Prosecutor of the International Tribunal established to pass judgement on serious violations of international humanitarian law in the former Yugoslavia. We also wish to thank the Secretary-General for nominating him. The importance of this post, in our view, lies in the fact that only justice will be able to contribute to healing, in time, the deep wounds caused by the losses of human life and all the spiritual and moral injuries that the war in the former Yugoslavia has inflicted on all the parties involved. Peace and reconciliation will be lasting only if justice prevails and if every abuse, without distinction, is brought to the Tribunal’s attention and those responsible are tried. With this election, the process of constituting the Tribunal comes to an end. Now one of the most important pillars of the peace process will be able to begin its work and make its contribution to bringing to trial those allegedly guilty of violations of international humanitarian law committed in the former Yugoslavia. For Venezuela, this is a very important appointment and a great honour, and I can assure the Council that Mr. Ramón Escovar Salom will come up to the international community’s expectations in the way he carries out his duties.

There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The meeting rose at 6 p.m. (Mr. Taylhardat, Venezuela)