The French Presidency
April 1999
During the month of April 1999, the Security Council held four public meetings. Nineteen consultations of the whole took place. Three resolutions were adopted and one statement by the President was approved. A sanctions regime was suspended and a mandate for United Nations operations was extended.
The office of the President briefed the non-members of the Council immediately after the end of the consultations and made available to them a transcript of the statements made to the press by the President on behalf of the members of the Council.
Africa
Angola
On 14 April the members of the Council considered the situation in Angola. They heard a briefing by the Secretariat on the various aspects of the situation, which was characterized mainly by continued fighting and an alarming deterioration in the living conditions of the civilian population. The Chairman of the sanctions Committee announced his intention to visit the region.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council reiterated their belief that there was no alternative to a political settlement and that the primary responsibility for the current crisis lay with UNITA, and they appealed to the parties to cooperate in improving the humanitarian situation by guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid.
Eritrea and Ethiopia
On 13 April the members of the Council considered the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. They heard a briefing by the Secretariat that referred to the continuation of limited fighting on the ground and the diplomatic efforts (the forthcoming OAU mission), to the differences between the two parties concerning the conditions for the implementation of the OAU Framework Agreement and to the forthcoming visit to the region by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy.
In their discussions, the members of the Council emphasized the importance of close coordination between the efforts of OAU and those of the United Nations. They had an exchange of views on the conditions for the implementation of the Framework Agreement and on what could be negotiated during the forthcoming mission of the Special Envoy. In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council reiterated their appeal for a cessation of hostilities and the implementation of the OA U Framework Agreement, expressed their support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy and called upon the parties to cooperate with the latter.
Guinea-Bissau
On 6 April the Council adopted resolution 1233 (1999) relating to the situation in Guinea-Bissau.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
On 5 April the members of the Council considered a letter of that date from the Secretary-General addressed to the President submitted pursuant to resolution 1192 (1998) (S/1999/378), in which he informed the Council that the conditions set forth in that resolution for the suspension of sanctions against the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya (the handing over of two persons accused of the attack on Pan Am flight 103) had been met.
The members of the Council agreed that the President should indicate, in a statement to the press, that with the report of the Secretary-General the conditions set forth in resolution 1192 (1998) for an immediate suspension of sanctions had been met and that the sanctions had been effectively suspended. This statement to the press was issued as a press release. The members of the Council also agreed that the Chairman of the sanctions Committee should notify all States Members of the United Nations of the suspension. Several members of the Council proposed a draft statement by the President, which was considered during the consultations on 8 April and adopted at a meeting of the Council the same day (S/PRST/1999/10).
Central African Republic
On 21 April the members of the Council considered the fifth report of the Secretary-General on MINURCA, dated 14 April (S/1999/416). In its oral presentation the Secretariat commented on both the progress that had been achieved in the implementation of the reforms and the carrying out of the commitments that had been made and the uncertainty created by the lack of an agreement between the opposition and the Mouvance présidentielle on the functioning of the Mixed and Independent Electoral Commission.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council took note of the progress that had been made in some areas and urged the Government to carry out the necessary reforms, reaffirmed the importance of the implementation of all the Bangui Agreements and the National Reconciliation Pact, called upon the Central African authorities and all parties concerned to find a compromise concerning the organization and functioning of the Mixed and Independent Electoral Commission and reaffirmed their support for the activities of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. A copy of this statement was sent by the President to the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
On 8 April the members of the Council considered the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Secretariat gave a briefing on the various aspects of the situation: military (continued fighting and uncertainty about the balance of forces), diplomatic (development of the initiative proposed by the President of Zambia on behalf of SADC and improvement of relations between Zambia and Angola), political (progress in the preparations for the national debate), humanitarian (800,000 refugees and displaced persons, including 300,000 inaccessible to humanitarian aid), and human rights (some progress in the areas controlled by the Government and insecurity and massacres in the area held by the rebels).
The members of the Council subsequently continued their discussions on the draft resolution, which was adopted on 9 April as resolution 1234 (1999). On 22 April the members of the Council held further consultations on the Democratic Republic of the Congo following the signing of the Peace Agreement signed at Sirte, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, on 18 April (see S/1999/623, annex I). The Secretariat informed the members of the Council of the provisions of that Agreement and of the reactions to it in the Central African region. The Sirte Agreement should constitute an element of the diplomatic process being conducted by the President of Zambia.
The members of the Council expressed their reaction in a statement to the press by the President in which they welcomed the efforts of the African leaders who had participated in the meeting in Sirte and their commitment to an immediate cessation of hostilities. The members of the Council called upon all the parties to make a similar commitment. They reiterated their support for the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General.
Western Sahara
On 29 April the members of the Council considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 27 April (S/1999/483). The Secretariat announced that the Frente POLISARIO had just given its agreement to the revised versions of the identification and appeals protocols and the operational directives. Members of the Council agreed not to take a substantive decision until a response had also been received from Morocco. In those circumstances, it was agreed that the mandate of MINURSO should be extended for a very short period (two weeks) to allow time to receive that response. Resolution 1235 (1999) was adopted on 30 April.
Sierra Leone
On 23 April the members of the Council considered the situation in Sierra Leone. They heard a briefing by the Secretariat on the various aspects of the situation, which was characterized by relative stability on the military level, progress in the organization of negotiations between the Government and the Revolutionary United Front, the disturbing nature of the humanitarian problems and the commitment of the international community to the Sierra Leonean authorities. In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council again praised the action of ECOMOG, reiterated their appeal for international support for ECOMOG and for humanitarian aid, welcomed the upcoming negotiations and again expressed their concern about the humanitarian situation and reports of arms supplies being provided to the rebels.
Somalia
On 28 April the members of the Council considered the situation in Somalia. They heard a briefing by the Secretariat, which reported that the situation was deteriorating, particularly in the southern part of the country and the Mogadishu region and in the humanitarian field. The United Nations was continuing its efforts, in particular by developing contacts with representatives of civil society. It was suggested that the Council should again receive regular written reports. In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council expressed their concern at the continuing conflict and the deterioration of the situation, welcomed the efforts of regional organizations, called for compliance with the arms embargo and respect for humanitarian aid, and expressed their concern about the safety of the humanitarian personnel.
Asia
Afghanistan
On 19 April the members of the Council considered the situation in Afghanistan. They heard a briefing by the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General, who stated that the Taliban refused to resume the Ashgabat discussions and that fighting was continuing in the province of Bamyan. The Special Envoy had emphasized to the Taliban the need to ensure the security of United Nations personnel.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council reiterated their appeal for a political settlement, urged the Taliban to resume the negotiating process, expressed their concern at the military preparations and the humanitarian situation, denounced the human rights violations, reminded the Taliban of their obligations concerning the security of United Nations personnel and reaffirmed their support for the efforts of the Special Envoy and of the "six plus two" group to help facilitate a settlement.
Iraq
On 7 April the members of the Council began to consider the reports of the three panels established pursuant to the note by the President of the Council of 30 January (S/1999/100). Ambassador Amorim, Chairman of the three panels, made some comments of a personal nature that were circulated as a document of the Security Council (S/1999/415). The members of the Council commended and thanked the panels and their Chairman for the high quality of the work they had done and for the three reports.
The members of the Council held an exchange of views on the content of the reports and on the possible follow-up to them, first on a general level and then with regard to each of the areas covered by the three panels. Several consultations of the whole were devoted to this subject: in addition to the meeting on 7 April, such meetings were held on 9, 12 and 16 April. Ambassador Amorim made concluding remarks during the consultations on 16 April and appealed for a new global approach.
The discussion between the members of the Council revolved around the scope, conditions and modalities of the implementation of the panels' recommendations and how to ensure the implementation of all the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and engage Iraq to resume cooperation with the United Nations in the areas dealt with by the first and third panels. In particular, the following questions were debated: characteristics of the reinforced ongoing monitoring and verification system, which should be re-established in Iraq, and the inclusion under that system of previous disarmament questions that still had to be resolved; how to improve the humanitarian situation and, beyond that, how to permit the recovery of the economy and civil society in Iraq; conditions for the suspension or lifting of civil economic sanctions; and ways and means of resolving outstanding que s t i o n s concerning missing persons and Kuwaiti property. At that stage, the members of the Council expressed different opinions on all those questions and on the extent to which the recommendations of the panels could be implemented, but they believed that the status quo was not acceptable and that the Council should continue its consultations in order to be able to re-establish its unity on the question.
During the consultations on 16 April, delegations submitted two draft resolutions concerning all aspects of the relations between the United Nations and Iraq. On 15 April the members of the Council considered the s emi-annual reports of the Special Commission and IAEA (S/1999/401 and S/1999/393 and Corr.1) and held an exchange of views thereon.
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 20 April the members of the Council heard a briefing by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, who referred to the repercussions of violence and military actions in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on Bosnia and Herzegovina (acts of aggression against UNMIBH installations, disruption of the Belgrade-Bar railway through the territory of Republika Srpska, the influx of refugees coming from Kosovo and Sandjak and a slackening of the pace of reform, in particular the installation of a frontier service).
Croatia
On 20 April the members of the Council considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 9 April on the situation in Prevlaka (S/1999/404) and a letter from the Permanent Representative of Croatia on the subject of alleged violations of the demilitarized zone (S/1999/444). In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council expressed regret about the lack of progress in the negotiations between the two parties and called upon them to intensify their efforts in that regard. They also expressed a wish to receive fuller information on the subject of the aforementioned letter. During the consultations on 21 April, the Secretariat confirmed the violation by the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia of the demilitarized zone by some 20 military police and announced that UNMOP had undertaken démarches vis-í -vis the Yugoslav military authorities. In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council recalled the provisions of its resolution 1222 (1999), in which the Council called for a cessation of all violations of the demilitarized zone. During the consultations on 27 April, the Secretariat stated that the military police were being withdrawn and that UNMOP had resumed its patrols. In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council took note of those facts.
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The members of the Council considered the situation, in particular the humanitarian situation, in and around Kosovo during consultations on 5, 12, 14, 15, 19 and 27 April. The Secretary-General spoke to the members of the Council on 5 April to emphasize the gravity of the humanitarian situation, inform them of the diplomatic contacts he had had and announce his intention of appointing a special envoy in the region. The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator gave a detailed briefing on the flow of refugees and displaced persons and the difficulties they were facing.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council expressed their deepest concern at the grave humanitarian situation as manifested by the mass exodus of refugees and displaced persons from Kosovo, called for the provision of aid to those in need and welcomed the efforts of the Secretary-General in that area.
On 12 April the members of the Council, speakin g through the President, welcomed the statement made by the Secretary-General on 9 April, which showed the concern of the United Nations regarding the developments in the situation and their implications, with a view to resolving the crisis. On 14 April the Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator informed the members of the Council of the evolution of the humanitarian situation in Montenegro and in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. He also spoke of the problem of displaced persons in Kosovo and of the difficulties of getting humanitarian assistance to them. During the discussion that followed, references were made to the humanitarian and economic consequences of the Serb military and police actions in Kosovo and the military action by NATO and to the fate of the two Australian humanitarian workers who had been arrested and detained in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council reiterated their deepest concern at the grave humanitarian situation in and around Kosovo, reaffirmed their support for the work of the humanitarian agencies, in particular UNHCR as the lead agency, invited all the parties to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel and called for immediate consular access to the two Australian humanitarian workers. On 15 April the members of the Council considered the question of the bombing by NATO of a civilian convoy and stated, through the President, that they deplored that tragic event, which had cost the lives of civilians, and that they agreed with the reaction expressed the previous day by the Secretary-General.
On 19 April the Secretary-General again spoke to the members of the Council. He gave an account of the various diplomatic contacts he had had, called for a consensus within the Council and expressed his belief that the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and neighbouring countries could rapidly deteriorate. He shared his concern with regard to the fate of the civilian population still in Kosovo. He believed that there had been a consensus on the idea that the United Nations should play a significant role in the search for a diplomatic solution and announced that he was going to appoint two diplomatic envoys to help in the peace process. The Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator gave a detailed briefing on the situation of refugees and displaced persons, including allegations of serious violations of human rights. A discussion then took place on the various aspects of the crisis, including the effects of the air strikes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
In a statement to the press by the President, the members of the Council confirmed that they welcomed the efforts of the Secretary-General to contribute to the solution of the crisis and approved of his intention to appoint diplomatic envoys. They reaffirmed their extreme concern with regard to the humanitarian situation and the fate of the two Australian humanitarian workers.
On 27 April the members of the Council heard a further briefing by the Emergency Relief Coordinator on the humanitarian situation in Kosovo, in the rest of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and in the region, and on the possible humanitarian impact of an oil embargo. Delegations once again expressed their concern with regard to the humanitarian situation, and some of them announced their intention t o propose that the Council take a formal position on the subject. The views of the members of the Council were again expressed through a statement to the press by the President.
