unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (09/03/89)
UN MIDWEEK HGHLIGHTS
SECURITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY ADOPTS RESOLUTION DEMANDING STRICT COMPLIANCE
BY ALL PARTIES WITH TERMS OF COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS FOR NAMIBIAN INDEPENDENCE
Adopting a resolution which was formulated after a series of Security
Council meetings and extensive consultations among members, the Council this
afternoon demanded "strict compliance by all parties concerned, especially
South Africa" with earlier Council resolutions on the United Nations Plan for
Namibian independence.
The resolution, adopted unanimously with all 15 members voting in favour,
also demanded the disbandment of all para-military and ethnic forces and
commando units, in particular the 'Koevoet' unit, as well as the dismantling
of their command structures. The resolution expressed concern at reports of
"widespread intimidation and harassment of the civilian population, in
particular by elements of 'Koevoet' in SWAPOL (the South West African Police)"
The action by the Council followed complaints by the African Group of
United Nations member-countries and the movement of non-aligned nations that
South Africa was not fully complying with Council resolutions on the United
Nations settlement plan and the deployment of the United Nations Transition
Assistance Group (UNTAG) which is now overseeing the independence process in
the territory.
In other provisions of the resolution adopted this afternoon, the Council
asked the Secretary-General to review the adequacy of the military component
of UNTAG, and a possible increase in the number of police monitors. The
Secretary-General was also asked, in his supervision and control of the
electoral process in Namibia, to ensure that all legislation concerning that
process was in conformity with provisions of the United Nations settlement
plan, and also that strict impartiality was observed in the provision of
"media facilities" in the territory, especially on radio and television, to
all parties for the dissemination of information concerning the election.
Addressing the Council, Sir Crispin Tickell of Britain noted that the
resolution had been the outcome of extensive debate and consultations. He
said Britain had doubts about its even-handedness and impartiality, and
assumed that the specific demand for South Africa's compliance with the
United Nations settlement plan was an acknowledgement of South Africa's
special responsibilities. The Council, he said, must be seen to be impartial
overseeing the Namibian independence process. In order to sustain the
unanimity in the Council, which was essential, he was supporting the
resolution.
For the United States, Thomas Pickering said that ever since the
United Nations independence plan for Namibia was adopted in 1978, it was known
that the "road would be a difficult one". Success of the settlement plan
depended largely on the unity and cohesiveness of the Security Council on the
issue, and the United States had joined in the unanimous adoption of the
resolution which, he said, represented "a compromise among several
strongly-held positions". He said it was his understanding that any decision
on the actual deployment of extra personnel for UNTAG would be taken by the
Secretary-General in appropriate consultation with the Council.
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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