UN monitors continuing conflicts.

Conflict situations continued throughout several former Soviet republics, particularly in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan where, from July through September, the UN monitored and mediated peace-keeping and economic developments. Central to these efforts were the UN interim offices, established in 1992 in seven newly independent States-Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan - where the Organization previously had not had field representation. These offices were created to ensure that the UN response to those nations' special requirements was "properly coordinated from the outset", the Secretary-General stated (A/48/146/Add.1) on 20 July.

They also provided an opportunity to devise a "new model for United Nations representation at the country level", he said, in support of an integrated approach that would address comprehensively the political, socio-economic, environmental and humanitarian dimensions within each country. In addition, they would support the Secretary-General's endeavours for preventive diplomacy and peacemaking, the report added.

Following is an overview of some important developments from July through September 1993.

Armenia, Azerbaijan

Escalation in armed Hostilities in and around Nagorno-Karabakh - an Armenian-populated enclave in Azerbaijan-led the security Council on 29 July to express its, grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the area.

In unanimously adopting resolution 853 (1993), the Council demanded the immediate cessation of all hostilities and the "immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of the occupying forces involved from the district of Agdam and all other recently occupied areas of the Azerbaijani Republic".

It condemned "all hostile actions", particularly attacks on civilians and bombardments of inhabited areas, and called on the parties concerned to reach and maintain durable cease-fire arrangements.

Endorsing the continuing efforts of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), particularly preparations for its monitor mission, as well as the Proposal for its presence in the region, the Council urged the parties to refrain from any action that would obstruct a peaceful solution to the conflict. It supported negotiations towards a final settlement, both within the CSCE Minsk Group peace process and through direct contacts.

Armenia was called upon to "continue to exert its influence to achieve compliance by the Armenians of the Nagorno-Karabakh region" with Council resolution 822 (1993), which called for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of forces.

All States were urged to "refrain from the supply of any weapons and munitions which might lead to an intensification of the conflict or the continued occupation of territory".

The Council called for "unimpeded access for international humanitarian

relief efforts" to alleviate the increased suffering of the civilian population. Urgent humanitarian assistance and the return of displaced persons were asked.

On 22 July, the Secretary-General, concerned over reports of renewed conflict in the area, urged restraint, an end to hostilities and full support for the Minsk Group's efforts.

A stop to all attacks and an immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as a complete withdrawal of occupying forces from Fizuli, Kelbadjar, Agdam and other recently occupied areas of the Azerbaijani Republic, were demanded by the Council on 18 August.

In a statement (S/26326) by its President, Madeleine K. Albright of the United States, the Council also called on Armenia to "use its unique influence" to that end. Parties were urged to respond positively to the Minsk Group's 13 August timetable to implement Council resolutions 822 and 853.

Tajikistan

Stressing the urgent need for the cessation of all hostile actions on the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, the Security Council on 23 August urged the Tajik Government and all opposition groups to participate in a negotiating process towards an early cease-fire and eventual national reconciliation.

In a statement (S/26341) by its President, the Council also drew attention to the "critical humanitarian situation" in the country and in the Tajik refugee camps in northern Afghanistan, as well as the "need for additional homanitarian assistance".

The Tajik Government was called on to continue assisting in the return and reintegration of all Tajiks who had fled the civil war and wished to return home.

Efforts by neighbouring countries and regional parties - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Uzbekistan, the Economic Cooperation Organization, and the CSCE - to stabilize the situation were also welcomed.

The Council hailed the Secretary-General's proposal to extend the mandate of his Special Envoy, Ismat Kittani, until 31 October.

On 16 August, the Secretary-General expressed (S/26311) deep concern at the escalating crisis on the Tajik-Afghan border, especially due to a large-scale attack on 13 July by fighters who had crossed the border from Afghanistan and occupied a Russian military border-post in the Shurobad district, resulting in 27 deaths and many injuries.

The situation in Tajikistan contained the seeds of a major threat to peace and security for central Asia and beyond". the Secretary-General stated. A solution could come "only through peaceful reconciliation with the widest possible participation" of all political groups and regions of the country.

The conflict, caused by a struggle for power between different Tajik clans, resulted in thousands of deaths and created more than 400,000 refugees and displaced persons. It has been fuelled by an abundance of arms: those left by Soviet forces as they evacuated from Afghanistan through the territory of Tajikistan; and by the fact that after the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan's southern border with Afghanistan - some 1,400 kilometres in length - became, vulnerable to arms smuggling.

Other developments

The 9 JuLy decree of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation on the status of the Crimean city of Sevastopol was "without effect", the Security Council stated on 20 July. The decree had claimed the city as the main base of the single Black Sea fleet. The Council said that was incompatible with the UN Charter and with Russia's treaty commitments with Ukraine.

The Council welcomed (S/26118) the efforts of both countries to settle their differences by peaceful means, and urged steps to ensure avoidance of tension.

Former Ambassador Tommy Koh of Singapore was named as Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to lead a two-week mission, from 29 August to 9 September, to the Russian Federation, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, to focus on the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the Baltic States.

On 31 August, the Russian Federation completed the withdrawal of its armed forces from Lithuania.