Sumario: 14 May, 2002: EU Statement at the Security Council on the Great Lakes (New York)
Mr. President,
Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta, Turkey, Iceland and Liechtenstein align themselves with this statement.
The EU welcomes the third Security Council mission to the Great Lakes region which took place between 27 April and 7 May 2002 as a proof of the Security Council´s determination to maintain a long-term engagement in favour of peace in the Great Lakes region, and wishes to pay tribute to the leadership shown by Ambassador Jean-David Levitte as Head of the Mission.
The EU welcomes the progress made at the meeting of the inter-Congolese dialogue at which the various delegations discussed highly sensitive issues in a calm and constructive climate. We note that the thirty-seven reports approved establish beyond doubt the high level of commitment invested in the search for national reconciliation and peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The EU also wishes to express its thanks for the work of the dialogue Facilitator's team and for the efforts of the Government of the Republic of South Africa.
The EU takes note of the agreement signed between the Government of the DRC and the MLC, and endorsed by many political opposition parties and representatives of sections of civil society. The political agreement reached at the dialogue between the Government and the MLC, to which a majority of the participants were also parties, could facilitate the political transition and help to consolidate the regional peace process in the DRC based on the Lusaka Agreement and the resolutions of the United
Nations Security Council. The EU welcomes the desire expressed by the signatories to extend the agreement to all Congolese parties and urges them to pursue negotiations without delay in a spirit of openness in order to reach a comprehensive and all-inclusive agreement on the transitional institutions.
We ask all the Congolese parties to act responsibly, show a willingness to compromise and abide by the framework established by the Lusaka Agreements, that remains the consensual basis for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and by all the relevant United Nations resolutions.
The EU calls on all countries in the region to exert influence on all the Congolese parties to ensure that they respect and support the desire and support for peace, democracy and reconciliation expressed at Sun City.
The EU remains very concerned by the continuing clashes in the North and East of the country and by the renewed instability in Kasai and urges all the parties to the Lusaka Agreement to refrain from all military operations and all other acts of provocation that could threaten the political impetus that has emerged from the Sun City meeting.
Regarding the withdrawal of foreign forces from DRC territory, the EU supports the proposal presented by the Security Council mission for the establishment of a "curtain" of troops along the eastern borders of the DRC as an interim measure aimed at ensuring border security in the final stages of withdrawal.
We recall that the parties will have to work together to create the climate of confidence and security necessary to facilitate the process of DDRRR and we call on them to work closely and cooperate with MONUC. The DDRRR Division is playing a crucial role in the current phase III of the deployment of MONUC and it has to be given the means to fulfil its tasks. The EU supports the recommendation of the Secretary-General in his report S/2002/169 that the military strength of MONUC be increased and
encourages the Security Council to give due consideration to this recommendation when it discusses the renewal of the mandate of MONUC.
The EU also supports the Security Council´s strong position in the immediate and unconditional demilitarization of Kisangani.
We hope that the situation of the combatants at Kamina will be resolved soon, and that this will constitute a good start for the DDRRR operations. The EU is ready to support any efforts in this area and the European Commission is preparing a first contribution of 20 million euros to the World Bank Trust Fund created on behalf of the regional DDRRR program.
We remain deeply concerned about the serious violations of human rights and the appalling humanitarian situation of a large part of the population in the DRC. We support the recommendation of the mission that the Security Council should pay particular attention to MONUC´s mandate in the field of human rights and humanitarian assistance to populations in need, taking fully into account the needs of women and girls. The progressive deployment of MONUC human rights and humanitarian personnel into
eastern DRC should be expected to lead to improvements in this area.
The EU considers that the establishment of a future follow-up mechanism to the peace process as suggested by the Security Council mission, would be important in order to help ensure coordination and coherence of the action taken by the international community.
Mr President,
regarding the situation in Burundi, the European Union is extremely concerned by the continuing violence and worsening humanitarian situation, particularly in rural Bujumbura. Once again, it urges all warring factions to respect the civilian population in the name of international humanitarian law, and all parties to respect human rights.
The European Union condemns the logic of war, still apparently being followed by the armed groups. The EU calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges all armed factions to continue current talks with the firm intention of bringing them to a successful conclusion. At the same time the EU calls on the Burundian Government to pursue a transparent and coherent policy of reintegrating armed groups into the Burundian army. It encourages the efforts to negotiate a definitive and
permanent ceasefire which are continuing under Gabonese/South African facilitation and with the support of Tanzania. The European Union is ready to support this process.
The European Union notes the beginning of the operation for the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees in Tanzania under the Tripartite Agreement between the UNHCR and the Burundian and Tanzanian Governments. It points out that, in accordance with the Arusha Agreement, the return of refugees must be voluntary and take place in dignity with guaranteed security, taking into account the particular vulnerability of women and children. The EU urges the armed groups to do everything possible to
guarantee the security of refugees returning to Burundi. Reception mechanisms must be put in place before their return.
The European Union also encourages the Government and all the transitional institutions to consolidate the reform process which has already begun by implementing the transition programme in accordance with the planned timetable, so as to construct a Burundian society which complies with the contents of the agreement and caters for all Burundians. We concur with the Security Council mission about the need to implement the reforms called for in the Arusha Agreement by the transitional government,
with or without a ceasefire. Within this framework, the European Union expresses its willingness to continue to support this process.
Thank you, Mr. President.
| Arriba |
Estados Miembros de la Union Europea
Alertas por e-mail
Enviar por e-mail
Imprimir esta página