S/PV.6098 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/2009/152, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by Japan. Members of the Council also have before them document S/2009/135, containing the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security. 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: Austria, Burkina Faso, China, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Japan, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mexico, Russian Federation, Turkey, Uganda, 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 1868 (2009).

My delegation supports the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and voted in favour of the resolution. Nevertheless, we wish to state our regret over the weakening of the language through the failure in the operative part explicitly to address our concern over the increase in civilian casualties, as the Security Council has done in previous resolutions. We know, of course, that insurgents are primarily responsible for civilian casualties in Afghanistan, but this Council has repeatedly called on all parties to respect the provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights, and to take every possible precaution to ensure the protection of the civilian population in that country. My delegation understands that this concern is alluded to in paragraph 14 of resolution 1868 (2009), just adopted.

The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.