Security Council condemns hostage-taking and abduction; UNIFIL mandate renewed.

Meeting on 31 July, the Security Council condemned hostage-taking and abductions, and extended for six months the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

On 15 August, it urgently appealed for a cease-fire by parties in Lebanon, and supported the peace efforts of the Arab Tripartite Committee (comprising the Heads of State of Algeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia). In adopting resolution 638 (1989) unanimously on 31 July, the Council unequivocally condemned "all acts of hostage-taking and abduction" and demanded the "immediate safe release of all hostages and abducted persons wherever and by whomever they are being held". All States were asked to use their political influence, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, to secure the safe release of all hostages and abducted persons and to prevent acts of hostage-taking and abduction.

The Council also urged the further development of international co-operation among States in devising and adopting effective measures in accordance with international law to facilitate the prevention, prosecution and punishment of all acts of hostage-taking and abduction as manifestations of terrorism. Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar was commended for seeking the release of all hostages and abducted persons and invited to continue such efforts whenever so requested by a State.

Finally, the Council appealed to all States that had not yet done so to consider becoming parties to all conventions relevant to the taking of hostages.

'Cruel reports'

Prior to adoption of the resolution, Council President Dragoslav Pejic of Yugoslavia said the body was meeting under the "shadow of recent events and the cruel reports" of the murder of Lt.-Col. William Higgins, a United States national who headed the UN Observer Group in Lebanon, who had been abducted on 17 February 1988. He said it was "a most tragic irony" that the Council's adoption of a text on that matter had coincided with the "grave events" involving Lt.-Col. Higgins.

On 31 july in New York, the Secretary-General expressed outrage and revulsion" at the murder of "an innocent man, serving the United Nations in the cause of peace".

On 1 August, Mr. Perez de Cuellar announced he would send Marrack Goulding, Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs, to the area to establish what had happened to Lt.-Col. Higgins, to endeavour to recover his body if it was true that he had been killed, and to explore what further the UN could do to contribute to a solution to the cruel problem" of all the hostages held in the area.

Mr. Goulding returned to New York on 9 August, reporting that in spite of extensive conversations, he could not obtain definite proof of Lt.-Col. Higgins' fate. The Secretary-General stated he had "regretfully" concluded that it was almost certain that Colonel Higgins was dead.

He reiterated his "profound sorrow and outrage at the tragic fate of a courageous and dedicated officer who was serving the cause of peace in Lebanon" under the UN flag.

Mandate renewed

Also on 31 July, the Council unanimously extended the mandate of UNIFIL for a period of six months-until 31 January 1990.

Over the previous six-month period of UNIFIL, he said, the 5,854-strong Force had suffered additional loss of life and other casualties as a result of various serious incidents in its area, including the harassment of its personnel by various armed groups and forces.

Established in March 1978, UNIFIL is now commanded by Lieutenant-General Lars-Eric Wahlgren of Sweden. The Force's financial position remained most unsatisfactory, the Secretary-General reported, with over $300 million still owed by the UN to the troop-contributing countries.

In resolution 639 (1989) extending the mandate, the Council reiterated strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries. All parties concerned were called on to co-operate fully with the Force in implementing its mandate, which is to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces, restore international peace and security, and assist the Government of Lebanon in ensuring its effective authority in the area.

Lebanon reported that the presence of UNIFIL represented a major factor for stability in an area in which "elements making for friction and eruption are abundant", and it embodied "that continued international commitment which is indispensable to bolstering Lebanon's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in current circumstances".

Cease-fire appeal

In a 15 August statement, the Security Council urgently appealed for an end to all firing and shelling on land and at sea in Lebanon and for observance of a total and immediate cease-fire by all parties. It met that day in response to an urgent appeal by the Secretary-General to consider the situation in Lebanon. Council President Hocine Djoudi of Algeria, in the statement, expressed support for the Tripartite Committee of the Arab Heads of State in its efforts to bring about an effective and definitive cease-fire and the putting into effect of a plan for the settlement of the Lebanese crisis in all its aspects by guaranteeing the full sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the country. All States and parties concerned were asked to support the efforts of that Committee.

The Secretary-General was invited to pursue all appropriate contacts, in liaison with the Tripartite Committee, in order to ensure observance of the cease-fire, and to keep it informed on the matter.

US-USSR joint statement on Lebanon

On 23 September, the USSR and the United States issued a joint statement expressing their "deep concern" over the absence of peace and a settlement in Lebanon and urging a continued search for a political solution. "A constructive dialogue between Lebanese who themselves must reach lasting agreements on peaceful arrangements in Lebanon on the basis of a balance of interests is the only rational path towards national reconciliation."