Fifty-eighth session
Agenda item 26
The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 57/161 of 16 December 2002, in which it decided to
authorize the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Verification Mission in Guatemala from 1 January to 31 December 2003,
Taking into account the fact that the Government of Guatemala has reaffirmed
its commitment to the full implementation of the peace agreements,
Underlining the fact that substantive aspects of the peace agreements have yet
to be implemented and that the timetable for implementation and verification
established by the Commission to Follow up the Implementation of the Peace
Agreements extends through 2004,
Taking into account the request of the Government of Guatemala for an
extension of the mandate of the Mission until the end of 2004, in view of the
desirability of maintaining the presence of the Mission during the first year of the new Government, which will take office in January 2004,
Taking into account also the fact that civil society organizations in Guatemala
and the international community expressed concerns about potential setbacks to
implementation of the peace agreements should the Mission depart Guatemala
before a new Government had taken office and demonstrated its commitment to the
peace process,
Taking note of the fact that on 10 July 2003, under the auspices of the
Organization of American States, representatives of the main political parties of Guatemala signed a declaration expressing support for the peace agreements as State accords that should be incorporated into government plans for the peace process,
Taking into account the eighth report of the Secretary-General on the
verification of compliance with the peace agreements,
Taking into account also the fourteenth report of the Mission on human rights,
Taking into account further the report of the Commission for Historical
Clarification,
Stressing the positive role played by the Mission in support of the Guatemala
peace process, and emphasizing the need for the Mission to continue to enjoy the
full support of all parties concerned,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the work of the
Mission4 and the recommendations contained therein,
1. Welcomes the eighth report of the Secretary-General on the verification
of compliance with the peace agreements;
2. Also welcomes the fourteenth report of the United Nations Verification
Mission in Guatemala on human rights;
3. Calls upon the Government of Guatemala to maintain its commitment to
the full implementation of the peace agreements;
4. Also calls upon newly elected public officials to act on the commitments
made by representatives of the main political parties in July 2003 to support the peace agreements as State accords that should be incorporated into government plans for the peace process;
5. Takes note of the recommendations contained in the report of the
Secretary-General on the work of the Mission aimed at ensuring that the Mission
responds adequately to the demands of the peace process until 31 December 2004, in view of the many outstanding matters still to be addressed and the need to ensure the commitment of the new Government to the peace agreements;
6. Notes that, while in 2003 the Mission verified four broad areas of the
peace agreements, in 2004 it will concentrate only on two areas, human rights and demilitarization and the strengthening of civilian power;
7. Also notes the results of the meeting of the Consultative Group for
Guatemala, held in Guatemala City on 13 and 14 May 2003, at which all
participants agreed that the peace agreements should remain Guatemala’s essential road map for development;
8. Further notes that, while advances were verified in certain areas, such as
the passage of legislation against discrimination in its many manifestations, the redeployment of military units and the development of a national reparations programme for the victims of human rights violations committed during the armed conflict, progress in the implementation of the peace agreements in the past year fell short of expectations and was insufficient to inject new momentum into the peace process;
9. Notes that the consolidation of the peace-building process remains a
significant challenge which will require greater political will, the involvement of all sectors of society and the continued engagement of the international community;