Central America and Haiti.

For the first time in decades, not one of the countries in Central America was plagued by internal conflict, Secretary-General Kofi Annan reported on 31 August.

The Secretary-General was certain that, with the support and efforts of the international community as a whole, the Central American region could become a "model of conflict resolution, consolidated by peace and democracy through comprehensive development and the adoption of political solutions".

The United Nations, through its Verification Mission in Guatemala-MINUGUA - had continued to monitor the implementation of the 1996 Peace Agreements and provide good offices and advisory services.

From 18 to 20 November, a workshop on weapons collection and integration of former combatants into civil society - the first of its kind - was held in Guatemala City. Organized by the United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, the workshop brought together participants from 20 countries and 10 United Nations agencies, regional organizations and citizen groups. The discussions were led by government officials, former guerrillas and representatives of civil society from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

In Haiti, there was "no question that the situation of human fights has improved, despite the threats that exist to the stability of the country", Mr. Annan reported on 10 September. h was urgent for political figures to abandon their delaying tactics and allow President Rene Preval to exercise his constitutional right to appoint a Prime Minister, for a Government to be rapidly established, and for everyone to get to work, the Secretary-General said. "The Haitian people ale tired; they yearn for justice and aspire to economic and social development. They have suffered for too long from the policies of politicians and are demanding to take their destiny into their own hands", he stressed.

Responding to the request of the President of Haiti, the Security Council on 25 November extended the United Nations Civilian Police Mission in Haiti (MIPONUH) until 30 November 1999. As it adopted resolution 1212 (1998) by 13 votes to none, with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), the Council said it did not intend to extend MIPONUH's mandate beyond that date and asked the Secretary-General to recommend a viable transition to other forms of international assistance.

Expressing deep concern over the country's prolonged political stalemate, the Council strongly urged the authorities and political leaders to negotiate urgently an end to the crisis in a spirit of tolerance and compromise. It called on the Haitian authorities to reform and strengthen the country's justice system, particularly its penal institutions. Stressing the international community's commitment to a long-term programme of support, the Council emphasized that economic rehabilitation and reconstruction were major tasks facing the Haitian Government and people.

The General Assembly on 8 December renewed the United Nations component of the International Civilian Mission to Haiti (MICIVIH) until 31 December 1999, according to its current terms of reference and modalities. In adopting without a vote a resolution on democracy and human rights in Haiti, the Assembly called on the Haitian authorities to mobilize political will and find a compromise that will bring an end to the political crisis.

Agreement between Peru and Ecuador welcomed

General Assembly President Didier Opertti of Uruguay on 26 October expressed his satisfaction and joy over the agreement between Ecuador and Peru, giving a global and definitive solution to territorial differences between those two countries.

Apart from the great importance of this agreement for the cause of peace, not only in the region but also in the global context, the Assembly President congratulated the Governments of Ecuador and Peru for the spirit of dialogue and understanding, and the Governments of the States Guarantors-Argentina, Brazil, Chile and the United States - for their efficient and fundamental contribution to such a satisfactory outcome.