UNITED NATIONS -- The following is the text of the Security Council summit declaration adopted Friday and read by British Prime Minister John Major in his role as president of the 15-nation council.
'The members of the Security Council have authorized me to make the following statement on their behalf.
'The Security Council met at the Headquarters of the United Nations in New York on 31 January, 1992, for the first time at the level of heads of state and government. The members of the council considered, within the framework of their commitment to the United Nations Charter, 'The responsibility of the Security Council in the maintenance of international peace and security.'
'The members of the Security Council consider that their meeting is a timely recognition of the fact that these are new favorable international circumstances under which the Security Council has begun to fulfill more effectively its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.NEWLN: ------ A TIME OF CHANGE
'This meeting takes place at a time of momentous change. The ending of the Cold War has raised hope for a safer, more equitable and more humane world. Rapid progress has been made in many regions of the world toward democracy and responsive forms of government, as well as toward achieving the Purposes set out in the Charter. The completion of the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa would constitute a major contribution to these Purposes and positive trends, including to the encouragement of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
'Last year, under the authority of the United Nations, the international community succeeded in enabling Kuwait to regain its sovereignty and territorial integrity, which it had lost as a result of Iraqi aggression. The resolutions adopted by the Security Council remain essential to the restoration of peace and stability in the region and must be fully implemented. At the same time the members of the council are concerned by the humanitarian situation of the innocent civilian population of Iraq.
'The members of the council supports the Middle East peace process, facilitated by the Russian Federation and the United States, and hope that it will be brought to a successful conclusion on the basis of Council Resolution 242 (1967) and 338 (1973).
'They welcome the role the United Nations has been able to play under the Charter in progress toward settling long-standing regional disputes, and will work for further progress toward their resolution. They applaud the valuable contribution being made by United Nations peacekeeping forces now operating in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.
'The members of the council note the United Nations peacekeeping tasks have increased and broadened considerably in recent years. Election monitoring, human rights verification and the repatriation of refugees have in the settlement of some regional conflicts, at the request of or with the agreements of the parties concerned, been integral parts of the Security Council's efforts to maintain international peace and security. They welcome these developments.
'The members of the council also recognize that change, however welcome, has brought new risks for stability and security. Some of the most acute problems result from changes to state structures. The members of the council will encourage all efforts to help achieve peace, stability and cooperation during changes.
'The international community therefore faces new challenges in search for peace. All member states expect the United Nations to play a central role at this crucial stage. The members of the council stress the importance of strengthening and improving the United Nations to increase its effectiveness. They are determined to assume fully their responsibilities within the United Nations organizations in the framework of the Charter.
'The absence of war and military conflicts amongst states does not in itself ensure international peace and security. The non-military sources of instability in the economic, social, humanitarian and ecological fields have become threats to peace and security. The United Nations membership as a whole needs to give the highest priority to the solution of these matters.NEWLN: ------ COMMITMENT TO COLLECTIVE SECURITY
'The members of the Security Council pledge their commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter. All disputes between states should be peacefully resolved in accordance with provisions of the Charter.
'The members of the council reaffirm their commitment to the collective security system of the Charter to deal with threats to peace and to reverse acts of aggression.
'The members of the council express their deep concern over acts of international terrorism and emphasize the need for international community to deal effectively with all such acts.NEWLN: more
