SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY OBSERVERS IN GUATEMALA
Press Release
SC/6330
SECURITY COUNCIL WELCOMES DEPLOYMENT OF MILITARY OBSERVERS IN GUATEMALA
19970305 The Security Council this afternoon welcomed the 3 March deployment of 155 military observers to the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (MINUGUA), in order to verify the implementation of the cease-fire between the Government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Guatemalteca (URNG).In a statement read by President Zbigniew Wlosowicz (Poland), the Council reiterated its call for both parties to comply with their commitments in the Guatemala City agreements of 29 December and to cooperate fully with the verification of the cease-fire, separation of forces, disarmament and demobilization of URNG combatants, and the implementation of the overall peace accords.
By its resolution 1094 (1997), the Council authorized the attachment of the military observers to MINUGUA for a period of three months. In his report of 13 February, the Secretary-General informed the Council that the operation would be in place and fully operational on 3 March.
The definite cease-fire agreement was signed by the two parties on 4 December 1996 in Oslo and went into force on 29 December when the Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace was signed in Guatemala City. The entry into force of the actual cease-fire awaited the date when a United Nations verification mechanism was fully deployed.
The meeting, which began at 3:43 p.m., was adjourned at 3:48 p.m.
Presidential Statement
The full text of the statement, which will be issued as document S/1997/PRST/9, reads as follows:
"The Security Council recalls its resolution 1094 (1997) of 20 January 1997 and notes the report of the Secretary-General on its implementation (S/1997/123).
"The Security Council welcomes the deployment on 3 March 1997 of the group of United Nations military observers attached to the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (MINUGUA) for the
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6330 3744th Meeting (PM) 5 March 1997
purposes of verification of the agreement on the definitive cease-fire between the Government of Guatemala and the Unidad Revolucionaria Nacional Guatemalteca (URNG) signed at Oslo on 4 December 1996 (S/1996/1045*, annex).
"The Security Council recalls its constant support for the peace process in Central America, which it has expressed since the adoption of its resolution 530 (1983) of 19 May 1983. It reaffirms its full support for the peace process in Guatemala.
"The Security Council reiterates its call in resolution 1094 (1997) that both parties implement fully their commitments under the agreements signed in Guatemala City on 29 December 1996 and cooperate fully with the certification of the cease-fire, separation of forces, disarmament and demobilization of URNG combatants, as well as the commitments under the other agreements in the overall package of Peace Accords.
"The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter."
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