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A HEARTENING NEWS FOR REFUGEES IN Z



Subject: A HEARTENING NEWS FOR REFUGEES IN ZAIRE(UN Press reles SC/6326)

[18 Feb 1997] SC/6326 : SECURITY COUNCIL ENDORSES PEACE PLAN FOR GREAT
LAKES REGION PROPOSED BY UN/OAU SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE </title>

<BR>             
The Security Council this evening endorsed a five-point peace plan for
eastern Zaire which calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities,
withdrawal of all external forces, including mercenaries, and the     
reaffirmation of respect for the national sovereignty and territorial 
integrity of Zaire and other States in the Great Lakes region. <P>

Contained in resolution 1097 (1997), which was adopted unanimously by
the Council, the plan also calls for protection and security for all refugees
and displaced persons and for the rapid and peaceful settlement of the crisis
in the region through dialogue, the electoral process and the convening of an
international conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes
region.  <P>              

The plan was proposed by the joint United Nations/Organization of
African Unity Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, Mohamed
Sahnoun.  It was transmitted to the Council in an 18 February letter from
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who stated that the Special Representative was
in Kinshasa working on the plan and hoped it would be endorsed by all parties.
In light of the numerous peace initiatives currently under way to restore
peace in eastern Zaire, the Secretary-General asked for immediate Council
support for Mr. Sahnoun's initiative.   <P>              

In a presidential statement on 7 February, the Council had expressed 
full support for the Special Representative and had urged the parties to
cooperate fully with his mission.  It had also reaffirmed the importance of
holding an international conference on peace, security and development in the
Great Lakes region under the auspices of the United Nations and the
Organization of African Unity. <P>              

The meeting, which was called to order at  7:34 p.m., was adjourned at
7:40 p.m.

Resolution adopted

the full text of resolution 1097 is as follows:

"The Security Council <P>              
"Gravely concerned at the deteriorating situation in the Great Lakes           
region, in particular eastern Zaire, and expressing serious concern over the
safety of refugees and displaced persons whose lives are in danger, <P>
"Welcoming the letter dated 18 February 1997 from the Secretary-General
to the President of the Council (S/1997/136) regarding progress in the efforts
to resolve the crisis in the Great Lakes region, <P>
              
"Reaffirming the Statement by the President of the Council of 7 February
1997 (S/PRST/1997/5),  <P>              

"Reaffirming also the obligation to respect national sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the States of the Great Lakes region and the need for
the States of the region to refrain from any interference in each other's
internal affairs, <P>              

"Underlining the obligation of all concerned to respect strictly the
relevant provisions of international humanitarian law,  <P>
"Reiterating its support for the joint United Nations/Organization of
African Unity Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region in the
fulfilment of his mandate, and underlining the need for all Governments in the
region and the parties concerned to cooperate fully with the mission of the
Special Representative, <P>              

"1.  Endorses the following five-point peace plan for eastern Zaire, as
set out in the letter from the Secretary-General of 18 February 1997: <P>
              
"--  Immediate cessation of hostilities; <P>              
"--  Withdrawal of all external forces, including mercenaries; <P>
"--  Reaffirmation of respect for the national sovereignty and the
     territorial integrity of Zaire and other States of the Great Lakes
     region; <P>              
"--  Protection and security for all refugees and displaced persons and 
     facilitation of access to humanitarian assistance; <P>              
"--  Rapid and peaceful settlement of the crisis through dialogue, the
     electoral process and the convening of an international conference
     on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region; <P>
              
"2.  Calls on all Governments and parties concerned to cooperate with 
the joint United Nations/Organization of African Unity Special Representative
for the Great Lakes Region to achieve lasting peace in the region; <P>
              
"3.  Decides to remain actively seized of the matter." <P> 
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