COUNCIL EXEMPTS NON-LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM EMBARGO ON WEAPONS DELIVERIES TO SOMALIA

Security Council

4332^nd Meeting (PM)

COUNCIL EXEMPTS NON-LETHAL MILITARY EQUIPMENT FROM EMBARGO

ON WEAPONS DELIVERIES TO SOMALIA

Recognizing the ongoing efforts of the United Nations, its specialized agencies and humanitarian organizations to deliver humanitarian assistance to Somalia, the Security Council this afternoon adopted unanimously resolution 1356 (2001) regarding items falling under an embargo on military equipment imposed on that country by resolution 733 (1992).

The Council, acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, decided that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) shall not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Somalia by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only.

The Council also decided that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) shall not apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, as approved in advance by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992), and requested the same Committee to give consideration to and decide upon requests for the exemptions.

[By paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992), the Council decided, under  Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, that all States shall, for the purposes of establishing peace and stability in Somalia, immediately implement a general and complete embargo on all deliveries of weapons and military equipment to Somalia until the Council decides otherwise.]

The meeting, which started at 4:30 p.m., adjourned at 4:32 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1356 (2001), contained in document S/2001/589, reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its resolutions 733 (1992) of 23 January 1992 and 751 (1992) of 24 April 1992,

“Expressing its desire to see peace and security return to Somalia,

“Recognizing the ongoing efforts of the United Nations, its specialized agencies and humanitarian organizations to deliver humanitarian assistance to Somalia,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,

“1.   Reiterates to all States their obligation to comply with the measures imposed by resolution 733 (1992), and urges each State to take the necessary steps to ensure full implementation and enforcement of the arms embargo;

“2.   Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) shall not apply to protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to Somalia by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel for their personal use only;

“3.   Decides also that the measures imposed by paragraph 5 of resolution 733 (1992) shall not apply to supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, as approved in advance by the Committee established pursuant to resolution 751 (1992) (the Committee);

“4.   Requests the Committee to give consideration to and decide upon requests for the exemptions set out in paragraph 3 above;

“5.   Decides to remain seized of the matter.”

* *** *