United Nations (New York)

February 4, 2003
Posted to the web February 5, 2003

New York

Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity
and unity of Côte d'Ivoire, the United Nations Security Council today called
on all Ivoirian political forces to fully implement, without delay, the
peace agreement signed and adopted last month in France.

Unanimously adopting the new resolution, the Council endorsed the
Linas-Morcoussis Agreement, noting provisions for the formation of a
"government of national reconciliation" and therefore called on all Ivoirian
political forces to work with the President and Prime Minister towards the
establishment of a balanced and stable regime.

The Council also condemned all violations of human rights and international
humanitarian law that have taken place in Côte d'Ivoire since 19 September
2002 and stressed the need to bring those responsible to justice. The
Council urged all the parties, including the Government, to take all
necessary steps to prevent further violations of human rights, in particular
against civilians, regardless of their origin.

The Council also welcomed the deployment of forces of the Economic Community
of West African States (ECOWAS) and French troops to contribute to a
peaceful solution of the crisis and the implementation of the Agreement in
Côte d'Ivoire.

Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter, the Council authorized Member
States participating in ECOWAS forces, together with the French forces
supporting them, to guarantee security and freedom of movement of personnel
and to ensure protection of civilians immediately threatened with physical
violence.

After six months, according to the text, the Council will assess the
situation on the basis of the periodic reports, which it requested from
ECOWAS forces and France on all aspects of the implementation of their
respective mandates.

The resolution also asked the Secretary-General to submit to the Council his
recommendations on how the United Nations could support the implementation
of the Agreement, in accordance with the request by the Round Table of
Ivorian political forces and by the Conference of the Heads of State that
was held in Paris. The Council declared its readiness to take appropriate
measures on the basis of those recommendations and welcomed the
Secretary-General's intention to appoint a Special Representative for Côte
d'Ivoire, based in Abidjan, requesting him to do so as soon as possible.

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