PSC/PR/Comm.(XX) Page 2 B) ON THE PROTECTION FORCE FOR THE POLITICAL LEADERS IN BURUNDI Council, 1. Recalls the decision adopted by the 91st Ordinary Session of the Central Organ of the Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, held in Addis Ababa, on 2nd April 2003, mandating the deployment of the African Mission in Burundi (AMIB) for an initial period of one year, pending the deployment of a UN Peacekeeping Mission [Central Organ/MEC/AMB/Comm.(XCI)], as well as the subsequent decisions that extended the mandate of AMIB; 2. Further recalls resolution 1545 (2004) adopted by the Security Council on 21st May 2004, authorizing the deployment, as from 1st June 2004, of a Peacekeeping Operation in Burundi (ONUB), in order to support the efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Burundi, and deciding that ONUB would initially be composed of existing AMIB forces; 3. Notes that the mandate of ONUB, as articulated in resolution 1545 (2004), does not provide for the protection of political leaders, as a result of which the Protection Force, which was part of AMIB, was not integrated within ONUB when the United Nations took over the responsibility of the peacekeeping operation in Burundi; 4. Stresses the indispensable role that the Protection Force continues to play in the promotion of a climate of security and confidence, particularly in the context of the forthcoming elections that would mark the end of the transition in Burundi, in April 2005; 5. Decides, to authorize the Protection Force to operate under the mandate of the AU to continue to provide protection services to political leaders in Burundi and other support as may be required, during the transition in Burundi and in close collaboration with ONUB; 6. Requests the Commission to undertake consultations with the United Nations to examine the possibility of integrating the Protection Force within ONUB; 7. Requests the Chairperson of the Commission to undertake the necessary consultations with the relevant South African Authorities, in order to determine the modalities under which the Protection Force will continue to fulfil its responsibilities and tasks within the framework of the AU and agree all other relevant aspects, and to submit to it periodic reports on the steps taken and the activities of the Force. C) ON THE SITUATION IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE Council 1. Reiterates its grave concern at the prevailing situation in Côte d’Ivoire, as well as its conviction that the crisis in that country can only be resolved through peaceful and political means;