SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS NEW UN MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SHOWS ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO HELP AFRICA ATTAIN STABILITY, PEACE
Press Release
SG/SM/6506
PKO/70
SECRETARY-GENERAL SAYS NEW UN MISSION IN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC SHOWS ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO HELP AFRICA ATTAIN STABILITY, PEACE
19980327 The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary- General Kofi Annan:This morning, the Security Council authorized the establishment of the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCA). The first new United Nations peacekeeping mission to be established in Africa since October 1993 -- a major expansion of the United Nations Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM III) was approved by the Council in February 1995 -- MINURCA will take over responsibility from the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) and will be tasked to continue to maintain security and stability in Bangui.
The Security Council has authorized the Secretary-General to take measures necessary to ensure that MINURCA is fully deployed by 15 April. This deadline is unusually tight. The Secretary-General hopes that Member States will assist the Secretariat in meeting this deadline. The Secretary-General is grateful to those countries contributing troops and logistical support to MISAB, who have agreed to take part in MINURCA, as well as to the new troop contributors.
The establishment of MINURCA demonstrates the continued commitment of the United Nations, and the international community at large, to help Africa to attain stability and peace. The MINURCA will be established for an initial period of three months. Any extension beyond this period will depend on satisfactory progress being made by the Central African Republic parties towards the full implementation of the Bangui Agreements and the National Reconciliation Pact.
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