The Security Council this afternoon welcomed the 3 March deployment of 155 military observers to the United Nations Mission for the Verification of Human Rights and of Compliance with the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights in Guatemala (MINUGUA), in order to verify the implementation of the cease-fire between the Government and the Unidad Revolucionaria Guatemalteca - URNG

In a statement read by President Zbigniew Wlosowicz (Poland), the Council reiterated its call for both parties to comply with their commitments in the Guatemala City agreements of 29 December and to cooperate fully with the verification of the cease-fire, separation of forces, disarmament and demobilization of URNG combatants, and the implementation of the overall peace accords.

By its resolution 1094 (1997), the Council authorized the attachment of the military observers to MINUGUA for a period of three months. In his report of 13 February, the Secretary-General informed the Council that the operation would be in place and fully operational on 3 March.

The definite cease-fire agreement was signed by the two parties on 4 December 1996 in Oslo and went into force on 29 December when the Agreement on a Firm and Lasting Peace was signed in Guatemala City. The entry into force of the actual cease-fire awaited the date when a United Nations verification mechanism was fully deployed.

The meeting, which began at 3:43 p.m., was adjourned at 3:48 p.m.

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3744

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