SUMMARY STATEMENT BY THE SECRETARY-GENERAL ON MATTERS OF WHICH THE SECURITY COUNCIL IS SEIZED AND ON THE STAGE REACHED IN THEIR CONSIDERATION
Pursuant to rule 11 of the provisional rules of procedure of the Security Council, the Secretary-General is submitting the following summary statement.
The list of items of which the Security Council is seized is contained in documents S/20370 of 11 January 1989, S/20370/Add.16 of 2 May 1989, S/20370/Add.23 of 21 June 1989 and S/20370/Add.29 of 3 August 1989.
During the week ending 5 August 1989, the Security Council took action on the following items:
The question of hostage-taking and abduction
The Security Council met to consider the item at its 2872nd meeting, on 31 July 1989, in accordance with the understanding reached in the Council's prior consultations.
The President drew attention to the text of a draft resolution (S/20757), which had been submitted by Canada and Finland,
As agreed during the Security Council's prior consultations, the President, made the following statement:
"As we consider the adoption of the draft resolution on hostage-taking and abduction, we meet under the shadow of recent events and the cruel reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins, who serves the United Nations on a peace-keeping mission in Lebanon, may have been murdered today. I wish to express the full support of the Security Council for the statement made by the Secretary-General yesterday, 30 July, in this connection.
"The Security Council will seek further facts on tho developments of today, and urges those involved to act with reason, restraint and a proper respect for human life and dignity. The Security Council feels that. it should proceed without delay to the adoption of the draft resolution that we have been discussing in private on the subject of hostage-taking and abduction.
"There is a most tragic irony that our efforts to adopt a text on this matter should have coincided with the grave events of recent days.
"This illustrates, with utmost clarity, that we need to underline the necessity for effective international action on the subject of hostage-taking and abduction. Indeed, the expression of the unanimous view of the Security Council will, I am sure, serve to deter such unlawful, criminal and cruel acts in the future. "
The Security Council then proceeded to vote on the draft resolution (S/20757) and adopted it unanimously as resolution 638 (1989).
Resolution 638 (1989) reads as follows:
The Security Council,
Deeply disturbed by the prevalence of incidents of hostage-taking and abduction, and the continued protracted incarceration of many of those held hostage,
Considering that the taking of hostages and abductions are offences of grave concern to all States and s violations of international humanitarian law, having severe adverse consequences for the human rights of the victims and their families and for the promotion of friendly relations and co-operation among States,
Recalling Security Council resolutions 519 (1985) of 18 December 1985 and 618 (1988) of 29 July 1988 condemning all acts of hostage-taking and abduction,
Bearing in mind the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, adopted on 17 December 1979, 1/ the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agents, adopted on 14 December 1973, 2/ the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, signed on 23 September 1971, 3/ the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft, signed on 16 December 1970, 4/ and other relevant conventions,
1. Condemns unequivocally all acts of hostage-taking and abduction;
2. Demands the immediate release of all hostages and abducted persons, wherever and by whomever they are being held;
3. Calls upon upon all States to use their political influence in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law to secure the safe release of all hostages and abducted persons and to prevent the commission of acts of hostage-taking and abduction;
4. Expresses appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary-General in seeking the release of all hostages and abducted persons and invites him to continue such efforts whenever so requested by a State;
5. Appeals to all States that have not yet done so to consider becoming parties to the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages, the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons, including Diplomatic Agent, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Civil Aviation, the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft and other relevant conventions;
6. Urges the further development of international co-operation among States in devising and adopting effective measures which are in accordance with the rules of international law to facilitate the prevention, prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostage-taking and abduction as manifestations of terrorism.
__________
1/ General Assembly resolution 34/146, annex.
2/ General Assembly resolution 3166 (XXVIII), annex.
3/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 974, No.14118, p. 178.
4/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 860, No.12325, p. 105.
The situation in the Middle East (see S/7913, S/7923, S/7976, S/8000, S/8048, S/8066, S/8215, S/8242, S/8252, S/8269, S/8502, S/8525, S/8534, S/8564, S/8575, S/8584, S/8595, S/8747, S/8753, S/8807, S/8815, S/8828, S/8836, S/8885, S/8896, S/8960, S/9123, S/9135, S/9319, S/9382, S/9395, S/9406, S/9427 and Corr.1, S/9449, S/9452, S/9805, S/9812, S/9930, S/10327, S/10341, S/10554, S/10557, S/10703, S/10721, S/10729, S/10743, S/10770/Add.4, S/10855/Add.15, S/10855/Add.16, S/10855/Add.23, S/10855/Add.24, S/10855/Add.29, S/10855/Add.30, S/10855/Add.33, S/10855/Add.41, S/10855/Add.43, S/10855/Add.44, S/11185/Add.14, S/11185/Add.15, S/11185/Add.16, S/11185/Add.21, S/11185/Add.42/Rev.1, S/11185/Add.47, S/11593/Add.15, S/11593/Add.21, S/11593/Add.29, S/11593/Add.42, S/11593/Add.49, S/11935/Add.21, S/11935/Add.42, S/11935/Add.48, S/12269/Add.12, S/12269/Add.13, S/12269/Add.21, S/12269/Add.42, S/12269/Add.48, S/12520/Add.10, S/12520/Add.11, S/12520/Add.17, S/12520/Add.21, S/12520/Add.37, S/12520/Add.39, S/12520/Add.42, S/12520/Add.47, S/12520/Add.48, S/13033/Add.2, S/13033/Add.16, S/13033/Add.19, S/13033/Add.41, S/13033/Add.23, S/13033/Add.34, S/13033/Add.47, S/13033/Add.50, S/13737/Add.15, S/13737/Add.16, S/13737/Add.21, S/13737/Add.24, S/13737/Add.25, S/13737/Add.26, S/13737/Add.33, S/13737/Add.47, S/13737/Add.50, S/14326/Add.10, S/14326/Add.11, S/14326/Add.20, S/14326/Add.24, S/14326/Add.28, S/14326/Add.29, S/14326/Add.47, S/14326/Add.50, S/14840/Add.8, S/14840/Add.21, S/14840/Add.22, S/14840/Add.23, S/14840/Add.24, S/14840/Add.25, S/14840/Add.27, S/14840/Add.30, S/14840/Add.31, S/14840/Add.32, S/14840/Add.33, S/14840/Add.37, S/14840/Add.42, S/14840/Add.48, S/15560/Add.1, S/15560/Add.21, S/15560/Add.29. S/15560/Add.37, S/15560/Add.42, S/15560/Add.45, 8/15560/Add.47, S/15560/Add.48, S/16270/Add.6, S/16270/Add.8, S/16270/Add.15, S/16270/Add.20. S/16270/Add.21, S/16270/Add.34, S/16270/Add.35, S/16270/Add.40. S/16270/Add.47, S/16880/Add.8, S/16880/Add.9,S/16880/Add.10, S/16880/Add.15, S/16880/Add.20, S/16880/Add.21, S/16880/Add.41, S/16880/Add.46, S/17725/Add.29, S/17725/Add.15, S/17725/Add.21, S/17725/Add.28, S/17725/Add.35, S/17725/Add.37, S/17725/Add.38, S/17725/Add.43, S/17725/Add.47, S/18570/Add.2, S/18570/Add.21, S/18570/Add.30, S/18570/Add.47, S/19420/Add.2, S/19420/Add.3, S/19420/Add.4, S/19420/Add.18, S/19420/Add.19, S/19420/Add.22 and Corr.1, S/19420/Add.30, S/19420/Add.48, S/19420/Add.50, S/20370/Add.4, S/20370/Add.12, S/20370/Add.16 and S/20370/Add.21).
At its 2873rd meeting, on 31 July 1989, the Security Council resumed its consideration of the item, having before it the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) covering the period 25 January 1989 to 21 July 1989 (S/20742).
The President drew attention to the text of a draft resolution, S/20755, which had been prepared in the course of the Security Council's consultations.
The Security Council then proceeded to vote on the draft resolution (S/20755) and adopted it unanimously as resolution 639 (1989).
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolution 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978, 501 (1982) of 25 February 1982, 508 (1982) of 5 June 1982, 509 (1982) of 6 June 1982 and 520 (1982) of 17 September 1982, as well as all its resolutions on the situation in Lebanon,
Having studied the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon of 21 July 1989 1/ and taking note of observations expressed therein,
Taking note of the letter dated 13 July 1989 from the Permanent Representative of Lebanon to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General, 2/
Responding to the request of the Government of Lebanon,
1. Decides to extend the present mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon for a further interim period of six months, that is, until 31 January 1990;
2. Reiterates its strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries;
3. Re-emphasizes the terms of reference and general guidelines of the Force as stated in the report of the Secretary-General of 19 March 1978, 3/ approved by resolution 426 (1978), and calls upon all parties concerned to co-operate fully with the Force for the full implementation of its mandate;
4. Reiterates that the Force should fully implement its mandate as defined in resolutions 425 (1978), 426 (1978) and all other relevant resolutions;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to continue consultations with the Government of Lebanon and other parties directly concerned with the implementation of the present resolution and to report to the Security Council thereon.
___________
1/ S/20742.
2/ S/20733.
3/ Official Records of the Security Council, Thirty-third Year, Supplement for January, February and March 1978, document S/12611.
Following the voting, the President stated that, as a result of consultations among members of the Security Council, he had been authorized to make the following statement (S/20758) on behalf of the Council:
"The members of the Security Council note with deep regret and sorrow that, during the current mandate period, UNIFIL has suffered additional loss of life and other casualties as a result of various serious incidents in the area of its deployment, including the harassment of its personnel by various armed groups and forces.
"The members of the Council convey in this regard their deep-felt sympathy and condolences to the Governments of Ireland, Norway and Sweden and, through them, to the bereaved families of the victims and pay tribute to the valiant action, courage and self-sacrifice manifested by all the members of UNIFIL, in service of the ideals of peace in the region.
"They take note with great concern of reports appearing today that Lieutenant-Colonel Higgins may have been murdered in Lebanon and, should these reports prove to be true, express their outrage that such a cruel and criminal act should be committed against an officer who serves the United Nations on a peace-keeping mission in Lebanon. They draw attention to Security Council resolution 638 (1989) adopted this morning and condemn all acts of hostage-taking and abduction and demand the immediate safe release of all hostages and abducted persons wherever and by whomever they are being held.
"Given the serious situation in the zone of UNIFIL operations, the members of the Security Council consider it important to reaffirm their profound concern over the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel, who are exposed to constant threats and danger.
"The members of the Security Council note with appreciation that, as stated in the latest Secretary-General's report on UNIFIL (S/20742), 'significant efforts have been undertaken to improve the security of UNIFIL personnel and facilities' during the current mandate period.
"They call upon all parties to do their utmost in order to ensure the effective reinforcement of the security of the members of the Force and to enable UNIFIL to carry out its mandate, as laid down in Security Council resolution 425 (1978)."
