United Nations

Presidential Statement Supports Intention
Of Secretary-General to Withdraw UNMOT When Mandate Expires on 15 May
 

 NEW YORK, 21 March (UN Headquarters) -- The Security Council this afternoon welcomed decisive progress in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan achieved due to sequential and persistent efforts of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the leadership of the Commission on National Reconciliation.

 In a statement read by its President, Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh), the Council welcomed in particular the holding on 27 February 2000 of the first multi-party and pluralistic parliamentary election in Tajikistan, in spite of serious problems and shortcomings.  It noted that with the holding of that election, the transition period envisaged in the General Agreement was coming to a close, and urged the Government and the Parliament of Tajikistan to work towards elections in the future that would meet fully acceptable standards as a means to consolidate peace.

 The Security Council noted with satisfaction that the United Nations had played an important role in that success.  It welcomed the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT), supported by the Contact Group of Guarantor States and International Organizations, as well as other bodies, being instrumental in assisting the parties in the implementation of that Agreement.

 The Council supported the intention of the Secretary-General to withdraw UNMOT when its mandate expired on 15 May and expected him to inform the Council about the outcome of his current consultations with the Government of Tajikistan on a role for the United Nations in the period of post-conflict peace-building and consolidation.

 The meeting was convened at 4:20 p.m. and adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Presidential Statement

 The full text of the Presidential Statement, which will be issued as S/PRST/2000/9, reads, as follows:

 “The Security Council has considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan of 14 March 2000 (S/2000/214), submitted pursuant to paragraph 12 of its resolution 1274 (1999) of 12 November 1999.

 “The Security Council welcomes decisive progress in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan (S/1997/510) achieved due to sequential and persistent efforts of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the leadership of the Commission on National Reconciliation.

 “The Security Council welcomes, in particular, the holding on 27 February 2000 of the first multi-party and pluralistic parliamentary election in Tajikistan, in spite of serious problems and shortcomings, as noted by the Joint Electoral Observation Mission for Tajikistan.  It notes that with the holding of this election, the transition period envisaged in the General Agreement is coming to a close.  The Council acknowledges a significant achievement of the Tajik parties, which have managed to overcome many obstacles and to put their country on the path to peace, national reconciliation and democracy.  It urges the Government and the Parliament of Tajikistan to work towards elections in the future that would meet fully acceptable standards as a means to consolidate peace.

 “The Security Council notes with satisfaction that the United Nations has played an important role in that success.  It welcomes the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT), supported by the Contact Group of Guarantor States and International Organizations, the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States, being instrumental in assisting the parties in the implementation of that Agreement.

 “The Council supports the intention of the Secretary-General to withdraw UNMOT when its mandate expires on 15 May.  It expects that the Secretary-General will inform the Council about the outcome of his current consultations with the Government of Tajikistan on a role for the United Nations in the period of post- conflict peace-building and consolidation.”

Secretary-General's Report

 When the Security Council met this afternoon, it had before it an interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan (document S/2000/214), submitted pursuant to Council resolution 1274 of 12 November 1999.  It relates developments in Tajikistan and the activities of UNMOT since the last report of 4 November 1999, covers details of the first multi-party election, and describes the reintegration of former opposition fighters.

 According to the report, the Secretary-General intends to withdraw UNMOT when its mandate expires on 15 May, since, with the holding of the first multi- party parliamentary election in Tajikistan, the transition period envisaged in the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan (S/1997/510) is coming to a close, as is the process that UNMOT was set up to support.  This marks a significant achievement.  The military observers are gradually being drawn down.

 The report states that after years of fighting, the transition had been difficult and threatened by several serious crises.  Nevertheless, the Tajik parties managed to overcome the obstacles and put their country on the path to national reconciliation and democracy.  The United Nations played an important part in this success.  The General Agreement was reached under its auspices and with its active involvement, and UNMOT, supported by the Contact Group of Guarantor States and International Organizations, had been instrumental in the implementation of its provisions.

 While there is cause for satisfaction, the report continues, there can be no doubt that the move towards a stable democracy has only just begun, and that it is important for the international community to stay engaged.  Also, too many men are still under arms for a country that is at peace, and more should be encouraged and helped to return to civilian life.  In this regard, much can be achieved with relatively modest means.

 The Secretary-General is currently consulting with the Government of Tajikistan about a possible role for the United Nations in the period of post- conflict peace-building and consolidation.  He will inform the Council about the outcome of those consultations.