UNTAC withdrawal virtually complete; liaison team dispatched.

The Security Council on 4 November decided to establish a team of 20 unarmed military liaison officers for a single six-month period to report on matters affecting security in Cambodia.

In unanimously adopting resolution 880 (1993), the Council decided to extend the period of withdrawal to 31 December 1993 for elements of the military police and medical components of the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), and to 30 November for UNTAC's Mine Clearance and Training Unit. Except for those units, UNTAC's military component withdrew by 15 November.

At its peak, UNTAC military strength had reached 16,000. The civilian police, which had numbered 3,550, had withdrawn before the military. Extensions were needed to ensure the safety of UNTAC personnel and equipment as they completed the withdrawal, due to deteriorating security conditions, including theft of UNTAC vehicles and other property, the Secretary-General had reported (S/26649/Add.1) on 27 October.

To be based in Phnom Penh, the new military liaison team would be in close touch with the Government and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces on matters affecting Cambodia's security, including residual military matters relating to the 1991 Agreement on Comprehensive Political Settlement of the Cambodia Conflict, known as the Paris Agreements.

In place on 15 November, the team has members from Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Poland, the Russian Federation, Thailand and Uruguay. Col. A.N.M. Muniruz Zaman of Bangladesh is Chief Military Liaison Officer.

The Council, in resolution 880, also demanded the cessation of all illegal acts of violence on whatever grounds and of military activities against the Cambodian Government and other UNTAC and international personnel. Respect for international humanitarian law was asked, with the Council welcoming the commitment of the First Prime Minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, to implement relevant provisions of the new Cambodian Constitution. Member States were urged to support de-mining work.

On 5 October, Security Council President Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg of Brazil expressed satisfaction at "auspicious developments" in Cambodia since the May elections, in particular proclamation of the Cambodian Constitution on 24 September, creation of the new Government and accession to the throne of King Norodom Sihanouk.

At a meeting attended by First Prime Minister Ranariddh and Second Prime Minister Hun Sen, the President, on the Council's behalf, stressed the importance of continued international support for the consolidation of peace and democracy in Cambodia.

The Secretary-General reported on 5 October (S/26529) that Cambodia was now a constitutional monarchy with the official name "The Kingdom of Cambodia". Prince Norodom Sihanouk had been elected King of Cambodia by the Royal Council of the Throne.

The Constitution stated that the King held the throne, but should not hold power. Also, in accordance with the Constitution and the Paris Agreements, the constituent assembly had transformed itself into a legislative assembly. The Constitution further stipulated that the Kingdom of Cambodia should adopt a multi-party, free democratic regime.

On 26 November, justice Michael Kirby of Australia, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Commission of Jurists, was appointed as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Human Rights in Cambodia. The Cambodian office of the Centre for Human Rights opened on 1 October.