This assessment was prepared under the supervision of Ambassador Danilo Türk, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the UN, in accordance with note of the President of the Security Council, dated 12 June 1997 (S/1997/451). Although other members of the Security Council were consulted about its contents, the assessment does not necessarily represent the views of the Council as a whole.

Introduction

Contrary to prevalent expectations, August 1998 was a demanding month, requiring quick and harmonized actions of the Security Council. Under the Presidency of Ambassador Danilo Türk, Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations, the members of the Security Council paid particular attention to a new set of difficulties in the relations between the United Nations and Iraq, following the decision of Iraq on 5 August to suspend its cooperation with the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM).

The month also witnessed the deterioration of other situations already on the Security Council's agenda and an outbreak of new crises. In addition to the situation with Iraq, the members of the Security Council thus addressed the eruption of conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the escalation of warfare in Afghanistan, a serious deterioration of the situation in Angola, and the deepening crisis in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The Security Council also addressed the acts of international terrorism in Kenya and Tanzania, and launched a major initiative on the trial of the Pan Am flight 103 bombing suspects. In all these situations the Security Council acted in exercise of its primary responsibility for international peace and security.

During the month of August, the Security Council held 9 formal meetings and its members met 17 times in informal consultations. The Council adopted 5 resolutions and issued 3 presidential statements. It extended one United Nations peacekeeping mandate and adopted the text of the letter from the President of the Security Council addressed to the President of the General Assembly. Several expert meetings were convened in August, as well as one meeting between the members of the Security Council, the Secretariat and troop contributing States. At the end of each meeting at which informal consultations were held, the President of the Council briefed the press. The President spoke on behalf of the members of the Security Council on several occasions, delivering a total of 15 oral statements to the press.

Accounts of the informal consultations were provided regularly for the benefit of States that are not members of the Security Council. These briefings took place immediately after the consultations. The Presidency also established the practice of posting oral statements to the press on its Internet website (www.undp.org/missions/slovenia) within hours of their delivery, thus furthering the openness and transparency of the work of the Security Council.

Africa

Acts of International Terrorism

Simultaneous bomb attacks on the United States embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam on 7 August 1998 killed more than 260 people and injured some 5,500 others. The members of the Security Council discussed the bombings on 11 August. Following the informal consultations, the Council President made a statement to the press in which he expressed, on behalf of the members of the Security Council, deepest condolences to the Governments of the Republic of Kenya, of the United Republic of Tanzania and of the United States of America, as well as to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. He also condemned these terrorist attacks as outrageous and cowardly acts.

On 13 August, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1189 (1998) in which it called on the international community to cooperate in apprehending the perpetrators of these two terrorist attacks and to adopt effective and practical measures for the prevention of such acts of terrorism. In a formal meeting, the Council also paid respects to the memory of those who lost their lives in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam by observing a minute of silence.

Angola

The Security Council followed with great concern reports of the deteriorating situation in Angola. On 10 August, the Council President chaired a meeting of the Council members and representatives of States that are contributing troops to the United Nations Observer Mission in Angola (MONUA). During informal consultations on 11 August, the Council members discussed the report of the Secretary-General on MONUA, dated 6 August 1998 (S/1998/723). Further consultations, which were held on 13 August, resulted in the unanimous adoption of resolution 1190 (1998), which extended the mandate of MONUA for one month, until 15 September 1998. The members of the Council called in the strongest possible terms upon the Government of Unity and National Reconciliation (GURN) and, in particular, the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), to refrain from any steps which could further exacerbate the situation in the country. The Secretary-General was requested to prepare recommendations regarding the future role of the United Nations in Angola in his next report, due 31 August 1998.

Prompted by the serious aggravation of the situation, the Council members again consulted informally on Angola on 25 August, when they were briefed by the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi. In a statement to the press following the consultations, the President of the Council expressed grave concern over the situation in Angola due to the lack of progress in peaceful settlement and outbreaks of renewed fighting, and noted that the primary responsibility for this state of affairs lies with UNITA. The President, on behalf of the Council members, also expressed support for the newly-appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General in his mission to help the Angolan Government and UNITA fulfill their Lusaka Protocol commitments.

Burundi

The members of the Security Council were briefed on the situation in Burundi on 5 August, in the wake of the second round of talks in Arusha. The Secretariat reported that representatives of the international community and the eighteen parties who took part in the talks, characterized them as successful. In an oral statement to the press following the informal consultations, the President of the Council welcomed the progress achieved and urged all the parties to refrain from recourse to violence. He also expressed the hope that further progress will be made in the continuation of the peace process, which would enable also the lifting of the remaining sanctions.

Central African Republic

On 26 August, the Security Council members considered the second report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA), dated 21 August 1998 (S/1998/783). Most of the Council members expressed support for the recommendations of the Secretary-General, notably the recommendation to expand the mandate of MINURCA to include assistance to the elections process in the Central African Republic. During the briefing, the Secretariat noted that assistance in organizing post-conflict elections falls under the responsibility of a peacekeeping operation. The Council members largely supported this view. A contrary view was also expressed.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

The crisis in the DR Congo blew up suddenly. On 2 August, shots heard in Kinshasa and in the east of the country marked the start of an armed rebellion by Banyamulenge Tutsi units and other troops dissatisfied with the Government of the DR Congo. The Government's initial response was to accuse both Rwanda and Uganda of invading the country and to register complaints with the Security Council, on 4 and 10 August 1998.

On 5 August, the Secretariat briefed the Council members on the situation on the ground. After the informal consultations of the whole, the President of the Council spoke to the media and voiced concern at the reports of the violence. On behalf of the Council members, the President also expressed support for the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the DR Congo and other countries in the region, and appealed for safety of civilians and humanitarian personnel.

Despite these appeals, however, the conflict continued unabated in the following days. The rebels captured the main towns in the east of the country - Goma, Bukavu and Uvira. By 13 August, within two weeks of launching their uprising, the rebels had taken the Inga hydroelectric power plant, which supplies Kinshasa's electricity, and the river port of Matadi, which provides most of the capital's food imports. After informal consultations that day, the President called for an end to hostilities and repeated the Council members' appeal to all States in the region to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DR Congo. In response to reports of attacks on Tutsis in Kinshasa, he also called for immediate cessation of ethnic persecution. The President expressed the Council members' support for the regional initiatives underway, including by ministers of the Organization of African Unity, to end the hostilities by peaceful means.

Instead of coming to a peaceful resolution, however, the conflict evolved into a full-fledged war in mid-August. The Government of the DR Congo appealed for and received help from a number of African countries. For their part, the rebels captured Kisangani, the second biggest town in the DR Congo.

Against this backdrop of the escalation in fighting, the Council members again held informal consultations on the situation in the DR Congo on 24 and 25 August. After the first of these discussions, the President made an oral statement to the press, in which he expressed the Council members' support for the regional diplomatic initiatives aimed at a peaceful settlement of the conflict, including the initiative of Southern African Development Community, and called for protection of civilians and the security of humanitarian personnel.

The members of the Security Council again took up the issue of the situation in the DR Congo on 31 August. The Council members were also briefed by the minister of state planning of the DR Congo, Mr. Badimanyi Delembu Mulumba, in an Arria formula meeting. Later that day, in a formal statement by the Council President

(S/PRST/1998/26), the Security Council called for an immediate cease-fire and the withdrawal of all foreign forces from the DR Congo. The Council also encouraged the Secretary-General to continue to consult with regional leaders about ways to bring about a peaceful and durable solution to the conflict, and to keep it informed about developments and his own efforts.

ICTR

During a formal meeting on 18 August, on the basis of understanding reached in informal consultations the day before, the Security Council decided to extend the deadline for nominations of judges of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), until 14 September 1998. The decision was published in a letter by the President of the Security Council to the Secretary-General (S/1998/761).

Liberia

On 12 August, Ambassador Bernd Niehaus of Costa Rica was unanimously elected the new Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 985 (1995) concerning Liberia.

Libya

Almost ten years after the terrorist bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie, a very important development was recorded in the Security Council's consideration of this matter. On 24 August, the United Kingdom and the United States presented their initiative for the trial of the two persons charged with that bombing to be held before a Scottish court sitting in the Netherlands.

The members of the Council welcomed this initiative. Many of them noted that it corresponds to one of the options which had been advocated by the League of Arab States, the Organization of African Unity, the Movement of the Non-Aligned Countries and the Organization of Islamic Conference. Indeed, Libya itself had on several occasions called for a trial before a Scottish court sitting in a third country. It was not surprising, then, that the members of the Council embraced this initiative.

The high degree of convergence of views of its members enabled the Council to work successfully on the text of the resolution endorsing this initiative and to proceed to its unanimous adoption on 27 August as resolution 1192 (1998). By this resolution the Security Council welcomed the United Kingdom - United States initiative and decided that Libya should ensure appearance in the Netherlands of the two accused. The Council further requested the Secretary-General to assist with the arrangements for the safe transfer of the two accused. Finally, it reaffirmed the continued validity of the measures set forth in its previous resolutions 748 (1992) and 883 (1993) which would be suspended immediately upon the Secretary-General's report that the two accused have arrived in the Netherlands and that the Libyan Government has satisfied the French judicial authorities with regard to another terrorist attack, the bombing of UTA 772.

Rwanda

On 27 August, the members of the Security Council held informal consultations on the interim report of the International Commission of Inquiry for Rwanda, dated 19 August 1998 (S/1998/777). Following the discussion, the President of the Council made an oral statement to the press, in which he expressed the Council members' support for the work of the Commission and their desire to receive further recommendations in the Commission's final report due in November. On behalf of the Council members, the President also called upon the Government of Rwanda and all other concerned Governments in the Great Lakes region to cooperate with the International Commission of Inquiry.

Sierra Leone

The Council followed closely developments in Sierra Leone. In his first progress report on the United Nations Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL), dated 12 August 1998 (S/1998/750), the Secretary-General noted that although incidents of mutilation appeared to have greatly declined, there was still strong evidence of the systematic and widespread perpetration of multiple forms of human rights abuse against the civilian population by the RUF/AFRC fighters.

On 18 August, the Council members received a briefing by the Secretariat on the situation in Sierra Leone. Despite the rainy season, the ECOMOG forces continued to advance, recapturing Kabala in the north. The deployment of the first contingent of United Nations military observers proceeded smoothly. In this connection, some Council members cautioned against the possibility of stationing the UNOMSIL personnel at the border between Liberia and Sierra Leone. Several Council members also welcomed the outcome of the Special Conference on Sierra Leone, which was convened by the Secretary-General on 30 July 1998 at the United Nations Headquarters, especially the establishment of an international contact group to mobilize and coordinate further support for Sierra Leone and the ECOMOG forces.

In a statement to the press following the informal consultations, the President, on behalf of the Council members, welcomed the rapid deployment of the United Nations military observers in Sierra Leone under adequate security conditions and urged armed elements of the former junta and the rebels to lay down their arms. The President reaffirmed the Council members' determination to help the Government of Sierra Leone to restore peace and security in the country and called upon the international community to assist the Government in carrying out its plan of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The President emphasized that important achievements have been made in Sierra Leone and urged all Sierra Leoneans to accelerate the process of national reconciliation and reconstruction.

Somalia

The members of the Security Council continued to monitor the situation in Somalia. Following the monthly appraisal of the situation on 27 August, the President again registered, on behalf of the Council members, support for the people of Somalia in their efforts to consolidate the relative peace in the country. The President also encouraged the Somali leaders to set aside their differences and work together for the benefit of all the people of Somalia.

Sudan

On 20 August, the Permanent Representative of the United States of America addressed a letter to the President of the Council (S/1998/780), informing him that the US Armed Forces launched a military action against a facility in the Sudan on the basis of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. According to the letter, the Sudanese facility was being used to produce chemical weapons and the American attack was carefully designed to minimize risks of collateral damage.

On 21 August, the Council President received a letter from the Permanent Representative of the Sudan (S/1998/786), requesting the convening of an urgent meeting of the Security Council to discuss the situation in the Sudan following the American strike and to send a technical mission to Khartoum to establish the facts surrounding the activities of the al-Shifa Pharmaceuticals industries plant.

In response to these developments, the members of the Security Council discussed the situation in the Sudan during informal consultations on 24 August. The discussion revealed that the Council members need more time to determine further actions.

During informal consultations on 28 August, the Council President summarized the results of his bilateral consultations with the Council members about the situation. These showed that the members of the Council share the view that the issue needs to be dealt with gradually and that the Council needs more factual information about the events in Khartoum.

Western Sahara

On 26 August, the members of the Security Council considered the report of the Secretary-General, dated 18 August 1998 (S/1998/775), concerning progress in the identification process in Western Sahara. The Secretariat reported that 145,928 persons had been identified by mid-August and that the identification process should be completed by the end of the month. In their discussions, the Council members expressed support for the efforts of the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Mr. James A. Baker III. They also voiced concern over the still unsettled question of the identification of tribal groupings H41, H61 and J51/52, the unsigned status-of-forces agreement, and holdup of the demining activities.

Asia

Afghanistan

The Security Council devoted considerable attention to the issue of Afghanistan during the month of August, due to the increasing military tensions and the worsening security situation in the country. The Council members were first briefed on the military and humanitarian developments in Afghanistan on 5 August. During the informal consultations, members of the Council agreed to assign their experts to work on a Statement by the President. After the meeting, the President of the Council spoke to the media and emphasized the Council members' alarm at the intensification of the armed conflict in the country.

On 6 August, in a statement by the President of the Security Council (S/PRST/1998/24), the Council expressed grave concern at the new sharp escalation of the military confrontation in Afghanistan, demanded an urgent and unconditional cease-fire, and called upon all Afghan parties to return to the negotiating table in order to create a broad-based and fully representative government. Moreover, the Council called upon all States to refrain from any outside interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. It also called upon all Afghan parties and, in particular, the Taliban, to secure the uninterrupted supply of humanitarian aid and to assure the safety and freedom of movement of the humanitarian personnel. In this connection, it condemned the killing of the two Afghan staff-members of the World Food Programme (WFP).

On 13 August, the Council members were briefed again by the Secretariat on the situation in Afghanistan, in the light of the military developments on the ground. Concern was expressed over the continuing escalation of the armed conflict caused by the Taliban forces offensive. In an oral statement to the press the Council President therefore emphasized the need for respect of humanitarian law and human rights. He also expressed, on behalf of the Council members, deep concern at the report of the capture by the Taliban of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Mazar-e-Sharif and the rough treatment of its personnel. The perpetrators of this flagrant violation of the recognized norms and principles of international law were strongly warned against causing any further harm to their captives. The Council President demanded immediate release of the personnel of the Consulate-General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as the IRNA correspondent in the city.

On 20 August, in the wake of the 7 August bombings of the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam, the US Armed Forces struck at a series of training camps and installations in Afghanistan. In a letter to the Council President (S/1998/780), the Permanent Representative of the United States of America reported that the action was taken on the basis of Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, that it was directed against the training facilities of the Bin Ladin organization, and that it was taken only after repeated efforts to convince the Taliban regime in Afghanistan to shut down these terrorist activities. In this connection, the Council President received a letter from the Permanent Representative of Pakistan, dated 24 August 1998 (S/1998/794), informing the Council about the bilateral protest that Pakistan delivered to the United States over the violation of its airspace by American missiles. In the informal consultations of 26 August, the Secretariat informed the Council members of the withdrawal of the United Nations staff from Afghanistan to Pakistan, until the security situation in the country improves. This decision was taken following an attack on two officials of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA) and the subsequent death of an Italian military adviser.

Finally, on 28 August, the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 1193 (1998) on Afghanistan. In the resolution the Council condemned the attacks on the United Nations personnel in the Taliban-held territories and demanded the assurance of their safety and freedom of movement, as well as the safety of the personnel of the Consulate-General of Iran in Afghanistan. It reiterated that the Afghan crisis could be settled only by peaceful means and demanded that the Afghan factions refrain from harboring and training terrorists and their organizations and that they halt illegal drug activities.

Cambodia

During the informal meeting of the whole on 6 August, the members of the Security Council discussed the general elections in Cambodia, which took place on 26 July 1998. The voting and the counting of votes were followed by several hundred international monitors. The Secretariat and the Council members judged the elections to be sufficiently free and fair to reflect credibly the will of the Cambodian people.

Tajikistan

On 19 August, the Council members considered the interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan, dated 13 August 1998 (S/1998/754), and an annex to the report, dated 17 August 1998 (S/1998/754/Add. 1). In his report, the Secretary-General recommended that the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) should be provided with better communications equipment and additional hard-skinned vehicles, in order to give its personnel at least passive protection. The members of the Council welcomed this intention and formally took note of it in a letter addressed to the Secretary-General, dated 28 August 1998 (S/1998/818).

During the consideration of the interim report, the Council members were also informed by the Secretariat that a United States national, member of UNMOT, was found dead in his apartment on 17 August. In an oral statement to the press following the consultations, the President of the Council therefore expressed the condolences of the Council members to the United States at the death of its national and urged the Tajik authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of this incident. He also called, on behalf of the Council members, for an acceleration of the investigation of the murder of four members of UNMOT on 20 July 1998.

On 26 August, the Secretariat briefed the members of the Council about the decision of the Secretary-General to temporarily relocate the non-essential internationally recruited staff members of the United Nations system from Tajikistan to Uzbekistan. Many of the relocated staff were military observers from UNMOT. The relocation was based on warnings about the activities of a renegade group operating in Dushanbe, including the possibility of hostage-taking.

Europe

ICTY

On 27 August, following a shortlisting procedure, the Security Council adopted resolution 1191 (1998), by which it forwarded a list of nine candidates to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to the General Assembly. Elections to three seats on the Tribunal were to be held during the 53rd Session of the General Assembly.

Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

The month of August 1998 was, in a way, decisive for the situation in Kosovo, as the fighting intensified. The effects of the conflict had a devastating impact on the civilian population and greatly increased the numbers of refugees and displaced persons. The Security Council dealt with the situation in Kosovo twice: on 11 August, when the President of the Council delivered an oral statement to the press, and on 24 August, when it adopted a Presidential Statement. The Security Council decided to continue to follow the situation in Kosovo closely. The Council members held informal consultations of the whole on 11 August to discuss the report of the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 1160 (1998), dated 5 August 1998 (S/1998/712). They deplored the excessive use of force by Belgrade's security forces and expressed grave concern at the intensified fighting. The Council members stressed the importance of the implementation of resolution 1160 (1998), called for an immediate cease-fire and urged the parties to start negotiations. The members of the Council expressed concern about the increased numbers of refugees and displaced persons and the appalling humanitarian situation. After the consultations, the Council President made an oral statement to the press on behalf of the members of the Council.

Following the announcement by the leadership of the Kosovo Albanian community of the formation of a negotiating team to represent the interests of the Kosovo Albanian community on 13 August, the members of the Council agreed to adopt a more formal reaction of the Council to the deteriorating situation in Kosovo. On 24 August, the Security Council adopted Presidential Statement (S/PRST/1998/25), welcoming the formation of the negotiating team and expressing concern over intensive fighting and dangerous implications of the conflict for the stability of the region. The Council also expressed grave concern over the humanitarian situation and emphasized the importance of unhindered and continuous access for the humanitarian organizations. The Council reaffirmed the commitment of all Member States to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and emphasized the importance of achieving a political solution to the conflict. In this connection, the Council urged both sides to enter immediately into a meaningful dialogue with the aim of ending the violence and achieving a peaceful settlement.

Middle East

Iraq

In the beginning of August, the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Special Commission (UNSCOM) visited Baghdad to conduct discussions with the Government of Iraq on outstanding priority issues of disarmament. On 3 August, the Executive Chairman, reporting from Baghdad, informed the Security Council, through its President, about the breakdown of these discussions. Two days later, on 5 August, Iraq announced partial suspension of its cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA.

The Council members began consideration of this worrisome development at the informal consultations on 6 August. Following the briefing by the Executive Chairman and consideration of his written report, the Council members listened to the Secretary-General who reported on his activities and efforts to attain a reversal of Iraqi decision which, in his opinion, violated the relevant resolutions and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq and himself on 23 February 1998. He also offered the idea of a comprehensive review of Iraq's compliance with its obligations. A number of the Council members voiced their support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and expressed interest in discussing the idea of a comprehensive review. In an oral statement to the press following the consultations, the President of the Council expressed the view of the Council members that the Iraqi announcement to suspend cooperation was totally unacceptable and contravened the relevant Security Council resolutions and MOU. Further, the members of the Council noted that this announcement was made after a period of improved cooperation and some tangible progress achieved since the signing of the MOU. They reiterated their endorsement of the MOU, reaffirmed support for UNSCOM and IAEA, and called for an early resumption of dialogue between Iraq and the two agencies. Reaffirming their commitment to comprehensive implementation of the Council's resolutions, in particular resolution 687 (1991), they expressed their intention to respond favorably to future progress made in the disarmament process.

The decision by Iraq to suspend partially its cooperation had adverse effects on the ability of IAEA and UNSCOM to implement their mandates. The results of restrictions imposed by Iraq were reported to the Security Council by the Director General of the IAEA and the Executive Chairman of UNSCOM in their letters of 11 and 12 August, respectively (S/1998/766 and S/1998/767). The President of the Council replied to these letters on 18 August 1998, conveying full support of the Council members for the IAEA and UNSCOM in the full implementation of their mandates, and recalling the obligation of Iraq to provide the cooperation necessary for their activities, including inspections (S/1998/768 and S/1998/769).

Suspension of Iraqi cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA reflected negatively on the discussions in the Council during periodic sanctions review, held on 20 August. The Council members met that day to conduct the fortieth 60-day review and the twentieth 120-day review pursuant to resolutions 687 (1991) and 700 (1991). These reviews showed that the necessary conditions did not exist for the modification of the sanctions regime. The members of the Council reiterated that the decision by Iraq to suspend cooperation was totally unacceptable. Expressing their extreme concern at the continuing refusal by the Government of Iraq to rescind this decision, the Council members vowed to remain actively seized of the matter. Following the review, the President of the Council conveyed these views in his oral statement to the press.

In disregard of repeated position of the Security Council and in spite of the efforts by the Secretary-General and others, Iraq did not resume full cooperation with UNSCOM and IAEA. On 24 August, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General briefed the Council members on his mission to Baghdad which failed to result in a resumption of full cooperation. Most members of the Council expressed their growing concern at this situation. Some announced their intention to prepare elements for further Council action. The consultations concluded with an understanding that the Council would continue its deliberations on this issue.

Other Issues - Methods of Work

Non-Paper by the President

On 28 August, the President of the Council convened an informal meeting of the informal Working Group on Security Council Procedure and Documentation and presented the following non-paper on the preparation of the Security Council resolutions and presidential statements:

In order to prepare the resolutions and presidential statements of the Security Council adequately it is important that such preparations include all the interested members of the Security Council. Contributions made by members of groups of friends for a particular situation and by other similar arrangements are welcome. The preparation of resolutions and presidential statements must be managed in a manner allowing adequate insight of all members of the Security Council into the process of preparation. In particular, sufficient time must be allowed for consultations of all the members of the Security Council and for their own consideration of the drafts prior to action of the Security Council.

During the informal consultations of the Council later that day, the President briefed the Council members about the initiative. The members of the Council decided to continue their deliberations on this matter.