S/PV.4419 Security Council

The Security Council will now continue its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council remains deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict in Angola. It holds Mr. Jonas Savimbi and the armed faction of the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) primarily responsible for the failure to implement the Lusaka Protocol. It expresses its deep concern at the resulting human rights and international humanitarian law violations, and the humanitarian crisis. “The Security Council reaffirms that the Lusaka Protocol remains the only viable basis for a political settlement of the conflict in Angola. The failure by UNITA to implement the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant resolutions of the Security Council are the basis for the continuation of the Security Council sanctions against UNITA. “The Security Council once again reaffirms its intention to keep sanctions under close and ongoing monitoring with a view to improving their effectiveness until it is convinced that the conditions in the relevant resolutions are met. It welcomes, in this regard, the ongoing review by the sanctions Committee of the recommendations of the Monitoring Mechanism on Sanctions against UNITA. “The Security Council reiterates its call on Member States to comply fully with the implementation of the sanctions regime against UNITA. The Council notes the positive contribution of the Security Council sanctions Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993) and, in this regard, calls upon the Member States to cooperate fully with the Security Council Committee and the Monitoring Mechanism on Sanctions against UNITA. “The Security Council supports the Government of Angola in its efforts to implement the Lusaka Protocol including through the Fund for Peace and National Reconciliation. The Security Council supports the Government’s intention to hold free and fair elections when appropriate conditions are in place. It encourages the Angolan authorities to continue, in consultation with all the political parties and with the full participation of the civil society, their efforts for peace, stability and national reconciliation. The Council further encourages the Government of Angola to work for economic reform and to ensure transparent and accountable governance to provide a positive climate for peace. “The Security Council expresses its concern that the continuing conflict in Angola is leading to large numbers of internally displaced persons and a dire humanitarian situation. It welcomes the efforts of the Government of Angola to improve the humanitarian situation and the resettlement of the displaced population and calls upon it to increase its efforts to this end. It also calls upon the international community to continue to provide necessary humanitarian assistance. It stresses that humanitarian assistance should be provided to the population in need, throughout Angola. “The Security Council supports the efforts of the civil society and the churches to alleviate the humanitarian situation and to facilitate national reconciliation. “The Security Council welcomes the upcoming visit of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Africa to Angola for consultations with the Government, political parties and civil society representatives on how the United Nations could help in the advancement of the peace process. It also reiterates its support for the work of the United Nations Office in Angola in finding a solution to the Angolan conflict.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2001/36. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.