FORMER YUGOSLAVIA DOMINATES 1995 SECURITY COUNCIL'S ACTIONS CULMINATING IN IMPLEMENTATION OF DAYTON AGREEMENT

4 January 1996

Press Release
SC/6154

FORMER YUGOSLAVIA DOMINATES 1995 SECURITY COUNCIL'S ACTIONS CULMINATING IN IMPLEMENTATION OF DAYTON AGREEMENT

19960104 Operations Conclude in Mozambique, El Salvador, Somalia; Foreign Ministers Say Council Must Build upon Its Peace-Keeping Experience

During the fiftieth anniversary year of the United Nations, the Security Council's attention was dominated by the situation in the former Yugoslavia, culminating in a number of decisions to implement the provisions of the Dayton General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was signed in Paris on 14 December.

One day after the signing, the Council authorized Member States to set up a multinational military Implementation Force (IFOR) under unified control and composed of units from North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and non-NATO nations. It decided to terminate the mandate of the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) following the transfer of authority from UNPROFOR to IFOR. The following week, it decided to establish the International Police Task Force (IPTF), a United Nations civilian police operation, which was also called for under terms of the Peace Agreement.

In related actions, following the November initialling of the Agreement in Dayton, Ohio, and subject to certain requirements, the Council lifted the arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia and suspended the sanctions imposed in 1992 on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro).

Among decisions contained in the 129 resolutions adopted and presidential statements issued in 1995, more than 50 of which concern the former Yugoslavia, the Council:

-- Restructured UNPROFOR in the former Yugoslavia, replacing it with three separate but interlinked peace-keeping operations -- the United Nations Confidence Restoration Operation in Croatia (UNCRO), UNPROFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the United Nations Preventive Deployment Force (UNPREDEP) within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia;

-- Extended the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) for a final period until 8 March 1996, and because of reservations by Rwanda, adjusted the mandate at a reduced force level;

-- Established the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III);

-- Authorized the full transfer of responsibility from the multinational force in Haiti to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) by 31 March 1995, and subsequently extended UNMIH's mandate until the end of February 1996, when it is scheduled to conclude;

-- Adjusted the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL);

-- Agreed to the Secretary-General's streamlining of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and extended its mandate until 31 January 1996;

-- Renewed the mandates of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) until 31 May 1996; the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 30 June; the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), 31 January; the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT), 15 June; the United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG), 12 January; and

-- Requested the Secretary-General to set up international commissions to investigate the October 1993 assassination of the President of Burundi and reported the illicit arms supply to the former Rwandan government forces in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

Also this year, the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) was closed in January, following the completion of the peace process in that country; the mandate of the United Nations Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) ended on 30 April, following the signing of a programme of work for the completion of all outstanding points in the Peace Accords; and the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) completed its withdrawal in March. Even with the termination of those missions and the impending completion of missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, 11 peace-keeping operations were still in place at the end of 1995.

Peace-keeping operations were also a subject of a Council statement issued at its 26 September meeting at the foreign ministers level to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. Council-mandated operations had assisted in the restoration of peace and stability to countries long plagued by war, it said, adding that it must continue to spare no effort in working for the maintenance of international peace and security, and build upon its experience of past and existing operations. Effective use should be made of instruments for preventive action, and the Organization's capacity to conduct effective peace- keeping operations should continue to be improved.

Meetings were also held to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the ending of the Second World War; to discuss Israel's decision to pursue settlement activities in East Jerusalem; and on the supplement to the Secretary-General's report on An Agenda for Peace, stand-by arrangements for peace-keeping

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operations, transparency and effectiveness of consultation on such operations, security assurance to non-nuclear-weapon States, and election of International Court of Justice members.

Following are regional summaries of Council activity:

Former Yugoslavia

The Council was confronted with a volatile and rapidly evolving situation on the ground in the former Yugoslavia, including: constant violations of cease- fire agreements between Bosnian Government and Bosnian Serb forces; Bosnian Serb aggression culminating in the fall of United Nations "safe areas", with subsequent reports of massive human rights violations committed against the Muslim inhabitants of those areas; attacks against UNPROFOR personnel, including the taking of UNPROFOR military personnel and their detention as hostages; and an increasing use of NATO air-strikes in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The year's events were crowned by the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, initialled on 21 November in Dayton, Ohio, and formally signed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia on 14 December in Paris. In implementation of the terms of the Peace Agreement, the Council, by resolution 1031 (1995), authorized the establishment of IFOR, under unified command, made up of contingents from NATO and non-NATO States, and authorized the use of all necessary means in furtherance of its mandate. It decided that the mandate of UNPROFOR shall terminate on the date that the Secretary-General reports to it that the transfer of authority from UNPROFOR to IFOR has taken place. UNPROFOR's mandate had earlier been extended until 31 January 1996, pending further action by the Council on the implementation of the Agreement.

By resolution 1035 (1995), the Council further authorized the establishment of the IPTF, as stipulated in the Peace Agreement. It will be operative for a period of one year after the transfer of authority from UNPROFOR to IFOR. It also decided to establish, for the same period, a United Nations civilian office.

In a report to the Council on aspects of the implementation of the Agreement as they affect the United Nations, the Secretary-General expresses "heartfelt recognition" of dedicated service and sacrifice to all those men and women who have contributed to the birth of hope in the former Yugoslavia. The conflicts there have dominated the Organization's peace-keeping agenda and distorted peacemaking and peace-keeping efforts at the expense of other parts of the world, he said.

Throughout the year, the Council expressed concern over reports of violations of international humanitarian law and particularly incursions into the "safe areas". In late December it condemned, in the strongest possible terms, the violations of international humanitarian law and of human rights by Bosnian

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Serb and paramilitary forces in the areas of Srebrenica, Zepa, Banja Luka and Sanski Most, violations characterized by "a consistent pattern of summary executions, rape, mass expulsions, arbitrary detentions, forced labour and large- scale disappearances". It also condemned all violations of international humanitarian law in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.

The Council repeatedly demanded that the Bosnian Serb party give access to representatives of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international agencies to persons detained or reported missing from Srebrenica, Zepa and the regions of Banja Luka and Sanski Most who were within areas of Bosnia and Herzegovina under the control of Bosnian Serb forces. The Council also condemned the widespread looting and destruction of houses and other property, in particular, by Bosnian Croat forces in the area of Mrkonjic Grad and Sipovo. It demanded that all sides refrain from laying mines.

Earlier in the year, the Council restructured UNPROFOR -- which was established initially by resolution 743 (1992), to create conditions of peace and security required for the negotiation of an overall settlement of the Yugoslav crisis -- with three separate but interlinked operations. It established UNCRO, by resolution 981 (1995); extended the mandate of UNPROFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by resolution 982 (1995); and decided that UNPROFOR within the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should be known as UNPREDEP, by resolution 983 (1995) with mandate, responsibilities and composition identical to those already in place. The new administrative structures assumed nearly all the functions of the former UNPROFOR, with substantial alteration of the mandate in Croatia. On 16 June, with China and the Russian Federation abstaining in the vote, the Council authorized, by resolution 998 (1995), an increase of up to 12,500 troops for the United Nations Peace Forces (UNPF)/UNPROFOR, in order to establish a rapid reaction capacity to enable UNPF/UNPROFOR to carry out its mandate.

Recognizing that major provisions of the United Nations peace-keeping plan for Croatia remained to be implemented, in particular, those regarding demilitarization of the areas under the control of the local Serb authorities, the return of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes and the establishment of local police forces to carry out their duties without discrimination against persons of any nationality, the Council requested the Secretary-General to effect UNCRO's earliest possible deployment. Its mandate would include performing the functions envisaged in the Cease-Fire Agreement of 29 March 1994 between Croatia and the local Serb authorities and facilitating implementation of the Economic Agreement of 2 December 1994.

In November, by resolution 1023 (1995), the Council welcomed the Basic Agreement on the Region of Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium in Croatia, signed by the Croatian Government and local Serb authorities on 12 November, and declared its readiness to consider the request by the parties

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to the Agreement to establish a transitional administration and to authorize an appropriate international force to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement. By resolution 1025 (1995), it decided that the mandate of UNCRO would terminate after an interim period ending on 15 January 1996, or when the Council has decided on the deployment of a transitional peace-keeping force.

On 22 December, the Council strongly demanded that the Government of Croatia lift immediately any time limits placed on the return of refugees to reclaim their property in Croatia. Expressing grave concern that the Government had ignored its previous call to lift any time limits, the Council said the requirement that owners must reclaim their property by 27 December constituted an insurmountable obstacle for most Serb refugees.

The mandate of UNPREDEP was extended for a period terminating on 30 May 1996 by resolution 1027 (1995) of 30 November. In his report to the Council, the Secretary-General states that the operation has demonstrated that preventive deployment is an effective form of peace-keeping. The fundamental objective of the operation -- that the conflict in the former Yugoslavia be prevented from spreading -- has been achieved. However the Government of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia believes that the continued presence of UNPREDEP is vital to the maintenance of peace and stability in that country.

In actions connected to the Dayton Peace Agreement, the Council decided on 22 November to end the 1991 arms embargo on the former Yugoslavia and to indefinitely suspend a series of sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) which had been in place since May 1992. By a vote of 14 in favour with 1 abstention (Russian Federation) on resolution 1021 (1995), the Council decided that a phased lifting of the embargo put in place by its resolution 713 (1991), would commence when Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) had signed the Agreement.

At the same time, by resolution 1022 (1995), the Council decided to immediately and indefinitely suspend sanctions on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro), with effect upon the withdrawal of all Bosnian Serb forces behind the zones of separation established in the Agreement. The suspension of sanctions also would be subject to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Bosnian Serbs meeting their obligations under that Agreement. The sanctions will be terminated on the tenth day after the holding of free and fair elections provided for in the Peace Agreement, provided the Bosnian Serbs have withdrawn from and respected the agreed zones of separation.

Africa and Middle East

The Council repeatedly indicated its concern over the situation in and around Rwanda, in particular, reports of continuing intimidation and security problems in refugee camps, including those in Zaire. As of early April, there

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were 1.1 million refugees in the camps in Zaire. It reaffirmed condemnation of actions of former Rwandan leaders and their forces aimed at preventing the repatriation of refugees. The Council endorsed the UNHCR's efforts to put in place security arrangements in camps in the United Republic of Tanzania, and encouraged that agency also to address the situation in Burundi.

Following the killing of numerous civilians in Rwanda's Kibeho Camp for internally displaced persons, the Council welcomed in April the Government's decision to set up an independent inquiry, with United Nations and other international bodies taking part, to investigate those events. In August, the Council expressed concern at the forcible repatriation of Rwandan and Burundi refugees by the Government of Zaire and the increasingly tense situation in the region. It called on Zaire to stand by its humanitarian obligations regarding refugees and to reconsider and halt its declared policy of forcible repatriation.

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council on 16 August lifted its 1994 embargo on the sale of arms and related matériel to Rwanda until 1 September 1996. By the terms of resolution 1011 (1995), the embargo will be terminated on 1 September 1996, unless the Council decides otherwise, after considering periodic reports by the Secretary-General on the export of arms to Rwanda. The Council went on to say that all States should continue to prevent the sale or supply of arms, munitions, and matériel, including paramilitary police equipment and spare parts, to non-governmental forces in Rwanda and in neighbouring countries if the arms and matériel were for use in Rwanda.

By resolution 1013 (1995), the Council in September requested the Secretary-General to establish an international commission of inquiry to collect information and to investigate reports about the supply of arms and related matériel to former Rwandan government forces in the Great Lakes region of Africa.

The Council urged States to arrest and detain persons found within their territory against whom there was sufficient evidence that they were responsible for acts within the jurisdiction of the International Tribunal for Rwanda. In February, the Council decided that Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, would be the seat of the Tribunal, which was established by resolution 955 (1994) to prosecute persons responsible for genocide and other such violations committed between 1 January and 31 December 1994. A list of candidates for judges of the International Tribunal was established by the Council in April.

In October, the Council welcomed progress made by the Government of Rwanda in the national reconciliation process, including the integration of more than 2,000 former Rwandan government forces troops into the Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA). It called on the Government to intensify its contacts with all sectors of Rwandan society, excepting those directly responsible for the genocide.

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In December, the Secretary-General noted that the Government of Rwanda did not agree to an extension of UNAMIR's mandate, which it said did not respond to Rwanda's current priorities -- security, rehabilitation of survivors of genocide, repatriation of refugees, and reconstruction of the country. However, the Secretary-General felt that a continued UNAMIR presence in the country could help build confidence among the refugees and encourage them to return, a necessity in addressing the "core issue" of national reconciliation. The Council, by resolution 1029 (1995), responded by adjusting UNAMIR's mandate at a reduced force level and granting a final extension to terminate on 8 March 1996.

Concerning Angola, in February the Council established, by resolution 976 (1995), the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) to help the Government of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) restore peace and achieve national reconciliation. The mission is to be concluded with achievement of the objectives of the Lusaka Protocol which was signed by the parties on 20 November 1994 in Lusaka, Zambia. The Protocol consists of eight annexes, which cover all military, legal and political issues agreed to at the peace talks which preceded it and contains a schedule that envisions completion by February 1997. One of the main military issues concerns the withdrawal, quartering and demilitarization of the military forces of UNITA.

Some progress was made in implementing the Lusaka Protocol during the year, and, in November, the Council was able to welcome a communique issued earlier that month by the Government and UNITA in which they reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process.

However, several important tasks remained incomplete, including the exchange of detailed military information, the release of all prisoners, the redeployment of those government troops near the UNITA quartering areas and the final resolution of the issue of mercenaries. In December, at its last meeting on the issue, the Council reiterated its concern for the slow progress in the implementation of the Lusaka Protocol, and expressed deep concern at the delay in establishing a means for the integration of the armed forces, which was vital for the progress of national reconciliation. Dismayed by the disruptions in the military talks between the parties, it urged them to continue those talks and to conclude an equitable and practicable agreement without further delay. It noted that continued support for UNAVEM III would depend on the extent to which the parties demonstrated their political will to achieve a lasting peace. Specifically addressing the mercenary issue, the Council welcomed the recent announcement by the Government that it would terminate the contract and repatriate the personnel of the firm involved and would release all remaining prisoners.

On the situation in Liberia, by resolution 972 (1995) the Council expressed deep concern early in the year at the failure of the Liberian parties to reach agreement on the composition of a new Council of State, as stipulated in the Accra Agreement of 21 December 1994. It called upon them to work together to

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implement that Agreement. It also demanded that all factions facilitate humanitarian deliveries, and that they strictly respect the status of UNOMIL personnel and those of the Economic Community of West African States' Monitoring Observer Group (ECOMOG), as well as those of organizations delivering humanitarian aid.

The mandate of UNOMIL -- the first United Nations peace-keeping mission undertaken in cooperation with an operation already set up by a regional organization, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) -- was extended in January, April and June. As it extended the mandate in April and June, however, the Council declared that there would be no further extensions. If progress was achieved, the Council would consider restoring UNOMIL to its full strength, with appropriate adjustment of its mandate and of its relationship with ECOMOG, including matters relating to post-conflict peace-building in Liberia. At the time of the April extension, the Council also established a committee to monitor and help improve the effectiveness of the arms embargo and to recommend measures in response to violations.

In September, following the signing of the 19 August Abuja Agreement, the installation of a new Council of State and other steps to peacefully resolve the conflict in Liberia, the Security Council extended the mandate of UNOMIL to 31 January 1996. It also welcomed the intention to raise the number of military observers to monitor the cease-fire and disengagement of forces agreed to for that country. The Council encouraged Member States, particularly African States, to consider providing troops to ECOMOG, which has the primary responsibility for the implementation of the peace agreements in Liberia. With the signing of the Abuja Agreement, ECOMOG would require additional troops and equipment in order to deploy throughout the country to oversee its implementation.

At its last meeting on the issue in November, by resolution 1020 (1995), the Council decided to adjust UNOMIL's mandate to include investigation of cease- fire violations, monitoring compliance with other military provisions of the peace agreements and verification of the election process, in consultation with the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ECOWAS.

Considering the situation in Burundi, in January the Council denounced attempts to threaten, by intimidation, the coalition Government established in that country in line with Burundi's Convention of Government in September 1994, which constitutes the institutional framework for national reconciliation. In a presidential statement, it called upon all concerned, especially the national security forces, to refrain from violence and to support the government institutions. In subsequent statements, it condemned efforts to nullify, through undemocratic methods, the agreed power-sharing arrangements contained in that Convention and urged all parties to work to ensure Burundi's stability. The Council condemned the murders of Burundi's Minister for Energy and Mines and the former Mayor of Bujumbura, and deplored the ensuing ethnic killings that caused

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thousands to flee their homes. Those who committed crimes against humanity were individually responsible, and would be brought to justice, it warned.

In August, by resolution 1012 (1995), the Council requested the Secretary- General to establish urgently a five-member international commission of inquiry to ascertain the facts relating to the 1993 assassination of the President of Burundi, and massacres and related violence that followed. The commission was also mandated to recommend measures to bring to justice those responsible for those acts, prevent any repetition of the violence, help eradicate impunity and promote national reconciliation in Burundi.

Noting the successful conclusion of the withdrawal of the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM II) forces from that country, the Council stated on 6 April that the international community could facilitate and assist, but not impose, any particular solution for a lasting political settlement in Somalia. It called upon the Somali parties to pursue national reconciliation in the interest of peace, security and development. The Council supported the view that Somalia should not be abandoned by the United Nations and stated that the Organization would continue to assist the Somali people to achieve a political settlement, "provided that the Somalis themselves demonstrate a disposition to peaceful resolution of the conflict and to cooperation with the international community".

The Council underlined that the timely intervention of UNOSOM II and the humanitarian assistance given to Somalia had helped to save many lives and much property, mitigate general suffering and had contributed to the search for peace. However, the continuing lack of progress in the peace process and in national reconciliation undermined the United Nations objectives in Somalia and prevented the continuation of the Operation's mandate beyond 31 March as stipulated in resolution 954 (1994). The work of UNOSOM II, and of its predecessor UNOSOM, began in April 1992 in response to widespread death and destruction in the wake of the downfall of President Siad Barre.

Although the Council has renewed the mandate of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) until 31 January 1996, it has continually expressed concern over delays in the process to identify applicants eligible to vote in the referendum and the failure to implement the Settlement Plan. That plan entails the holding of a referendum to enable the people of Western Sahara to choose between independence and integration with Morocco.

Most recently, by resolution 1033 of 19 December, the Council welcomed the Secretary-General's decision to intensify consultations with Morocco and the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Saguia el-Hamra and Rio de Oro (POLISARIO) in order to resolve their differences regarding the identification process. In the event that the consultations fail to produce agreement, the Secretary-General was requested to provide the Council with options for its consideration, including a programme for the orderly withdrawal of MINURSO.

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In late November, the Council called for an immediate end to the fighting in Sierra Leone and urged the Revolutionary United Front, whose attempt to overthrow the Government in 1991 began the conflict, to take advantage of the Secretary-General's offer of good offices to facilitate negotiations. In a presidential statement, the Council also expressed concern at the suffering resulting from the conflict, and stressed the importance of a coordinated international humanitarian effort.

The members of the Council held consultations on 30 March, 28 July and 22 November to review the measures of sanctions imposed against Libya, following which they concluded that there was no agreement that the necessary conditions existed to modify the sanctions.

While not convinced of Iraq's compliance with relevant Council resolutions and of the opinion that conditions did not merit the lifting of sanctions against that country, the Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, authorized States to permit the import of up to $1 billion of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products every 90 days to meet the humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people.

On the situation in the occupied Arab territories, the Council held a series of meetings on Israel's decision to confiscate land in East Jerusalem for Israeli settlements. However, it failed to adopt a draft resolution by which it would have called upon Israel to rescind its orders for expropriation of land in East Jerusalem owing to a veto by the United States -- the Council's first veto in five years.

By resolution 1006 (1995), the Council renewed UNIFIL's mandate until 31 January and concurred with the streamlining of the Force (20 per cent cut in the Force Commander's headquarters, the consolidation of engineer support in one unit and small reductions in the infantry battalions). It condemned the increased acts of violence committed against the Force. Also, the mandate of UNDOF was renewed until 31 May 1996. The Force was established in 1974 to supervise the cease-fire called for by the May 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces.

Other Regions

At the beginning of the year, the Council, by resolution 975 (1995), authorized the full transfer of responsibility from the multinational force in Haiti to UNMIH by 31 March. It determined that a secure and stable environment existed in Haiti appropriate to the deployment of UNMIH. It also authorized the Secretary-General to recruit and deploy military contingents, specifically, up to 6,000 troops and up to 900 civilian police officers. The Council urged the Government of Haiti, with the assistance of UNMIH and the international community, to establish without delay an effective national police force and to improve the functioning of the justice system.

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By resolution 1007 (1995), the Council extended UNMIH's mandate until "a date not later than February 1996", and looked forward to the orderly assumption of office by a new, constitutionally elected government. In a November statement, it commended the Government of Haiti for holding local and legislative elections in a peaceful environment. It voiced concern, however, over instances of violence in the country, and called for respect for the rule of law, national reconciliation and cooperation. It said the presidential elections of 17 December 1995 should allow a transition of power before the scheduled termination of UNMIH's mandate.

The Council affirmed the ending on 30 April 1995 of the mandate of ONUSAL. Recognizing that El Salvador had evolved from a conflict-ridden country to a democratic and peaceful nation, the Council welcomed its Government's and people's continued commitment to reconciliation, stabilization and development of their country's political life. The Mission was established in 1991 to monitor agreements concluded between the Government of El Salvador and the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN). Its mandate was substantially enlarged and its strength increased to enable it to verify the "Peace Agreement" signed in Mexico City in January 1992 and, later, to observe El Salvador's electoral process.

The Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Peace-keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) in June and again in December until June 1996. At both meetings, it also requested the Secretary-General to review the structure and strength of UNFICYP with a view to its possible restructuring. The Council expressed concern about the modernization and upgrading of military forces in Cyprus and the lack of progress towards a reduction in the number of foreign troops, and called on the Secretary-General to promote efforts by both sides to reduce the number of foreign troops and to reduce defence spending. At its December meeting, the Council welcomed the humanitarian review undertaken by UNFICYP on the living conditions of the Greek Cypriots and the Maronites living in the northern part of the island and of Turkish Cypriots living in the southern part of the island and supported its recommendations.

Reiterating its concern at the conflict in and around Nagorny Karabakh and the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Council in April strongly urged the parties to the conflict to take all necessary measures to prevent violent incidents. It emphasized the importance of using the mechanism of direct contacts for the settlement of incidents as agreed upon on 6 February.

At its meeting in April and May on the situation in Tajikistan, the Council expressed deep concern at the escalation of military activities on the Tajik-Afghan border and stressed the urgent need for the parties to confirm their commitment to achieve national reconciliation exclusively through peaceful political means. On 25 August, welcoming the six-month extension of the cease- fire agreement within Tajikistan and along its border with Afghanistan, the Council reiterated its call upon all States and others concerned to discourage any activities that could complicate or hinder the peace process. The mandate of UNMOT was extended on 16 June and again on 14 December until 15 June 1996,

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predicated on the continuation in force of the 17 September 1994 cease-fire agreement, and on the continued commitment of both Tajik parties to an effective cease-fire, to national reconciliation, and to the promotion of democracy.

Addressing the situation in Abkhazia, Republic of Georgia, the Council extended UNOMIG's mandate in January and again in May until 12 January 1996. That extension, however, was subject to a review if changes were made in the peace-keeping force of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). At each of its meetings on the item, the Council expressed concern at the continued obstruction of the return of refugees and displaced persons by Abkhaz authorities in Georgia, and called on them to accelerate the return process significantly, guarantee the safety of all returnees and regularize the status of spontaneous returnees. It noted that there had been little progress in achieving a comprehensive political settlement between the Georgian Government and the Abkhaz side and that a stalemate existed with respect to the return of refugees and displaced persons.

In solemn commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the ending of the Second World War in Europe on 5 May and the end of the Second World War in the Asia-Pacific region on 15 August, Council members observed a minute of silence on both occasions to honour the memory of the combatants and victims of that war. In a presidential statement, the Council recalled that the United Nations was created primarily to prevent a recurrence of such a scourge and that it was entrusted with the principal responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.

On the question of security assurance, the Council, in a meeting on 11 November, recognized the legitimate interest of non-nuclear-weapon States parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to receive assurances that the Council, and above all its nuclear-weapon State permanent members, would act immediately if such States were victim to an act, or threat of aggression involving nuclear weapons. It said that any State may bring instances of such threat or aggression immediately to its attention, to enable the Council to take urgent action to assist the State victim.

In January, over a period of three meetings, the Council considered the Secretary-General's supplement to his report on An Agenda for Peace, which he presented in 1992 in response to a Council request for recommendations for strengthening the capacity of the United Nations for preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace-keeping. That document also dealt with post-conflict peace-building.

Members discussed the creation of a standing institution of international mediators to be set up within the Office of the Secretary-General and addressed the importance of post-conflict peace-building efforts, the Secretary-General's proposals on "micro-disarmament", which aim at countering the global proliferation of light weapons, a permanent regime to eliminate anti-personnel

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mines, and economic transparency in the decision-making and sanctions review process.

Expressing strong support for the Secretary-General's efforts to enhance United Nations capacity for the planning, rapid deployment and effective support of peace-keeping operations, the Council on 19 December encouraged Member States to participate in the stand-by arrangements for United Nations peace-keeping operations, if they were not yet doing so. It invited them to provide detailed information on elements they were prepared to make available to the United Nations, and to identify components -- such as logistic support elements and sea/airlift resources -- presently underrepresented in the arrangement.

In a meeting held in late December, the Council heard the views of Council members and of interested Member States on proposals to further enhance the transparency and effectiveness of consultation on peace-keeping operations between the Council and troop-contributing countries. Speaking for a group of 32 countries, the representative of Argentina said there was a need for a more formal and institutionalized mechanism of consultations between troop contributors and the Council. That could be achieved in different ways, including establishment of a subsidiary consultative Council organ. Consultative meetings should be held well before the Council took decisions on the extension, modification or termination of the mandate of a particular peace-keeping operation. With few exceptions, speakers in the debate supported Argentina's views.

Other Matters

Voting concurrently with the General Assembly, the Council elected Rosalyn Higgins of the United Kingdom to the International Court of Justice, the first woman to sit on the Court. Judge Higgins, whose term will expire on 5 February 2000, fills the seat left vacant by the resignation of Sir Robert Yewdall Jennings. Also elected to the Court was Vladlen Stepanovich Vereshchetin (Russian Federation) for a term expiring on 5 February 1997. He will fill the seat left vacant by the death of Nikolai Kostantinovitch Tarassov (Russian Federation) on 28 September 1994. The election of a new member of the Court, who will serve out the remainder of the nine-year term of Andres Aguilar Mawdsley (Venezuela), will be held on 28 February. Judge Mawdsley died on 24 October 1995.

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Council Membership

The Security Council has 15 members. The five permanent members are: China, France, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States. The 10 non-permanent members of the Council in 1995 were: Argentina, Botswana, Czech Republic, Germany, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda.

On 1 January 1996, Chile, Egypt, Guinea-Bissau, Poland and the Republic of Korea replaced Argentina, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Oman and Rwanda.

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