Introduction
The Republic of the Gambia assumed the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of March on 1 March 1998. Mr. Abdoulie Sallah, Permanent Representative of the Gambia to the United Nations, presided over the meetings of the Council for that month.It may be recalled that the Council, on 12 June 1997, decided that the delegation occupying the Presidency of the Council for each month must present a report on the assessment of the Council's work for that month. The report is to be attached as an addendum to its annual report to the General Assembly. This would obviously enhance the transparency of the Council.
During the month of March, the Council adopted seven resolutions and issued three presidential statements. The President of the Council, on numerous occasions, with the mandate of the Council, made statements to the press on the various issues that had been considered during informal consultations.
It may be noted also that the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Gambia, Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe, presided over two formal meetings of the Council.
The following is a brief description of how the items on the Council's agenda for the month of March were dealt with. The report is the exclusive responsibility of the Gambian delegation and does not necessarily represent the views of the members of the Council.
Africa
Angola
On 18 March, the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations presented the report of the Secretary-General and informed the Council about the continued pattern of deception and procrastination employed by UNITA to delay the full implementation of the Lusaka Protocol and the continued harassment of MONUA personnel by UNITA forces.
The Council strongly condemned the delays on the part of UNITA and its harassment of MONUA personnel. After the informal consultations, the President of the Council made a statement to the press condemning the aforementioned acts and calling on the parties to fulfil their obligations under the Lusaka Protocol and the relevant Security Council resolutions and to abide by the timetable for the peace process.
On 20 March, the Council adopted resolution 1157 (1998), in which the Council endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendations for a gradual downsizing of MONUA; decided to increase the number of civilian police observers to 83; and reiterated its belief that a meeting between President dos Santos and Mr. Savimbi could accelerate the process of peace and national reconciliation.
Central African Republic
The report of the Secretary-General on the Central African Republic of 23 February 1998 (S/1998/148 and Add.1) was presented to the Council by the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Hédi Annabi. The Council considered the proposal by the Secretary-General for a possible United Nations peacekeeping mission to the Central African Republic to replace MISAB, whose mandate was coming to an end.
On 16 March, acting on the report of the Secretary-General, the Council adopted resolution 1155 (1998), in which it extended the mandate of MISAB until 15 April 1998 in order to ensure a smooth transition to the prospective deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation.
On 27 March, following informal consultations, the Council adopted resolution 1159 (1998), by which it established the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) with effect from 15 April 1998, with a military component of not more than 1,350 personnel.
Great Lakes region
On 13 March, the Council was briefed by the Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Mr. Kieran Prendergast, about the negative developments in the Great Lakes region. The Council expressed concern about the developments and decided to remain seized of the matter.
The President made a statement to the press expressing the concerns of the Council.
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya
On 6 March, the Council reviewed the sanctions imposed against the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya pursuant to resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1992). The Council concluded that there was no agreement that the necessary conditions existed for modification of the measures imposed in paragraphs 3 to 7 of resolution 748 (1992).
Following requests received from Member States, the members agreed to convene an open debate on the Lockerbie issues in the light of the recent judgments of the International Court of Justice on the subject.
At the request of the members, the President made a statement to the press conveying the results of the sanctions review and the decision to hold a formal meeting on the Lockerbie issue on 20 March.
On 20 March, the Council convened a formal meeting on the Lockerbie issue. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of the Gambia, Dr. Momodou Lamin Sedat Jobe. Members of the Council and over 50 delegations participated in the debate, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Omar Mustafa Muntasser, who led the Libyan delegation.
Sierra Leone
The Council was briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Annabi on 13 March on the situation in Sierra Leone. The Council was informed of the return of President Kabbah to Freetown in response to the earlier presidential statement of the Council on the subject. The members welcomed this event and expressed their gratitude to ECOMOG and the humanitarian agencies for their efforts to bring normalcy to Sierra Leone. The members also noted with approval the proposals of the Secretary-General for the reopening of the United Nations office in Freetown.
The President of the Council informed the Council of a letter he had received from the Permanent Representative of Sierra Leone to the United Nations (S/1998/215), requesting that the Council consider lifting the sanctions against Sierra Leone relating to the importation of petrol and petroleum products. The members considered the request as a genuine one.
The President made a statement to the press welcoming the return to Freetown of President Kabbah, endorsing the reopening of the United Nations offices in Freetown and expressing the Council's support and encouragement for the efforts of the humanitarian agencies and ECOMOG forces.
On 16 March, the Council held formal consultations on Sierra Leone and adopted resolution 1156 (1998), by which it lifted the sanctions imposed against Sierra Leone relating to the import of petroleum and petroleum products.
On 25 March, during informal consultations, the Council considered the report of the Secretary-General (S/1998/249) of 18 March 1998 which contains the plan of the Secretary-General to strengthen the United Nations office in Freetown and plans for a possible United Nations involvement in Freetown in the disarmament and demobilization activities of the combatants by ECOMOG, including the possible deployment of military liaison and security advisory personnel to Freetown.
Western Sahara
On 5 March, the Council was briefed by Mr. Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, on the situation in Western Sahara. The members expressed satisfaction that the identification process was going smoothly. However, they expressed their disappointment at the fact that there were occasional delays, which were not helping the programme. Some members expressed their intention to help in the demining programme that is planned to precede the settlement plan.
Somalia
On 31 March, the Council was briefed by the Director of the Africa I Division of the Department of Political Affairs, Mr. Ramcharan, on the situation in Somalia. He informed the Council of the resumption of fighting in the Baidoa and Kismaya regions. Mention was also made of the recent attacks on humanitarian activities. Mr. Ramcharan also informed the Council of the postponement of the National Reconciliation Conference and the new outflow of refugees as a result of the precarious humanitarian situation in Somalia.
The members expressed concern at the resumption of fighting and the attacks on humanitarian activities. The members also expressed regret at the precarious humanitarian situation and the outflow of refugees as well as disappointment at the postponement of the National Reconciliation Conference.
At the request of the members, the President made a statement to the press expressing the concerns of the Council and urging the various factions to exercise restraint and to respect their obligations under the Cairo accords.
The Americas
Guatemala
During informal consultations on 18 March, the members of the Council were informed of the tragic crashing of a helicopter in Guatemala. The helicopter was said to have been carrying nine staff members of the United Nations Mission in Guatemala (MINUGUA), five of whom died and four of whom were seriously injured. The members expressed their profound condolences to the injured personnel and to the families and Governments of those who lost their lives.
The President made a statement to the press on behalf of the members of the Council expressing their condolences.
Haiti
The Council was briefed by the Head of the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti on the situation there. The members expressed satisfaction at the success of the Mission, considering that the Haitian National Police could now conduct their operations without the civilian police of the United Nations. Much emphasis was laid, however, on the discouraging human rights situation there and the lack of a political compromise in the country. Members lamented that the lack of a functional government in the country continues to cause considerable hardship.
On 25 March, the Council issued a presidential statement (S/PRST/1998/8), in which it welcomed and commended the activities of the United Nations in Haiti. Those included activities of the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH), UNDP and the International Civilian Mission in Haiti (MICIVIH). In the statement the Council also welcomed the progress made by the Haitian people towards the establishment of a durable democratic and constitutional system and the sustained improvement in security and stability in Haiti; expressed that the achievements so far should be matched by progress in other areas, including the development of a functioning legal system; reaffirmed that the people and Government of Haiti bear the ultimate responsibility for national reconciliation and the maintenance of a secure and stable environment; emphasized the importance of Haiti continuing to settle its contentious issues peacefully and democratically; and called on the international community and financial institutions, including relevant United Nations bodies, to assist in the post-conflict development of Haiti.
Asia/the Middle East
Iraq
Following the signing on 23 February 1998 of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Secretary-General and Mr. Tariq Aziz, the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq, the Security Council was briefed on the subject by the Secretary-General.
During formal consultations on 2 March 1998, the Council adopted resolution 1154 (1998), whereby it endorsed the Memorandum of Understanding and stressed that failure by Iraq to accord immediate unconditional and unrestricted access to the Special Commission and IAEA would have severest consequences. In it, the Council also commended the initiative of the Secretary-General to secure commitments from the Government of Iraq on compliance with its obligations.
The Executive Director of the Iraq Programme, Mr. Benon Sevan, briefed the Council on the progress made on the implementation of the "oil-for-food" programme and other humanitarian interventions in Iraq. He examined the successes of the programme as well as the constraints. It was shown that there was ample cooperation between Iraqi officials and all other relevant organizations and authorities in the implementation of the programme. The members of the Council, however, laid more emphasis on the problems of the programme. Members recognized as a constraint to the programme the lack of adequate personnel to monitor and inspect the humanitarian supplies that go into Iraq under the programme. It was also observed that the operating budget of the Iraq programme is very substantial, and therefore hopes were not expressed for its increase.
The members also expressed concern that the Iraq programme was not as diversified in all regions of the country as intended. The north was not receiving the amount of attention it deserved. That, too, was attributable to the lack of adequate personnel.
Of greater importance, however, the members examined the fact that supplies under the programme often reach Iraq very late. This was attributable to the desire by the Iraqi authorities to deal with small companies. This matter is being examined by the Executive Director of the Iraqi programme and the Iraqi authorities.
The Council had another briefing immediately thereafter on the work of the Committee established by resolution 661 (1990) to monitor the sanctions on Iraq. Its Chairman, Mr. Monteiro of Portugal, informed the Council that Iraq could not produce enough oil to meet its approved production under the oil-for-food programme of $2 billion. There was a shortfall of $400 million, attributable mainly to Iraq's reluctance to produce oil, problems with its oil production infrastructure owing to war damages and the persistent fall of oil prices in the world market. The question facing the Council was whether Iraq should be allowed to produce oil further under phase II of the programme to make up for the shortfall.
On 25 March, the Council again considered the humanitarian consequences for the Iraqi people resulting from the shortfall in revenue from the sale of petroleum and petroleum products during the first 90-day period of the implementation of resolution 1143 (1997), owing to the delayed resumption in the sale of petroleum by Iraq and the serious price drop since the adoption of resolution 1143 (1997). During its formal meeting, the Council adopted resolution 1158 (1998), in which it decided to extend the time-frame of resolution 1147 (1997) for a further period of 90 days and petroleum products sufficient to produce a sum not exceeding a total of $1.4 billion.
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 19 March, the Council considered the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. On 20 March, the Council held a formal meeting on the subject, during which the President of the Council made a statement on behalf of the Council (S/PRST/1998/7), in which the Council welcomed the announcement of 15 March 1998 relating to Br_ko by the Arbitral Tribunal pursuant to article V, annex 2 to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and called on the parties to implement the decision without delay.
Croatia
During informal consultations on 2 March, the members discussed the situation in Croatia and heard a briefing by Mr. Annabi, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations. He informed the members about the deteriorating situation regarding the reconciliation process in Eastern Slavonia. It had been revealed that harassment and intimidation of the Serbs had taken place in the country. After the consultations, the President made a statement to the press in which he expressed the Council's strong condemnation of the negative trends in the country, which threaten the reconciliation process, and the continued harassment of the Serbian people. The President called on the parties to honour their obligations under the accords.
At its formal meeting on 6 March, the Council made a statement through the President (S/PRST/1998/6), in which it expressed concern at the Croatian Government's lack of compliance with obligations assumed under the Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium. The Council also noted the relatively stable situation of the Danube region, but expressed concern about the increasing incidence of harassment and intimidation of the local Serb community and the failure of the Croatian Government to apply the process of national reconciliation at the local level. The Council further called on the Government of Croatia to ensure the safety, security and rights of all Croatian citizens, take measures to improve public confidence in the police and ensure full reintegration of the Danube region.
Cyprus
On 13 March 1998, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General for Cyprus, Mr. Diego Cordovez, briefed the members of the Security Council on the situation in Cyprus. He informed them of the growing tension on the island and his planned trip to the region as part of the Secretary-General's mission of good offices there. The members reiterated their full support for the mission of good offices of the Secretary-General in Cyprus in a bid to resolve the crisis. The members requested the President of the Council to make a statement to the press calling on the parties to take practical steps necessary to move the negotiation process.
On 31 March 1998, Mr. Cordovez briefed the Council on his visit to Cyprus, Athens and Ankara.
Georgia
On 13 March, Council members noted that elections were to take place in Abkhazia on 14 March 1998 for so-called local self-governing bodies. The members of the Council considered the elections illegitimate, as the holding of such elections could only be possible within the framework of a political status for Abkhazia that respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Georgia and provided for the full participation of all refugees. The members urged all parties to the dispute to move the peace process forward to reach a political settlement.
The President, at the request of the members, made a statement to the press along the lines of the matters discussed above.
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
On 11 March 1998, the members of the Council were briefed by Sir John Weston of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the outcome of the ministerial meeting of the Contact Group in London.
The members condemned the human rights abuses and unprovoked killings by the Serbian security forces. Also condemned were the acts of terrorism by the members of the Kosovo Liberation Army.
The President made a statement to the press at the request of the members calling on the parties to exercise utmost restraint and to enter into a dialogue to settle their differences.
On 31 March, the Council adopted resolution 1160 (1998), in which the Council, for the purpose of fostering peace, placed an arms embargo on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Tajikistan
The Council was briefed by Assistant Secretary-General Annabi on 25 March 1998 on the situation in Tajikistan. He informed the Council members that military elements of the United Tajik Opposition had attacked government police and security forces stationed east of Dushanbe, killing many of them, including civilians.
The members expressed concern over the loss of life of civilians and Tajik police. They strongly condemned the attack which they considered a gross violation of the peace accords. They called on both parties to take measures to settle their differences politically and also to respect their obligations under the peace accords.