S/PV.5036 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Liberia, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the consideration 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 the fourth progress report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in Liberia, document S/2004/725. Members also have before them document S/2004/740, 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 now put the draft resolution to the vote. There being no objection, it is so decided.

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1561 (2004). I give the floor to the representative of the United States of America, who wishes to make a statement following the vote.

It is the policy of the United States Government to ensure that members of the armed services of the United States of America participating in United Nations peace operations are protected from criminal prosecution or other assertion of jurisdiction by the International Criminal Court. Normally, the United States would seek express provisions providing such protection for personnel from States not party to the Rome Statute that contribute to any mission established or authorized by the United Nations. In this instance, the United States maintains sufficient bilateral protections with the Government of Liberia to facilitate continued United States participation in the United Nations Mission in Liberia absent such express provisions in the mandate extension.

There are no further speakers on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.