S/PV.6018 Security Council

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/2008/716, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Belgium, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Italy, South Africa, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2008/703, containing a letter dated 31 October 2008 from the Secretary-General addressed to the President of the Security Council. 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. A vote was taken by show of hands. In favour: Belgium, Burkina Faso, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Indonesia, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Panama, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Viet Nam

There were 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution 1843 (2008). I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements following the voting.

We supported resolution 1843 (2008), which was just adopted, because we, too, feel that the situation in the eastern Congo, particularly around the city of Goma, is deteriorating very fast. The humanitarian situation is becoming more dire all the time. While we are pleased with the increase in the number of peacekeepers who will be sent to that part of the country, we wish to also underline that it goes along with the political process, which is also necessary. We are pleased that the Secretary-General appointed former President Obasanjo to assist in the political process, and the good news is that the infrastructure for such a political process is contained in the Goma agreement and the Nairobi agreement, which are both available to the parties in the area to use to resolve the political situation. We hope that the resolution will also act as an encouragement, saying that we want more troops to go in and assist people, but that it will also encourage the political process.

There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. 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.