Security Council

4415^th Meeting (Night)

SECURITY COUNCIL SETS UNITED NATIONS COURSE FOR SUPPORTING

NEW GOVERNANCE IN AFGHANISTAN; URGES NO REPRISALS

Resolution 1378, Adopted Unanimously, Anticipates Broad-Based,

Multi-Ethnic Transitional Administration, Leading to New Government

Following its day-long meeting on Afghanistan yesterday, the Security Council this evening affirmed that the United Nations should play a central role in supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to urgently establish a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a new government.

The Council took that action as it unanimously adopted resolution 1378 (2001) by whose terms it expressed full support for the Secretary-General’s special Representative in Afghanistan -- Lakhdar Brahimi -- in the accomplishment of his mandate, and called on all Afghans and Member States to cooperate with him.

Mr. Brahimi is entrusted with the overall authority for the humanitarian, human rights and political endeavours of the United Nations in Afghanistan.  He will also initiate preparations for the transition to the post-conflict, peace-building phase, through the development of plans for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of that country.

By other terms the Council condemned the Taliban for allowing Afghanistan to be used for the export of terrorism.  It expressed strong support for the efforts of the Afghan people to establish a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a government.  According to the resolution both entities should be broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative of all the Afghan people and committed to peace with Afghanistan’s neighbours.

Recognizing the urgency of the security and political situation in Afghanistan, in light of the most recent developments, particularly in the Afghan capital of Kabul, the Council called on Afghan forces to refrain from acts of reprisal, and to adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law.  Those forces were also called on to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of the United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations.

The resolution also called on Member States to provide:  support for the interim administration and the ensuing government; urgent humanitarian assistance to Afghans, both inside and outside the country; and long-term assistance for the socio-economic reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan.

During yesterday’s meeting, at which statements from the representatives of 38 Member States, including 21 foreign ministers, were heard, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan described Afghanistan as one of the Organization’s greatest challenges which was now at its “most urgent state”.  Speaking after the Secretary-General, Mr. Brahimi, in a detailed and lengthy briefing, outlined plans for the political transition of Afghanistan, in addition to sharing with Council members his insights after a recent visit to the region.

The meeting, which began at 6:18 p.m., was adjourned at 6:22 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of Security Council resolution 1378 (2001) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular resolutions 1267 (1999) of 15 October 1999, 1333 (2000) of 19 December 2000 and 1363 (2001) of 30 July 2001,

“Supporting international efforts to root out terrorism, in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations, and reaffirming also its resolutions 1368 (2001) of 12 September 2001 and 1373 (2001) of 28 September 2001,

“Recognizing the urgency of the security and political situation in Afghanistan in light of the most recent developments, particularly in Kabul,

“Condemning the Taliban for allowing Afghanistan to be used as a base for the export of terrorism by the Al-Qaida network and other terrorist groups and for providing safe haven to Usama Bin Laden, Al-Qaida and others associated with them, and in this context supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to replace the Taliban regime,

“Welcoming the intention of the Special Representative to convene an urgent meeting of the various Afghan processes at an appropriate venue and calling on the United Front and all Afghans represented in those processes to accept his invitation to that meeting without delay, in good faith and without preconditions,

“Welcoming the Declaration on the Situation in Afghanistan by the Foreign Ministers and other Senior Representatives of the Six plus Two of 12 November 2001, as well as the support being offered by other international groups,

“Taking note of the views expressed at the meeting of the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan on 13 November 2001,

“Endorsing the approach outlined by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General at the meeting of the Security Council on 13 November 2001,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan,

“Deeply concerned by the grave humanitarian situation and the continuing serious violations by the Taliban of human rights and international humanitarian law,

“1.  Expresses its strong support for the efforts of the Afghan people to establish a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a government, both of which:

–  Should be broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative of all the Afghan people and committed to peace with Afghanistan’s neighbours,

–  Should respect the human rights of all Afghan people, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion,

–  Should respect Afghanistan’s international obligations, including by cooperating fully in international efforts to combat terrorism and illicit drug trafficking within and from Afghanistan,

–  and should facilitate the urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance and the orderly return of refugees and internally displaced persons, when the situation permits;

“2.  Calls on all Afghan forces to refrain from acts of reprisal, adhere strictly to their obligations under human rights and international humanitarian law, and to ensure the safety and security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations;

“3.  Affirms that the United Nations should play a central role in supporting the efforts of the Afghan people to establish urgently such a new and transitional administration leading to the formation of a new government and, expresses its full support for the Secretary-General’s Special Representative in the accomplishment of his mandate, and calls on Afghans, both within Afghanistan and among the Afghan diaspora, and Member States to cooperate with him;

“4.  Calls on Member States to provide:

–  support for such an administration and government, including through the implementation of quick-impact projects,

–  urgent humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of Afghan people both inside Afghanistan and Afghan refugees, including in demining,

–  and long-term assistance for the social and economic reconstruction and rehabilitation of Afghanistan and welcomes initiatives towards this end;

“5.  Encourages Member States to support efforts to ensure the safety and security of areas of Afghanistan no longer under Taliban control, and in particular to ensure respect for Kabul as the capital for all the Afghan people, and especially to protect civilians, transitional authorities, United Nations and associated personnel, as well as personnel of humanitarian organizations;

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

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