SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS UNITA LEADER RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO UN APPEALS TO SEARCH AND RESCUE POSSIBLE SURVIVORS OF FLIGHT 806
Press Release
SC/6619
SECURITY COUNCIL DEMANDS UNITA LEADER RESPOND IMMEDIATELY TO UN APPEALS TO SEARCH AND RESCUE POSSIBLE SURVIVORS OF FLIGHT 806
19981231 Resolution 1219 (1998), Unanimously Adopted, Condemns Absence Of Actions to Determine Fate of Crew and Passengers aboard 26 December CrashExpressing concern in the strongest terms at the crash of United Nations flight 806 and at the disappearance of other aircraft reportedly over territory controlled by the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA), the Security Council this afternoon demanded that the leader of UNITA immediately respond to United Nations appeals and guarantee security and access in the search and rescue of possible survivors. The Government of Angola was called upon to cooperate in the operation.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1219 (1998), the Council expressed its intention to take appropriate action under the United Nations Charter, following an assessment by 11 January 1999 of compliance with the present text.
The Council condemned the absence of effective actions to determine the fate of the crew and passengers aboard the 26 December crash and other missing aircraft. It called for an immediate international investigation of those incidents, and for all concerned, especially UNITA, to facilitate it. It deplored the incomprehensible lack of cooperation in clarifying the circumstances of that tragedy and in permitting the prompt dispatch of a United Nations search and rescue mission.
By further provisions of the text, the Council again called for compliance with its measures against UNITA, including an arms embargo and travel restrictions on UNITA officials.
The meeting, which was called to order at 2:29 p.m., adjourned at 2:32 p.m.
Text of Resolution
The full text of resolution 1219 (1998) (document S/1998/1238) reads as follows:
Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6619 3962nd Meeting (PM) 31 December 1998
"The Security Council,
"Reaffirming its resolution 696 (1991) of 30 May 1991 and all subsequent relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1202 (1998) of 15 October 1998 and 1213 (1998) of 3 December 1998,
"Recalling the statement of its President of 23 December 1998 (S/PRST/1998/37),
"Expressing concern in the strongest terms at the crash of United Nations flight 806 and at the disappearance of other aircraft reportedly over territory controlled by the Uniao Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA),
"1. Expresses its deep concern regarding the fate of the passengers and crew of United Nations flight 806 and deplores the incomprehensible lack of cooperation in clarifying the circumstances of this tragedy and in permitting the prompt dispatch of a United Nations search and rescue mission;
"2. Demands that the leader of UNITA, Mr. Jonas Savimbi, immediately respond to the appeals from the United Nations and guarantee the security and access necessary for, and assist in, the search for and rescue of possible survivors of the above-mentioned incidents in territory controlled by UNITA and calls upon the Government of Angola to cooperate as appropriate in fulfilment of its expressed commitment to do so;
"3. Expresses its serious concern at the increase in incidents involving the disappearance of aircraft reportedly over territory controlled by UNITA;
"4. Condemns the lack of effective actions to determine the fate of the crews and passengers of the aircraft referred to in paragraph 3 above, calls for an immediate and objective international investigation of these incidents and calls upon all concerned, especially UNITA, to facilitate such an investigation;
"5. Expresses its intention to assess compliance with the present resolution no later than 11 January 1999 and to take action, as appropriate, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter of the United Nations;
"6. Reaffirms the need for compliance with the measures against UNITA contained in resolutions 864 (1993) of 15 September 1993, 1127 (1997) of 28 August 1997 and 1173 (1998) of 12 June 1998, which were imposed under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
"7. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
* *** *