Council maintains 'cautious optimism' on peace process.

PositionUnited Nations Security Council; Mozambique

The Security Council on 7 September expressed "cautious optimism" that Mozambicans would be able to fulfil the goals of the peace process, achieving democracy, lasting peace, and responsible, representative government in their country. In a presidential statement, the Council said it was satisfied with the pace of the peace process in Mozambique, including the demobilization of all forces, which was expected to be completed shortly.

The Council welcomed the commitment by Mozambique's main political parties and the National Elections Commission to ensure the holding of elections on 27 and 28 October, as scheduled. It underlined the importance of voter registration reaching as many Mozambicans as possible. Registration had begun on 1 June and had been extended until 2 September. As a result, the electoral campaign was due to begin on 22 September.

The Council concurred with the UN Secretary-General that the UN Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) should be deployed over a wider area to assist the Government in maintaining security, particularly during the electoral period.

ONUMOZ, set up on 16 December 1992 to assist in the implementation of the 4 October 1992 General Peace Agreement between the Government and the Mozambique National Resistance Movement (RENAMO), had been monitoring the electoral registration process with 120 observers. The UN intended to deploy 1,200 electoral observers for the actual polling and counting of votes.

A Security Council mission sent to Mozambique from 7 to 12 August discussed with the parties how best to ensure full and timely implementation of the General Peace Agreement. The mission reported (S/1994/1009) difficulties regarding the formation of the new Mozambican Defence Force (FADM), and emphasized the importance of a complete transfer of all materiel of the armed forces to FADM. One area of disappointment, it said, was that of mine clearance, which was late in starting and had made little progress.

On 7 July, the Secretary-General had urged (S/1994/803) that the assembly and demobilization of government troops be accelerated dramatically to meet deadlines set in th Peace Agreement.

If deadlines were not met and a large number of the soldiers selected for FADM were left in the assembly areas, there was a danger of having three armies in Mozambique during the election period. That would threaten stability, the...

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