Intention of US, USSR to discontinue weapons deliveries to all Afghan side welcome.

Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar on 13 September welcomed the announcement in Moscow by the Soviet Union and the United States of their intention to discontinue weapons deliveries to all Afghan sides, effective 1 January 1992.

Such a decision, he said, represented a major contribution towards implementing a key provision of his 21 May 1991 five-point statement, which suggested elements of a political settlement of the Afghan problem that could bring stability to Afghanistan.

The decision, he stated, would also give impetus to current efforts to achieve a political solution. All others concerned should take similar action in that direction, the Secretary-General urged.

Afghan Prime Minister Fazl-Ul Haq Khaliqyar in 25 September in New York said that the joint decision strengthened hopes for peace in Afghanistan. He expected that other countries involved in the conflict would also end the arms supply, as discontinuation by the USSR and the United States was not enough to bring about peace. The UN, he suggested, might set up a monitoring mechanism on Afghanistan's borders with the Soviet Union, Pakistan and Iran to control weapons shipments.

Islamabad meeting

On 30 July, following a two-day meeting in Islamabad, Pakistan, a joint declaration was issued by Iran's Foreign Minister, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Secretary-General and leaders of the Afghan Mujahideen parties, stating there were "positive elements" in the 21 May statement. "After necessary clarifications", the statement could be considered for a comprehensive solution acceptable to Afghans.

The declaration also stated that any solution should lead to the replacement of the "present illegal Government in Kabul" and the establishment of an elected Islamic Government acceptable to Afghans. The Mujahideen parties envisaged a future Afghanistan to be "Islamic, non-aligned, an abode of peace and an important contributor to tranquility and stability of the region, committed to a policy of mutual friendship and cooperation with its neighbours".

From 10 to 13 September in Teheran, the Secretary-General met with Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani and Foreign Minister Ali-Akbar Velayati, during which time he reviewed the Afghanistan situation.

He also met with leaders of Mujahideen groups based in Peshawar, Sibghatullah Mujadidi and Pir Sayed Ahmed Gailani, as well as with the leader of the Iran-based Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan, Hajatoislam Rahmutullah Mortazavi. The Mujahideen representatives pledged full support for the five-point statement. The Secretary-General stressed the need for a political solution and to avoid military action which could only bring about bloodshed.

In Teheran, the Secretary-General also met with Pakistani President Ghulam Ishaq Khan and termed their talks "fruitfal", covering all aspects of the Afghan question. The President reaffirmed his Government's commitment to a speedy political settlement.

On 13 September in Jeddah, the Secretary-General also held talks on Afghanistan with King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Foreign Minister Prince Saud El-Faisal. The Secretary-General briefed them on his efforts towards a political settlement of the Afghan question.

He also had talks with the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference, Hamid Algabid, and the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates).

Lack of resources

Fifty-seven current projects of "Operation Salam"--a programme of emergency relief and rehabilitation in Afghanistan--have been either abandoned or scaled down because of lack of resources, it was announced on 30 July. The Operation, begun in May 1988, is implemented by UN agencies, volunteers and local and international non-governmental organizations.

The Operation's 1991 budget, originally set at $136 million, has been cut by $31 million.

Benon Sevan, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General in Afghanistan and Pakistan and Administrator of Operation Salam, said: "With no immediate end in sight to the conflict in this sorely troubled country, as well as with developments and compelling humanitarian needs in other parts of the world, the international community has become increasingly immune to the war in Afghanistan and the suffering of its people."

Some major donors, he went on, had indicated that they would not commit substantial new funds to help the Afghan people until there was progress in the search for a peaceful settlement. He hoped donors would reconsider their positions. Afghanistan needs international humanitarian assistance now more than ever, he said.