On October 16, 1991, the Security Council authorized the establishment of the United Nations Advanced Mission in Cambodia (UNAMIC). According to resolution 717, it would become effective after the signing of the agreements at the Paris Conference. The Paris Conference on Cambodia was reconvened on October 21st. On October 23rd, the parties signed the Agreements on Cambodia which ended the conflict and authorized elections. Under the Paris Agreements, the Supreme National Council of Cambodia was to be "the unique legitimate body and source of authority" throughout the transitional period. The SNC, comprised of the four Cambodian parties under the chairmanship of Prince Norodom Sihanouk, would delegate "all powers necessary" to the United Nations in order to ensure implementation of the agreements. Indeed, the agreements assigned an unprecedented role to the United Nations. The United Nations would supervise the cease-fire and withdrawal of foreign forces; disarm all armed forces of the Cambodian parties and ensure a 70% level of demobilization; control and supervise the administrative structures; and organize and conduct national elections.
On February 28, 1992, the Security Council established the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) pursuant to resolution 745. The deployment of UNTAC officially began in March with the arrival in the capital city of Phnom Penh of Yasushi Akashi, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cambodia and Head of UNTAC. At its peak, UNTAC's strength was over 21,000 military and civilian personnel from more than 100 countries. In March, the United Nations also started a program of repatriation and resettlement of some 360,000 Cambodian refugees and displaced persons, with UNHCR as the lead agency. The program was successfully completed in April 1993.
In July, UNTAC began to exercise control throughout Cambodia in order to establish a neutral environment in which to hold the elections. Registration of political parties began in August 1992. By January 1993, 20 parties had applied for registration. Of the four Cambodian parties who were signatories to the Paris Agreements, three took part in the electoral process: CPP, FUNCINPEC and KPNLF/BLDP. The fourth signatory, the Party of Democratic Kampuchea, representing the Khmer Rouge, failed to register as a political party and took no part in the election. When the registration of voters ended in January 1993, over 4.6 million Cambodians had been registered, representing nearly all the estimated eligible voters in the zones to which UNTAC had access. UNTAC was not given full access to the areas controlled by PDK.
Elections were held from May 23rd to May 28th in all of Cambodia's 21 provinces. Some 1,400 fixed polling stations and 200 mobile teams were employed. UNTAC military personnel and civilian police ensured tight security. Despite minor incidents, polling was conducted in a peaceful and often festive atmosphere. Voters sometimes walked several miles to cast their ballots, undaunted by threats of violence or banditry, rough terrain or the heavy rain that swept most of the country.
Over 4.2 million Cambodians, representing more than 89% of the registered voters, cast ballots. FUNCINPEC won 45% of the vote, CPP 38% and KPNLF/BLDP received 3%. In the Constituent Assembly, 59 seats were won by FUNCINPEC, 51 by CPP, 10 by KPNLF/BLDP and 1 by the MOLINAKA party. At a June 10th meeting of the SNC presided over by Prince Sihanouk, the Special Representative declared the elections free and fair. On June 15th, the Security Council endorsed the results of the elections and expressed support for the newly elected Constituent Assembly.
On September 24th, Prince Sihanouk promulgated the constitution, which had been drawn up by the Constituent Assembly, and was elected King of Cambodia. In accordance with the constitution, he appointed the heads of the new government. On the same day, UNTAC's mandate terminated and by mid-November its withdrawal was virtually completed.
Since then, United Nations agencies have remained in Cambodia to assist in its development. Secretary-General Boutros-Ghali appointed a Representative to Cambodia to maintain close liaison and dialogue with the government in accordance with the spirit and principles of the Paris Agreements. The international community, through the International Committee on the Reconstruction of Cambodia, continues to support the Government's recovery efforts.
Despite these efforts, civil unrest continues to plague Cambodia. The Khmer Rouge still conducts military operations against the coalition government. Despite these disturbances, local elections are scheduled for 1997 and national elections are scheduled for 1998.
Source: Basic Facts About the United Nations. Published by United Nations Department of Public Information. Copyright 1995 United Nations.
