S/PV.4797 Security Council

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 Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them document S/2003/566 and Corr.1, containing the second special report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members have document S/2003/653, which contains the report of the Security Council mission to Central Africa. Members also have before them document S/2003/757, 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 1493 (2003). I should now like to give the floor to the Secretary-General.

I congratulate the Security Council on unanimously adopting the resolution and giving the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) the strong mandate it needs to fulfil its difficult mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The political and military leaders in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have taken important steps in the past month to inaugurate the Transitional Government. This is now in place. But the road ahead over the next two to three years towards free and fair elections will be difficult. I am grateful to the Council for its strong support, especially in relation to the situation in the north- eastern part of the country. Through resolution 1484 (2003), in which it authorized the Interim Emergency Multinational Force, the Council has shown that a timely and effective response by the international community can put an end to violence. That Interim Force has also served as an effective stop-gap mechanism, giving MONUC and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations sufficient time to deploy an expanded military force in Bunia. Through the resolution adopted today, the Security Council has placed MONUC, in coordination with United Nations agencies and donors, in a key role to help the Congolese achieve a sustainable peace leading up to a democratically elected Government. It will be necessary for the international community to provide the resources needed to implement this far- reaching resolution. In the final analysis, however, there will be no substitute for the resolve of the Congolese leaders to implement their commitment to peace. It is my sincere hope that they will continue to do so and thereby bring an end to the terrible suffering that has been endured by the Congolese people for too long.

I thank the Secretary-General for his support and for his statement. 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.