S/PV.4184 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Sierra Leone 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.

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. Members of the Council have before them documents S/2000/455 and 751, which contain, respectively, the fourth and fifth reports of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2000/764, 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 documents: S/2000/727, letter dated 24 July 2000 from Sierra Leone; and S/2000/756, letter dated 2 August 2000 from the Secretary-General. On behalf of the Council, I should like to express to the bereaved families and to the Governments and people of Nigeria, India and Jordan profound condolences in connection with the deaths of nine peacekeepers from their countries, who gave their lives in the cause of peace while serving with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone. The international community is deeply saddened by this great loss. It is my understanding that the Security Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution (S/2000/764) before it. If I hear no objection, I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1313 (2000). The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council will remain seized of the matter. Tribute to Ambassador Robert R. Fowler of Canada

Before adjourning the meeting, I should like, on behalf of the Council, to pay tribute to Ambassador Robert R. Fowler, Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, for the remarkable contribution he has made to the work of the Security Council and its subsidiary organs. From the outset, as representative of Canada on the Council, Ambassador Fowler made a difference to the work of the Security Council by bringing new insight and dynamism to the Council’s tasks. His many accomplishments in this regard will long be remembered. I am sure that I speak for all members of the Council in expressing to Ambassador Fowler best wishes as he leaves the United Nations to take on important new challenges on behalf of his country.