S/PV.5885 Security Council

The President: As this is the first meeting of the Security Council for the month of May 2008, I should like to take this opportunity to pay tribute, on behalf of the Council, to His Excellency Mr. Dumisani Kumalo, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the United Nations, for his service as President of the Security Council for the month of April 2008. I am sure I speak for all members of the Council in expressing deep appreciation to Ambassador Kumalo for the great diplomatic skill with which he conducted the Council's business last month. Adoption of the agenda The agenda was adopted. The situation in Myanmar The President: 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 reaffirms its statements of 11 October and 15 November 2007 and all the expectations expressed in those statements. "The Security Council takes note of the announcement by the Government of Myanmar of a referendum on a draft constitution in May 2008 and elections in 2010. It further notes the commitment by the Government of Myanmar to the ensure that the referendum process will be free and fair. The Security Council underlines the need for the Government of Myanmar to establish the conditions and create an atmosphere conducive to an inclusive and credible process, including the full participation of all political actors and respect for fundamental political freedoms. "The Security Council reaffirms its unwavering support for the Secretary-General's good offices mission and expresses its appreciation for the work of his Special Adviser, Ibrahim Gambari. The Security Council encourages the Government of Myanmar and all parties concerned to cooperate fully with the United Nations. "The Security Council welcomes the important role that the ASEAN countries continue to play in supporting the United Nations good offices mission. "The Security Council affirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Myanmar and, in that context, reiterates that the future of Myanmar lies in the hands of all ofits people. "The Security Council remains seized of the matter." This statement will be issued as a document of Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/2008/l3. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda. The meeting rose at 12.10p.m. 08-32636