Statement [made on behalf of the Security Council, at the 4151st meeting, 2 June 2000, in connection with the Council's consideration of the item entitled "The situation concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo"]

Welcomes the recommedation made by its mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2000/416), to proceed with the establishment of an expert panel on the illegal exploitation of natural resources and other forms of wealth of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; requests the Secretary-General to establish this panel, for a period of 6 months; stresses that in order to implement its mandate, the expert panel may receive logistical support from the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and make visits to various countries in the region and if necessary, to other relevant countries; requests the Secretary-General to appoint the members of the panel on the basis of the candidates' professional expertise, impartiality and knowledge of the subregion.

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Statement made on behalf of the Security Council at the 4151st meeting, 2 June 2000.