S/PV.3326 Security Council

The Czech Republic began its term of office on the Security Council on 1 January 1994. At the same time it assumed the presidency of this important organ of the United Nations. This is a singular honour and responsibility that has been accorded to my country, which is barely one year old. It is a responsibility which we promise to carry out with dedication to the ideals of the Charter. In presiding over this first meeting of the Council in 1994, I am happy to welcome the other new members of the Council: Argentina, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda. I am sure that I express the feelings of all members when I pay tribute to the representatives of the five outgoing members of the Council - Cape Verde, Hungary, Japan, Morocco and Venezuela - for the valuable contributions they made to the work of the Council during their term of membership. EXPRESSION OF THANKS TO THE RETIRING PRESIDENT

On behalf of the members of the Council, I should like to express the Council's deep appreciation to my predecessor in the office of the President, His Excellency Mr. Li Zhaoxing, Permanent Representative of China to the United Nations, for having so admirably guided the work of the Council during the month of December 1993. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The agenda was adopted. THE SITUATION CONCERNING RWANDA REPORT OF THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON THE UNITED NATIONS ASSISTANCE MISSION FOR RWANDA (S/26927)

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 report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda, document S/26927. Members of the Council also have before them document S/1994/11, 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 members of the Council to the following technical change to be made to the text of the draft resolution contained in document S/1994/11: the date in the last preambular paragraph should read "10 December 1993" instead of "12 December 1993". 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 to the vote. There being no objection, it is so decided. I shall first call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements before the voting. Mr. BIZIMANA (Rwanda) (interpretation from French): I wish first of all, Sir, to congratulate you on your assumption of the presidency of the Council for this month. I wish also warmly to thank the Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China, Ambassador Li, for the great skill with which he presided over the work of the Council in December. The Government of Rwanda is extremely grateful to the Security Council for all the measures it has taken to date with respect to the peace process in Rwanda. The Government and the people of Rwanda wish also to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, for the report before the Council today, which describes progress in the initial deployment of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) and makes recommendations, whose consideration by the Security Council could generate fresh momentum and provide additional guarantees of the success of the peace process in Rwanda. Resolution 872 (1993), by which the Council established UNAMIR, gave the Mission important functions intended to implement the Arusha Peace Agreement of 4 August 1993 between the Government of the Rwandese Republic and the Rwandese Patriotic Front (RPF). The nature of those functions shows that the success of the peace process in Rwanda depends completely on the carrying out of UNAMIR's mission. The entire Rwandese people have pinned their hopes on the mandate of UNAMIR to put an end to the appalling war that has raged since 1 October 1990, and cannot but reiterate their deep gratitude and appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General and for the willingness of Member States to deploy UNAMIR personnel according to the timetable established for the first phase of the operation. We convey warm thanks to all the countries that have contributed to UNAMIR by providing personnel and other kinds of assistance which made it possible to carry out the initial deployment of UNAMIR on time. I would stress that this initial deployment was the basis for the implementation of certain relevant provisions of the Peace Agreement. We pay tribute to the Special Representative of the Secretary- General, Mr. Jacques-Roger Booh-Booh, thanks to whose efforts it has been possible to maintain a political climate favouring the goals of the Arusha Peace Agreement. It is also thanks to the efforts of UNAMIR and the commitment of the Force Commander, General Romeo Dallaire, that the cease-fire has held and that all the conditions for the deployment in Kigali of the RPF security battalion have been met. This will make it possible, after the ongoing intense consultations, to put in place a transitional National Assembly and a broader-based transitional Government. Those transitional institutions will have to guide all the actions to help consolidate peace in Rwanda; this will have to come about through a programme to bolster the country as it brings back persons displaced by the war, repatriates refugees and achieves the demobilization and socio-economic reintegration of soldiers who will not be required in the new national army. To establish the lasting peace needed to achieve these things, the security of the population must be ensured, especially in the demilitarized zone. We therefore welcome the decision the Council is considering today, which would enable the deployment of the (Mr. Bizimana, Rwanda) second battalion, to be based in the demilitarized zone, which will help consolidate UNAMIR's achievements. The additional deployments are especially necessary and urgent since the situation in the demilitarized zone and in the north-west of the country remains precarious. The operation will also make it possible to limit the consequences of the horrific events in Burundi, which have led to an influx of refugees; today Rwanda is sheltering more than 500,000 refugees. To ensure that UNAMIR carries out its mandate successfully, we feel that it must be given logistic support, the need for which is indicated in paragraphs 13 and 29 of the report of the Secretary- General. It is also necessary to continue activities related to providing emergency assistance and guaranteeing the return of displaced persons to their homes, especially since their situation has been exacerbated by bad weather, which has given rise to famine in some parts of the country. Let me conclude by reiterating that all the people of Rwanda offer the Council their full cooperation in the implementation of Security Council decisions in support of the peace process in Rwanda.

I thank the representative of Rwanda for the kind words he addressed to me. Mr. GAMBARI (Nigeria): Let me join the previous speaker in expressing, on behalf of my delegation, our great pleasure at seeing you, Sir, presiding over the affairs of the Council for the month of January. We wish to assure you of our absolute confidence in your capacity to discharge the duties of the presidency in a wise and efficient manner - and to do the rookies proud. (Mr. Bizimana, Rwanda) At the same time, we wish also to convey, through you, our very warm appreciation and thanks to your predecessor, Ambassador Li of China, for the excellent manner in which, we have been assured, he conducted the work of the Council in December. That the Council has decided to start its business in the new year with a discussion of the situation in one of Africa's crisis areas testifies not only to the principle of the indivisibility of peace, but also to the concern the Council continues to demonstrate over conflicts in Africa. My delegation will do its best to work with other members of the Council, sparing no effort, to promote the settlement of a number of those conflicts in Africa, especially those that seem ripe for resolution, given the cooperation of the parties involved. The Nigerian delegation thanks the Secretary-General for his comprehensive report on the subject of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR), as contained in document S/26927 of 30 December 1993. My delegation finds its detailed analysis of the political, military and humanitarian situation now prevailing in Rwanda very informative, and indicative of the course of action that we in the Council should be pursuing at this time. Of critical relevance and note, of course, are the Secretary- General's conclusions and recommendations, spelled out clearly in paragraphs 27 to 30 of the report. My Government is pleased by the indications in the report reflecting the positive attitude and the disposition of the parties to the conflict in Rwanda to work towards the common purpose of peace. That is as it should be, for every political process necessarily requires readiness on the part of all to give and take if common interests are to be met. (Mr. Gambari, Nigeria) Beginning with the visit to the Security Council last year of delegations representing both parties to the conflict in Rwanda, the parties, to use the language of the Secretary-General, "have continued to show good will and cooperation in their contacts with each other and with the United Nations. They have also managed to weather some tense and potentially disruptive moments in the wake of the events in Burundi. In addition, the fact that the cease-fire has generally been respected demonstrates that the parties remain committed to the peace and reconciliation process initiated by the Arusha agreement". (S/26927, para. 28) In spite of the inability of the people of Rwanda thus far to put in place a transitional Government, we note with great satisfaction that the situation has, on the whole, stabilized, to the extent that it was possible yesterday for a President to be sworn in. The President should swear in the members of his Cabinet as soon as possible. We share the concern expressed in the Secretary-General's report that the situation is still not safe in some parts of the country, including in particular the areas bordering Burundi and the so-called demilitarized zone (DMZ). We are disturbed by reports of the wanton killing of civilians in those regions by a reportedly well-armed and ruthless group operating in those areas. It is in that connection that we agree that the United Nations presence in the area must be strengthened so that the rather precarious situation prevailing in those parts can be brought under effective monitoring and control by the soldiers of UNAMIR. Hence, we concur with the specific request of the Secretary-General that an additional battalion of fully equipped infantry should be (Mr. Gambari, Nigeria) deployed, on an urgent basis, to secure the DMZ and protect the large population living there. For the continued implementation of the four-phase plan of action envisaged in the Council's plan for Rwanda, my Government cannot fail to commend those countries which have already made significant contributions in both human and material terms to advance the United Nations peace efforts. We also commend those countries and agencies which have recently announced their intention to join in the ongoing efforts. In recognition of the growing needs of the situation in Rwanda, my Government is pleased to be able to confirm its decision to send personnel to augment UNAMIR. These observers will be leaving for Rwanda by 9 January. Our hope is that with increased international assistance and support for existing efforts and actions in Rwanda it will soon be possible for a transitional Government to be established there so that the tasks of reconciliation, reconstruction and development can begin in earnest. We believe that increased international assistance for Rwanda is necessary not only to boost the military and logistic capacities of UNAMIR, but also to provide humanitarian support for the population adversely affected by the internal conflict and to alleviate the refugee problem and the attendant dislocation of population and economies in Rwanda. Under the heavy burden of additional difficulties arising from the serious drought which has lately hit the region, existing humanitarian facilities and emergency as well as rehabilitation efforts have been over-stretched. This requires that the international community continue to be as helpful as it can be until the situation in Rwanda fully returns to normal. We hope that the international (Mr. Gambari, Nigeria) (Mr. Gambari, Nigeria) community will continue to lend its support to the humanitarian needs of the Rwandese people as an additional way of encouraging the prompt and unimpeded implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement. Finally, convinced that the United Nations continues to steer the right course in Rwanda, and believing also that the people of Rwanda have continued to manifest a readiness to cooperate with the efforts of UNAMIR, my Government fully supports the adoption of the draft resolution.

I thank the representative of Nigeria for the kind and friendly words he addressed to me. I now put the draft resolution to the vote. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Argentina, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, Djibouti, France, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 893 (1994). I shall now call on those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting. Mr. MERIMEE (France) (interpretation from French): May I first, Sir, extend to you the congratulations of the French delegation on your assumption of the presidency and also associate myself with the well-deserved compliments extended by the previous speakers to Ambassador Li, the President of the Council last month. My delegation welcomes the Council's adoption of this resolution, which authorizes the Secretary-General to deploy a second battalion in the demilitarized zone. The report which the Secretary-General has submitted to the Council shows that recent events in Rwanda regarding the implementation of the peace process are encouraging. The cease- fire has indeed been respected; the parties have cooperated with each other and with the United Nations for the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement. These positive developments were made possible by the prompt deployment of an initial contingent in Kigali. Its presence allowed the Rwandese Patriotic Front to establish itself in the capital. We are now near an agreement that would make it possible for transitional institutions to be established. None the less, the Secretary-General has stressed that grave acts of violence have occurred in certain regions of Rwanda. The main objective of the deployment of a second battalion is to help bring security to the populations of those regions. Furthermore, my delegation regrets that the time-table established by the parties at Kinihira concerning the establishment of a broad-based transitional Government has not been respected. France therefore firmly appeals to the parties to do all in their power for a political agreement in this field to be concluded in the coming days. The continuation of the United Nations action in Rwanda depends directly on the efforts they are prepared to make to restore peace definitively to Rwanda in the wake of a conflict that has, alas, claimed all too many victims.

I thank the representative of France for the kind words he addressed to me. (Mr. Merimee, France) Mr. SARDENBERG (Brazil): May I first congratulate you, Sir, on your assumption of the office of President of the Security Council for the month of January. Your dynamic and results- oriented leadership will ensure, I am certain, the excellent conduct of our work. You can count on the unrestricted support and cooperation of my delegation. I cannot fail to express a word of recognition on our part to Ambassador Li of China, who, with the remarkable wisdom of Chinese diplomacy, together with his diplomatic experience and well-known skill, led our work during the month of December with efficiency and with invariable courtesy. I should also like to extend my warmest welcome to the delegations of Argentina, the Czech Republic, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda. I am confident that their presence as members of the Security Council for the next two years will certainly contribute to the work of this body. My delegation is very grateful to the delegations of Cape Verde, Hungary, Japan, Morocco and Venezuela for their valuable contribution to the Council's deliberations over the past two years. It is the understanding of my Government that the deliberations of the Security Council today on Rwanda had a twofold purpose. On the one hand, we have just agreed that substantive progress has been made towards the implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement so that the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) can be extended beyond its initial 90 days, as set out in resolution 872 (1993). On the other hand, we have also examined the report of the Secretary-General, for which we are very grateful, and have reviewed the requirement for further deployment on the scale, and with the composition, recommended in his report. At this point, Brazil believes that despite a recent outbreak of tension and incidents of violence between the parties in the country, the overall objectives of the Arusha Peace Agreement are being attained. In the first 90 days since Security Council resolution 872 (1993) was adopted, there has been sufficient compliance with the provisions of that agreement, allowing enough substantive progress to be achieved towards its implementation, thus warranting the extension of UNAMIR beyond its initial period. We have also concluded that the early deployment of a second battalion in the demilitarized zone, as indicated by the Secretary- General, should take place promptly so as not to jeopardize UNAMIR's mandate in assuring the unimpeded continuation of the peace process in Rwanda. The Government of Brazil is aware that achieving lasting peace in the region is an urgent, although not simple, process. We remain fully committed to the continued presence of the United Nations peace-keeping Mission in Rwanda, in which Brazil is participating, on the basis of the mandate set out in resolution 872 (1993), for it serves the best interests of the peace and security of that country. We have also recognized that the full and continued cooperation of all parties concerned is an essential prerequisite for a successful implementation of the Arusha Peace Agreement. We should not lose sight of the importance of the prompt establishment of a broad-based transitional Government in Rwanda as a key element of the Arusha Peace Agreement. We look forward to the successful (Mr. Sardenberg, Brazil) and undelayed establishment of this transitional Government, to the holding of national elections and to the ensuing installation of the new Government in 1995. We believe that only with the new Government in place can peace and security be ultimately achieved, thus creating the conditions for economic and social development. The recent unfortunate events in Burundi have shown us how volatile the situation in that region can be. The unexpected inflow of Burundi refugees into Rwanda as well as allegations of cross-border military movement, as described in the report of the Secretary-General, clearly underline the complexity of the task of building the basis for a durable peace and security. It was with the same hopeful expectation that inspired us in October 1993 to agree on sending a peace-keeping Mission to Rwanda that Brazil supported the adoption of resolution 893 (1994) regarding the future of UNAMIR. (Mr. Sardenberg, Brazil)

I thank the representative of Brazil for the generous words he addressed to me. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Czech Republic. (spoke in French) The Security Council has just adopted a resolution based on the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda. The draft of that resolution was prepared following consideration of the situation regarding developments within the country. In respect of the situation in Rwanda, the Czech delegation is of the opinion that this dispute is nearing a settlement, provided that the United Nations continues to encourage the process by providing humanitarian assistance, its good offices and a direct presence. We have before us elements that encourage a peaceful settlement. All parties to the dispute have already expressed a willingness to find a definitive solution based on the Arusha Peace Agreement. It remains to be seen, however, whether the hopes of the Rwandese people will be realized through the soon-to-be-established transitional government. The Czech delegation takes this occasion to express appreciation to the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and its member States for the good offices they provided to the process of national reconciliation. None the less, the balance of power is very fragile. The parties are only now regaining the confidence which was lost during the conflict. In this respect, my delegation is following with concern developments in a neighbouring country - Burundi - where the flight of refugees and the activities of paramilitary groups jeopardize the national process of political and social reconciliation and threaten to convulse the region at large. We are well aware that the prerequisites for extension of the UNAMIR mandate beyond the initial 90-day period have not all been met. Establishment of a transitional government would have been a sign of definite progress, but the parties have continued to show goodwill and cooperation. The fact that the cease-fire has been generally respected seems to be a step in the right direction. That is one reason why we support the prompt deployment of a second battalion in the demilitarized zone and continued implementation of the plan of operations suggested by the Secretary-General in his report of 24 September 1993 (S/26488). For all the above reasons the Czech Republic voted in favour of the draft resolution. (spoke in English) I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. There are no further speakers inscribed 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 6.35 p.m (The President)