MONDAY, 24 JANUARY 2000

Mr. President,

I thank you, Mr. President, for your enormous interest and personal involvement in the subjects we have been discussing extensively over the last couple of weeks. Your leadership in placing an emphasis on Africa during the month of January, and on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for the whole of this week is most commendable.

2.     The situation in and around the Democratic Republic of Congo is one of armed conflict, characterised by considerable human suffering and grave humanitarian problems. It is a conflict situation affecting the long-term stability of a large part of Africa. Military interference in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by external forces, motivated by security concerns, had transformed the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo into a threat to regional peace and security. The subsequent military assistance to Kinshasa by a number of its allies from the region has further compounded the crisis, underlining that a military solution is highly unlikely.

3.     Six months have passed since the parties signed the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement but the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has not improved and continues to be a serious cause for concern. The peace accord is still very fragile. My delegation could not agree more with the Secretary-General's assessment that "the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement remains the best hope for the resolution of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". We firmly believe that the future peace and stability of the region rests on the successful implementation of the Agreement. My delegation joins other Council members in renewing the call on all the parties to uphold that Agreement and to use the Joint Military Commission more effectively to deal with allegations of violations of the Agreement. The conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot be resolved without the full commitment and cooperation of all the signatories. Having commended them for their good judgement in signing the Agreement, we now urge them now to show greater political will and commitment to make the process work. It is imperative that the parties work together in good faith and contribute positively to the smooth implementation of the Agreement.

Mr. President,

4.     As we remind the parties of their obligations and commitment to the peace process, we should equally remind ourselves of our own responsibilities here in the Council. The Security Council should make good its promises to act promptly with a view to deploying a full-fledged peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Were the United Nations to fail in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the ramifications would almost certainly be far and wide. The very credibility and authority of the Council would be in question. How we respond to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be the litmus test for this Council's commitment towards maintaining peace and security in Africa. Time is of the essence as a further delay in the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers would run the risk of unravelling the Lusaka Agreement.

5.     Malaysia welcomes the report of the Secretary-General on further deployment of United Nations personnel in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. We agree fully with the view that any United Nations force deployed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo should necessarily be large and adequately mandated to take up the task of monitoring the ceasefire and verifying the withdrawal of all foreign forces. This is in addition to the still unresolved question of who will bear the responsibility to disarm all armed groups in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While we would support the Secretary-General’s recommendation for an initial 5,537-formed unit to protect military observers and civilian staff of MONUC, we would like to stress that this be followed-up quickly with a more substantial presence.

6.     The deployment of United Nations peacekeepers will not in itself guarantee peace and security for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in the region. These countries will have to bear the principal responsibility for their own long-term security. Continued support by the international community will be contingent upon the renewed and strengthened commitment by the signatories to the Lusaka Ceasefire Agreement. We therefore call on the parties to cease military hostilities forthwith and to fully ensure the security and freedom of movement of United Nations personnel. The parties should cease their hostile propaganda, in particular, incitements to attack unarmed civilians.

Mr. President,

7.     The conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo has an external and an internal dimension. Clearly, the final resolution of the conflict will have to take into account both the legitimate security concerns of all the states involved and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Democratic Republic of Congo. In our view, the role of the Joint Military Commission is crucial to the success of the ceasefire and the subsequent consolidation of peace. In this regard, the Council should support the move to give the Joint Military Commission the appropriate enforcement authority.

8.     On the other hand, the internal dimension of the conflict cannot be side-stepped. We urge all parties in the DRC to commit themselves to the inter-Congolese dialogue so that the process of reconciliation can begin in earnest. There can be no doubt that the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot be resolved in the absence of a meaningful political dialogue among all Congolese. The Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo should create conditions that will allow a democratisation process that is genuine, inclusive and fully reflecting the aspirations of all its citizens. The importance of internal political dialogue involving all political parties and civil society cannot be over-emphasised.

9.     In conclusion, Mr. President, my delegation reiterates its support for the convening of an international conference on the Great Lakes Region, under the auspices of the Organisation of African Unity and the United Nations, to lay the foundation for regional cooperation and durable peace. It should address comprehensively all the relevant and critical issues faced by countries in the region. Such a conference is timely now and should be given the necessary impetus by the international community.

I thank you, Mr. President.

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