Revised timetable for 1992 peace accord should be used by two parties.

The Agreement consists of a complex series of inter-linked agreements to be implemented in stages, through coordinated actions by the Government and RENAMO under UN verification. It sets out principles and modalities for achieving peace, and calls on the UN to supervise its implementation, which has been hampered by frequent delays.

The revised timetable, to culminate with the holding of national elections in October 1994, calls for voter registration from April to June 1994. The repatriation of refugees and displaced persons is to be largely completed by April 1994. The concentration of troops was to begin in September 1993, with the demobilization process to start a month later and be completed by May 1994.

In unanimously adopting resolution 863 (1993), the Council also urged the Government and RENAMO to ensure that the momentum towards fully implementing the Agreement was maintained, so that a just and lasting peace could be established.

Direct talks

encouraged

Mozambican President Joaquim Alberto Chissano and RENAMO President Afonso Dhlakama were encouraged to continue their direct talks. It urged RENAMO to join the Government in authorizing immediate assembly of forces. Both parties should begin immediately the demobilization of troops, in accordance with the revised timetable and without preconditions, the Council said.

The Council also urged quick agreement on an election law, including provision for an effective national election commission. The National Commission for Administration, the National information Commission and the Police Affairs Commission should become operational without delay.

The Secretary-General was asked to examine expeditiously the proposal of the Government and RENAMO for UN monitoring of police activities in the country. In that connection, the Council welcomed his intention to send a survey team of experts.

On 30 August, the Secretary-General reported (S/26385) that the most significant development since his 30 June report to the Council had been the start of long overdue direct talks between President Chissano and Mr. Dhlakama, which had begun on 21 August in Maputo. He strongly urged the parties to turn their current dialogue into an ongoing and action-oriented process aimed at bringing the peace process to a successful outcome. The talks would have an important confidence-building impact.

The current deadlock on the composition of the future national electoral commission should be resolved. Work should continue expeditiously on an electoral law, so that elections could be held no later than October 1994.

The Secretary-General's Special Representative, Aldo Ajello, would follow the revised timetable for assembly and demobilization of forces and formation of the unified armed forces as closely as possible.

It was expected that 50 per cent of the soldiers would have, been demobilized by January 1994, and troop demobilization should be completed by May 1994. Approximately 30,000 soldiers were to be absorbed into the new army and the rest were to return to civilian life.

Two major

agreements

The Secretary-General reported (S/26385/Add.1) on 10 3eptember that two major agreements had been signed between the Government and RENAMO on 3 September as a result of their meeting: one, to integrate into the state administration all areas that had been under RENAMO control; and the second, to ask the UN to monitor all police activities - public or private - and the rights and liberties of citizens, and to provide technical support to the Police Commission.

Preparations would be made to deploy 128 police observers already authorized under resolution 797 (1992) of 16 December, he added.

Noting that the next high-level meeting of the two parties was scheduled for early October, the Secretary-General stated that he was strongly in favour of such meetings becoming an ongoing process. He hoped that all Member States concerned would strongly encourage the parties accordingly, and that no new conditions, preconditions or postponements would be accepted.

Demobilization urged

On 9 July, the Security Council urged Mozambique and RENAMO to begin demobilization of forces without waiting for all designated assemb]y areas to become operational.

In unanimously adopting resolution 850 (1993), the Council further urged RENAMO to dispatch without further delay its military personnel to the military centre in Nyanga, Zimbabwe for training, together with the Government's military personnel, as the first elements of the new Mozambican Defence Force.

The Council approved the Secretary-General's recommendation that the UN Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) should chair the Joint Commission for the Formation of the Mozambican Defence Force, on the strict understanding that that would not entail any UN obligation for training or establishing the new armed forces. it encouraged RENAMO to participate fully in the Commission's work.

It stressed concern over continuing delays in the assembly and demobilization of forces, the formation of the new unified armed forces, and the finalization of election arrangements.

Positive developments included full ONUMOZ deployment in various regions of the country and establishment of a trust fund for receiving voluntary contributions.

The Secretary-General said work on the joint commissions - the Cease-fire Commission, the Supervisory and Monitoring Commission, and the Commission for Reintegration - had resumed. A list of delegates to the Commissions had been prepared, including the Joint Commission for the Formation of the Mozambican Defence Force, the National Information Commission and the Police Affairs Commission.

The establishment of the National Elections Commission and the Commission of State Administration was still pending, he stated. The latter was of particular significance because RENAMO had said it would not allow members of the Mozambique Liberation Front to conduct political, social or economic activities in RENAMO-controlled territory. Moves to obstruct extension of government administration throughout the country would violate the spirit and letter of the General Peace Agreement, he warned.

There had been a massive international effort in the humanitarian field and a sharp increase in the return of refugees and displaced persons. it was projected that more than 5.5 million Mozambicans would resettle over the next two years, including some 4 million internally displaced persons, 1.5 million refugees and 370,000 emobilized soldiers and their dependents.

There should be no further delay in finalizing a new and realistic timetable for implementing the peace plan, the Secretary-general said.

On 9 August, the Secretary-General proposed (SI26291) that a United States contingent be added to the military elements of ONUMOZ. On 13 August, it was announced that the United States would provide six logistics (communications) officer's to work in Maputo. Twenty-three other countries also participate in ONUMOZ.

Food aid

The World Food Programme, (WFP) announced in Maputo on I September that, as the roads to Caia and Maringue in Sofala province of Mozafnbique had finally been opened to overland convoys, WFP had replaced two more costly airlifts in that country. Peace meant that the country's network of roads was being used again, the agency stated. Not only food aid, but also traders and peasants who were resettling, were moving along the rutted dirt roads.