NEW YORK, 15 JUNE 1998
STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR TADEU SOARES, DEPUTY PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF PORTUGAL, TO THE SECURITY COUNCIL 3892^nd MEETING (mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina - UNMIBH - and the International Police Task Force - IPTF)

The President: I shall now make a statement in my capacity as representative of Portugal.

I would like to express Portugal’s full support for the draft resolution before the Council, which gives effect to the recommendation contained in the report of the Secretary-General with regard to the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH) and the International Police Task Force (IPTF).

Portugal shares the belief that the long-term commitment of the international community to the peace process in Bosnia must be reaffirmed through its continued support of the peace implementation process by UNMIBH and IPTF and continued security arrangements provided by the Stabilization Force (SFOR).

On the other hand, this commitment must be matched by Bosnians themselves, who must increasingly assume responsibility for their future together in peace. Portugal participates fully in UNMIBH, IPTF and SFOR, and stands ready to continue to do so. My delegation, of course, associates itself fully with the statement made by the United Kingdom on behalf of the European Union.

I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council.