UN operation in full swing; force of 6,000 deployed.

• Position: Mozambique - United Nations developments

Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali told the summit meeting of the Organization of African Unity on 28 June in Cairo that the UN Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ) had become fully operational. A UN force of some 6,000 military troops and civilian police had been deployed.

ONUMOZ-authorized by the Security Council on 16 December in resolution 797 (1992) - is to monitor withdrawal of foreign forces from Mozambique and assist in the electoral process and humanitarian efforts. China, the Republic of Congo, Japan and the Netherlands have joined 19 other countries in contributing military elements.

The Secretary-General pointed out that, under the General Peace Agreement signed in Rome on 4 October 1992, both government and Resistencia Nacional Morambicana (RENAMO) forces were to be demobilized and grouped into 49 UN-monitored assembly points. Following certain initial delays, he stated, the demobilization process had begun and would be completed prior to the holding of UN-verified elections. Preparations for those elections would be completed by the middle of 1994.

In a new departure, the Secretary-General pointed out, a UN Trust Fund had been established to implement the electoral aspects of the peace process. The Fund would assist political parties to organize and prepare for the electoral process, and would cover costs associated with requirements, such as transportation, office space, communication facilities and other essentials. More than $10 million had already been donated to the Fund.

The rehabilitation and recovery of Mozambique, after more than a decade and a half of protracted civil war, would be a daunting challenge, Mr. Boutros-Ghali stated. More than 1.5 million Mozambicans had taken refuge in neighbouring countries, and between 4 and 5 million more remained displaced inside Mozambique as a result of the conflict.

He said a consolidated humanitarian assistance programme had been developed for Mozambique to support emergency relief, repatriation demobilization, restoration of essential services and the country's balance of payments deficit. The programme would require $559.6 million for the 12-month period from May 1993 through April 1994, of which $450 million had already been pledged and committed to specific activities. During a donors meeting on 8 and 9 June in Maputo, additional pledges of some $70 million had been announced.

The Security Council on 14 April stressed its concern about the delays and difficulties impeding...