S/PV.3534 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 its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the third progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III), document S/1995/350. Following consultations among the members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council has considered the Secretary-General’s third progress report of 3 May 1995 (S/1995/350) on the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) and the oral briefing from the Secretariat. “The Security Council welcomes the positive developments in Angola. It welcomes in particular the meeting in Lusaka on 6 May 1995 between President Dos Santos and Dr. Savimbi, which took place in a positive atmosphere and gave new impetus to the consolidation of the peace process and the furthering of national reconciliation in Angola. The Council commends the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, of the observer States to the Angola peace process, of States of the region and, in particular, of the President of Zambia which assisted in bringing about this meeting. It expresses the hope that the meeting will mark the beginning of a regular and constructive dialogue between the President of Angola and the leader of UNITA. “The Security Council particularly underlines the urgency of a mine-clearance programme and calls upon the parties to provide, as promised, the funds and equipment necessary in order for the programme to become operational, and to begin mine-sweeping operations on major roads under their control. The demining, the opening of major roads and repair of air fields and other infrastructure are of crucial importance for the expeditious deployment of UNAVEM infantry units, the distribution of humanitarian aid, and the return of displaced persons to their places of origin. The Council invites the donors as well as the United Nations, its agencies and non-governmental organizations to support actively demining actions. “The Security Council notes with satisfaction the progress in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/1995/PRST/27. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda. The Council will remain seized of the matter.