9.11.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 2863 COUNCIL DECISION of 8 November 1999 implementing Council Common Position 1999/722/CFSP concerning EU support for the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1999/723|CFSP) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to Common Position 1999/722/CFSP concerning EU support for the implementation of the Lusaka ceasefire agreement and the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and in particular Article 3, in conjunction with Article 23(2) of the Treaty on European Union. Whereas: (1)  in accordance with Article 3 of Common Position 1999/ 722|CEFSP the Union intends to support the Joint Mili- tary Commission (JMC) set up in the Lusaka ceasefire agreement to allow it to fulfil its tasks as specified in its Rules of Procedure; (2)  The European Union intends therefore to offer financial support and technical assistance to non-military aspects of the JMC activities, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1.  The European Union shall contribute towards opera- tional, non-military expenditure to enable the Joint Military Commission to deploy its observers in the Democratic Republic of Congo during a six month period and fulfil its tasks as specified in its Rules of Procedure. 2. The funds shall be channelled through the organisation for African Unity (OAU) and be covered by a separate agree- ment with the OAU with appropriate provisions for disburse- ment, accounting and auditing. Article 2 1. The financial reference amount for the purposes referred to in Article 1 shall be EUR 1 200 000. 2. The expenditure financed by the amount stipulated in paragraph 1 shall be managed in accordance with the proced- ures and rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union. Article 3 This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption. It shall expire on 8 May 2000. Article 4 This Decision shall be published in the Official Journal. Done at Brussels, 8 November 1999. For the Council The President S. NIINISTO