Developments in Africa, post-war Iraq, key issues for Security Council in July - President

The President of the United Nations Security Council for July said today that while tackling volatile developments in Africa would be a major focus throughout the month, the 15-nation body was also set to hold the first review of the implementation of its resolution on arrangements for post-war Iraq.

Speaking to reporters about the Council's July work programme, Ambassador Inocencio F. Arias of Spain, said that unfortunately the Council would have to deal with significant problems in Africa again, including the situations in West Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Somalia, Central African Republic and Western Sahara.

Ambassador Arias announced that on 22 July, the Council would discuss implementation of its resolution 1483 (2003) on Iraq, during which the Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Special Representative for the country, Sergio Vieira de Mello would make his first address in that capacity.

On Thursday, the Council will hold a public meeting on the UN Interim Administration in Kosovo (UNMIK), he said, adding that UNMIK chief Michael Steiner would address the Council for the last time, as he was leaving his position. A successor would be appointed shortly.

The Council would discuss its Counter Terrorism Committee, of which Ambassador Arias is Chairman, on 23 July, and the situation in Côte d’Ivoire on 25 July. During that meeting, Côte d’Ivoire’s Prime Minister would be present.

As the mandate of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) would expire on 31 July, the Council would also have to decide how to proceed with the new settlement option, which the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, James A. Baker III, had recently submitted to the parties. The parties involved would have to give their opinion as well.

Responding to a question about Western Sahara, Ambassador Arias said the Council was confronted with a paradoxical situation in which a "fair and balanced" plan was enthusiastically backed by the Secretary-General, but several of the parties involved, namely Morocco and Frente Popular para la Liberación de Saguía el-Hamra y del Río de Oro (POLISARIO Front), had not expressed any enthusiasm.

In response to questions about Liberia, he said the Secretary-General had asked for a robust and serious force, albeit not a large one. It was important such a force would be lead by a country that was able to implement it in a fast way. Before acting, the Council would wait for the report of its delegation currently in West Africa, headed by Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom. That report was expected within five days and would provide a wider perspective.

Regarding reports that the Council mission had proposed to Liberia's President Charles Taylor to leave in exchange for immunity, Ambassador Arias said it was not up to the Council to negotiate where he should go.