A UNITED NATIONS General Assembly Distr. GENERAL A/RES/53/71 4 January 1999 Fifty-third session Agenda item 64 RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY [on the report of the First Committee (A/53/577)] 53/71. Maintenance of international security – prevention of the violent disintegration of States The General Assembly, Recalling its resolution 51/55 of 10 December 1996, Recalling also the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, Convinced that the observance of the Charter and relevant treaties and other relevant principles and provisions of international law is essential for the strengthening of international peace and security, Considering the emergence of new opportunities for building a peaceful world, Mindful of the obligations of all States under the Charter, inter alia, to refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State and to develop friendly relations among nations, and to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, including rights for persons belonging to ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities, Deeply concerned that situations which may threaten international peace and security persist in spite of the efforts of the United Nations to put an end to them and to prevent such situations in the future, Convinced of the necessity to enhance the overall conflict prevention and resolution capability of the United Nations system to prevent the outbreak of conflicts, 99-76009 /...