SC/7800
27 June 2003

                                                                                                                                                       

SECURITY COUNCIL EXTENDS UN MISSION IN
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO UNTIL 30 JULY

Resolution 1489 (2003) Adopted Unanimously

NEW YORK, 26 June (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this morning decided to extend the mandate of the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), which was to expire on 30 June, until 30 July.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1489 (2003), the Council deplored the continuation of hostilities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the country and all States of the region.

The Secretary-General, in his special report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (document S/2003/566), had recommended extension of the mandate until  30 June 2004, as well as an increase of authorized military strength to 10,800 personnel, up from 8,700.

The Council implemented another recommendation from that report when it adopted resolution 1484 (2003) on 30 May, which authorized the establishment, until September, of an Interim Emergency Multinational Force in Bunia to contribute to the stabilization of the security and humanitarian situation there, with authorization to take all necessary measures to fulfil its mandate.

The meeting started at 10:13 a.m. and was adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1489 (2003) reads, as follows:

The Security Council,

Recalling its resolution 1291 (2000) and other relevant resolutions relating to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially resolutions 1468 and 1484,

Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all States of the region,

Deeply concerned over the continuation of hostilities in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in particular in the province of North Kivu,

Taking note of the second special report of the Secretary-General of 27 May 2003 (S/2003/566) and its recommendations,

Reaffirming its readiness to support the peace process, in particular through the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC), in accordance with resolution 1291 (2000),

“1. Decides to extend the mandate of MONUC until 30 July 2003;

“2. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

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