Mandate of UN office in Guinea-Bissau extended one year

The Security Council has extended for another year, on the recommendation of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, the mandate of the United Nations office in Guinea-Bissau so that the transitional government will have the time to strengthen democratic institutions.

In a letter this week to the Council President for November, Ambassador Ismael Abraão Gaspar Martins of Angola, Secretary-General Kofi Annan proposed that mandate of the UN Peace-building Support Office (UNOGBIS) be extended until 31 December 2004.

He said it should include promoting political dialogue, national reconciliation, the rule of law, respect for human rights, constitutional normality and peace with Guinea-Bissau's neighbours.

UNOGBIS should also help with upcoming "free and transparent" elections and with the peaceful management of differences, he added, and should "encourage the Government to enact the programme of small arms collection and destruction."