The General Assembly,
Reaffirming its resolution 47/21 of 25 November 1992,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of the Baltic States,
Conscious of the statement in the report of the Secretary-General that "delay in completing the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories" of Estonia and Latvia "is rightly a matter of concern to the international community",
Considering that the United Nations, pursuant to the provisions of its Charter, has a major role to play in, and responsibility for, the maintenance of international peace and security,
Mindful that the timely application of preventive diplomacy is the most desirable and efficient means of easing tensions before they result in conflict,
Recalling with particular satisfaction that independence was restored in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania through peaceful and democratic means,
Recognizing that the stationing of foreign military forces in the territories of Estonia and Latvia without the required consent of those countries is a problem remaining from the past that must be resolved in a peaceful manner,
Welcoming the withdrawal of the military forces of the Russian Federation from the territory of Lithuania, which was completed on 31 August 1993 in accordance with a previously agreed timetable,
Welcoming also the progress achieved in reducing the foreign military presence in Estonia and Latvia,
Concerned that the bilateral talks on the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia, initiated in February 1992, have not yet yielded agreements, as called for in resolution 47/21,
Recognizing that the completion of the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia will facilitate the consolidation of their restored independence and the rebuilding of their economies,
Welcoming further the good offices mission that the Secretary-General recently sent to the Baltic States and the Russian Federation in pursuit of the implementation of resolution 47/21,
Recalling the "Helsinki Document 1992 - the Challenges of Change", in particular paragraph 15 of the Helsinki Summit Declaration, agreed upon at the meeting of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe held at Helsinki on 9 and 10 July 1992,
Recognizing also that the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe is a regional arrangement in the sense of Chapter VIII of the Charter of the United Nations, and as such provides an important link between European and global security,
Recognizing further that regional organizations participating in complementary efforts with the United Nations may encourage States outside the region to act supportively,
1. Calls again upon the States concerned, in line with the basic principles of international law and in order to prevent any possible conflict, to conclude without delay appropriate agreements, including timetables, for the early, orderly and complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia;
2. Reaffirms its support for the efforts made by the States participating in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe to remove the foreign military forces stationed in the territories of Estonia and Latvia without the required consent of those countries, in a peaceful manner and through negotiations;
3. Welcomes the multilateral efforts to help the Russian Federation build housing for troops and their families returning from Estonia and Latvia;
4. Invites the States concerned to avoid any statements or actions that may be provocative or unfriendly;
5. Expresses its appreciation for the efforts of the Secretary- General aimed at the implementation of resolution 47/21, including the sending of a good offices mission to the Baltic States and the Russian Federation;
6. Urges the Secretary-General to continue to use his good offices to facilitate the complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of Estonia and Latvia;
7. Requests the Secretary-General to keep Member States informed of progress towards the implementation of the present resolution and to report thereon to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session;
8. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its forty-ninth session the item entitled "Complete withdrawal of foreign military forces from the territories of the Baltic States".
55th plenary meeting
15 November 1993
