SC/7711
31 March 2003
Security Council Extends Afghanistan Mission Until 28 March 2004, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 1471 (2003)
NEW YORK, 28 March (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this afternoon, recognizing that the United Nations must continue to play its central and impartial role in efforts to assist the Afghan people to consolidate peace and rebuild their country, extended the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another 12 months, until 28 March 2004.
Unanimously adopting resolution 1471 (2003), the Council also called on all Afghan parties to cooperate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff throughout the country.
The Council also stressed that the continued provision of focused recovery and reconstruction assistance could contribute significantly to the implementation of the Bonn Agreement -- concluded by Afghan political leaders in December 2001 and aimed at establishing a representative government by 2004. To that end, the Council urged donors to coordinate closely with Special Representative Lakhdar Brahimi and the Transitional Administration, particularly through the Afghan Consultative Group Process.
In addition, the Council welcomed the Secretary-General's report of 18 March and the recommendations contained therein. In particular, it endorsed his proposal to establish an electoral unit within the Mission, and encouraged Member States to support the United Nations electoral activities in Afghanistan.
The meeting, which began at 12:20 p.m., adjourned at 12:24 p.m.
Council Resolution
The full text of resolution 1471 (2003) reads, as follows:
"The Security Council,
"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Afghanistan, in particular its resolution 1401 (2002) establishing the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA),
"Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, as well as its endorsement of the Kabul Declaration of 22 December 2002 on good-neighbourly relations (S/2002/1416) and its call on all States to respect and support the implementation of its provisions,
"Recognizing the Transitional Administration as the sole legitimate government of Afghanistan pending democratic elections by June 2004 and reiterating its strong support for the full implementation of the Agreement on provisional arrangements in Afghanistan pending the re-establishment of permanent government institutions, signed in Bonn on 5 December 2001 (S/2001/1154) (the Bonn Agreement), in particular its annex 2 regarding the role of the United Nations during the interim period,
"Also recognizing that the United Nations must continue to play its central and impartial role in the international efforts to assist the Afghan people in consolidating peace in Afghanistan and rebuilding their country,
"1. Decides to extend UNAMA for an additional period of 12 months from the date of adoption of this resolution;
"2. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 18 March 2003 (S/2003/333) and the recommendations contained therein and endorses [in particular] the Secretary-General's proposal that an electoral unit be established within UNAMA, and encourages Member States support the United Nations electoral activities in Afghanistan;
"3. Stresses that the continued provision of focused recovery and reconstruction assistance can contribute significantly to the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and, to this end, urges bilateral and multilateral donors to coordinate closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Transitional Administration, in particular through the Afghan Consultative Group Process;
"4. Stresses also, in the context of paragraph 3 above, that while humanitarian assistance should be provided wherever there is a need, recovery or reconstruction assistance ought to be provided, through the Transitional Administration, and implemented effectively, where local authorities demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a secure environment, respecting human rights and countering narcotics;
"5. Reaffirms its strong support for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the concept of a fully integrated mission and endorses the Special Representative of the Secretary-General's full authority, in accordance with its relevant resolutions, over all United Nations activities in Afghanistan;
"6. Requests UNAMA, with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to continue to assist the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission in the full implementation of the human rights provisions of the Bonn Agreement and the National Human Rights Programme for Afghanistan, in order to support the protection and development of human rights in Afghanistan;
"7. Calls upon all Afghan parties to cooperate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the security and freedom of movement of its staff throughout the country;
"8. Requests the International Security Assistance Force, in implementing its mandate in accordance with resolution 1444 (2002) of 27 November 2002, to continue to work in close consultation with the Secretary-General and his Special Representative;
"9. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council every four months on the implementation of this resolution;
"10. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter."
* *** *
