SECURITY COUNCIL URGES PARTIES IN EASTERN ZAIRE TO ENSURE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

4 April 1997

Press Release
SC/6353

SECURITY COUNCIL URGES PARTIES IN EASTERN ZAIRE TO ENSURE UNRESTRICTED ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF

19970404 Presidential Statement Notes Some Recent Cooperation By Alliance of Democratic Forces for Liberation of Congo/Zaire

The Security Council this evening strongly urged all concerned parties in eastern Zaire, in particular the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo/Zaire (ADFL), to ensure unrestricted access by United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations to guarantee the provision of humanitarian assistance to refugees, displaced persons and other affected civilian inhabitants.

Underlining the obligations of all concerned to respect the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law, the Council noted that some cooperation had recently been extended to relief agencies by the ADFL.

In a statement read out by President Antonio Monteiro (Portugal), the Council also urged the parties to cooperate fully with the United Nations in the implementation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) repatriation plan for eastern Zaire. It also called on the Government of Rwanda to facilitate the plan's implementation.

The meeting, which began at 8:43 p.m., was adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement, which will be issued as document S/PRST/1997/19, reads as follows:

"The Security Council reiterates its deep concern about the alarming situation of refugees and displaced persons in eastern Zaire.

"The Security Council underlines the obligation of all concerned to respect the relevant provisions of international humanitarian law.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6353 3762nd Meeting (Night) 4 April 1997

"The Security Council, while noting that some cooperation has recently been extended to humanitarian relief agencies by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo/Zaire (ADFL), strongly urges the parties, and in particular the ADFL, to ensure unrestricted and safe access by United Nations agencies and other humanitarian organizations to guarantee the provision of humanitarian assistance to, and the safety of, all refugees, displaced persons and other affected civilian inhabitants.

"The Security Council also urges the ADFL to cooperate fully with the United Nations in the implementation of the repatriation plan for eastern Zaire of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In this context, it calls on the Government of Rwanda to facilitate the implementation of this plan.

"The Security Council will remain actively seized of the matter."

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