The Security Council this afternoon extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) until 15 June 1997, subject to the proviso that the 1994 Tehran Agreement remains in force. That Tehran Agreement called for a cease-fire and the cessation of hostile acts on the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border for the duration of the peace talks between Tajikistan's Government and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO).

By unanimously adopting resolution 1099 (1997), the Council requested the Secretary-General to submit a report on the situation in Tajikistan not later than 1 June 1997, including recommendations concerning the United Nations presence in that country. The Council also requested that he inform it by 30 April on ways that the United Nations could assist in implementing the Protocol on Military Issues, which was signed during inter-Tajik talks held from 26 February to 8 March 1997 in Moscow. The Protocol contains agreements on the re-integration, disarmament and disbandment of the armed units of the UTO, reforming the power structures of Tajikistan and a detailed timetable for their implementation.

Also by the resolution adopted this afternoon, the Security Council strongly condemned the mistreatment of UNMOT observers and other international personnel. It urgently called upon the parties to cooperate in bringing the perpetrators to justice and to ensure the safety and freedom of movement of the personnel of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) peace-keeping forces and other international personnel.

Welcoming the agreements reached by the parties since December 1996, the Security Council called upon them to implement good faith agreements and to make further progress at the next round of inter-Tajik talks. The Council expressed satisfaction that the cease-fire had been generally observed by the parties since December 1996, and called for its maintenance throughout the duration of the inter-Tajik talks.

Finally, the Security Council commended the efforts of UNMOT and of the Secretary-General's Special Representative and called upon the parties to cooperate with him in conducting the inter-Tajik talks. The Council called upon Member States and others to respond to the consolidated inter-agency donor alert on urgent humanitarian needs for the period 1 December 1996 to 31 May 1997, and to contribute to the voluntary fund established by the Secretary-General.

For further details please see official record:
S/PV.3752

For further details please see source:
MEETINGS COVERAGE

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