S/PV.5245 Security Council

At the outset, I should like, on behalf of the Council, to express our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the passing of their King, Fahd Bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, who wholeheartedly devoted himself to both the service of his country and the promotion of peace and understanding in his region and internationally. I should like to request the representative of Saudi Arabia to convey the sentiments of the Security Council to the royal family, as well as to the Government and people of Saudi Arabia. Expression of thanks to the retiring President

As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of August, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Adamantios Vassilakis, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of July 2005. I am sure that I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Vassilakis for the great diplomatic skill with which he conducted the Council’s business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. Reports of the Secretary-General on Sudan

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of the Sudan 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 consideration of the item, 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. After consultations among members of the Security Council, I have been authorized to make the following statement on behalf of the Council: “The Security Council expresses its profound regret over the death of First Vice President of Sudan Dr. John Garang de Mabior in a helicopter crash on 30 July 2005. The Security Council offers its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Dr. Garang and to the people and Government of the Republic of Sudan. “This is a time for the world community to come together to support Dr. Garang’s vision of a united and peaceful Sudan. The Security Council commends the perseverance and commitment which the parties in Sudan demonstrated in achieving the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the promise of a new future. Over the last few years, Dr. Garang’s courageous efforts were instrumental in ending the over 21-year civil war that cost the lives of millions of Sudanese. His leadership offered hope of democracy and peace for all people of Sudan. “The Security Council calls on all Sudanese to honour his memory by restoring peace and calm throughout Sudan. The Security Council trusts that, despite the sudden death of Dr. Garang, the people of Sudan remain united and continue to work for the consolidation of peace in the country by implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, for which Dr. Garang worked unstintingly. “The Security Council stresses that the death of Dr. Garang should not deter the struggle of the Sudanese people for justice and dignity, and encourages the people of Sudan to refrain from violence and maintain peace in the midst of mourning. “The Security Council reiterates its determination to assist the Sudanese people in their efforts to promote national reconciliation, resolve the conflicts in Darfur and restore peace and stability throughout the country and to build a prosperous and united Sudan. “The Security Council looks to the international community to continue its support for the people of Sudan to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Darfur and to proceed with the reconstruction and rehabilitation process.” This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2005/38. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.