SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES ESTABLISHMENT, FOR INITIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS, OF UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN ANGOLA

Press Release
SC/6740

SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZES ESTABLISHMENT, FOR INITIAL PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS, OF UNITED NATIONS OFFICE IN ANGOLA

Resolution 1268 (1999) Adopted Unanimously

The Security Council this afternoon authorized the establishment, for an initial period of six months until 15 April 2000, of the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA). The office will be staffed with the personnel necessary to liaise with the political, military, police and other civilian authorities, with a view to exploring measures for restoring peace, assisting the Angolan people in capacity-building, humanitarian assistance, the promotion of human rights and coordinating other activities.

As it unanimously adopted resolution 1268 (1999), the Council also decided that, pending further consultations between the United Nations and the Government of Angola, UNOA would consist of up to 30 substantive professional staff, as well as the necessary administrative and other support personnel.

The Council expressed its readiness to review the configuration and mandate of the United Nations presence in Angola upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General in consultation with the Government of Angola.

The Council requested the Secretary-General to provide, every three months, a report on developments in Angola, including his recommendations about additional measures the Council might consider to promote the peace process in that country.

Expressing concern at the humanitarian effects of the present situation on the civilian population in Angola, the Council stressed that the United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UNCAH) would continue to operate and to be funded in its present configuration.

The meeting, which was called to order at 12:40 p.m., was adjourned at 12:43 p.m.

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Resolution

The text of resolution 1268 (1999) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its resolution 696 (1991) of 30 May 1991 and all subsequent relevant resolutions, in particular resolutions 1229 (1999) of 26 February 1999, and 1237 (1999) of 7 May 1999,

“Recalling the statements of its President of 21 January 1999 (S/PRST/1999/3) and 24 August 1999 (S/PRST/1999/26),

“Reaffirming its commitment to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Angola,

“Reiterating that the primary cause of the present situation in Angola is the failure of the União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola (UNITA) under the leadership of Mr. Jonas Savimbi to comply with its obligations under the "Acordos de Paz" (S/22609, annex), the Lusaka Protocol (S/1994/1441, annex) and relevant Security Council resolutions,

“Reiterating also that lasting peace and national reconciliation can only be achieved through peaceful means, and in this regard reaffirming the importance of the "Acordos de Paz", the Lusaka Protocol and relevant Security Council resolutions,

“Expressing its concern at the humanitarian effects of the present situation on the civilian population in Angola,

“Welcoming the letter of the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council of 11 August 1999 (S/1999/871), and the letters referred to therein from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Angola to the Secretary-General of 26 July 1999 (S/1999/871, annex I) and from the Secretary-General to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Angola of 2 August (S/1999/871, annex II),

“Reaffirming its view that a continued presence of the United Nations in Angola can contribute greatly to the promotion of peace, national reconciliation, human rights and regional security,

“1. Authorizes the establishment, for an initial period of six months until 15 April 2000, of the United Nations Office in Angola (UNOA) staffed with the personnel necessary to liaise with the political, military, police and other civilian authorities, with a view to exploring effective measures for restoring peace, assisting the Angolan people in the area of capacity-building, humanitarian

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assistance, the promotion of human rights, and coordinating other activities;

“2. Decides that, pending further consultations between the United Nations and the Government of Angola, UNOA will consist of up to 30 substantive professional staff, as well as the necessary administrative and other support personnel;

“3. Stresses that the United Nations Humanitarian Assistance Coordination Unit (UCAH) will continue to operate and to be funded in its present configuration;

“4. Calls upon all parties concerned and in particular UNITA to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of the United Nations and associated personnel and to respect fully their status;

“5. Calls upon the Government of Angola and the Secretary-General to conclude as soon as possible a Status of Mission Agreement;

“6. Expresses its readiness to review the configuration and mandate of the United Nations presence in Angola upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General in consultation with the Government of Angola;

“7. Requests the Secretary-General to provide every three months a report on developments in Angola including his recommendations about additional measures the Council might consider to promote the peace process in Angola;

“8. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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