S/PRST/1997/31
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL
At the 3784th meeting of the Security
Council, held on 29 May 1997 in connection with the Council's consideration
of the item
entitled "The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the
Congo", the President of the Security Council made the
following statement on behalf of the Council:
"The Security Council expresses
its support for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as they
begin a new
period in their history. The Council respects the legitimate national aspirations
of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to achieve peace,
national reconciliation and progress in the political, economic and social
fields to the benefit of all, and opposes any interference in its internal
affairs.
"The Security Council recalls its
resolution 1097 (1997) of 18 February 1997 which endorses the United Nations
five-point
peace plan.
"The Security Council welcomes the
end of the fighting and expresses its satisfaction that stability has begun
to return to the
country.
"The Security Council reaffirms
the national sovereignty and the territorial integrity of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo
and calls for the withdrawal of all external forces, including mercenaries.
"The Security Council, in accordance with the United Nations five-point peace plan, calls for the rapid and peaceful settlement of the crisis through dialogue and the convening of an international conference on peace, security and development in the Great Lakes region. The Council also reaffirms the statement of its President of 30 April 1997 (S/PRST/1997/24) calling for rapidagreement on peaceful transitional arrangements leading to the holding of democratic and free elections with the participa tion of all parties.
"The Security Council believes that
the convening of 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 will be essential in
promoting regional peace and stability.
"The Security Council, in accordance
with the United Nations five-point peace plan, calls for protection and
security for all
refugees and displaced persons and facilitation of access to humanitarian
assistance. It reiterates its call for full respect for the rights of refugees
and displaced persons, and for access and safety for humanitarian relief
workers. It also reiterates in the strongest terms its call for complete
cooperation with the United Nations mission investigating reports of massacres,
other atrocities and violations of international humanitarian law in the
country, including to provide it full and immediate access and to ensure
its security. It is particularly concerned by reports that refugees in
the east of the country are being systematically killed. It calls for an
immediate end to the violence against refugees in the country.
"The Security Council expresses its deep appreciation to the Secretaries-General of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity and their Special Representative, to the Government of South Africa, and to all those inside and outside the region for their efforts to facilitate a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo."