During the Month of October 1998
Under the British Presidency
Amb. Jeremy Greenstock
INTRODUCTION
This assessment of the work of the Security Council for the month of October 1998 has been prepared under the responsibility of its President during that month, Sir Jeremy Greenstock, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
October was an active month, with the Security Council heavily engaged on a number of difficult and sensitive issues including Iraq, Kosovo (FRY), the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Ethiopia/Eritrea.
During the month the Council adopted four resolutions, held four formal meetings and met in informal consultations of the whole on 19 occasions. Five troop contributors' meetings were held. The President of the Council addressed the media after each session of informal consultations. on 16 occasions, he was authorised to make statements to the press on behalf of Council members. Immediately after informal consultations, the Presidency also gave briefings for countries which are not members of the Security council.
AFRICA
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
The continuing conflict in the DRC remained an issue of serious concern to the Security Council in October. On 6 October, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Secretary-General, Salim Salim, briefed Council members on regional efforts to resolve the conflict in an informal, Arria formula meeting, in which the Secretary-General also participated. There was a strong consensus among Council members that the UN could play an important supporting role in OAU/SADC mediation. Dr Salim reported that efforts were being made to set up a new round of talks between the parties.
On 14 October, the Chargé d'Affaires of the DRC called on the President of the Council to bring to his attention the alleged shooting down of a civilian aircraft by rebel forces at Kindu in the DRC on 10 October. A letter from the Chargé to the Council President providing further details was circulated as a Council document on 13 October (S/1998/945). The Council President reported the substance of the call to Council members on 15 October. Council members agreed to seek more information.
On 22 October, Under-Secretary-General Prendergast briefed Council members at informal consultations on recent developments. He highlighted the fall of Kindu to the rebels and the reported decision of the DRC's allies to move troops further East. Meanwhile preparations were proceeding for a meeting of the parties involved in the conflict in Lusaka on 26 October. Council members agreed on the importance of sending a firm message in advance of the Lusaka meeting calling for an immediate ceasefire and troop standstill; expressed continued support for OAU/SADC efforts to achieve this; called for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC to be respected; called for an end to ethnic intimidation and incitement to ethnic hatred; and urged all parties involved not to take action which would lead to the escalation of the conflict. The President spoke the press following consultations to convey these points.
At the same meeting, USG Prendergast informed Council members of two communications of 15 October which the Secretary-General had received from the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC on measures they had taken to follow up the allegations contained in the report of the Secretary-General's Investigative Team, as requested in the Presidential statement of 13 July (S/PRST/1998/20). Council members agreed that while the present circumstances made the pursuit of such investigations more difficult, the Council should impress on the two Governments the need for them to pursue the allegations and the importance of bringing an end to the cycle of impunity in the region. On 30 October, the Council President met the Permanent Representative of Rwanda and the Chargé d'Affaires of the DRC to convey these views.
Angola
Council members were briefed on the deteriorating peace process in Angola by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr Issa Diallo, during informal consultations on 13 October. Mr Diallo also introduced the Secretary-General's report of 8 October 1998 (S/1998/931). The Council adopted resolution 1202 (1998) on 15 October reiterating that the primary cause of the impasse in the peace process was the failure by the leadership of UNITA to comply with its obligations under the "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Security Council resolutions and demanding that UNITA comply immediately and without conditions with its obligations, in particular the complete demilitarisation of its forces and full cooperation in the immediate and unconditional extension of State administration throughout the national territory. The Council also called for better implementation by Member States of sanctions against UNITA and warned that it was prepared to consider further appropriate reinforcing steps. The Council also endorsed the Secretary-General's recommendation to extend the mandate of the UN Observer mission in Angola (MONUA) until 3 December 1998 in order to give the Special Representative of the Secretary-General an additional opportunity to revive the stalled peace process.
Sierra Leone
The Council continued to follow closely the situation in Sierra Leone. Of particular concern in October were reports of increased rebel activity, tension between the Governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia, and the treason trials and death sentences. On 15 October Assistant Secretary-General Annabi briefed Council members on reported incursions over the Liberian border by large rebel groups, intensified rebel attacks in the North and East of Sierra Leone, and the friction between the Governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia this had caused. The reports of incursions, however, remained unconfirmed. After consultations the President spoke to the press calling on the rebels and their supporters to comply with Council resolutions and statements.
On 22 October the Council President chaired a UNOMSIL troop contributors' meeting prior to discussion by Council members of the Secretary-General's second progress report on the UN Observer Mission in Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL) (S/1998/960). On 27 October, Council members discussed the Secretary-General's report on UNOMSIL. ASG Annabi updated Council members on further developments. Since his last briefing on 15 October. Council members expressed concern about the situation, and in particular at the recent executions and death sentences and their effect on the prospects for national reconciliation and dialogue. Council members agreed with the Secretary-General's recommendation that in the present security conditions the additional deployment of the second phase of military observers was not appropriate, but that the Secretariat should be ready for a rapid deployment if and when this became desirable. Following consultations, the Council President spoke to the press stressing importance of national reconciliation in Sierra Leone for a lasting settlement.
Central African Republic
On 15 October, the Council adopted resolution 1201 (1998) extending the mandate of the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA) until 28 February 1999 and authorising MINURCA to provide support for the conduct of legislative elections in the Central African Republic.
Ethiopia/Eritrea
Council members continued to be concerned about the risk of conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia arising from their border dispute. During informal consultations on 13 October, the Council President reported on contacts with the Permanent Representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrea aimed at urging restraint on both sides. On 27 October, USG Prendergast briefed on the latest situation and the President reported on further meetings he had held with the Permanent Representatives of both countries. Council members expressed concern at the continued volatile situation and insisted that a peaceful solution was the only way forward. They offered full support for mediation efforts, in particular those of the OAU, and noted that the OAU had scheduled a meeting to discuss the issue in Ouagadougou in early November. Council members deplored past or future use of force as a way of resolving the dispute. It was agreed that the Council President should make a brief statement to the press covering these points and speak again to the two Permanent Representatives. The Council President reported on his further contacts with the Permanent Representatives of Ethiopia and Eritrea on 28 October.
Libya
Council members held their regular 120-day review of sanctions against Libya during informal consultations on 29 October. In a statement to the press afterwards, the Council President said that Council members had reviewed sanctions pursuant to paragraph 13 of resolution 748 (1992) and in the light of the adoption of resolution 1192 (1998) welcomed the fact that clarifications on the procedures for the trial in the Netherlands in a Scottish court were being provided to the Libyan authorities via the Secretary-General's office and that some progress had been made; reiterated their call to Libya to comply with resolution 1192; and recalled that sanctions would be suspended as soon as the Secretary-General reported that the terms of resolution 1192 had been met. The Council President's statement to the press also referred to the Sanctions Committee's work on Haj flights and concluded that Council members noted the tenth anniversary of the Lockerbie tragedy, and agreed that it underlined the need to resolve this issue in line with resolution 1192 as soon as possible.
Western Sahara
During informal consultations on 27 October, USG Miyet reported on his visit to the region and introduced the latest report of the Secretary-General. He emphasised the need to inject some momentum into the process of identifying the contested tribes and to expedite the signing of the Status of Forces Agreements. Council members generally supported the Secretary-General's recommendations, though not all Council members were willing to accept a six month extension of the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum on Western Sahara (MINURSO). Council members discussed a draft resolution on 28 and 29 October. On 30 October the Council adopted resolution 1204 (1998) requesting the Secretary-General to report to the Council by 11 December on the implementation of the resolution, on progress on the Settlement Plan and on the agreements reached between the parties and extending the mandate of MINURSO to 17 December 1998.
Sudan
During informal consultations on 28 October, Council members were briefed on a meeting between non-governmental organisations and Council members on the humanitarian and political situation in Sudan. Council members agreed to seek an opportunity for a more detailed discussion on the basis of a report by the Secretariat. It was agreed that the next Presidency would try to find a suitable occasion.
Follow-up the Secretary-General's report on Africa
On 27 October, the Chairman of the Ad Hoc Working Group established pursuant to resolution 1170 (1998) briefed Council members on the continuing work of the Group, noting that experts were still engaged on texts in three thematic sub-groups. He pointed out that the Working Group's mandate expired at the end of November and that work must be forwarded to the Council for action by then. Council members took note.
EUROPE
Kosovo, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia
The Council continued to follow events in Kosovo closely. The Presidency convened informal consultations on 1 October, allowing Council members to hear a briefing from the UNHCR on the humanitarian implications of the crisis. After the meeting, the Council President made a statement to the press (text in annex), condemning the violence and calling for full compliance with resolutions 1160 (1998) and 1199 (1998).
In informal consultations on 6 October, Council members considered the Secretary-General's 3 October report submitted pursuant to resolutions 1160 and 1199. Afterwards, the Council President made a further statement to the press (text in annex) condemning the continued violence, expressing concern at its grave humanitarian consequences and calling for an early resumption of negotiations in pursuit of a political settlement.
Council members again held informal consultations on 22, 23 and 24 October to consider a draft resolution. The Council adopted resolution 1203 (1998) on 24 October, under Chapter VII of the Charter. The resolution endorsed arrangements entered into between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the OSCE and NATO, providing for the establishment of air and ground verification missions in Kosovo, and demanded that the FRY and Kosovo Albanians comply fully and swiftly with resolutions 1160 and 1199 and cooperate fully with the OSCE and NATO verification missions.
International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
The President of the ICTY briefed Council members during informal consultations on 2 October on the work of the Tribunal and her concern over the refusal of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cooperate with it. After the meeting, the Council President made a statement to the press (text in annex), noting that the President of the ICTY had briefed Council members on the work of the Tribunal, including on the refusal of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to execute arrest warrants for three indictees. Council members had expressed their full support for the work of the Tribunal in implementing its mandate, reaffirmed the authority and jurisdiction of the Tribunal over matters within its competence throughout the territory of the Former Yugoslavia and deplored the continuing non-compliance by the Belgrade authorities. Council members stated their intention to continue following up this matter.
Prevlaka Peninsula
On 20 October, Council members discussed the latest report by the Secretary-General on the UN Observer mission on the Prevlaka Peninsula (UNMOP). The Council President made a statement to the press afterwards calling on the parties to intensify their efforts to reach a negotiated settlement.
Refugee Situation in the Region of Former Yugoslavia
Also on 20 October, Council members received a briefing from a representative of the UNHCR on the refugee situation in the region of the Former Yugoslavia. In a statement to the press afterwards, the Council President expressed Council members' deep concern at the slow progress in returns, especially within and to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Eastern Slavonia, and at the serious situation in and around Kosovo.
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Council members were briefed on 14 October by the outgoing Special Representative, Mr Sokalski, on the activities of UNPREDEP. Council members agreed that UNPREDEP was one of the most successful examples of UN preventive diplomacy. In a statement to the press after the meeting, the Council President conveyed members' support for UNPREDEP's efforts, particularly against the backdrop of the crisis in Kosovo.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
On 26 October High Representative Carlos Westendorp briefed Council members on progress in peace implementation in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Council President expressed Council members' support for the High Representative's efforts in a statement to the press afterwards.
ASIA/THE MIDDLE EAST
Iraq
The Security Council continued to follow closely the serious situation arising from Iraq's decision of 5 August to suspend full cooperation with the Special commission and the IAEA. On 5 October the Secretary-General briefed Council members on his meeting with an Iraqi team led by the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and his efforts to persuade Iraq to rescind the 5 August decision. He also outlined his ideas on a comprehensive review. Speaking to the press after the meeting, the Council President said that Council members had expressed their appreciation to the Secretary-General, reaffirmed the Council's position in resolution 1194 (1998) and stressed the need for Iraq to respond to that resolution. At the request of Council members, the Council President also saw the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq on 6 August to ensure he was fully aware of the views of the Council.
The Director-General of the IAEA and the Executive Chairman of the Special Commission briefed Council members on their regular six-monthly reports on 13 October. Council members discussed those reports, including the degree of progress made on the nuclear, missile, chemical and biological files. Council members underlined the need for Iraq to resume full cooperation with the IAEA and the Special Commission if further progress was to be made. On 26 October Council members received a report from the Special Commission on the VX issue.
At informal consultations on 21, 23, 26, 28 and 30 October Council members discussed the framework for a comprehensive review. On 30 October, Council members agreed the text of a letter from the President of the Council to the Secretary-General which outlined the Council's views on the structure of a comprehensive review, should Iraq resume full cooperation.
On 31 October the Iraqi authorities announced the suspension of all cooperation with the Special Commission. In response, Council members met the same day in informal consultations and agreed on a statement to the press by the President of the Council (text in annex) which condemned the Iraqi decision, described it as a flagrant violation of the relevant Council resolutions and demanded that Iraq resume immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation with the Special Commission and the IAEA.
UNIKOM
Council members agreed on 7 October to the renewal of UNIKOM's mandate.
Afghanistan
Council members were given an update on the progress of Special Envoy Brahimi's mission to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries by USG Prendergast on 16 October. In a statement to the press following the informal consultations, the President said that Council members welcomed the progress made by Mr Brahimi in his efforts to reduce the tension in the region and improve the humanitarian and human rights situations in Afghanistan; underlined the need for all commitments by the parties to be fully implemented; expressed deep concern at the continuing fighting; appealed for a ceasefire and negotiations leading to a broad-based government; and expressed deep concern at the humanitarian and human rights situation and called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and the basic norms of human rights. They also expressed deep concern at the continued use of Taliban-controlled territory for the cultivation of drugs and the sheltering and training of terrorists in Afghanistan.
OTHER ISSUES
On 21 October, the President of the Council submitted to the General Assembly the Annual Report of the Security Council, which had been adopted by the Council on 9 September. The President had previously met the President of the General Assembly to review the programmes of work of these two organs for the month of October.
The informal Working Group of the Security Council considering the Council's Documentation and other Procedural Questions met on 29 October. The Working Group recommended that a Note be issued by the President of the council regarding transparency; the enhancement of consultations with troop contributing countries; a mechanism for alerting non-members of unscheduled or emergency meetings of the Council; the format of the Annual Report of the Council to the General Assembly; and the procedure for establishing the bureau of each sanctions committee. Following approval by the Members of the Council, the Note was issued by the President on 30 October (S/1998/1016).
On 6 October the President of the Council represented the Security Council at the presentation of the first Dag Hammarskjold medals for UN peacekeeping and paid tribute to the courage and dedication of those who had given their lives while serving UN peacekeeping. He also emphasised the Council's determination to ensure the safety and security of those who were prepared to risk their lives in the future.
Security Council members met today following the alarming reports of atrocities in Kosovo since the adoption of UNSCR 1199. They also heard a report from the representative of the UNHCR about the increasingly appalling humanitarian situation on the ground.
Council members strongly condemned those responsible for these atrocities and called upon the government in Belgrade immediately to investigate, identify and punish those responsible.
Council members recalled the role which the ICTY is empowered to play in investigating possible violations of international humanitarian law in Kosovo.
Council members expressed alarm at reports that fighting was continuing in spite of the passage of SCR 11999 calling for a ceasefire, and in particular reports that more and more civilians had been forced to leave their homes because of the fighting.
Council members made clear their determination to prevent a major humanitarian catastrophe in Kosovo and to promote a solution through peaceful negotiations, and demanded full and immediate compliance with SCRs 1160 and 1199.
Council members expressed their strong hope that the Secretary-General would be able to advance the date of his report on compliance with UNSCR 1199 to 5 October.
The Security Council today met with Judge Gabrielle Kirk-McDonald, President of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. Judge McDonald briefed Council members on the work of the Tribunal, including on the refusal of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to execute arrest warrants for three indictees. The members of the Council expressed their full support for Judge McDonald and for the work of the International Tribunal in implementing its mandate. They noted her judgement that the obligation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia under international law to enforce the relevant Security Council resolution and to cooperate with the Tribunal was not open to question. The Council reaffirmed the authority and jurisdiction of the International Tribunal over matters within its competence throughout the territory of the former Yugoslavia. Members of the Council deplored the continuing non-compliance by the Belgrade authorities and stated their intention to continue following up this matter.
Security Council members met today to discuss the report of the Secretary-General on Kosovo, submitted pursuant to resolutions 1160 and 1199 of the Security Council. Council members expressed their appreciation for the report and for the additional briefing provided today by Assistant Secretary-General de Soto.
Council members noted that military activity had appeared to wind down and withdrawals had taken place in recent days, but also that the Belgrade Government's armed presence in Kosovo remained significant and the operations of the special police had continued after the adoption of resolution 1199. They condemned the tactics of indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against civilians, as well as terrorist activities.
Council members reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Council members supported the Secretary-General's call for a thorough investigation, under international supervision or with international participation, of atrocities committed by all sides to the conflict. They urged the ICTY to extend its investigations to cover these atrocities.
Council members requested the Secretary-General to consider how he could ensure that the United Nations Secretariat had a first-hand capacity to assess development son the ground and to continue reporting to the Council on compliance with resolutions 1160 and 1199.
Council members insisted on the need for an early resumption of negotiations, without preconditions, in pursuit of a comprehensive political settlement of the crisis. They supported the international efforts in this regard and underlined the need for both parties to cooperate with those efforts.
Council members shared the Secretary-General's assessment of the danger of humanitarian disaster in Kosovo. They underlined the importance of full and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout the affected area and the need to create conditions for the safe return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes. They called for further early improvements in this respect. They also underlined the need for an early response to the appeal by the Secretary-General to the international community to intensify efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
Council members agreed that there had yet to be full compliance with all the requirements of Security Council resolutions 1160 and 1199 and, in this regard, they made clear their determination to see full and sustained compliance in accordance with their responsibilities under the Charter.
Members of the Security Council unanimously condemned today's decision of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council to cease all cooperation with the UN Special Commission.
Members considered this decision a flagrant violation of relevant Council resolutions and of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Secretary-General and the Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq.
Members demanded that the Iraqi leadership must rescind immediately and unconditionally today's decision, as well as the decision of August 5, to limit cooperation with UNSCOM and the IAEA, as previously demanded by the Council in UNSCR 1194, and must resume immediate, complete and unconditional cooperation with the Special Commission and the IAEA.
Once Iraq has rescinded its decisions and has re-established full cooperation with the Special Commission and the IAEA, Members remain ready, as clearly reaffirmed in the October 30 letter from the President of the Council to the Secretary-General, to implement a comprehensive review of Iraq's compliance with its obligations under all relevant resolutions. This decision by Iraq has delayed that prospect.
Members expressed their full support for the Secretary-General in seeking to implement fully his Memorandum of Understanding with Iraq and for the Special Commission and the IAEA in implementing their mandates. Members praised the work and commitment of the staff of UNSCOM and IAEA in difficult circumstances in Iraq.
Today's announcement from Baghdad and also the continuing restrictions on the work of IAEA are deeply disturbing. In the coming days, the Council will remain actively seized of this matter, in order to ensure the full implementation of the relevant resolutions and secure peace and security in the region.
