Elections take place in atmosphere of 'freedom, competitiveness, security.' (El Salvador) (includes related article)

In welcoming the fact that both the first and second rounds of the elections in El Salvador had taken place under "appropriate conditions in terms of freedom, competitiveness and security", the Security Council on 26 May extended the mandate of the UN Observer Mission in El Salvador (ONUSAL) for another six months, until 30 November.

In unanimously adopting resolution 920 (1994), the Council also urged the Government of El Salvador and the Frente Farabundo Marti para la Liberacion Nacional (FMLN) to comply strictly with the 19 May Agreement on a new "timetable for the implementation of the most important agreements pending".

Urging all concerned to remove obstacles facing the implementation of the land transfer programmes, the Council stressed the need to accelerate reintegration programmes for excombatants of both sides and to fully and timely implement the March 1993 recommendations of the Commission on the Truth.

The Council also called on all concerned to cooperate fully with ONUSAL and the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Enrique ter Horst of Venezuela, in their "task of verifying implementation by the parties of their commitments". All States and international development and finance institutions were urged to "contribute promptly and generously" towards implementing all aspects of the January 1992 Peace Accords.

In addition, the Council stressed that police and public security provisions of the Peace Accords should be scrupulously observed, particularly the completion of the demobilization of the National Police and the enhancement of the civilian character of the National Civil Police.

Further extension needed

The unresolved issues in El Salvador were so important that it was "even more necessary for ONUSAL to remain in existence" for a further period, with sufficient capacity to verify implementation of outstanding provisions of the Accords and to "make its good offices available to help resolve difficulties that may arise in that regard", Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali stated (S/1994/561) on 11 May in recommending the Mission's extension.

During the new six-month period, however, the size of ONUSAL would continue to be reduced "as rapidly as implementation of the outstanding agreements permits", he said. The Electoral Division had already been disbanded and the military component, with a peak strength of 368, was down to 12 by the end of May.

The main burden in the coming six months was to fall on: the core...