"Reaffirming the pertinent resolutions of the Security Council and the legal responsibility of the United Nations with regard to Namibia, the members of the Council once again call upon South Africa to comply at last with these resolutions and to cease its illegal occupation of Namibia. In this respect, they stress the Council's continuing commitment to discharge its particular responsibility for furthering the interests of the people of Namibia and their aspirations for peace, justice and independence through a full and definitive implementation of resolution 435 (1978).
"They support the resolute action led by the SecretaryGeneral with a view to the implementation of resolution 435 (1978) and encourage him to continue his efforts to that end.
"The Council notes developments in recent weeks in efforts by a number of parties to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in south-western Africa that are reflected in the joint statement of 8 August 1988 by the Governments of Angola, Cuba, South Africa and the United States, which has been circulated as a Security Council document. 77
n Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-third Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1988, document S/20109, annex.

"The Council also notes the expressed readiness of the South West Africa People's Organization to sign and observe a cease-fire agreement with South Africa, as stated in document S/20129 of 17 August 1988, in order to pave the way for the implementation of resolution 435 (1978). On this tenth anniversary of the adoption of resolution 435 (1978), its early implementation is the common aspiration of the international community. The members of the Council urge the parties to display the necessary political will to translate the commitments they have made into reality in order to bring about a peaceful settlement of the Namibian question and peace and stability in the region.
··In particular, they strongly urge South Africa to comply forthwith with the Security Council's resolutions and decisions, particularly resolution 435 (1978), and to co-operate with the Secretary-General in its immediate, full and definitive implementation. To this end, the Council urges States Members of the United Nations to render all necessary assistance to the Secretary-General and his staff in the administrative and other practical steps necessary for the emplacement of the United Nations Transition Assistance Group."

LETTER DATED 17 DECEMBER 1988 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF ANGOLA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
LETTER DATED 17 DECEMBER 1988 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF CUBA TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

Decision
At its 2834th meeting, on 20 December 1988, the Council proceeded with the discussion of the item entitled:
"Letter dated 17 December 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Angola to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/20336);"
"Letter dated 17 December 1988 from the Permanent Representative of Cuba to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/20337). ""
Resolution 626 (1988)
or20 December 1988
The Security Council, Noting the decision of Angola and Cuba to conclude a bilateral agreement on 22 December 1988 for the redeployment to the north and the staged and total withdrawal of Cuban troops from Angola, according to the agreed timetable,
78 See Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-third Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1988.

Considering the request submitted to the SecretaryGeneral by Angola and Cuba in letters dated 17 December 1988,"
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General dated 17 December 1988 ,'"
I. Approves the report of the Secretary-General and the recommendations therein;
2. Decides to establish under its authority a United Nations Angola Verification Mission and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary steps to this effect in accordance with his aforementioned report;
3. Also decides that the Mission shall be established for a period of thirty-one months;
4. Further decides that the arrangements for the establishment of the Mission shall enter into force as soon as the tripartite agreement between Angola, Cuba and South Africa on the one hand, and the bilateral agreement between Angola and Cuba on the other, are signed;
5. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council immediately after the signature of the agreements referred to in paragraph 4 and to keep the Council fully informed of further developments.
Adopted unanimouslv at the 2834th meeting.
"Ibid., documents S/20336 and S/20337. "'!bid , document S/20338.

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