The Wayback Machine - https://web.archive.org/all/20041221000546/http://www.un.int:80/usa/02_116.htm
Home About the Mission News Information Topics Links Search Site Index Archives


USUN PRESS RELEASE # 116 (02)
August 8, 2002

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Remarks by Ambassador John D. Negroponte, as Security Council President on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, at the Security Council Stake-out, August 8, 2002

Ambassador Negroponte (as Security Council President): I just want to talk a little bit about the meetings that we had today in both the open and the private meetings on the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members heard statements from the Foreign Ministers of South Africa and the DRC, and the Rwandan Special Envoy on the Great Lakes, regarding the Agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda on July 30.  The Secretary-General also addressed the members on the Agreement.

Following this public meeting, the Council moved into a private meeting with Foreign Minister Zuma of South Africa, Foreign Minister Okitundu of the Congo, and Special Envoy Mazimpaka of Rwanda.  Members welcomed the Agreement as a very positive step in resolving the conflict in the Congo. Members acknowledged that while there are details to work out, they are encouraged by the political will expressed in the Agreement by Presidents Kabila and Kagame.

Members strongly commended the Government of South Africa and, in particular President Mbeki, for their roles in negotiating the Agreement.  Members welcomed South Africa's continued involvement in helping to implement the Agreement.  Members also welcomed the part played by the African Union and the Security Council looks forward to the African Union's further influence in helping to bring an end to the conflict in the DRC.

Members acknowledged that the UN will have a role in assisting the parties and other African states in implementation and, therefore, welcomed the intention of the parties to consult closely with MONUC, that is to say, the peacekeeping force in the Congo, and other relevant UN agencies as soon as possible.

Members also used this meeting to seek clarification on various aspects of the Agreement and further details on its implementation.  These questions related to a range of issues, including the timeframes for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and the demobilization process for Hutu rebels, the role of MONUC in implementation, and the future role of South Africa as the "Third Party" to the Agreement.

The discussion with the parties was very useful to Members.  We anticipate that the Council will return to the matter later this month, perhaps to issue a statement on the Agreement.  The Council will also be considering recommendations from the Secretariat in due course on MONUC's operations and any useful role MONUC can play in support of the parties' implementation of the Agreement.

Yes, sir?

Reporter:  The Iraqi ambassador said that there are going to be requests by Council Members to the Secretary-General, at least by some Council Members, that the Blix memo that was sent to him last week be distributed to the Council membership.  Has that Blix memo been distributed or has a request been made to the SG to have that memo distributed?

Ambassador Negroponte (as Security Council President): I think since the entire focus of our day has been on the issue of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I'm just not in a position to answer your question.  I don't know it as a question of fact, and you might want to direct your question to the Secretariat.

Reporter: But there's been no letter. Is it fair to say that there's been no Blix letter distributed to the council?  They're making a point saying that Council Members yesterday raised the issue of seeing the memo that Dr. Blix sent the Secretary-General as a reaction to the Iraqi memo of last week. They are saying that it has been distributed to the Council.

Ambassador Negroponte (as Security Council President): I'm afraid I'm just not in a position to answer your question.

Reporter: On Colombia. The Congo is (inaudible). Have you heard of anything on an agreement between Colombia to accept the UN as a mediator?  They applauded it but there's news that the president has announced in a statement that the UN would be a mediator there.

Ambassador Negroponte (as Security Council President): One of the joys, pleasures, and burdens of being the President of the Council is one who gets closeted in the business of the Council virtually for the entire day. I have been working on nothing else since 9:30 this morning so I regret I cannot be more informative, more helpful, but let's take the question, and if we can, answer it for you later on or find out some more information we shall do that.

Thank you very much.

 

###


 

home