S/PV.3318 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of South Africa, 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. Steward (South Africa) took a place at the Council table.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: "The Security Council welcomes the successful completion of the multi-party negotiating process in South Africa, and the conclusion of agreements reached therein on an interim constitution and electoral bill. These agreements constitute a historic step forward in establishing a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa. "The Security Council looks forward to the elections to be held in South Africa in April 1994. It urges all parties in South Africa, including those which did not participate fully in the multi-party talks, to respect agreements reached during the negotiations, to re-commit themselves to democratic principles, to take part in the elections and to resolve outstanding issues by peaceful means only. "The Security Council reiterates its determination to continue to support the process of peaceful democratic change in South Africa for the benefit of all South Africans. The Security Council commends once again the work being done by the Secretary-General and the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa (UNOMSA) in assisting that process. It invites the Secretary-General to accelerate contingency planning for a possible United Nations role in the election process, including coordination with the observer missions of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), European Community (EC) and Commonwealth, to enable expeditious consideration of a request to the United Nations for such assistance. In this connection, the Council urges early establishment of the Transitional Executive Council and the Independent Electoral Commission. "The Security Council considers that South Africa’s transition to democracy must be underpinned by economic and social reconstruction and development, and calls on the international community to assist in this regard." This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/26785. (The President) The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 6.30 p.m. (The President)