Security Council reiterates call for national talks

The UN Security Council reiterated on Wednesday its call for all parties in the Central African Republic (CAR) to engage in political dialogue, national reconciliation and respect for human rights, UN News reported.

In a statement from current Council President Jean-David Levitte of France, the Council called on CAR authorities to adhere to internationally accepted standards of due process during investigations and court trials of individuals allegedly involved in the failed coup of May.

"These procedures should be transparent and should not be allowed to aggravate inter-ethnic relations" in the country, he said. "The refugees who left the country after the failed coup should be able to return in safety without fear of persecution on ethnic basis."

The Council also underlined the need to continue restructuring the country's armed forces "to enable them to fulfil their role effectively, loyally and impartially in the service of the Central African people", Levitte said, recalling the importance of implementing an effective arms collection programme.

The Council also encouraged the international community to make substantial and urgent contributions to the country's recovery while stressing that the efficiency of such a contribution would greatly depend on the efforts of the government itself. "The Council emphasizes that the issues of external debt and payment of arrears of salary for civil servants need to be urgently addressed," Levitte said.

The statement also took note of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's intention, in coordination with the country's government, to extend and strengthen the mandate of the UN Bureau for the Peace-building Support Office in the CAR.

In addition, the Council encouraged the UN Development Programme and international financial institutions to consider ways of strengthening government's ability to manage its economic and financial affairs, including by lending experts. It also urged the Bretton Woods institutions to show "exceptional solicitude" towards the CAR.