S/PV.4691 Security Council

At the outset, I should like on behalf of the Security Council to extend our heartfelt sympathy to the Government and people of Mexico in connection with the earthquake which occurred near the States of Jalisco and Colima, resulting in considerable devastation and loss of life. I would request the representative of Mexico to convey to his Government our grief and sincere condolences. Adoption of the agenda

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 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 Security Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2002/1146, which contains the text of a letter dated 15 October 2002 from the Secretary- General addressed to the President of the Security Council, transmitting the final report of the Panel of Experts on the Illegal Exploitation of Natural Resources and Other Forms of Wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2003/83, which contains the text of a draft resolution prepared in the course of the Council’s prior consultations. It is my understanding that the Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. Unless I hear any 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 1457 (2003). The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.