SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF ANGOLA VERIFICATION MISSION UNTIL 8 MAY

8 February 1996

Press Release
SC/6175

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS MANDATE OF ANGOLA VERIFICATION MISSION UNTIL 8 MAY

19960208 Resolution 1045 (1996) Reminds Angolan Government And UNITA of Obligations to Consolidate Peace Process

The Security Council this morning extended the mandate of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) until 8 May. By unanimously adopting resolution 1045 (1996), the Council expressed concern at numerous delays in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and reminded the Angolan Government and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) of their obligation to consolidate the peace process. It urged them to maintain the cease-fire, conclude their talks on integration of the armed forces, undertake demining and commence the integration of UNITA personnel into administrative and governmental institutions.

The UNAVEM III was established in February 1995 to help the Government of Angola and UNITA restore peace and achieve national reconciliation. The mission is to be concluded by February 1997 with the achievement of the objectives of the 1994 Lusaka Protocol. The Protocol consists of eight annexes, covering all military, legal and political issues agreed to at peace talks which preceded it and contains a schedule that envisions completion by February 1997. One of the main military issues concerns the withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of the military forces of UNITA.

By this morning's resolution, the Security Council welcomed the efforts of the Government of Angola to cease offensive operations, withdraw its troops from offensive positions in the vicinity of UNITA quartering areas, release all prisoners of war registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), begin the quartering of its rapid reaction police and terminate the contract of expatriate personnel. It expressed the expectation that the Government would continue its efforts towards the full implementation of its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol.

Expressing deep concern at the slow pace of quartering and disarming UNITA troops, the Council noted the public commitment by UNITA to quarter its troops in an expeditious and comprehensive fashion. It reiterated its conviction that the quartering of UNITA forces, as the first step in its

transformation to a legitimate political party, is a crucial component of the peace process.

It urged UNITA to immediately proceed with the orderly, large-scale and verifiable movement of its troops to quartering areas in strict adherence to the new timetable agreed upon by the parties on 9 January, and to complete quartering of its units within the time of the new mandate.

The Security Council urged the international community to continue to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Angolan economy, provided that the two parties meet their obligations.

The Secretary-General was requested to report to the Council by 7 March and by 4 April and 1 May on the progress made by the Angolan Government and UNITA in taking concrete steps towards meeting the goals and timetable agreed between them.

An orientation debate concerning the situation in Angola was held by the Council on Tuesday, 6 February, at which statements were made by 25 Member States. In his report to the Council (document S/1996/75), the Secretary- General states that the peace process in Angola has been proceeding at a disappointingly slow pace. Since August 1995, recurring impasses had alternated with brief periods of cooperation between the Government and UNITA, and the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol is still woefully behind schedule. The 9 January agreement between the Government and UNITA on a new timetable to move the peace process forward is a welcome development. Major steps, however, need to be taken to dispel the international community's growing impatience and scepticism about the peace process. "The time has come to match promises with concrete action", the Secretary-General says. (For summaries of statements in the debate and of the Secretary-General's report, see Press Release SC/6173, of 6 February.)

The Council meeting, which was called to order at ll:50 a.m., was adjourned at ll:55 a.m.

Resolution Adopted

The text of resolution 1045 (1996) reads as follows:

"The Security Council

"Reaffirming its resolution (696) 1991 of 30 May 1991 and all subsequent relevant resolutions,

"Having considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 31 January 1996 (S/1996/75),

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"Reaffirming its commitment to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Angola,

"Reiterating the importance it attaches to the full implementation by the Government of Angola and Uniao Nacional para a independencia Total de Angola (UNITA) of the 'Acordos de Paz' (S/22609, annex), the Lusaka Protocol (S/1944/1441, annex) and relevant Security Council resolutions,

"Deeply concerned at delays in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and the lack of steady progress towards lasting peace,

"Concerned also at the deteriorating humanitarian situation in many parts of Angola and, in particular, at the lack of security guarantees and freedom of movement for the personnel of humanitarian organizations,

"Emphasizing the importance of reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Angolan national economy and its vital contribution to durable peace,

"Recalling its resolution 976 (1995) of 8 February 1995 which stated, inter alia, the expectation that UNAVEM III would complete its mission by February 1997,

"Noting that one half of the duration of UNAVEM III's mission, as envisaged, in resolution 976 (1995), has already elapsed, while implementation of the Lusaka Protocol is seriously behind schedule,

"Noting also the agreement between the Government of Angola and UNITA of 21 December 1995, and welcoming the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Representative and the three observer States to the Angolan peace process to facilitate the establishment of a revised timetable for implementing the tasks in the agreement between the two parties at Bailundo of 9 January 1996,

"Welcoming the efforts by Member States, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and the international community as a whole to promote peace and security in Angola,

"1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General dated 31 January 1996;

"2. Decides to extend the mandate of UNAVEM III until 8 May 1996;

"3. Expresses deep concern at the numerous delays in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, reminds the Government of Angola and UNITA of their obligations to consolidate the peace process and, in this regard, urges them to maintain an effective cease-fire, conclude their military talks on integration of the armed forces, undertake active engagement in the demining process, and commence the integration of UNITA personnel into administrative

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and governmental institutions in furtherance of the objective of national reconciliation;

"4. Welcomes the positive steps taken by the Government of Angola in implementing its commitments, in particular the cessation of offensive operations, the withdrawal of its troops from offensive positions in the vicinity of UNITA quartering areas, the release of all prisoners registered by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the beginning of the quartering of the rapid reaction police, and the termination of contracts of expatriate personnel as agreed;

"5. Expresses the expectation that the Government of Angola will continue its progress with the goal of fully implementing its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol, including quartering of the rapid reaction police, deployment to barracks of the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA), completion of the repatriation of expatriate personnel as agreed, and the drawing up of a programme for disarming the civilian population;

"6. Expresses deep concern at the slow pace of quartering and disarming UNITA troops, notes the public commitment by UNITA to quarter its troops in an expeditious and comprehensive fashion and reiterates its conviction that the quartering of UNITA forces, as the first step in its transformation to a legitimate political party, is a crucial component of the peace process;

"7. Urges UNITA to proceed immediately with the orderly, large-scale and verifiable movement of its troops to the quartering areas at Vila Nova, Lunduimbali, Negage and Quibaxe, without further interruption, in strict adherence to the new timetable agreed by the parties on 9 January 1996, and in full cooperation with UNAVEM III;

"8. Calls upon UNITA, following completion of this initial quartering, to proceed immediately with the orderly movement of all its troops to the other quartering areas and to conclude all quartering within the time of this mandate renewal;

"9. Also calls upon UNITA to extend full cooperation to UNAVEM III and the Joint Commission at all levels, including the exchange of military information as required by the Lusaka Protocol;

"10. Further calls upon UNITA to release all remaining prisoners;

"11. Calls upon the two parties, in particular UNITA, to ensure the freedom of movement of people and goods throughout the country;

"12. Also calls upon the two parties, in particular UNITA, to cooperate fully with humanitarian organizations by granting them all the necessary security guarantees and freedom of movement to facilitate their work;

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"13. Reminds the Government of Angola and UNITA of their obligation to cease the dissemination of hostile propaganda;

"14. Notes the importance attached to the dissemination of impartial information by UNAVEM radio and calls upon the Government of Angola to provide all the facilities necessary for the independent functioning of that radio;

"15. Encourages both the President of Angola and the Chairman of UNITA to meet, as soon as possible and thereafter on a regular basis, to promote mutual confidence and achieve the full, fair and speedy implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, including its provisions on national reconciliation and other outstanding issues;

"16. Commends the Joint Commission for the positive role it continues to play in support of the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol;

"17. Commends also the efforts of the Secretary-General, his Special Representative and the personnel of UNAVEM III to facilitate the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol;

"18. Urges the international community to continue to provide the assistance necessary to facilitate the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Angolan national economy, provided that the two parties meet their obligations under the Lusaka Protocol;

"19. Reaffirms the obligation of all States to implement fully the provisions of paragraph 19 of resolution 864 (1993);

"20. Urges all States, in particular those neighbouring Angola, to facilitate the process of national reconciliation in Angola and to take steps in their territory to facilitate full implementation of the provisions of the Lusaka Protocol;

"21. Requests the Secretary-General to report by 7 March 1996, 4 April 1996 and 1 May 1996 on the progress made by the Government of Angola and UNITA in taking concrete steps towards meeting the goals and timetable agreed between them, and to keep the Council fully informed on developments in the situation on the ground, so that the Council may respond appropriately;

"22. Expresses its readiness, in light of recommendations by the Secretary-General and developments in Angola, to consider any further measures;

"23. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."

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