The Bangladeshi Presidency
March 2000
March 2000 was an intensive month with an agenda comprising major substantive, thematic and organizational issues before the Security Council. The Council played a timely, proactive and forward-looking role in peacekeeping, peace-building and peacemaking under the Presidency of Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh. The Secretary-General personally participated in a number of public meetings of the Council and informal consultations of the whole on issues of critical importance. His participation in the meetings and consultations provided extremely useful insights into issues and inputs to the work of the Council. The Bangladesh Presidency, as part of its commitment to enhancing transparency and participation, favoured holding Council meetings, as much as possible, in public. The Council held 10 public meetings including two thematic debates with the participation of the broader membership of the United Nations.
Apart from scheduled consultations on 20 working days out of 23, the Council members discussed and acted on a number of issues in response to developments. During the month, the Council considered nine reports by the Secretary-General of which five were on conflict situations and one on the role of United Nations peacekeeping in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. A meeting of the troop-contributing countries for MIPONUH was held on 13 March.
The Council adopted one resolution concerning Iraq and five presidential statements, on Haiti, Tajikistan, Guinea-Bissau, humanitarian issues, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The Council made notable progress in bringing greater openness and transparency and the participation of non-members in the meetings of the Council. The President personally briefed the non-members and the press immediately following each of the informal consultations. Efforts were made to make draft resolutions and draft presidential statements available to the broader membership as soon as they were tabled. The Presidency made the programme of work of the Council, press statements made by the President and one draft presidential statement (role of the Security Council in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration) available on the web site of the Bangladesh Mission (http://www.un.int/bangladesh). The availability of the draft statement was also announced in the Journal.
During the month, the situations in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, East Timor, Eritrea-Ethiopia, Iraq, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kosovo, Somalia, Tajikistan and Western Sahara were major sources of preoccupation for the Council.
Besides acting on conflict situations, the Council took action on areas in transition to post-conflict peace-building. Such were the cases of Guinea-Bissau, Haiti and Mozambique. The Council members also considered the situation in Bougainville (Papua New Guinea). A cross-cutting area on which Council members pronounced themselves for the first time through a press statement was the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.
Humanitarian aspects of issues before the Council
Considering the disastrous humanitarian consequences of recent conflicts, the Bangladesh Presidency kept humanitarian issues high on the agenda. On 8 March, Council members considered the negotiated text of the presidential statement on humanitarian aspects of issues before the Council, which had earlier been introduced by Bangladesh. The Council held an open debate on 9 March on the theme "Maintaining international peace and security: humanitarian aspects of issues before the Security Council". The meeting was presided by Abdus Samad Azad, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The Secretary- General participated in the meeting and contributed to the debate. He considered the subject a critical aspect of United Nations missions. The presidential statement issued following the debate (S/PRST/2000/7) contains a number of critically important decisions and recommendations providing for better coordination and integration of humanitarian components in peacekeeping operations.
Post-conflict peace-building
The Council took up the thematic debate on post- conflict peace-building on 23 March. The Council considered the report (S/2000/101) of the Secretary- General on the role of United Nations peacekeeping in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. The Council adopted, following a day-long debate, a presidential statement containing recommendations on the role of the United Nations peace operations in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration in the context of post-conflict peace-building (S/PRST/2000/10).
Africa
Angola
The Council considered the question of Angola sanctions at an open briefing on 15 March. Robert Fowler (Canada), Chairman of the Committee established pursuant to resolution 864 (1993), presented the report (S/2000/203) of the Panel of Experts established by Security Council resolution 1237 (1999). The report addressed all five areas in which sanctions were imposed against UNITA and made 39 recommendations on how to increase the effectiveness of the sanctions. It contained, inter alia, the recommendation that a monitoring mechanism be instituted to carry forward the work of the Panel and implement its recommendations. The report also named countries, individuals including at the highest levels of government, and entities found to be involved in violation of the sanctions. Members of the Council expressed general appreciation for the work of the Panel. Delegations of countries named in the report spoke of lack of clarity and credible evidence, presumption of guilt and discrimination.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
In view of ceasefire violations and reported preparations for escalation of armed hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, members of the Council convened in informal consultations on 22 March. The President made a statement to the press on behalf of the members of the Council expressing grave concern over the resumption of hostilities and preparation for armed offensives; members of the Council met again on 28 March and the President made a second statement on their behalf (see below). After the informal consultations of 28 March, the President met the Ambassadors of the Lusaka signatory States to convey the concerns of the Council members and to urge them to respect their commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement. The Council thus remained actively seized of the situation and acted to preserve the fragile peace and secure conditions for deployment of MONUC authorized earlier.
Guinea-Bissau
The members of the Council considered the situation in Guinea-Bissau on 29 March at a public meeting. This has been a success story of the United Nations as described in the report of the Secretary- General (S/2000/250) on the developments in Guinea- Bissau. In a presidential statement, the Council paid tribute to the people of Guinea-Bissau for the success in their transition to democracy and emphasized the crucial importance of international support to the country in its post-conflict reconstruction and peace- building efforts (S/PRST/2000/11).
Eritrea and Ethiopia
Following reports of skirmishes, Council members held informal consultations on 14 March to discuss the situation between Eritrea and Ethiopia. They heard a briefing by the Secretariat. Members of the Council called upon the two parties to engage fully in the OAU process. They expressed concerns over the consequences of any resumption of violence. Following the consultations, the President made a statement to the press on behalf of the members of the Council urging the parties to exercise utmost restraint and to settle their differences through peaceful means (see below).
Mozambique
In view of the devastating floods in Mozambique, the members of the Council considered the impact of the natural disaster on the country, which had been making considerable progress in post-conflict peace- building. It was considered critically important to extend support to the country as the floods ravaged its economic infrastructure and caused serious damage to the landmine clearance programme. Without necessary international attention, serious disruption to hard- earned peace and reconstruction was feared. Members of the Council considered it appropriate that they express sympathy and solidarity with the Government and the people of Mozambique and call for international support for the country. Following the consultations, the President made a statement to the press on 6 March, expressing the views of the members of the Council (see below).
Sierra Leone
The Council members considered the situation in Sierra Leone on 8 March in view of hostile acts against UNAMSIL and seizure of weapons by RUF combatants from United Nations peacekeepers. Council members were also briefed by the Secretariat on the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation, particularly in the rebel-held areas. Following consultations, a presidential press statement was issues expressing the serious concerns of the members of the Council over the RUF acts as well as gross violation of humanitarian law and human rights (see below). Further, the Council met in a public meeting to consider the situation in Sierra Leone on 13 March on the basis of the report (S/2000/186) of the Secretary-General. The President made a statement to the press, on behalf of the Council members, following the meeting (see below).
Somalia
The Council members heard a briefing on 29 March on the evolving situation in Somalia and the various peace initiatives. They were of the view that the Djibouti initiative remained the most promising. Members of the Council agreed that a representative of Djibouti could be requested to brief the Council. Full support was extended to the initiative of the Chairman of the concerned sanctions Committee. The members of the Council expressed concern on the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in south central Somalia and the lack of a safe operating environment for humanitarian work. They reiterated that the peace process should ensure the unity and territorial integrity of Somalia.
Western Sahara
Reports about students, joined by local Saharawi people, demonstrating in parts of the north sector of Western Sahara, raised concerns in the Security Council. The Council members were briefed on 13 March by the Secretariat on the situation. The Secretariat reported that the situation had been brought under control by the authorities. The members of the Council felt that a clear message should be sent to the parties concerned underlining that recourse to violence must be avoided, as that would seriously affect the ongoing efforts under the United Nations settlement plan.
Asia and the Pacific
Afghanistan
The substantive business of the month started on 3 March with urgent consultations on the situation in Afghanistan. The President of the Council made a statement to the press expressing the serious concerns of Council members over the resumption of the military offensive by the Afghan parties (see below). The Council followed up its consideration of the situation in Afghanistan on 20 March. They heard a briefing on the political, military, humanitarian and human rights situation by Francesc Vendrell, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan. Pino Arlacchi, Executive Director of the United Nations Drug Control Programme, briefed the Council members about the threats to peace and security in the embattled country and around the region caused by drugs originating in Afghanistan. Arnoldo Listre, Chairman of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999), gave a briefing on the sanctions regime.
Bougainville, Papua New Guinea
Members of the Council considered the situation in Bougainville (Papua New Guinea) at informal consultations on 29 March. Members of the Council welcomed the conclusion of the Loloata Understanding between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville leaders. They underlined the importance of expeditious approval of the Understanding by the Papua New Guinea Parliament. They considered this Understanding an important step forward towards a peaceful settlement of the issues relating to Bougainville, in accordance with the Lincoln Agreement. They encouraged the parties to continue on this path of dialogue in a spirit of cooperation and understanding. They expressed appreciation for the useful role played by the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville. Following consultations, the President made a statement to the press on behalf of the members of the Council (see below).
East Timor
The Council held a public meeting on the situation in East Timor on 21 March. Areas covered in the briefing included the economic and social situation, law and order, the security situation and refugees. During the period under review, the military command of the territory was handed over to UNTAET by INTERFET. The Presidents of Indonesia and Portugal and the Prime Minister of Ireland visited the Territory during that period. The economic and social situation was mentioned as an area of concern by the speakers at the meeting. The financial situation of UNTAET improved with fresh contributions to the United Nations trust fund. Revenue collection started, with the setting up of customs and taxation systems. Refugee return slowed down. However, measures were taken to reverse the trend.
Situation between Iraq and Kuwait
The situation between Iraq and Kuwait was discussed at a public meeting of the Council on 24 March. The Council meeting was devoted to consideration of the first report of the Secretary- General on Iraq pursuant to resolution 1284 (2000), focusing on the humanitarian situation in Iraq (S/2000/208). The Council met again on the situation between Iraq and Kuwait on 31 March at a public meeting to vote on a draft resolution, by which it approved the recommendation of the Secretary-General to raise the allocation of resources to US$ 600 million for oil spare parts.
Situation in Tajikistan and along the Tajik-Afghan border
At the informal consultations on 10 March, members of the Council discussed the situation in Tajikistan and along the Tajik-Afghan border. The situation was the subject of further consideration at a public meeting on 21 March, during which the Council considered the interim report of the Secretary-General (S/2000/214). The Council welcomed the progress in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan. The Council noted with satisfaction that the United Nations played an important role in the process.
Haiti
The situation in Haiti was considered by the Council members in informal consultations on 3 March. They considered the report (S/2000/150) of the Secretary-General and agreed to issue a presidential statement welcoming Haiti's transition from the phase of peacekeeping to post-conflict peace-building and economic reconstruction and rehabilitation. A presidential statement, the draft of which was tabled by Argentina on behalf of the Friends of Haiti, was accordingly negotiated and adopted at a public meeting on 15 March (S/PRST/2000/8).
Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Council had an open briefing on Bosnia and Herzegovina on 22 March. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General (S/2000/215), which reviewed supporting activities of the United Nations since 17 December 1999. The report noted that, despite continuing difficulties, progress was made in police restructuring, review of the judicial system and establishment of a Brcko unified police force. Despite the New York Declaration of 15 November 1999, the implementation of the State Border Service had been delayed. Bosnian Croat authorities in Mostar refused to integrate the Ministry of the Interior and the local police force on the west side of Mostar. Speakers underlined the importance of the integration of the Ministry of the Interior, as well as that of the police system throughout the Federation, particularly in Mostar.
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Council held a private meeting on the situation in Kosovo on 6 March. The Council had before it the report of the Secretary-General (S/2000/177). The Council had a briefing by Bernard Kouchner, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and head of UNMIK. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General drew the Council's particular attention to the progress made and difficulties faced by UNMIK in implementing relevant United Nations resolutions. He invited the Council to pay a visit to Kosovo to see the realities on the ground and to convey a strong message to all parties to cease violence and to cooperate with the Mission. The Council reviewed the progress in implementing resolutions 1160 (1998), 1199 (1998), 1203 (1998), 1239 (1999) and 1244 (1999). Members of the Council deliberated on difficulties faced by the United Nations mission and the ways and means to address them. They extended strong support to Mr. Kouchner and UNMIK. At subsequent consultations, the Council members considered the idea of sending a mission to Kosovo. The finalization of the terms of reference and the dates of the proposed mission was passed on to the next Presidency.
Organizational matters
International Court of Justice
The formal business of the month started on 2 March with the public meeting of the Council, concurrently with the General Assembly, to elect one member of the International Court of Justice to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Stephen Schwebel of the United States of America. Judge Thomas Buergenthal was elected to serve for the remainder of his predecessor's term until 5 February 2006.
General issues relating to sanctions
An area of particular concern for the Council has been the general issues relating to sanctions. Concerns had been expressed that some sanctions committees were so ineffective that they were called dormant, and some others were not implemented effectively, or comprehensively or in a targeted manner. The Bangladesh Presidency took the initiative to address the matter in an effective manner. An expert group was set up on 10 March to submit draft terms of reference for a working group to be established to make recommendations on general issues related to sanctions. With the setting up of the working group, a long-felt need for review of the sanctions regimes will be addressed.
Transparency, openness and wider participation
The Presidency favoured greater transparency, openness and wider participation of the broader membership and observers in the work of the Council. The holding of a public meeting on the humanitarian situation in Iraq marked a major breakthrough after several years on this issue. The participation of members of the Peace Implementation Council in the open briefing on Bosnia and Herzegovina marked a departure from the oft-followed practice of having consultations or private meetings on the issue. Public meetings were held on such sensitive issues as Angola sanctions. The Council also held public meetings on East Timor, Guinea-Bissau and Tajikistan.
Working group on documentation and procedure
As the Chair for the month, in the working group on documentation and procedure, Bangladesh submitted five draft notes proposing improvement in some aspects of the Council's documentation and procedure. The group examined, among others, issues relating to distribution of the text of statements, communicating Council decisions and messages to all concerned and, deciding on the nomenclature of different formats of Council meetings. The group held two meetings at which all five draft notes were discussed. Agreement could be reached on the proposal to change the practice regarding distribution of the text of statements. Under the previous practice (see S/1994/329), each time the text of a statement in a public meeting was made available outside the Council Chamber delegates had to rush out for a copy. The practice was inconvenient for delegates attending the meeting. Besides, the movement for the collection of texts of statements disrupted the meeting. The Council members agreed to the recommendation made by the working group to make arrangements for the distribution of the texts of such statements within the Council Chamber. The new practice has been formalized in a note by the President (S/2000/274).
Other matters
Security Council summit
The Presidency pursued the idea of a Security Council summit to be held on the sidelines of the Millennium Summit. The last Security Council summit, it may be recalled, was held on 31 January 1992 under the United Kingdom Presidency. The summit focused on the role of the United Nations in maintaining international peace and security. It concluded with the issuance of a substantive presidential statement requesting the Secretary-General to prepare an analysis and submit recommendations on enhancing the capacity of the United Nations in preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peacekeeping. The Secretary-General submitted the report in 1994 under the title "An Agenda for Peace". The President of the Council discussed the matter with the Secretary- General during their meeting on 1 March. The Secretary-General mentioned a report that he would submit on United Nations peace operations in July. Different aspects of the proposed Council summit had been under discussion, notably under the initiative of Mali as President of the Council in September.
Security Council retreat
The Presidency also broached the idea of a Security Council retreat with the Secretary-General. This was the subject of further discussion in informal consultations. The idea was to give scope for the Permanent Representatives of the Council members, in an informal setting, to have a free and frank exchange of views among themselves and the Secretary-General and senior officials of the Secretariat. The last such retreat took place on 5 and 6 June 1999 and was found to be extremely useful. The Secretary-General agreed to the idea and the dates were fixed subsequently for 2 and 3 June.
Participation in the meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters related to the Security Council
An important instance in the cooperation with and coordination among other major organs of the United Nations was set by the participation of the Presidents of the Council for December 1999, January 2000 and March 2000 in the meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters related to the Security Council, held on 8 March. The three Presidents attended the meeting at the invitation of Hans Dahlgren, Permanent Representative of Sweden, and John de Saram, Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka, Vice-Chairmen of the Working Group. The meeting offered them an opportunity to exchange views with the Working Group on some of the issues related to working methods and documentation, including those dealt with in the recent two notes by the President of the Council (S/1999/1291; S/2000/155).
United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace
At their informal consultations on 8 March, members of the Council considered the text of a presidential press statement proposed by Bangladesh on the occasion of the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. Following the consultations, the President made a statement to the press paying tribute to the role of women in the promotion of peace and security, highlighting the consequences for women of conflicts and calling for strengthening provisions for protection of women in armed conflict (see below). The statement, the first ever on this occasion by a Security Council President, was specially fitting on the first Women's Day of the new millennium.
Communications acted upon by the President
During the month, the Presidency received communications which were brought to the attention of Council members. The President raised the issues contained in some of the communications, under other matters, in informal consultations, whenever it was deemed essential.
Meetings of the President
As is the practice, the President had meetings with the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General and the Chairs of the regional groups at the beginning of the Presidency. The content of the discussions was conveyed to the members of the Council by the President. In the course of the month, the President had a number of meetings with representatives of Members and Observers of the United Nations, heads of United Nations agencies and missions, United Nations envoys, the International Committee of the Red Cross and non-governmental organizations. The meetings with Members of the United Nations included demarches made by the representatives and those requested by Council members in connection with the issues before the Council. The President kept Council members informed of the content and outcome of the meetings.
Briefing of non-members of the Council and the press
In the interest of greater transparency and involvement of the broader membership in the work of the Council, the President briefed non-members immediately after every informal consultation of the whole. The briefing given personally by the President demonstrated the importance the members of the Council attached to keeping the United Nations Members informed of the substantive content of the issues under discussion. In a similar spirit, the President also briefed the press on a regular basis following informal consultations.
Working luncheon in honour of the Secretary-General
The traditional working luncheon hosted by the Bangladesh Presidency on 6 March had the situation in Kosovo on its agenda and implementation of Council resolution 1244 (1999) as its focus. The free and frank discussions, with the participation of the Secretary- General, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Bernard Kouchner, were extremely useful.
Wrap-up session
The Bangladesh Presidency concluded the Presidency with a wrap-up session in informal consultations with the participation of the Secretary- General. The President made an introductory statement giving his assessment of the work of the Council during the month and reflecting on follow-up actions. The Secretary-General stated his own views on the priorities and the course of action on some of the issues before the Council. Members of the Council engaged in an interactive discussion with the Secretary-General. It provided an occasion to review the work of the month, discuss follow-up and reflect on the future course of action on some issues before the Council as well as other matters related to the Council's work. Many members felt that such wrap-up was useful and could continue in future.
Visit to Washington
Apart from the business of the Council, a special event of the month was a visit undertaken by representatives of all Council members to Washington on 30 March. The visit took place at the invitation, to Permanent Representatives of Council members in their individual capacities, of the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the United States Secretary of State and the Chair and a ranking member of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During the first ever such visit, the Ambassadors had meetings with high officials of the State Department, the White House and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Discussions included issues before the United Nations and strengthening the role of the United States in the United Nations.
