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Cambodia

Cambodian credentials have been an issue in the General Assembly since the 1978 Vietnamese invasion established a regime of widely questioned legitimacy. From 1978 until 1990 Cambodia was represented at the United Nations by a coalition of Cambodian resistance groups. In 1990 Security Council resolution 668 welcomed establishment of a Supreme National Council as "the unique legitimate body and source of authority" in Cambodia and noted that the Supreme National Council would occupy Cambodia's seat at the United Nations. Prince Sihanouk led a delegation comprised of members of the Supreme National Council to the 46th General Assembly. His remarks to the body on September 25 were warmly received as evidence of tangible progress being achieved toward conclusion of a comprehensive political settlement.

A settlement promising an end to 13 years of civil war was signed in Paris on October 23 by the Cambodian factions and 17 countries involved in the peace process. The agreement followed 2 years of intense diplomatic efforts by the five Permanent Members of the Security Council, two cochairmen of the inconclusive 1989 Paris International Conference on Cambodia (France and Indonesia) and the United Nations. In a report to the General Assembly on November 7, the Secretary General outlined the intricate course of negotiations, highlighting the contribution of Under Secretary General Rafeeuddin Ahmed in helping craft an agreement acceptable to all parties. As part of the settlement process, the Cambodian factions and interested international observers—including both the United Nations and the United States-met in Jakarta (June 4–6), Pattaya, Malaysia (June 2426), Beijing (July 17-18), and Pattaya again (August 26–29). These meetings and a final round of consultations in New York, September 19-27, refined draft settlement documents subsequently signed in Paris. Changes to the original proposed agreement, while substantial, did not diminish the UN's central role in implementing the final settlement.

On October 16 the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 717 establishing a UN Advance Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC), tasked with helping the Cambodians maintain their informal ceasefire and prepare for deployment in early 1992 of a larger UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). UNAMIC began deployment in Cambodia with the November 14 arrival in Phnom Penh of Prince Sihanouk and other members of the Cambodian Supreme National Council. A force of 268 personnel was fully in place by mid-December.

On October 31 the Security Council unanimously adopted resolution 718, which welcomed conclusion of the Paris Accords and authorized the Secretary General to designate a Special Representative to head UNTAC. The measure also requested the Secretary General prepare a report containing an implementation plan for UNTAC, together with a detailed estimate of its cost. The Security Council welcomed plans to dispatch promptly to Cambodia UN survey teams to compile information and prepare recommendations on various aspects of UNTAC's operation. Visiting Cambodia during the final months of 1991, team members returned to New York with a view to submitting to the Security Council as soon as possible in the new year recommendations that would form the basis for the formal establishment of UNTAC. Pending issues at year's end included designation of the Secretary General's Special Representative for Cambodia, defining clear lines of responsibility within the prospective new operation, expediting mine clearance and infrastructural improvements required for refugee repatriation and finding ways to fund the complex UNTAC operation.

The General Assembly adopted by consensus on November 20 resolution 46/18 welcoming the Paris Accords. It noted with appreciation the role of the Secretary General in helping fashion a settlement securing the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity, neutrality and national unity of Cambodia. The measure supported efforts to establish a UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia with the aim of restoring peace and stability in that country. The General Assembly took special cognizance of provisions in the Paris Accords aimed at ensuring self-determination through free and fair elections, and called on all parties to ensure full respect for and observance of human rights.

Africa

South African Policies of Apartheid

The General Assembly adopted six apartheid-related resolutions on December 13. Resolution 46/79 A, entitled "International efforts toward the total eradication of apartheid and support for the establishment of a united, nonracial and democratic South Africa" and known informally as the "Omnibus" resolution, was adopted by consensus. Resolution 46/79 B, "Program of work of the Special Committee Against Apartheid," was adopted by a vote of 143 to 0, with 16 (U.S.) abstentions; resolution 46/79 C, "Military and other collaboration with South Africa," was adopted by a vote of 121 to 2 (U.S.), with 34 abstentions; resolution 46/79 D, “Relations between South Africa and Israel," was adopted by a vote of 93 to 31 (U.S.), with 30 absten

tions; resolution 46/79 E, "Oil embargo against South Africa," was adopted by a vote of 127 to 3 (U.S.), with 28 abstentions; and resolution 46/79 F, "UN Trust Fund for South Africa," was adopted by consensus.

In the December 3 plenary debate on apartheid, the U.S. Representative stated that "this year's debate on South Africa comes at a time when there is more reason than ever for hope that a system of nonracial multiparty democracy will soon be in place." He noted encouraging developments in South Africa, as well as less positive developments, including the continuation of violence and listed the "huge challenges” that lay ahead to redress the "socioeconomic legacy of apartheid." His address also cited the consensus omnibus resolution on apartheid of the previous year, and noted the "constructive and unified approach" of the international community in approaching the issue of apartheid during consultations on the upcoming omnibus resolution.

Following adoption of the apartheid resolutions, the U.S. Representative commended the United Nations, and particularly the Special Committee Against Apartheid and the Center Against Apartheid, for the "highly positive role" exhibited in the earlier discussions on the text of the apartheid resolutions. Regarding the omnibus resolution, he noted that the United States was "pleased once again to be able to join consensus" and that the resolution was "a constructive one that should encourage the negotiation process about to get underway in South Africa." In explaining the U.S. abstention on resolution 46/79 B, "Program of work of the Special Committee Against Apartheid," the U.S. Representative explained that "we do not believe that it is necessary" as called for in the resolution "to enhance the mandate of the Special Committee at this time," notwithstanding its helpfulness. He went on to explain that "it would be inappropriate" for the Committee and the Center

.. to be authorized to undertake activities to support the continuing political process in South Africa. The political process must be free to evolve in South Africa according to the negotiating process soon to begin.

Resolution 46/79 C, “Military and other collaboration with South Africa," deplored actions of those states which, directly or indirectly, continue to violate the mandatory arms embargo and "collaborate" with South Africa in the military, nuclear, intelligence and technology fields. Resolution 46/79 D, "Relations between South Africa and Israel," deplored the "collabo

ration of Israel with the South African regime in the military and nuclear fields." Resolution 46/79 E, "Oil embargo against South Africa," called on all states, if they had not already done so, to adopt "effective measures prohibiting the supply and shipping of oil and petroleum products to South Africa." Finally, resolution 46/79 F, "UN Trust Fund for South Africa," supported

continued and substantial humanitarian, legal and educational assistance by the international community in order to alleviate the plight of those prosecuted under discriminatory legislation in South Africa.

Western Sahara

Throughout 1991 the United States continued to support a peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Western Sahara acceptable to all parties under the auspices of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The Security Council agreed unanimously April 29 to resolution 690, which approved the April 19 report of the Secretary General calling for a UN mission to conduct a referendum to determine whether the Western Sahara should be independent or integrated with Morocco. The Secretary General's plan called for the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO) to be comprised of approximately 2900 military and civilian personnel to observe a ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario, as well as to conduct the referendum.

By the end of 1991 MINURSO had not been formally deployed, although under UN auspices approximately 185 military personnel, including 30 Americans, had been assigned to the Western Sahara to observe the ceasefire that went into effect September 6. Formal deployment of MINURSO had been delayed until final agreement could be reached between the parties on guidelines for voter participation in the referendum. Outgoing Secretary General Perez de Cuellar addressed that issue in a report to the Security Council on December 19. On the last day of 1991, the Security Council unanimously passed resolution 725 that welcomed the Secretary General's report but asked that the incoming Secretary General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, submit a further report on implementation of MINURSO as soon as possible but in any event within 2 months.

Resolution 46/67 on the "Question of Western Sahara" was adopted without a vote by the General Assembly on December 11. The resolution welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 690 and the September 6 ceasefire between the two

parties, expressed its full support for the efforts of the Secretary General, and called upon the two parties to continue to cooperate fully with him in the implementation of his plan.

Comorian Island of Mayotte

This question has been on the General Assembly's agenda since 1976. The dispute between France and the Federal Islamic Republic of the Comoros hinges on the status of the island of Mayotte. On October 16 the General Assembly adopted resolution 46/9, which reaffirmed the sovereignty of the Comoros over Mayotte and urged France to accelerate the process of negotiations with the Government of the Comoros with a view to ensuring the effective and prompt return of the island of Mayotte to the Comoros. The resolution also requested the Secretary General make available his good offices to the Organization of African Unity to search for a negotiated solution to the problem and report back to the 47th session of the General Assembly. The resolution was adopted 115 to 1, with 34 (U.S.) abstentions.

Angola

The United States supported negotiations between the Government of the People's Republic of Angola and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) which led, under Portuguese mediation, to the May 31 signing in Lisbon of the Angola Peace Accords. These Accords provided for a UNsupervised ceasefire and established the framework for a political settlement of the Angolan conflict. In anticipation of the signing of the Accords, on May 30 the Security Council adopted, without a vote, resolution 696 establishing the UN Angola Verification Mission (UNAVEM II) to assist for a period of 17 months in the verification of ceasefire monitoring by the Angolan parties.

UNAVEM II replaced the original UN peacekeeping force established in 1988, UNAVEM, which had completed its mandate on July 1, after verifying the successful withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola. In accordance with the report of the Secretary General of May 20 and its addendum of May 29, 350 military and 90 police personnel under UNAVEM II auspices were subsequently sent to Angola to monitor the two Angolan parties as they implemented the ceasefire. The mandate of UNAVEM II expires October 30, 1992.

At the end of 1991, UNAVEM II's mandate included only ceasefire monitoring, although there was an outstanding request of the Government of Angola for the United Nations also to provide limited assistance in monitoring national elections expected

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