UNMOT extended, continuation of dialogue urged.

The Security Council on 14 December, in extending the mandate of the UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) until 15 June 1996, regretted the "slow rate of progress" towards a political solution to the conflict in that country.

By unanimously adopting resolution 1030 (1995), it also stipulated that the six-month extension of the Mission, deployed since 16 December 1994, was subject to the proviso that the 17 September 1994 Teheran Agreement on a cease-fire remained in force, and both parties--the Government of Tajikistan and the United Tajik Opposition--continued to be "committed to an effective cease-fire, to national reconciliation and to the promotion of democracy". In that regard, they were urged to agree to the Teheran pact's "substantial extension".

Also, by calling upon the two sides to cooperate fully with the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ramiro Piriz-Ballon, the Council stressed the need for them to take the opportunity of the continual round of inter-Tajik talks in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, which had begun on 30 November, to reach a general agreement that would restore peace and national accord in Tajikistan.

The continuation of "direct political dialogue" between President Emomali Rakhmonov of Tajikistan and Abdullo Nuri, leader of the Islamic Revival Movement, was also encouraged.

In addition, the Council stressed the "urgency of the cessation of all hostile acts" on the Tajik-Afghan border, and called upon all States and others concerned to "discourage any activities that could complicate or hinder the peace process" in that country. The relevant Afghan authorities were encouraged to facilitate the establishment of a "liaison post at Taloqan in northern Afghanistan".

In commending the activities of agencies and organizations assisting the civilian population in Tajikistan, the Council welcomed the "successful resettlement of the vast majority of internally displaced persons and refugees" and the role played by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

In a 6 November statement by its President, Salim bin Mohammed Al-Khussaiby of Oman, the Council had expressed the hope that the continual round of inter-Tajik talks would, among other things, "contribute to a lessening of tensions along the Tajik-Afghan border and inside Tajikistan".

Slow progress

"I cannot but be concerned that one year has passed since the establishment of UNMOT and that progress towards the resolution of the conflict has been so slow", Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali lamented on 8 December. The deterioration of the situation on the ground, characterized by an "increase in military activities and incidents and a general rise of tension", was "equally worrying", he reported (S/1995/1024).

Another "cause for regret" were delays in the implementation of some important confidence-building measures agreed upon during the fourth round of inter-Tajik talks (22 May-1 June, Almaty), he stated.

In calling upon all concerned to "cooperate more closely to stem this tide", Mr. Boutros-Ghali said that he was, nevertheless, encouraged by the parties' resumption of their negotiations on the basis of the 17 August Protocol on the fundamental principles for establishing peace and national reconciliation in Tajikistan, signed concurrently in Dushanbe and Kabul. That accord would serve as an "important framework for the ongoing negotiations on a comprehensive peace agreement", he stressed.