United Nations

SC/8018
                                                                                                                  AFR/856
                                                                                                                                                                3 March 2004

Press Statement on Democratic Republic of Congo by Security Council President

NEW YORK, 2 March (UN Headquarters) --   Following is the press statement on the Democratic Republic of the Congo delivered today by Security Council President Jean-Marc de la Sablière (France):

The members of the Security Council heard this morning a briefing by the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, on recent developments in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The members of the Council reaffirmed their full support for the current efforts of the Government of National Unity and Transition, as well as for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the personnel of the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC). They commended, inter alia, the role of MONUC in helping to resolve recent tensions in Bukavu and to respond to violence in Ituri, and called on all parties involved to work together in the interests of the transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The members of the Council took note with concern of the violence and killings in which certain armed groups in the region indulged themselves, who attacked populations and MONUC. They condemn these atrocities with the utmost firmness as well as propaganda against Monuc and, to make it clear to the armed groups that such actions will not be tolerated any more, they support the action already taken by MONUC, which has a robust mandate.

The members of the Council called upon the Congolese transitional authorities to exercise fully their responsibilities in the eastern part of the country, and in particular to do everything possible so that those responsible for these crimes do not remain unpunished. They underline the importance of nominating provincial governors, which must be done without delay, and in a transparent and consultative manner.

The members of the Council urged all countries in the region to accelerate the normalization of their relations. They call upon the States in the region to play a constructive role, in particular by ensuring, in liaison with the Government of National Unity and Transition and with MONUC, that armed groups operating in Ituri and in North and South Kivu be prevented from receiving support from their territory.

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