SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE CALLS FOR INFORMATION ON VIOLATIONS OF MANDATORY ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST SOMALIA
Press Release
SC/6268
SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE CALLS FOR INFORMATION ON VIOLATIONS OF MANDATORY ARMS EMBARGO AGAINST SOMALIA
19960923 The following was issued today by the Security Council Committee established by resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia:At its twelfth meeting on 11 September, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) concerning Somalia met with a view to renewing its efforts to effectively implement the arms embargo against Somalia imposed by Security Council resolution 733 (1992). In this connection, the Committee decided to issue an appeal to governments, national and international organizations and individuals, for any information they have or may come across relating to violations or alleged violations of the mandatory arms embargo established against Somalia. It also decided to send a note verbale to all States reminding them of their obligation to cooperate in ensuring the strict implementation of the arms embargo against Somalia. The appeal reads as follows:
"1. By its resolution 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992, the Security Council imposed a mandatory arms embargo against Somalia. Operative paragraph 5 of the above-mentioned resolution reads as follows:
['The Security Council,]
.....
'5. Decides, under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, that all States shall, for the purposes of establishing peace and stability in Somalia immediately implement a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia until the Security Council decides otherwise.'
"2. Subsequently, by its resolution 751 (1992), adopted on 24 April 1992, the Council established a Committee whose mandate includes considering information concerning violations of the embargo and recommending measures in response to such violations.
"3. On 4 November 1994, the Security Council, deeply concerned about continued deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia, by paragraph 12 of resolution 954 (1994) requested the Committee to fulfil its mandate as described in paragraph 11 of resolution 751 (1992), and in
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particular to seek the cooperation of neighbouring States for the effective implementation of this embargo. Subsequently, an appeal was made on 5 December 1994 to national and international organizations and individuals to provide any relevant information on violations of the mandatory arms embargo against Somalia.
"4. With a view to renewing its efforts to curb the continued flow of arms to the rival factions in Somalia, at this critical juncture of the situation now prevailing in that country, and in light of the concerns expressed in this regard by members of the Security Council at recent informal consultations, the Committee hereby launches, pursuant to a decision taken at its twelfth meeting on 11 September 1996, a further appeal to all Governments, all and any national or international organizations all over the world and all and any individuals to provide any relevant information they may have come across, or discover through diligent or legitimate inquiry or activity, concerning violations of the arms embargo. Such information, in the case of national or international organizations and individuals, should in the first place be turned over to the government, or governments, of the State or States of domicile of the accused or suspected violator or violators of the mandatory arms embargo against Somalia. The Committee would also greatly appreciate receiving simultaneously, in each case, a copy of each such information submitted to the government or governments concerned.
"5. Notification of such information to the Committee should be addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, H.E. Mr. PARK Soo Gil, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, c/o Room 3055G, United Nations Secretariat, United Nations Plaza, New York, N.Y. 10017, USA."
6. The Chairman of the Committee for the current year is the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea. The two Vice-Chairmen are the representatives of Egypt and Honduras. The Committee consists of all 15 members of the Security Council, which for 1996 are: Botswana, Chile, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Indonesia, Italy, Poland, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and the United States.
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