UN political presence to be re-established.

A UN political presence will be re-established in Afghanistan --provisionally located in lalalabad "until security conditions permit a permanent return to Kabul"--it was announced on 27 June. UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali took that decision on the basis of the results of a UN Special Mission to Afghanistan, headed by Mahmoud Mestiri of Tunisia, which visited the country from 27 March to 29 April.

The Secretary-General said he was impressed by the "unanimous desire for peace" expressed by the Afghan people, who had demanded an "immediate end to the current fighting and a political process in which all segments of Afghan society would participate".

There was also a "nearly universal request", he said, from Afghans that the UN "should not abandon them", but should rather play an important role in helping to establish a representative political p the other hand, the Secretary-General was concerned at the "widespread perception" among Afghans that "external interference" was helping to "fuel the present hostilities".

The Special Mission had reported (A/49/208-S/7994/766) that it was "dear to almost everyone" in Afghanistan that "no military victory by either side" was possible, and a continuation of war served "no purpose". The UN and the international community must "assist the Afghans more actively in bringing peace to their country", since they saw the UN as the "last and only way out".

An opportunity to "alter the present stalemated political and military equation with practical diplomatic approaches" existed. Although that would not be an easy task, with "patience, steadfastness and creative political approaches", it was possible to "create a momentum for peace", the Mission concluded.

A re-engaged UN effort could incorporate a renewed physical political presence; a working group of interested countries to assist U N peace efforts and eventually prepare an international conference on Afghanistan; consultations with Afghan leaders on establishing a transitional authority and a total cease-fire; and holding of free and fair elections.