S/PV.5103 Security Council

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Côte d’Ivoire, 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. (spoke in French) “The Security Council commends the efforts made by the African Union and, in particular, the personal involvement of President Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, to promote dialogue and relaunch the peace and national reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire. It expresses its full support for the facilitation mission undertaken by President Mbeki on behalf of the African Union. “The Security Council welcomes the encouraging prospects resulting from these efforts and the commitments made by all Ivorian parties, demands that all Ivorian parties fully comply with their commitments, and underlines that it will monitor with vigilance their full implementation. “The Security Council reaffirms its conviction that the full implementation of resolution 1572 (2004) is a key element in ensuring that all Ivorian parties commit themselves fully to the implementation of the peace and national reconciliation process in Côte d’Ivoire, and deplores the fact that the signatories of the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements have not implemented by 15 December 2004 all their commitments under the Accra III Agreement. “The Security Council underlines that any failure by any Ivorian party to respect their commitments made to President Mbeki would constitute a threat to the implementation of the peace and national reconciliation process as defined in the Linas-Marcoussis and Accra III Agreements, and recalls in this regard the measures referred to in paragraphs 9 and 11 of resolution 1572 (2004). “The Security Council requests the Committee established by resolution 1572 (2004) to continue its work, taking fully into account the developments of the peace process in Côte d’Ivoire arising from the facilitation efforts undertaken by the African Union. “In addition, the Security Council demands that all Ivorian parties stop all incitement to violence and hatred in broadcast, written and other media, and calls upon the Committee to monitor this closely without delay. “The Security Council also demands that all Ivorian parties ensure freedom of the press and unlimited access to information throughout Côte d’Ivoire. “The Security Council expresses its intention to consider without delay further steps to ensure the effective monitoring and implementation of the arms embargo imposed by resolution 1572 (2004). “The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Albert Tevoedjre, for his unsparing efforts to support the restoration of a durable peace in Côte d’Ivoire under challenging circumstances.” (spoke in Arabic) This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2004/48. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.