5. Urges all States, and in particular the producers of plastic or sheet explosives, to intensify research into means of making such explosives more easily detectable, and to co-operate in this endeavour;
6. Calls upon all States to share the results of such research and co-operation with a view to devising, in the

International Civil Aviation Organization and other competent international orgamzations, an international regime for the marking of plastic or sheet explosives for the purpose of detection.
Adopted unanimously at the 2869th meeting.

CENTRAL AMERICA: EFFORTS TOWARDS PEACE

Decision
At its 2871st meeting, on 27 July 1989, the Council discussed the item entitled "Central America: efforts towards peace".
Resolution 637 (1989)
of 27 July 1989
The Security Council,
Recalling its resolutions 530 (1983) of 19 May 1983 and 562 (1985) of 10 May 1985 and General Assembly resolutions 38/10 of 11 November 1983, 39/4 of 26 October 1984,41/37 of 18 November 1986,42/1 of7 October 1987 and 43/24 of 15 November 1988, as well as the initiative that the Secretary-General of the United Nations undertook on 18 November 1986 together with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States,
Convinced that the peoples of Central America wish to achieve a peaceful settlement of their conflicts without outside interference, including support for irregular forces, with respect for the principles of self-determination and non-intervention while ensuring full respect for human rights,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General of 26 June 1989 submitted in pursuance of Security Council resolutions 530 (1983) and 562 (1985),86
Recognizing the important contribution of the Contadora Group and its Support Group in favour of peace in Central America,
Welcoming the agreement on "Procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America" signed at Guatemala City on 7 August 1987 by the Presidents of the Republics of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua87 as the manifestation of the will of the peoples of Central America to achieve peace, democratization, reconciliation, development and justice, in accordance with their decision to meet the historical challenge of forging a peaceful destiny for the region,
Welcoming also the subsequent Joint Declarations issued by the Central American Presidents on 16 Janu-
86 Official Records of the Security Council, Forty-fourth Year, Supplement for April, May and June 1989, document S/20699.
87 Ibid., Forty-second Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1987, document S/19085, annex.

ary 1988 at Alajuela, Costa Rica88 and on 14 February 1989 at Costa del Sol, El Salvador,89
Aware of the importance which the Central American Presidents attach to the role of international verification as an.essential component for the implementation of the above-mentioned instruments, including, in particular, their commitments relating to regional security, especially non-use of territory to support destabilization of neighbouring countries, and democratization, especially free and fair elections, as well as to the voluntary demobilization, repatriation or relocation of irregular forces, as agreed in the Costa del Sol accord of 14 February 1989,
Aware also that the commitments enshrined in the Guatemala agreement 87 form a harmonious and indivisible whole,
Noting with appreciation the efforts undertaken to date by the Secretary-General in support of the Central American peace process, including his assistance in the establishment of appropriate mechanisms to verify compliance with the provtsions ofthe Guatemala agreement and of the Joint Declaration adopted by the Central American Presidents at their meeting held in El Salvador on 14 February 1989,89 and particularly the Secretary-General's agreement with Nicaragua to deploy a United Nations observer mission to verify the electoral process,
1. Commends the desire for peace expressed by the Central American Presidents in signing on 7 August 1987 at Guatemala City the agreement on "Procedures for the establishment of a firm and lasting peace in Central America" 87 and in the Joint DeclaratiOns subsequently signed in pursuance of it;
2. Expresses its firmest support for the Guatemala agreement and the Joint Declarations;
3. Calls upon the Presidents to continue their efforts to achieve a firm and lasting peace in Central America through the faithful implementation of the commitments entered into in the Guatemala agreement and in the expressions of good will contained in the Joint Declaration of 14 February 1989;
4. Appeals to all States, in particular to those which have links with the region and mterests in it, to back the political will of the Central American countries to comply with the provisions of the Guatemala agreement and of the Joint Declaration, particularly that regional and extra-regional Governments which either openly or eo-
88 Ibid., Forty-third Year, Supplement for January, February and March J9R8, document S/]9447, annex.
RQ Ibid., Forty fourth }'car, Supplement for January, February and March 1989, document S/20491, annex.

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vertly supply aid to irregular forces or insurrectional movements in the area immediately halt such aid, with the exception of the humanitarian aid that contributes to the goals of the Costa del Sol accord;
5. Lends its full support to the Secretary-General to continue his mission of good offices, in consultation with the Security Council, in support of the Central American Governments in their effort to achieve the goals set forth in the Guatemala agreement;
6. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Security Council regularly on the implementation of the present resolution.
Adop!ed unanimously a/ the 287lsl mectinx.
Decisions
In a letter dated 28 August 1989,90 the SecretaryGeneral informed the President of the Council as follows:
"The Security Council has examined the agreement reached on 7 August 1989 by the Presidents of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua at their meeting at Tela, Honduras, regarding a Joint Plan for the voluntary demobilization, repatriation or relocation in Nicaragua or third countnes of the members of the Nicaraguan resistance and their families and for assistance for the demobilization of all those involved in armed actions in the countries of the region when such persons voluntarily request it.91 I have since received an official request dated 14 August 1989,Q2 from their five permanent representatives, for the establishment, with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, of an International Support and Verification Commission, to be set up within 30 days of the signature of the Tela agreement, and entrusted with executing and implementing the Plan.
"At a meeting which took place on 25 August 1989, at United Nations Headquarters, the Secretary General of the Organization of American States and I agreed to establish the International Commission as of 6 September 1989. We wrote that day to the five heads of State informing them of the decision, and we also wrote to the five Ministers for Foreign Affairs, in their capacity as Executive Commission of the Esquipulas II and subsequent agreements, to make certain comments and to give them certain details regarding the execution of, and timetable for, the Plan, and the conditions required for its successful execution.
"The tasks entru3ted to the International Commission comprise several components of interest to various programmes of the Organization and other agencies of the system. However, the question of demobilization as such concerns the Security Council particularly, since it is an operation of a clearly military nature. The International Commission is asked
90 S/20856. 91 Official Records of rhe Securily Council, Forry-fourth Year, Supplement for July, August and September 1989, document S/20778, appendix I. 92Jbid., document S/20791.

to collect the weapons, matcricl and military equipment of members of the Nicaraguan resistance and to keep them in its custody until the five Presidents decide where they should be sent. This is not a task which can be taken on by civilian personnel of the United Nations no matter who they may be. In the view of the Secretariat, this task should be entrusted to military units equipped with defensive weapons. The launching of such an operation is clearly within the competence pf the Security Council.
"I must also emphasize, as Secretary-General, that execution of this task must be envisaged on the basis of a voluntary handing over of the articles in question. It is quite clear that. prior to undertaking this task, we would take every necessary precaution to obtain the assurance that the resistance was indeed determined to agree to being demobilized. That is why we have agreed, with the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, to contact the resistance as soon as possible in order to explain to it how we interpret the Plan and our role as International Cornmission, and to hedr what its position is on the issue.
''In the light of these considerations, it would seem premature to ask the Council to take steps to establish such a force, particularly since I am not in a position to estimate its needs in personnel and in equipment. This assessment can only be made after we have undertaken a technical reconnaissance in the resistance camps, and we arc not yet assured of having access to them.
"I therefore propose to contact the Council later, once the conditions described in the present letter have been met."
In a letter dated 20 September 1989, ')-'the President of the Council informed the Secretary-General as follows:
"l have the honour to inform you that the members of the Security Council have taken note of your letter of 2R August 1989" 0 concerning the establishment within the context of the Central American peace process of the International Support and Verification Commission, in accordance with the request made by the five Central American Presidents for United Nations assistance in the implementation of the 'Joint Plan for the voluntary demobilization, repatriation or relocation in Nicaragua or third countries of the members of the Nicaraguan resistance and their families and for assistance for the demobilization ol all those involved in armed actions in the countries of the region when such persons voluntarily request it', which is annexed to the Tela Declaration of 7 August 1989.94
"The members of the Council note with approval the steps which you have taken to set up and form the International Commission and put it mto operation and welcome with satisfaction your intention to ask the Council to adopt in due course the measures needed to establish the military component of the International Commission.
" 3 S/20857. 94 Official Records of rhe Security Council, Fony-fourrh Year, Suf' plcmell/ for July, Augu.H and SepiCinbcr 1989, document S/2077H, annex.

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