S/PV.4633 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Yugoslavia 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. Following consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council reaffirms its continued commitment to the full and effective implementation of Council resolution 1244 (1999) in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, commends the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Commander of the international security presence (KFOR) for the ongoing efforts to this end and calls upon the Provisional Institutions of Self- Government, local leaders and all others concerned to cooperate fully with them. “The Security Council welcomes the progress made in preparing the municipal elections on 26 October 2002, calls upon all eligible voters, including those from minority communities, to seize the chance to have their interests properly represented by taking part in the elections. The Council expresses its firm belief that wide participation in the voting is essential to provide the best opportunity for future progress towards the building of a multi- ethnic and tolerant society.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2002/29. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on the agenda.