S/PV.4399 Security Council

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 document S/2001/1016, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. I should also like to draw the attention of the members of the Council to the following documents: S/2001/979, letter dated 15 October 2001 from Belgium addressed to the Secretary-General; and S/2001/1013, letter dated 25 October 2001 from South Africa addressed to the President of the Security Council. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution (S/2001/1016) 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. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Bangladesh, China, Colombia, France, Ireland, Jamaica, Mali, Mauritius, Norway, Russian Federation, Singapore, Tunisia, Ukraine, 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 1375 (2001). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

My delegation is very pleased to have voted in favour of this resolution and, through you, Mr. President, we would like to thank the representatives of Mauritius and Jamaica, who put it forward as the original co- sponsors. Through you, Sir, we would also like to congratulate the Government of South Africa on taking the initiative on the protection force and on their commitment to it. My Government is very ready to consider financial support for this initiative. While the United Kingdom fully supports the South African initiative, we would like to make clear that the Council is not endorsing the protection force itself or giving it a United Nations mandate. We hope that the parties will continue to work for a ceasefire, but we should make it clear that, in that event, there can be no automaticity about wider regional or international participation. The Council will have to consider such possibilities separately and on their merits.

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 its agenda.