The Security Council,

Reaffirming its resolutions 1125 (1997) of 6 August 1997 and 1136 (1997) of 6 November 1997,

Taking note of the third report to the Security Council by the International Committee for the Follow-up of the Bangui Agreements (S/1998/86),

Taking note also of the letter dated 28 January 1998 from the President of the Central African Republic to the President of the Security Council (S/1998/88) and of the letter dated 4 February 1998 to the President of the Security Council from the President of Gabon, on behalf of the members of the International Committee for the Follow-up of the Bangui Agreements (S/1998/97),

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General of 23 January 1998 (S/1998/61) submitted to the Council in accordance with Security Council resolution 1136 (1997),

Expressing appreciation for the neutral and impartial way in which the Inter-African Mission to Monitor the Implementation of the Bangui Agreements (MISAB) has carried out its mandate, in close cooperation with the Central African authorities, and noting with satisfaction that MISAB has contributed to stabilizing the situation in the Central African Republic, in particular through the supervision of the surrendering of arms,

Noting that the States participating in MISAB and the Central African Republic have decided to extend its mandate (S/1997/561, appendix I) in order to complete its mission with the prospect of the United Nations establishing a peacekeeping operation,

Stressing the importance of regional stability and, in this context, fully supporting the efforts made by the Member States participating in the International Mediation Committee established by the nineteenth Summit of the Heads of State and Governments of France and Africa and by the members of the International Committee for the Follow-up of the Bangui Agreements,

Stressing also the need for all signatories of the Bangui Agreements to continue to cooperate fully in respecting and implementing these Agreements in order to help to foster the conditions for long-term stability in the Central African Republic,

Determining that the situation in the Central African Republic continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region,

1. Welcomes the efforts made by the Member States participating in MISAB and by those States providing support to them, and their readiness to maintain these efforts;

2. Welcomes the support provided by the United Nations Development Programme to the International Committee for the Follow-up of the Bangui Agreements and encourages it to continue this support;

3. Calls upon the parties in the Central African Republic to complete the implementation without delay of the provisions of the Bangui Agreements and also calls for the fulfilment of the commitments expressed in the letter of 8 January 1998 to the Secretary-General from the President of the Central African Republic (S/1998/61, annex);

4. Approves the continued conduct by Member States participating in MISAB of the operation in a neutral and impartial way to achieve its objective as set out in paragraph 2 of resolution 1125 (1997);

5. Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, authorizes the Member States participating in MISAB and those States providing logistical support to ensure security and freedom of movement of their personnel;

6. Decides that the authorization referred to in paragraph 5 above will be initially extended until 16 March 1998;

7. Recalls that the expenses and logistical support for MISAB will be borne on a voluntary basis in accordance with article 11 of the mandate of MISAB and encourages Member States to contribute to the Trust Fund for the Central African Republic;

8. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General, as contained in his report of 23 January 1998, to appoint a Special Representative to the Central African Republic, and expresses its belief that the prompt appointment of such a representative could assist the parties in the implementation of the Bangui Agreements and provide support to other activities of the United Nations in the country;

9. Reiterates its call to all States, international organizations and financial institutions to assist in post-conflict development in the Central African Republic;

10. Requests the Member States participating in MISAB to provide a report to the Security Council through the Secretary-General before the end of the period referred to in paragraph 6 above;

11. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report for its consideration, no later than 23 February 1998, on the situation in the Central African Republic, with recommendations regarding the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, including the structure, specific goals and financial implications of such an operation, and with information on the implementation of the Bangui Agreements and on the commitments expressed in the letter to the Secretary-General from the President of the Central African Republic of 8 January 1998;

12. Expresses its intention to take a decision by 16 March 1998 on the establishment of a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the Central African Republic on the basis of the report referred to in paragraph 11 above;

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.