PRESS STATEMENT ON GUINEA-BISSAU BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on Guinea-Bissau by Jeremy Greenstock (United Kingdom), President of the Security Council:

This morning we had a private meeting of the Security Council in the main room on Guinea-Bissau, with a briefing from the Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Peace-Building Support Office, David Stephen.  Members authorized me to make the following statement on their behalf.

Members of the Council supported the Secretary-General’s call in his latest report on Guinea-Bissau for all the parties and leaders there to promote constructive dialogue within the norms laid down by the constitution. 

Members supported the Secretary-General’s appeal to both the executive and the legislative branches to reach a compromise on the constitutional issue, including the separation of powers. 

Members of the Council called on President Kumba Yala to commit himself to three things:  to full respect for national reconciliation, good governance and the implementation of the programme for demobilization, reintegration and reinsertion of former combatants; to close monitoring of the management of public finances; and to improved interrelations with the Gambia and continuing full cooperation with Senegal on the issues at stake. 

Members of the Council supported the Secretary-General’s call for assistance from the international community for Guinea-Bissau in priority areas, and encouraged the Bretton Woods institutions to continue their constructive engagement with Guinea-Bissau.

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