Security Council

4602^nd Meeting (PM)

COUNCIL EXPRESSES SUPPORT FOR PRETORIA AGREEMENT

ON DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO CONFLICT

Presidential Statement Urges Parties to Comply With Their Responsibilities

The Security Council this afternoon welcomed and expressed full support for the implementation of the 30 July Pretoria Agreement concerning the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the dismantling of the ex-Forces armees rwandaise (FAR) and Interahamwe militia in that country.

Adopting presidential statement S/PRST/2002/24, read out by Council president James Cunningham (United States), members stressed the responsibilities of the two parties set out in the Peace Agreement and Implementation Plan and called upon the international community to assist and expedite the carrying out of those responsibilities.

Council members welcomed the commitments of the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, under the Peace Agreement, to cooperate in the identification, disarmament and repatriation of ex-FAR and Interhamwe.  They urged the parties to make every effort to comply fully with all their obligations in conformity with Security Council resolution 1341 (2001) of 22 February 2001 and the Programme of Implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The Council commended the two Governments for engaging in direct dialogue on their mutual security concerns and urged them to continue that dialogue.  It also commended the Government of South Africa for facilitating the Peace Agreement, and for its further role, together with the United Nations Secretary-General, regarding the Peace Agreement.

Welcoming also the commitment of the Rwandan Government, under the Peace Agreement, regarding the withdrawal of its troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and noted Rwanda's submission of its initial troop withdrawal plan to the "Third Party".

Expressing its full support for implementation of the Peace Agreement, Council members reiterated their support for the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), particularly in the area of voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration.  They looked forward to considering as soon as possible the Secretary-General's recommendations on how MONUC could assist the parties.

The meeting, which began at 12:03 p.m., adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

Following is the text of presidential statement S/PRST/2002/24:

“The Security Council expresses its appreciation to the Foreign Ministers of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to the Special Envoy of the President of Rwanda, who participated in its meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 8 August 2002.

“The Security Council welcomes the Peace Agreement of 30 July 2002 between the Governments of the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Implementation Programme for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the dismantling of the ex-FAR and Interahamwe forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2002/914).  The Council commends the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda for engaging in direct dialogue on their mutual security concerns and urges them to continue this dialogue.

“The Security Council expresses its full support for the implementation of the Peace Agreement.  In this regard, the Security Council looks forward to considering as soon as possible the recommendations of the Secretary-General on how the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), and through MONUC’s coordination all relevant United Nations agencies, can assist the parties in their responsibilities to implement the Peace Agreement.

“The Security Council commends the Government of the Republic of South Africa for its facilitation of the Peace Agreement, and for its further role, together with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, regarding the Peace Agreement.

“The Security Council stresses in particular the responsibilities of the two parties set out in the Peace Agreement and Implementation Plan and calls upon the international community to assist and expedite the carrying out of these responsibilities.

“The Security Council reiterates its support for the mandate of MONUC, as established by its resolution 1417 (2002) of 14 June 2002, in particular in the area of voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration.

“The Security Council expresses the importance of close consultations and cooperation between the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and the Republic of South Africa, as well as MONUC, and through MONUC’s coordination, all relevant United Nations agencies, on measures that can help implement this Agreement and facilitate voluntary disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration.

“The Security Council welcomes the commitments of both the Governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda under the Peace Agreement to cooperate in the identification, disarmament and repatriation of ex-FAR and Interahamwe.  The Council urges the parties to the Peace Agreement to make every effort to fully comply with all their obligations in conformity with Security Council resolution 1341 (2001) of 22 February 2001 and the programme of implementation of the Peace Agreement.  The Security Council also welcomes the

commitment of the Government of Rwanda, under the Peace Agreement, regarding the withdrawal of its troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, in this regard, notes Rwanda’s submission of its initial troop withdrawal plan to the ‘Third Party’.

“The Security Council will remain seized of these matters.”

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