The General Assembly,
Recalling its resolution 48/159 A, adopted by consensus on 20 December 1993, as well as its resolution 48/230 of 23 December 1993,
Recalling also Security Council resolutions 765 (1992) of 16 July 1992 and 772 (1992) of 17 August 1992,
Welcoming the agreement reached within the framework of multi-party negotiations to hold the first democratic elections in South Africa on 27 April 1994,
Welcoming also the adoption by Parliament, on 22 December 1993, of the Constitution for the Transitional Period as well as the Electoral Bill, and encouraging the efforts of all parties, including ongoing talks among them, aimed at the widest possible agreement on the arrangements for the transition to a democratic order,
Noting the request by the Transitional Executive Council to the United Nations for the provision of a sufficient number of international observers to monitor the electoral process, which also called upon the United Nations to coordinate, in close cooperation with the Independent Electoral Commission, the activities of the international observers provided by the Organization of African Unity, the Commonwealth and the European Union, as well as those provided by Governments,
Noting with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the question of South Africa,
1. Commends the Secretary-General for his prompt response to the requests contained in paragraphs 18 and 19 of its resolution 48/159 A, and welcomes the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary-General;
2. Takes note with satisfaction of Security Council resolution 894 (1994), adopted on 14 January 1994, by which the Council accepted the need to respond urgently to the request by the Transitional Executive Council and agreed with the proposals contained in the report of the Secretary-General concerning the mandate and size of the United Nations Observer Mission in South Africa, including the proposals for the coordination of the activities of the international observers provided by the Organization of African Unity, the Commonwealth and the European Union, as well as those provided by other intergovernmental organizations or Governments;
3. Encourages Member States to respond positively to the request of the Secretary-General for election observers;
4. Urges all parties in South Africa, including those which did not participate fully in the multi-party talks, to respect agreements reached during the negotiations, to adhere to democratic principles and to take part in the elections;
5. Expresses its grave concern at the threat of the ongoing violence to the process of peaceful change, and calls upon all parties to promote the full participation of all South Africans in the democratic process in all parts of South Africa by exercising restraint and by refraining from acts of violence and intimidation;
6. Calls upon the South African authorities, including the Independent Electoral Commission, under the supervision and guidance of the Transitional Executive Council, to take the necessary measures to protect the rights of all South Africans to organize and participate in peaceful public manifestations and political rallies, to run for election and to participate in the polls in all parts of South Africa, including the "homelands", free of intimidation;
7. Calls upon all parties in South Africa to respect the safety and security of the international observers and to facilitate the carrying out of their mandate;
8. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to set up a special trust fund to finance the participation of additional observers from African and other developing countries, and urges States to contribute generously to this fund.
88th plenary meeting
21 January 1994
