38th floor: Security Council concludes 'Agenda for Peace' meetings.

The Security Council has concluded a nine-month review of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's wide-ranging strategy "An Agenda for Peace", urging all States to make participation in and support for international peace-keeping a part of their foreign and national security policy.

In his "Agenda", Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali made specific proposals to strengthen and make more effective the UN capacity for preventive diplomacy, peacemaking and peace-keeping.

In a statement (S/25859) following its meeting on 28 May, the Council declared that it had studied thoroughly Agenda recommendations (A/47/277-S/24111), meeting seven times since October 1992 to examine the report.

The Council also stressed the value of high-level meetings and said it would convene a further meeting on the subject of peace-keeping in the near future.

On 15 June, the Secretary-General reported (A/I471965-S/25944) on action he had taken to implement the "agenda". He emphasized the "overriding importance of the full and timely provision" by Member States of the needed resources. "If the Organization is to respond effectively to the hopes placed in it by the peoples of the world, the Member States have to be as innovative in devising new financial approaches as they are in devising new tasks for the Organization to perform", Mr. Boutros-Ghali observed.

Clear goals sought

In its review, the Council said UN peace-keeping operations should be conducted in accordance with operational principles consistent with UN Charter provisions, including: a clear political goal with a precise mandate, subject to periodic review and change in its character or duration only by the Council itself; consent of the Government and, where appropriate, the parties concerned, save in exceptional cases; support for a political process or the peaceful settlement of disputes; impartiality in implementing Council decisions; the Council's readiness to take measures against parties which do not observe its decisions; and the Council's right to authorize "all means necessary" for UN forces to carry out their mandate and the inherent right of UN forces to take measures for self-defence.

In that context, the Council emphasized the need for the full cooperation of the parties concerned in implementing mandates of peace-keeping operations, as well as relevant Council decisions, and stressed that such operations should neither be a substitute for a political settlement nor should they be expected to "continue in perpetuity".

In the context of the rapid growth in and new approaches to peace-keeping operations, the Council commended the initial measures taken by the Secretary-General to improve UN capacity in that field. Bold new steps were required, it said. The Secretary-General was asked to report by September 1993 on specific new proposals to further enhance those capabilities.

In view of the mounting cost and complexity of the operations, the Council also asked the Secretary-General to address measures designed to place them on a more solid and durable financial basis, taking into account the Ford Foundation report and addressing the necessary financial and managerial reforms, diversification of funding and the need to ensure adequate resources for peace-keeping operations and maximum transparency and accountability in use of resources.

Member States were called upon to pay their assessed contributions for peace-keeping operations in full and on time. The Council also encouraged those States which could do so to make voluntary contributions.

The Council also strongly condemned attacks on UN peace-keepers and declared its determination to undertake more decisive efforts to ensure the security of UN personnel in the course of fulfilling their duties.

Member States were invited to provide detailed information on situations of tension and potential crisis, so that the Secretary-General could consider measures to strengthen the Secretariat's capacity to collect and analyse information. The Council supported preventive deployment, on a case-by-case basis, in zones of instability and potential crisis. The close link which might exist, in many cases, between humanitarian assistance and peace-keeping operations was underlined.

Regional organizations and arrangements were asked to consider ways of enhancing their contributions to the maintenance of peace and security. The Council expressed its readiness to support and facilitate peace-keeping efforts undertaken in the framework of regional organizations and arrangements, in accordance with Chapter VIII of the Charter.

Post-conflict

peace-building

Meeting on 30 April, the Council issued a statement (S/25696) on post-conflict peace-building, emphasizing the importance of building strong foundations for peace in all countries and regions of the world.

The Council agreed with the Secretary-General that activities such as disarming and demobilization of belligerent forces and their reintegration into society, electoral assistance, the restoration of national security through formation of national defence and police forces, and mine-clearing, where appropriate and within the framework of comprehensive settlements of conflict situations, strengthened national political structures and enhanced institutional and administrative capabilities and were important in restoring a sound basis for sustainable peace.

It further agreed that in the aftermath of an international conflict, peace-building might, among other things, include measures and cooperative projects linking two or more countries in mutually beneficial undertakings, "which contribute not only to economic, social and cultural development, but also enhance mutual understanding and confidence that are so fundamental to peace".

Coordinated action by other components of the UN system to remedy the underlying causes of threats to peace and security was encouraged. The Council said UN organizations and agencies in developing and implementing their programmes "need to be constantly sensitive to the goal of strengthening international peace and security as envisaged in Article 1 of the Charter".

Recognizing that post-conflict peace-building, in the context of overall efforts to build the foundations of peace, also needed adequate financial resources in order to be effective, the Council stressed that Member States, UN bodies and other international organizations should make all efforts to have adequate funding available for specific projects - such as the earliest possible return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes of origin - in post-conflict situations. The Council fully recognized that social peace was as important as strategic or political peace.

Excerpts from statements by UN Secretary-General

Boutros Boutros-Ghali made between 1 April and

30 June 1993.

Imagination, creativity, generosity ...

We need to end the compartmentalized divisions of the past and form a new, integrated vision of peace and progress, encompassing international peace and security, economic and social development, democracy and respect for human rights. To see this process through will require imagination, creativity and generosity - qualities which young people possess in abundance. To the Twelfth World Assembly of Youth, Kuala Lumpur 3 April

Information and democracy ...

Democracy is based on informed citizens. Healthy economies feed on free flows of information. Cultures will grow stronger yet mote tolerant as they learn more of others. Governments required to explain themselves on camera will serve the people better. To the Fourth World Report Contributors Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, 5 May

Towards cooperation and commitment ...

After years of environmental neglect, the crisis facing us has now been recognized. There is a new awareness of the peril in which we have already placed ourselves, and of the danger towards which we are rapidly heading. If we are to succeed in preserving a viable planet for future generations, cooperation and commitment must now characterize our efforts. On the occasion of World Environment Day, New York, 5 June