'Region of peace' called for; El Salvador elections near.

Supporting the declaration of Central America as a "region of peace, freedom, democracy and development", the General Assembly on 20 December noted with interest proposals to establish a "new model of regional security" there. Such a model, the Assembly said in adopting without a vote resolution 48/161, was to be based on a reasonable balance of forces, the pre-eminence of civilian authority, the eradication of extreme poverty, the promotion of sustained development, protection of the environment and the elimination of violence, corruption, terrorism and trafficking in drugs and weapons".

Progress in strengthening democracy in Central America - as demonstrated by the upcoming elections in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama - was welcomed.

In other action, the General Assembly on 22 October (resolution 4818) called for all possible assistance to support the consolidation of peace" in Nicaragua and for the process of sustained economic recovery and development that would "render the peace and democracy achieved irreversible".

In resolution 48/199, the Assembly on 21 December urged continuing support for the 1988 Special Plan of Economic Cooperation for Central America and the creation of update and new regional programmes to prevent reversal of achievements in the region and build peace through integrated and sustained development.

Onusal extended

On 30 November, the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) for a further six months, until 31 May 1994.

In unanimously adopting resolution 888 (1993), the Council also condemned recent acts of violence, which might indicate "renewed activity by illegal armed groups" and could, "if unchecked, negatively affect the peace process" in El Salvador, including elections scheduled for 20 March 1994.

The Government and the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacio Nacional (FMLN) were urged to "make determined efforts to prevent political violence and accelerate compliance with their commitments" under the 1992 Mexico City Peace Accords.

The Council supported an "impartial, independent and credible investigation" by the UN and El Salvador of the illegal groups. It expressed concern over "continuing problems and delays" in implementing the Accords. Parties were urged to remove all obstacles to the land transfer programme, stressing the need to accelerate reintegration programmes for ex-combatants of both sides.

Established on 20 May 1991 under Security Council resolution 693 1991) to monitor all agreements between El Salvador and the FMLN, ONUSAL, initially verified compliance with the 1990 San Jose Agreement on Human Rights. The Mission widened its scope under Council resolution 729 (1992) of 14 January 1992, to verify the Mexico City Peace Accords. On 27 May 1993, its mandate was enlarged, under resolution 832 (1993), to provide for observers for the electoral process.

Four elections - for President, the National Assembly, municipal legislatures, and the Central American Parliament - are scheduled to be held simultaneously on 20 March 1994. The Secretary-general reported (S/26606) on 20 October that voter registration was a principal element in shaping the political atmosphere".

The Secretary-General on 14 October reported SI26581) that the campaign had begun with "only partial implementation" of the Accords.

On 23 November, he cited SI26790) the "disturbing reappearance" of some "ugly features of El Salvador's past", such as the possible resurgence of illegal armed groups with political objectives.

There were three aspects of the peace process - human rights, police matters, and economic and social programmes to reintegrate excombatants into civil society - the Secretary-General stated. He recommended that the Mission be maintained at reduced strength beyond 31 May 1994 to verify full deployment of the National Civil Police and phasing out of the National Police.

Violence condemned

Outbursts of violence, including seemingly politically motivated murders, were condemned by the General Assembly and the Security Council.

Recent acts of violence in El Salvador were inadmissible, as they could "hamper the holding of free elections", the Assembly stated on 20 December, in adopting resolution 48/149.

In a 5 November statement SI26695) by its President, Jose Luis Jesus of Cape Verde, the Security Council called on authorities in El Salvador to bring to justice those responsible for the killings, which appeared to be "politically motivated", and "all the more serious in the light of the upcoming electoral process".

The Council on 10 December noted (S/26866) the creation of a Joint Group made up of two representatives of the Salvadorian Government, the National Counsel for the Defence of Human Rights, and the Director of the ONUSAL Division of Human Rights. It was established following a mission to El Salvador (8-15 November) led by Under-Secretary-General Marrack Goulding.