NEWS RELEASES
AXWORTHY WELCOMES REPORT OF ANGOLA SANCTIONS EXPERT PANEL
March 15, 2000 (11:35 a.m. EST) No. 46
AXWORTHY WELCOMES REPORT OF
ANGOLA SANCTIONS EXPERT PANEL
Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed a report prepared by an
Expert Panel concerning alleged violations of United Nations Security Council
(UNSC) measures imposed against the Angolan rebel group, UNITA. The report
makes 39 recommendations designed to strengthen the sanctions against UNITA
and improve their implementation. Canadian Permanent Representative to the UN,
Robert Fowler, as Chair of the Angola Sanctions Committee, presented the report to
the Security Council in an open briefing this morning.
"Conditions for the implementation of peace must be established in order to achieve
a lasting settlement to a conflict that has gone on for over two decades and has so
seriously undermined the human security of Angolans," said Mr. Axworthy. "The
work of the Expert Panel will assist the international community in ensuring that
sanctions become an effective tool for reducing UNITA's capacity to wage war."
Council-imposed sanctions against UNITA have been introduced incrementally,
beginning in 1993. The sanctions regime now encompasses prohibitions on
UNITA's representation abroad and travel by its senior representatives; the
provision or movement of funds and financial resources to UNITA; the sale or supply
to UNITA of arms and related material and military assistance, the sale or supply of
petroleum products to UNITA; and the direct or indirect export of diamonds by
UNITA.
Security Council resolution 1237 of May 1999, established two independent expert
panels, which were later merged, to collect information on the sources and methods
of violations of the relevant Security Council sanctions against UNITA and to
recommend measures both to end those violations, name perpetrators and to
improve implementation of the sanctions. Chaired by Swedish diplomat Anders
Mollander, and vice-chaired by Botswana Colonel Otisitswe B. Tiroyamodimo,
members of the panel visited 30 countries and met with a wide variety of parties,
including governments, commercial companies, non-governmental organisations,
and others, in order to fulfil their mandate. The Government of Canada has fully
respected the independent nature of the Expert Panel initiative and has neither
sought, nor was offered, an opportunity to influence its content.
During Canada's April presidency, Mr. Axworthy plans to chair an open meeting of
the Security Council to formally consider the report's recommendations and develop
an appropriate response. Canada is studying the report and will announce
initiatives in April in areas which will assist in curbing the illegal trafficking of small
arms, as identified in the Panel's report. Work with partners on measures to help
cease the illicit trade of diamonds and to strengthen corporate responsibility in this
regard will also be a priority. Canada welcomes the statements made by the
Governments of Belgium and South Africa outlining the measures they are taking to
ensure their full compliance with the UNSC-mandated sanctions, and will contact
other countries mentioned about how they intend to respond.
"As was demonstrated in the Expert Panel report, even where sanctions regimes
are imposed, the continued availability of small arms and light weapons seriously
undermines the peacebuilding process and frequently leads to a renewal of
fighting," said the Minister. "To tackle this problem effectively requires a
comprehensive approach, including strict adherence to internationally imposed
sanctions regimes."
Canada's work on the Angola Sanctions Committee is part of its wider efforts on
sanctions, which have focussed on the issues of effectiveness and humanitarian
impact. To address these broader questions, Canada has sponsored a
comprehensive report on sanctions by the International Peace Academy, an
international organization
dedicated to promoting the peaceful settlement of armed conflicts between and
within states. That report will be launched during Canada's April presidency of the
Security Council.
The Expert Panel report is available at: http://www.un.int/canada
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For further information, media representatives may contact:
Debora Brown
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
(613) 995-1851
Media Relations Office
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
(613) 995-1874
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