The Swedish Presidency
September 1998
Introduction
This assessment of the work of the Security Council for the month of September 1998 has been prepared under the responsibility of its President during that period, Ambassador Hans Dahlgren, Permanent Representative of Sweden. September 1998 was a month of mounting tension in several areas of conflict. The Council paid particular attention to the situations in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and Iraq as well as to the situation in Africa. In all these cases, the Security Council exercised its responsibility in accordance with the Charter of the UN and continued to be actively involved. The Security Council held a Ministerial debate on Africa against a backdrop of armed conflict, political tension and humanitarian suffering in various parts of that continent. The violence in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and the alarming humanitarian situation in that region caused the Council to adopt a resolution under Chapter VII with specific demands on the parties. Iraq's decision to suspend cooperation with UNSCOM/IAEA was another matter that the Council attributed attention to in order to provide a firm and united response.
During the month, the Council adopted a total of 7 resolutions and issued 4 presidential statements. It held 11 formal meetings and its members met in informal consultations on 14 occasions. On 24 September, the Council held a ministerial meeting on the situation in Africa, which was presided over by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ms Lena Hjelm-Wallén. The Minister also presided over the meeting in which resolution 1199 (1998) on Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, was adopted.
The President of the Council addressed the media after each session of informal consultations. On nine occasions, he was authorized to make statements to the press on specific issues on behalf of the Council members. After informal consultations, the Presidency also gave detailed briefings on the work of the Council for countries which are not members of the Security Council.
In a further effort to increase openness and transparency in the work of the Council, the Presidency kept a record of daily activities on the Mission's homepage (www.undp.org/missions/sweden). This record included a brief account of the issues which had been discussed in informal consultations, as well as comments made by the President to the media and the elements of all statements to the press made on behalf of the members of the Council. The Presidency also provided direct links from its homepage to all relevant UN documents.
Africa - follow up to the Secretary-General's report September showed important progress in the Council's follow up to the Secretary-General's report "The causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa". Intensive consultations led to several concrete and substantive results.
The Council met at ministerial level to discuss the situation in Africa on 24 September. This meeting gave further political impetus to efforts to respond to the recommendations in the report of the Secretary-General. The Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity addressed the meeting, as did the President of Burkina Faso, current Chairman of the OAU. The debate reaffirmed a clear political commitment to Africa. Members welcomed the Secretary-General's report, and in particular its comprehensive approach to the prevention of conflicts and to achieving peace, human security and sustainable development in Africa. At the same time, deep concern was expressed about the resurgence of conflict in a number of African States, with serious regional implications.
In the presidential statement adopted on this occasion (S/PRST/1998/29), the Council stressed that peace and security in Africa is a shared responsibility of African countries and the international community. The Security Council confirmed its commitment to Africa in the areas of conflict prevention and peacekeeping, while underlining the importance of the involvement of the entire UN system. The ministers also endorsed the work done to follow up on the Secretary-General's report on Africa, and encouraged the ad hoc working group established for this purpose to continue its work in accordance with its mandate. Work remained to be done in order to earnestly pursue the Secretary-General's recommendations in areas such as the security and neutrality of refugee camps, arms flows and monitoring of activities mandated by the Council but carried out by Member States or coalitions of Member States. Two resolutions and one presidential statement were adopted by the Council in September as a direct response to recommendations by the Secretary-General. In resolution 1196 (1998) the Council made recommendations on measures to strengthen the effectiveness of arms embargoes established by the Council and decided to consider mechanisms to improve the monitoring of such embargoes. In resolution 1197 (1998), the Council i.a. encouraged closer consultation and coordination between the United Nations and the OAU and subregional organisations in Africa in the field of conflict prevention and peacekeeping, and suggested concrete ways of doing this. In its presidential statement S/PRST/1998/28, the Security Council encouraged efforts to strengthen Africa's capacity in the area of peace-keeping - including military as well as civil components.
Conflicts in Africa continue to figure far too prominently on the agenda of the Security Council. As things stand , no single region of the continent is unaffected by conflict, strife or humanitarian suffering. The report by the Secretary-General has put in focus the need for the Security Council to play its part in a concerted move to deal with some of the root causes of these conflicts. It is hoped that the Council's many discussions, meetings and decisions on Africa in September will contribute to further improving the capability of the United Nations system in promoting peace in Africa.
Africa- other issues
The armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was one of the most serious issues before the Council in September. The Presidency endeavoured to ensure that the Council was kept regularly informed about developments in the crisis. As various regional efforts at conflict resolution were pursued, Council members reiterated their firm support for a peaceful solution, as well as the principles on which such a solution should be sought. There was a strong sense of urgency within the Council about the need for a peaceful solution to the conflict, not least due to its increasing regionalisation, the persistent reports of ethnic persecution as well as reported violations of human rights and humanitarian law. Council members expressed the feeling that the United Nations should explore actively ways to support a peaceful solution to the conflict in the D R Congo. Although no decisions were taken regarding what concrete measures ought to be taken, a dialogue was initiated between the Security Council and the Secretary-General on ways in which the United Nations could promote peace in the D R Congo.
On 9 September, the Secretary-General briefed Council members on his efforts, particularly in the margins of the NAM Summit in Durban, to assist in bringing the parties together and to reach agreement on a settlement. After the consultations, the President of the Council and the Secretary-General jointly spoke to the media. The President reiterated the Council's call for a peaceful solution, the need for respect for human rights and humanitarian law and access for humanitarian agencies. Council members welcomed the close cooperation between the Secretaries-General of the UN and the OAU on this issue. On 17 and 28 September, the Secretariat again briefed Council members on the situation in the DR Congo. After the first of these discussions, the President made a Statement to the Press, reaffirming i.a. the obligation to respect the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of the DR Congo and other states in the region, and the need for all states to refrain from any interference in each other's internal affairs. Council members further called in this context for a peaceful solution to the conflict, including an immediate cease-fire, the withdrawal of all foreign forces, and the initiation of a peaceful process of political dialogue with a view to national reconciliation. On 30 September, following a shortlisting procedure, the Council adopted resolution 1200 (1998), by which it forwarded a list of eighteen candidates to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to the General Assembly. Elections were to be held to nine seats on the Tribunal during the 53rd Session.
The Council followed with concern the deteriorating situation in Angola, including the deadlock in the peace process and the worsened security situation. In his report to the Council on MONUA (S/1998/838), the Secretary-General described his discussions on the situation in Angola with leaders of the region in the margins of the NAM Summit in Durban. Further developments arose as the Council prepared for a decision on MONUA, notably the Government's decision to recognize only the newly formed Renovation Committee of UNITA as its interlocutor in the peace process, instead of Mr Savimbi. On 15 September, the Council decided to extend the mandate of MONUA for one month, and to further assess the situation and take action on the future role of MONUA on the basis of recommendations of the Secretary-General to be submitted before 8 October. In its resolution 1195 (1998), the Council emphasized that the primary cause of the crises in Angola and the impasse of the peace process was the failure by UNITA to comply with its obligations under the Lusaka Protocol, and demanded that UNITA fulfil immediately these obligations. In the resolution, the Council strongly urged the parties to refrain from military action, to pursue dialogue to resolve the crises and to cooperate fully with the Special Representative of the Secretary General and other relevant initiatives by member states to seek a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Council members continued consultations on the proposals by the Secretary-General for MINURCA to assist the electoral process in the Central African Republic. Informal consultations began on 15 September on a draft resolution, presented by the group of friends of the Central African Republic. Discussions focussed particularly on the format for MINURCA's assistance to the elections, on which the Secretary-General had presented two different options, but also on the timing of the subsequent drawdown of the mission, which is foreseen for the beginning of 1999. Emphasis was placed on achieving a speedy agreement within the Council, since the timing of the Council's decision would affect plans for the electoral process. A unanimous decision by the Council was subsequently reflected as resolution 1202 (1998) of 15 October.
The Council received information about several violations of the flight embargo against Libya. These violations were discussed in informal consultations on 18 September. The Chairman of the Sanctions Committee was requested to hold further talks with the States concerned and to report back to the Council. In a statement to the press, the President expressed the Council members' concern over the reported violations and reiterated the importance that they attach to the implementation of its resolutions.
On 30 September, Council members received a monthly briefing on the situation in Somalia. While progress in the national peace process had been limited, the regionalisation of the state administration continued. The Sodere process seemed to have possibilities to catch new momentum. Some Council members expressed the opinion that the UN should play a more active role to support regional efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
On 28 September the contents of a letter dated 21 September from the head of the Arab Group to the President of the Council with a draft resolution proposing a fact- finding mission to the bombed al-Shifa factory in the Sudan was raised in the informal consultations, under other matters. After a discussion, it was agreed that time should be allowed for further informal and bilateral contacts on the matter. In informal consultations on 17 September, Council members discussed the Secretary-General's latest report on the situation in Western Sahara. In their discussions, Council members noted progress made in the implementation of the Settlement Plan, in particular the completion of identification of non-contested groups. However, concern was also expressed at the fact that no solution had been found allowing for the resumption of identification of the contested groups. It was also stressed that further cooperation by the parties would be needed in order to allow for the UNHCR to carry out preparatory work for the repatriation of Saharan refugees and that the signing of status-of forces agreements (SOFAs) for MINURSO was long overdue.
In light of envisaged further consultations with the parties by the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General, Mr James Baker, the Council concurred with the Secretary-General's recommendation to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 31 October 1998. A resolution to this end was adopted unanimously by the Council on 18 September. The Secretary-General was requested to report to the Council within 30 days on the progess of the implementation of the Settlement Plan. Council members were briefed by the Secretary-General on his contacts during the OAU Summit in Durban regarding the continued tension in the relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The President also held talks i.a. with the Secretary-General of the OAU, Mr Salim Salim, on that situation.
Europe
During the month, the situation in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, continued to deteriorate. The Presidency strongly felt that the Council had to follow the situation actively and continuously fulfilling its responsibility under the Charter of the UN. On 10 September, a first discussion was held on the latest report of the Secretary-General pursuant to resolution 1160. The Presidency had invited the Special Envoy of the UNHCR for the former Yugoslavia, Mr. Nicholas Morris, to brief Council members on the very precarious humanitarian situation in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Following the discussion in the informal consultations, the Council President made a statement to the press, i.a. expressing Council members' grave concern at the severe humanitarian consequences caused by the fighting and demanding an immediate cessation of all hostilities and all violent or repressive action against the civilian population. As a result of the continued aggravation of the situation in Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugosalavia, Council members again held informal consultations on 22 and 23 September, to consider a draft resolution. On 23 September the Council adopted resolution 1199 (1998). The resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter, demanded i.a. an immediate cease-fire, immediate steps to avert the impending humanitarian catastrophe and an immediate political dialogue without preconditions. In the resolution, the Council also asked the Secretary-General to report on his assessment of compliance with the resolution and decided "to consider further action and additional measures to maintain or restore peace and stability in the region," should the demands not be met.
On 28 September, Council members discussed the latest report by the Secretary-General on the UN Police Support in Eastern Slavonia, Croatia. In a statement to the press following the consultations, the President said that the Council members had noted an improvement in the performance of the local police in the region. Council members also noted, however, that there were a number of serious outstanding issues to be addressed by the authorities of Croatia. Furthermore, the members of the Council expressed support for the take over of the police monitoring functions by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and they looked forward to being kept informed by the OSCE, as appropriate, on developments.
General elections were held in Bosnia and Herzegovina on 12 and 13 September. The Council members were updated by the Secretariat on 16 September on the conduct of these elections and the President made a brief statement to the press.
In a letter dated 8 September, the President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Judge Kirk McDonald, reported to Council members about the continuing refusal of the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to co-operate with the Tribunal by failing to arrest and transfer to the Tribunal three indicted persons. In informal consultations on 28 September, it was agreed that Judge Kirk McDonald be invited to the Council at the beginning of October, to give a briefing on the work of the Tribunal, including on the issue raised in her letter. Further consideration of the Council's possible follow-up to this matter was expected.
Asia
The Council and its members at several occasions dealt with the situation in Afghanistan and the increased tension in that region. After receiving reports that nine Iranian diplomats had been killed and two were missing after the take-over of the city of Mazar-i-Sharif by the Taliban, the members of the Council condemned these killings in a statement to the press by the President on 10 September.
On 15 September, the Council again discussed the general situation in the region and the escalating military operations in parts of Afghanistan. In a formal statement by the President of the Council (S/PRST/1998/27), the Council condemned the murder of Iranian diplomats by Taliban combatants as a flagrant violation of international law. The Council also stated its deep concern at the escalating military operations in the Bamyan province and at reports of mass killings of civilians in northern Afghanistan, and expressed its preparedness to consider urgently further action.
On 21 September, in a meeting arranged by the Secretary-General, the Foreign Ministers of the "six-plus-two" group agreed on a number of specific measures to be taken by the Afghan parties to end the conflict in Afghanistan. The meeting expressed support for the Secretary-General's decision to send his Special Envoy, Ambassador Brahimi, to the region. The President of the Council had a meeting with Ambassador Brahimi before his departure.
The Council members continued its consultations on a response to Iraq's decision of 5 August 1998 to suspend cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA on all disarmament activities and restrict ongoing monitoring and verification activities at declared sites. On 3 September, UNSCOM's Executive Chairman, Mr Richard Butler, briefed Council members on the status of UNSCOM's activities in Iraq, and i.a. noted that some of the monitoring activities had also been affected by Iraqi restrictions. In addition, the Council members received a written message from the Director General of the IAEA containing updated information regarding the status of the IAEA's activities in Iraq.
Responding to these developments and following further consultations, a unanimous Council decided on 9 September not to conduct the sanctions review scheduled for October 1998 (resolution 1194 (1998)). In addition, the Council decided not to conduct any further such review until Iraq had rescinded its decision of 5 August and UNSCOM and the IAEA had reported that they were able to exercise the full range of activities provided for in their mandates. In the resolution, the Council also expressed its readiness to consider, in a comprehensive review, Iraq's compliance with its obligations under all relevant resolutions once Iraq had rescinded its decision and demonstrated that it was prepared to fulfil all its obligations. To that end, the Council welcomed the proposal of the Secretary-General for such a review and invited him to provide his views on this matter. Accordingly, the Secretary-General, in a number of informal follow-up meetings with members of the Council, outlined his views on a comprehensive review, and invited Council members to provide their comments.
The Iraqi decision on 5 August came after a period of improved cooperation between the UN and Iraq during which some important progress had been made. Discussions in the Council during the month manifested a strong and unified commitment to the need for Iraq to come back to full cooperation in order to achieve full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
On 4 September, the Council members met in informal consultations on the implementation of the Iraq program (oil-for-food). Mr Benon Sevan, Executive Director of the Office of the Iraq Program introduced a report by the Secretary General. Mr Sevan noted i. a. that this humanitarian program had had a real impact on the living conditions of the Iraqi people, although some problems still remained. At the same meeting, the Permanent Representative of Portugal, Ambassador Monteiro, introduced the report of the 661-committee (Iraq sanctions committee).
Following a request from the Secretary-General referring to General Assembly resolution 52/52, under the agenda item "Question of Palestine", in a letter addressed to the Secretary-General the Council on 22 September forwarded its views on developments in the Occupied territories and the Middle East region. The full reply was to be included in his report pursuant to that General Assembly resolution.
In a letter dated 4 September, 1998, the Permanent Representative of Japan, Ambassador Owada, informed the President of the Security Council of a ballistic missile launch from the Taepo-Dong area near the eastern coast of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 31 August 1998. The Government of Japan considered that this directly affected the security of Japan and the peace and stability of the entire northeast Asian region, and that it raised serious concerns about the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems.
On 15 September, Council members discussed the test launch under "other matters". In a statement to the press, the President of the Council expressed the Council members concern at the the launching of an object propelled by rockets by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea on 31 August, as well as regret that the launching was carried out without prior notification.
The Americas
The Council members held informal discussions on 3 September on the situation in Haiti based on the interim report by the Secretary-General (S/1998/796). They received an up-date on the political and security situation and the work of the civilian police mission, MIPONUH. In the subsequent discussion, Council members noted some progress in the institutional build-up and towards the formation of a credible and effective national police force. However, it was also stressed that tangible improvements, including in the social and economic fields, continued to be hampered by the prevailing political crisis in the country. Several Council members expressed the view that a comprehensive approach to Haiti's needs was necessary as well as assistance involving different parts of the United Nations system.
Protection for humanitarian assistance
On 29 September, the Security Council held an open debate on protection for humanitarian assistance to refugees and others in conflict situations on the basis of a report by the Secretary-General (S/1998/883). The report, containing recommendations for further action, was submitted following a Council debate on protection for humanitarian assistance held on 21 May 1997 and a Presidential statement (S/PRST/1997/34), adopted on 19 June 1997, in which the Council asked the Secretary-General to study the matter further.
The report was introduced by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette in the open debate, in which UNICEF, ICRC and UNHCR all participated. Grave concern was expressed over attacks committed against civilians and humanitarian personnel and the need for increased respect for humanitarian law and human rights was emphasized. Many speakers welcomed the provisions of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, which state that attacks against humanitarian personnel constitute war crimes. The responsibility of the Council to address the issues was also underlined.
After the debate, a Presidential statement was adopted (S/PRST/1998/30), in which the Council, i.a.,condemned attacks against refugees and other civilians as well as UN personnel and personnel of humanitarian organizations. The Council also affirmed its intention to review thoroughly and promptly the recommendations submitted by the Secretary-General, with a view to taking steps consistent with its responsibilities.
Other issues
On 9 September, in a formal meeting, the report of the Security Council to the General Assembly was adopted. This was reflected in a note (S/1998/843). The Director of the Security Council Affairs Division, Mrs Neylan Bali, made an explanatory statement.
The Working Group for Documentation and Procedures held an informal exchange of view on 29 September, in order to continue work on the follow-up to a letter to the President of the Council from ten non-permanent members in December 1997 regarding ways to improve the transparency and working methods of the Council. Work was to be continued on this issue.
After informal consultations on 4 September, the President expressed the condolences of the members of the Council to the families of UN staff who perished in the crash of Swissair flight 111. On 9 September, in a formal meeting, the Security Council observed a minute of silence in memory of those who lost their lives.
