SC/7098
11 July 2001

PRESS STATEMENT BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT
ON SITUATION IN GUINEA-BISSAU

NEW YORK, 10 July (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of today’s press statement on the situation in Guinea-Bissau by the President of the Security Council, Wang Yingfan (China):

Members of the Security Council received a briefing from Mr. Youssef Mahmoud, Director of the AFRICA II Division of the Department of Political Affairs, on the situation in Guinea-Bissau. They took note of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2001/622) on the current situation in the country and the activities of the United Nations Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Council reaffirmed their support of the efforts of the Government and the people of Guinea-Bissau to promote national reconciliation, strengthen democratic institutions to uphold the rule of law in the face of mounting challenges both inside and outside the country, and to improve relations with its neighbours.

Members of the Council expressed concern over tensions at border areas with Senegal, and the unstable political, economic and social situation and the inability of the Government, due to a lack of resources, to go forward with the restructuring of the armed forces and with the demobilization and reintegration programme.

Members of the Council also expressed their concern about the serious misappropriation of funds of the national treasury and welcomed efforts by President Yala and the National Assembly to shed light on their practices.

Members of the Council reiterated their call on the international community to continue to assist Guinea-Bissau in its economic rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, including through the provision of urgent assistance to enable the Government to meet the most basic social needs of the population. They encouraged the Bretton Woods institutions to pursue their constructive policy towards Guinea-Bissau. They called upon the international community to provide generous contributions for promoting peace and stability in Guinea-Bissau.

Members of the Council commended the role played by United Nations Peace-Building Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) in facilitating peace-building initiatives in Guinea-Bissau aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the rule of law and the protection of human rights. They reiterated their support to the Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Samuel C. Nana Sinkam.

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