unitex@rubbs.fidonet.org (unitex) (08/24/89)
had a special interest in the future of Namibia, to be prepared to supply
additional police if the need arose. Quite apart from former Koevoet
personnel, the UNTAG police would face growing demands as the election
approached, and Canada for one stoods ready to redeem that pledge. Secondly,
the Committee had favoured the formation of a Commonwealth observer group
which would report to the mid-October Heads of Government meeting in Kuala
Lumpur. The Commonwealth would thereby lend its weight to other international
efforts to buttress the United Nations operation in the key pre-election
period. Thirdly, the Committee had anticipated significantly expanded aid in
the operational, development and constitutional fields, beginning with the
provision of Commonwealth expertise as soon as appropriate.
He said that in relation to the draft proclamations on the elections and
the constituent assembly, the Committee of Foreign Ministers had called for
the utmost vigilance, fundamental changes to ensure the integrity of the
secret ballot, and careful consideration of voter identification before
balloting, a full role for party agents, expeditious and decentralized
counting, recognition of the Constituent Assembly as the only authentic
representative body, and the Administrator General to be guided by the
Assembly until independence. In addition, the Foreign Minister in a letter to
South Africa, had stressed that the broadcast of propaganda, rather than
much-needed information and education, had to be addressed urgently, and that
the electronic media must adhere to the commitment to impartiality.
He said Canada remained concerned that less than fully reliable
information on SWAPO combatants remaining in Angola had contributed to
instability more than once. The recent reduction of tension in northern
Namibia should be complemented by a corresponding increase in transparency in
Angola, in accordance with the settlement plan and related undertakings.
During Zimbabwe's transition to independence, an all-party Election
Council which had met frequently had proved to be a valuable means of quickly
reaching practical solutions to incipient problems. A similar body in
Namibia, perhaps under joint chairmanship like the existing Impartiality
Working Group, could still make a real contribution in the weeks ahead.
He urged the Security Council to concentrate on the broad principles and
leave the detail to those to whom it had entrusted that task. He said: "let
us join to strengthen the hand of the Secretary-General and his Special
Representative in bringing their demanding mission to a successful
conclusion. Let us lend full support to UNTAG in its difficult endeavours.
Let us above all keep faith with the Namibian people, who have waited so long
for the opportunity to determine their future in free and fair elections, and
who have come forward in their hundreds of thousands confident that this time
it will be granted them."
* Origin: UNITEX --> Toward a United Species (1:107/501)
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Patt Haring | UNITEX : United Nations
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