ASSEMBLY CALLS ON STATES TO PROMOTE PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN, STOP FLOW OF ARMS TO ALL PARTIES; APPEALS TO WARRING PARTIES TO RESPECT HUMANITARIAN LAW
Press Release
GA/9041
ASSEMBLY CALLS ON STATES TO PROMOTE PEACE IN AFGHANISTAN, STOP FLOW OF ARMS TO ALL PARTIES; APPEALS TO WARRING PARTIES TO RESPECT HUMANITARIAN LAW
19951219 Approves Funding for UNMIH, UNIFIL, Considers Drafts on Situation in BurundiStates were called upon to promote peace in Afghanistan, to stop the flow of arms to all parties and to put an end to the destructive conflict in that country by the terms of a two-part resolution on the situation in Afghanistan adopted this afternoon by the General Assembly without a vote.
Also by that text, the Assembly called upon all States to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in its internal affairs. The Assembly called on all warring parties in Afghanistan to refrain from detaining foreign nationals, and urgently appealed to them to strictly respect all provisions of international humanitarian law.
The Assembly further called upon all Afghan parties not to hinder efforts to transport and distribute emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. The international community was called upon to respond to the inter-agency consolidated appeal for emergency humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance for Afghanistan.
The representative of Afghanistan said that the United Nations had taken positions which were not conducive to the return of peace to his country. The Special Mission had failed to identify foreign interference as the cause of the conflict. "Pakistani circles" were intervening in Afghanistan's internal affairs. Afghanistan wished to have positive relations with Pakistan based upon mutual respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non- interference, he added.
The representative of Pakistan described his country's long-standing support for Afghanistan, including the sheltering of millions of refugees. He said that the suffering of Afghanistan would only be alleviated when the international community addressed the root cause of the conflict in that country and urged Professor Rabbani to hand over power to a broad-based
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interim council with authority to negotiate and accept the transfer of power, oversee a cease-fire and demilitarize the whole country.
Statements were also made by Iran, Japan, Spain (on behalf of the European Union), India, Egypt, United States, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The representative of Germany introduced the text of the resolution.
Acting on the recommendation of its Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary), the Assembly decided, without a vote, to appropriate for the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) a total sum of $152 million gross ($149.7 million net) for the period 1 August to 29 February 1996. Beyond that date, it authorized up to $10 million gross ($9.5 million net) monthly for the Mission from 1 March to 31 May 1996 and assessed $20 million gross ($19 million net), should the Security Council extend UNMIH's mandate beyond February.
Also without a vote on the recommendation of the Fifth Committee, the Assembly decided to appropriate and authorize for UNIFIL about $121.3 million, comprising an appropriation of some $67.4 million gross ($65.2 million net) for 1 August 1995 to 31 January 1996 and a commitment authority of up to some $10.8 million gross ($10.5 million net) monthly for 1 February to 30 June 1996, should the Council extend UNIFIL's mandate beyond 31 January 1996.
Also this afternoon, two draft resolutions on Burundi were introduced to the Assembly by the representative of Sudan. Addressing the Assembly in that context, the representative of Burundi said that the Great Lakes region was being poisoned by radio programmes dedicated to urging terrorism and claiming that genocide was the prerequisite for power. The ignominious role played by Radio-Television Mille Collines during the Rwanda holocaust was in danger of being reprised by that station's soul mate in Burundi.
The representative of Rwanda said that the same individuals who had used pirate radio to incite people to murder in Rwanda, causing the genocide, were attempting to do the same in Burundi. Governments which had assisted those criminals in the past were doing so again in Burundi. He also said that international cooperation in the region must be changed from the provision of arms to the provision of assistance for real development. "We are appealing to the countries which supply arms to Africa to instead provide computers and tractors", he said.
Statements were also made by the representatives of Ethiopia, Tunisia, Spain (on behalf of the European Union), Cuba, France, Brazil, China and Nigeria.
Also this afternoon, the Assembly appointed Louis Dominique Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) as a member of the Joint Inspection Unit for a term of office beginning on 1 January 1996 and ending on 31 December 2000.
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The General Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 20 December, to take action on reports of its Second Committee (Economic and Financial). It is also expected to take up the United Nations Educational and Training Programme for Southern Africa; the situation in Central America; United Nations efforts to promote and consolidate new or restored democracies; assistance to Somalia, to the Palestinian people and to Madagascar; and international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster.
Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly met this afternoon to consider the following issues: appointment of a member of the Joint Inspection Unit; the situation in Afghanistan, and assistance to that country; the situation in Burundi, and assistance to that country; assistance to Somalia, the Palestinian people and Madagascar; international cooperation to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster; financing of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL); and financing of the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH). (For background on reports concerning Somalia, Madagascar and the Palestinians, see Press Release GA/9010, issued on 27 November.)
In a note before the Assembly (document A/50/817), its President, Diogo Freitas do Amaral, states that, having completed the required consultations, he is submitting the candidature of Louis Dominique Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso) for appointment as a member of the Joint Inspection Unit for a term of office beginning on 1 January 1996 and ending on 31 December 2000.
Concerning the situation in Afghanistan, the Assembly has before it a two-part draft resolution and a report of the Secretary-General. A related report of the Fifth Committee is also before the Assembly.
By the terms of the first part of the draft resolution (document A/50/L.52), which concerns emergency international assistance for reconstruction of Afghanistan, the Assembly would call upon all Afghan parties not to hinder in any way the efforts by the United Nations and associated organizations to transport and distribute emergency humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population, particularly to the city of Kabul. It would also urge them to ensure the full freedom of movement for the United Nations Special Mission.
The Assembly would call upon the international community to respond to the inter-agency consolidated appeal for emergency humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance for Afghanistan, launched by the Secretary-General for the period from 1 October 1995 to 30 September 1996, also bearing in mind the availability of the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund.
In addition, the Assembly would appeal to all States, organizations and programmes of the United Nations system, specialized agencies and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to continue to provide financial, technical and material assistance for the restoration of basic services in Afghanistan and the voluntary safe return of refugees. It would also appeal to international financial and development institutions to assist in the planning of the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
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By the terms of the second part of the draft resolution, which addresses the situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security, the General Assembly would call upon all States to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and respect the rights of the Afghan people to determine their own destiny. It would also call on all States to take all steps necessary to promote peace in Afghanistan, to stop the flow of arms and arms-production related equipment to all parties and to put an end to the destructive conflict.
The draft would also have the Assembly call on all warring parties in Afghanistan to refrain from detaining foreign nationals and would have it urge the captors of the members of the crew of the Russian aircraft in Kandhar immediately to release them. The Assembly would urgently appeal to all parties strictly to respect all provisions of international humanitarian law. And it would urge the leaders of all Afghan parties to renounce the use of force and to settle their political differences by peaceful means.
The Assembly would request the Secretary-General to authorize the United Nations Special Mission in Afghanistan to continue its efforts to facilitate national reconciliation, by ensuring transfer of power through the urgent establishment of a fully representative and broad-based authoritative council. The council would have the authority to negotiate and oversee an immediate and durable cease-fire; to create and control a national security force; and to form an acceptable transitional government. The Assembly would call on all Afghans, especially the leaders of warring parties, to cooperate fully with the council.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Morocco, Pakistan, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Yemen.
The report of the Fifth Committee on the programme budget implications of the draft resolution (document A/50/825) states that should the Assembly adopt that text, an appropriation not exceeding $2,684,400 would be required under the 1996-1997 proposed programme budget.
The Secretary-General's report on emergency international assistance for Afghanistan (document A/50/737) urges the international community to reassert its insistence that all States abstain from interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan. The Afghan people's desire for peace deserved the support of the international community, the report states. For years, war in Afghanistan had negative repercussions on neighbouring States. Continued instability there would have grave consequences for the whole region.
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There seemed to be a general consensus on the establishment of a representative preparatory body to initiate a process leading towards a lasting settlement, the report says. To that end the Secretary-General had stationed four additional Political Affairs Officers in four major cities of Afghanistan to ensure continuity of information exchange and consultation between the Special Mission and the political leaders.
According to the report, the inability of former President Najibullah to leave Afghanistan despite repeated pleas of the Secretary-General to the authorities in Kabul was a matter of concern. Additionally, support from Member States for the humanitarian and rehabilitation activities of the United Nations was critically needed. For, while the will of the United Nations was firm, its means were limited.
The report adds that a consolidated appeal for emergency humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan launched for the period from October 1994 to September 1995 against a target of $106.4 million had brought in pledges worth $79.3 million. A new consolidated inter-agency appeal launched on 9 October called for $124 million for the October 1995 to September 1996 period.
The United Nations system's operational activities for rehabilitation during the past year had focused on assistance in rural infrastructure, food production, health improvement, animal health services, rehabilitation of displaced persons and human settlement, the report states. The United Nations Office for Project Services, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Volunteers and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) were active in projects in Afghanistan.
Reviewing developments in Afghanistan from December 1994 to mid- September 1995, the report states that the Head of the Special Mission to Afghanistan had begun a mediation effort in December 1994. An agreement was reached whereby President Burhanuddin Rabbani was to transfer power on 20 February 1995. However, the rapid advance of the Taliban forces and their arrival at the outskirts of Kabul, disrupted the plan.
Another transfer of power mechanism which would involve the Taliban, Mr. Rabbani, representatives from provinces and independent Afghan personalities was reached, the report says. Power was to be transferred on 21 March 1995. On 6 March, heavy fighting broke out in the south-western part of Kabul and again blocked agreement. The Head of the Special Mission had left Afghanistan in April and had returned in July to develop new options to peace. However, in August heavy fighting again broke out in western Afghanistan.
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In an addendum to the report, the Secretary-General describes the efforts of the Head of the Special Mission to Afghanistan, Mahmoud Mestiri, in the period from September to November, to bring about a cease-fire agreement between the major warring factions, and to establish a mechanism to which power would be transferred. "When the Head of the Special Mission arrived in the region, much of Afghanistan was embroiled in fierce fighting, especially around Kabul", he reports. The general atmosphere was that of war and preparation for war.
At that time, the country seemed headed for a major and bloody contest among three major factions for control of Kabul: the Taliban, the forces controlled by General Dostum and the Supreme Coordination Council and the government forces of President Burhanuddin Rabbani, the report continues. That was exacerbated by the reported external supply of military assistance to one or another of the armed factions.
The Secretary-General writes that, following Mr. Mestiri's meetings with numerous prominent Afghan personalities and organizations, as well as other concerned parties, Mr. Rabbani expressed his willingness on 21 and 22 October to transfer power to a mechanism comprising representatives of the warring parties. He insisted on the declaration of a cease-fire, however limited, to allow for that arrangement to take place, and on the need to limit foreign interference in Afghanistan.
On 6 November, Mr. Rabbani announced publicly his willingness to transfer power to an individual or commission, the report states. Mr. Rabbani also proposed that the warring parties and other neutral personalities sit together under United Nations mediation to agree on a suitable mechanism and date for the transfer of power. Mr. Mestiri departed Islamabad on 26 November to report to the Secretary-General on the latest phase of negotiations regarding the structure of that mechanism and other developments in the peace process.
The Assembly had before it a report and two draft resolutions on the situation in Burundi.
Under the terms of a draft on the situation in Burundi (document A/50/L.59), sponsored by that country along with Ethiopia and the Sudan, the Assembly would reiterate its urgent appeal to the international community to mobilize political, diplomatic, human, economic, financial and material resources with a view to assisting Burundi in overcoming the crisis which it has been facing for more than two years.
Condemning all warmongers from within or outside the country who are attacking innocent populations, heedlessly violating human rights and seriously undermining peace and security, the Assembly would "request Member States and international organizations to make rapidly available to the
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Burundi Government all technical and financial resources capable of silencing and dismantling the 'Rutomorangingo pirate radio', which is dangerously brainwashing the Great Lakes region through its poisonous incitations to genocide". It would also condemn the 14 June military attack on the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Mission in Burundi which resulted in the death of a military observer.
All registered political parties would be urged to dissociate themselves from centrifugal forces, to resist all extremism and all ethnic or political fanaticism, to settle disputes through negotiation and dialogue and to unite in order to bring about national salvation. All the people of Burundi would be urged to intensify and expand their loyal collaboration with the coalition government and with the security forces with a view to forcing out of hiding, denouncing and combating armed terrorist groups. Political parties would be invited to organize a general debate on Burundi's basic problems, as soon as conditions permit, with a view to concluding a national covenant and the adoption of a constitution.
The other draft resolution, also sponsored by Burundi, Ethiopia and the Sudan, concerns special emergency assistance for the economic recovery and reconstruction of Burundi (document A/50/L.58). Under its terms, members of the international community would be invited once again to provide Burundi with assistance for economic recovery and for the reconstruction of the various infrastructures destroyed or damaged during the crisis there. The donor community, particularly donors that still have reservations regarding tied aid, would be encouraged to make contributions for that purpose. The Secretary-General would be requested, in close cooperation with the Secretary- General of the Organization of African Unity, to coordinate United Nations activities to meet the needs of the people of Burundi and to mobilize the assistance of the international community.
Also before the Assembly was the Secretary-General's report on economic assistance to Burundi (A/50/541 and Add.1) which states that, although the situation in Burundi remained precarious, the political instability of the past 16 months had not yet led to a full-scale armed confrontation. That was due in large part to the international presence, including that of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, representatives of Member States and representatives of United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations. However, extremists on both sides, inside and outside Burundi, had not disarmed and continued to destabilize the Government in order to implement their own agenda.
It was evident that the Rwandan crisis had affected all the countries of the region and the international community should continue to give constant attention to the situation, the report says. In that connection, the convening of the Regional Conference on Security, Stability and Development had acquired a special significance. The United Nations and the OAU had a
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special role of coordinating the efforts of all nations in the region willing to participate in the Conference.
As stability could not be achieved in the region if the problem of the 2 million refugees was not solved, full implementation by all countries of the Plan of Action adopted by the Bujumbura Conference, including the creation of adequate political and security conditions for the safe return of refugees remained a vital undertaking, says the report. It expresses hope that the planned national debate in Burundi in late 1995 would help the parties to move from confrontation to peace and reconciliation.
Commenting on assistance provided by the United Nations agencies and Member countries, the report says that in May 1994 the UNDP approved the continuum programme for Burundi of close to $3.4 million. The UNDP was also helping the Government of Burundi plan reconstruction and developmental projects. The UNICEF had spent over $10 million over the past year in its efforts to reinforce the existing health network.
In 1994, the United Nations Centre for Human Rights had established a technical assistance project for Burundi, covering 1994-1996, to encourage the development of an institutional infrastructure capable of creating conditions for the promotion and protection of human rights and peace, the report says. Meanwhile, a four-pronged assistance effort, totalling nearly $3.9 million was being implemented by the World Health Organization (WHO). The effort sought to strengthen the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network.
The report adds that the FAO was concentrating on providing displaced persons, returnees and refugees with agricultural tool kits and seeds and was assisting in reforestation and stock breeding. A total of $12 million had been allocated for those tasks. Assistance was also being provided by the UNHCR, the WFP and the Department of Humanitarian Affairs.
The humanitarian emergency assistance provided by Germany in 1994-1995 amounted to about $1 million, the report says. Its bilateral financial and technical cooperation assistance amounted to about $27 million. In 1995, Germany's assistance to the international food aid programme for refugees in the central African region in and around Rwanda and Burundi amounted to about $27.8 million, and its assistance to refugees in Burundi alone was about $4.7 million. The total Swiss assistance amounted to about $25.2 million.
An addendum to the report states that between 21 December 1994 and 24 May 1995, Finland provided a total of 10.010 million markaa in cash contributions to emergency assistance programmes in Burundi. Italy provided $3.5 million in assistance and Japan's assistance amounted to $44,730,000.
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By the terms of a draft resolution on assistance to Somalia (document A/50/L.41/Rev.1), the Assembly would call upon all parties, movements and factions in that country to respect fully the security and safety of personnel of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and of non-governmental organizations, and to ensure their complete freedom of movement throughout the country. It would appeal to all the Somali parties concerned to terminate hostilities and to engage in a national reconciliation process that would allow for the transition from relief to reconstruction and development.
Also by that text, the Secretary-General would be requested to continue to mobilize international humanitarian, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Somalia. Members of the international community would be urged to assist the Somali people in embarking on the rehabilitation of basic social and economic services as well as institution-building aimed at the restoration of civil administration at the local level in all those parts of the country where peace, security and stability prevail. The Assembly would welcome the United Nations strategy aimed at rebuilding local infrastructures and increasing the self-reliance of the local population.
That draft is sponsored by Algeria, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
Under the terms of a draft on assistance to the Palestinian people (document A/50/L.54), the Assembly would call upon the relevant United Nations organs to intensify their assistance in response to the urgent needs of the Palestinians according to priorities set forth by the Palestinian Authority. Members of the international community would be called upon to extend economic and social help to the Palestinian people in order to assist in the development of the West Bank and Gaza, in close cooperation with the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and official Palestinian institutions. Member States would be urged to open their markets to exports from the West Bank and Gaza on the most favourable terms, consistent with appropriate trading rules.
That text is sponsored by Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Also before the Assembly is a revised draft resolution (document A/50/L.56/Rev.1) which would have the Assembly request the Secretary-General to continue his efforts to mobilize assistance for the reconstruction of Madagascar. Members of the international community would be urged to increase their support to the Government of Madagascar with a view to preventing disasters and mitigating their effects on the country's development.
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That text is sponsored by Burkina Faso, Gabon, Madagascar and South Africa.
The Assembly also has before it a revised draft resolution on strengthening international cooperation and coordination of efforts to study, mitigate and minimize the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster (document A/50/L.26). Under its terms, the Assembly would declare 26 April 1996 the international day commemorating the tenth anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident, and would invite Member States to conduct appropriate activities and to enhance public awareness of the consequences of such disasters for human health and the environment throughout the world. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to maintain close cooperation with United Nations agencies and with other relevant organizations with a view to encouraging the regular exchange of information, cooperation and coordination of multilateral and bilateral efforts in those areas, while implementing programmes and specific projects.
Also by that text, the Assembly would invite members of the international community to support the ongoing efforts of Belarus, the Russian Federation and Ukraine to cope with the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster, and would ask the Secretary-General to appeal to Member States to intensify such assistance. The establishment in Ukraine of an International Scientific and Technological Centre for Nuclear and Radiological Accidents as an important step towards enhancing the capabilities of the international community to deal with the consequences of such accidents would be noted.
That text is sponsored by Belarus, Japan, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation and Ukraine.
The Assembly also has before it two reports of the Fifth Committee concerning, respectively, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).
The report on financing UNIFIL (document A/50/824) contains a draft resolution which would have the Assembly appropriate and authorize for UNIFIL about $121.3 million. That would include an appropriation of some $67.4 million gross ($65.2 million net) for 1 August 1995 to 31 January 1996 and a commitment authority of up to some $10.8 million gross ($10.5 million net) monthly for 1 February to 30 June 1996, should the Council extend UNIFIL's mandate beyond 31 January 1996.
The report on financing UNMIH (document A/50/705/Add.2) contains a draft resolution by which the Assembly would appropriate a total of $152 million gross ($149.7 million net) for the period 1 August to 29 February 1996. Beyond that date, it would authorize up to $10 million gross ($9.5 million net) monthly for the mission from 1 March to 31 May 1996 and assess
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$20 million gross ($19 million net), should the Security Council extend UNMIH's mandate beyond February. It would then decide to set off against the future assessments of Member States that had paid up their dues their respective share in an unencumbered balance of some $2 million gross ($1.9 million net) for the period 1 August 1994 to 31 January 1995. The share of debtor States would be set off against their unpaid dues.
Situation in Afghanistan
GERHARD HENZE (Germany) introduced the draft resolution on the situation in Afghanistan, saying he was deeply worried about the continuing war in that country, and that the international community must not give up hope that progress was possible. The United Nations must do the utmost to achieve that progress. He hoped that the draft resolution would be adopted by consensus, as that would send a strong message to Afghanistan to stop the conflict.
KAMAL KHARRAZI (Iran) said his country had repeatedly called upon all parties to agree on a durable cease-fire and a just and lasting political settlement. It respected and supported the right of the Afghan people to determine their own destiny. Iran would also continue to provide medical assistance to Afghanistan and to work to control the flow of narcotics through the region.
Humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation must be pursued in parallel, always keeping in mind longer-term development needs, he said. Since 1980, Iran had been host to 2.5 million Afghan refugees. About 1 million had returned to Afghanistan involuntarily, but the existence of millions of anti- personnel land-mines and unexploded ordnance in that country, along with the continued armed hostilities inside the country, might be preventing many of the refugees from returning to their homes. International cooperation and assistance to remove the existing obstacles was of utmost necessity.
HISASHI OWADA (Japan) said that if the situation in Afghanistan continued, it could threaten the stability of the region. It required the urgent attention of the international community, particularly the United Nations. Japan was concerned that some foreign countries were providing weapons and military assistance to the Afghan parties. Those countries should immediately halt the illegal exports and actively support the efforts of the United Nations to achieve peace among the parties. Japan attached great importance to the safe and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons in Afghanistan. The parties should cease hostile action and accept the peace plan set forth by the Special Mission of the United Nations. The parties should ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel. Japan had contributed more than $400 million in refugee assistance, including $12 million for demining activities in Afghanistan.
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JUAN A. YANEZ-BARNUEVO (Spain), speaking on behalf of the member States of the European Union, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary and the Czech Republic, said that the Afghan parties bore the primary responsibility to put an end to the bloodshed in that country. The peace process in Afghanistan must be free from outside interference. All States should help promote peace and stability in Afghanistan and should respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country.
The European Union supported the strengthening of the United Nations Special Mission, urged the parties to cooperate for peace in good faith, and appealed to the international community to provide humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance to Afghanistan.
ABDUL RAHIM GHAFOORZAI (Afghanistan) said that interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan was expanding the conflict with disastrous consequences. The United Nations had taken positions which were not conducive to the return of peace to Afghanistan. Contradictory and equivocal statements of the Special Mission about the Taliban were an example of that. His Government was committed to cooperating with the Special Mission to enable it to succeed in accomplishing its mandate. But the Special Mission had failed to identify foreign interference as the cause of the conflict, and to identify realistic and pragmatic stages in the peace process, and the true nature of the Taliban "mercenaries" and their foreign linkages.
"Pakistani circles" were intervening in Afghanistan's internal affairs, he said. A Pakistani colonel was acting as a de facto Governor of Herat. A recent visit by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan to a northern province of Afghanistan without consultation with the Afghan Government had been an act aimed at dismemberment of the country and sabotaging the efforts of the United Nations. Citing Pakistani and international media accounts, he said that the Taliban group maintained ties to Pakistani intelligence agencies.
His Government wished to have positive relations with Pakistan based upon mutual respect of sovereignty, territorial integrity and non- interference, he said. Afghanistan remained indebted to Pakistan, which had stood by the Afghans during actions carried out by the former Soviet Union.
PRAKASH SHAH (India) said the acceptance of the cease-fire stipulated by the Afghan Government was essential for peace and for the success of the United Nations initiative to transfer authority to an acceptable mechanism. There also could be no peace without a total cessation of foreign interference.
He welcomed the Secretary-General's observations that the international community should be prepared to assist in every possible way towards the restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan and to that country's reconstruction. The request contained in part B of the draft resolution --
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that the Secretary-General report to the Assembly every three months on the progress of the United Nations Special Mission -- would at least periodically focus the attention of the international community on the situation in Afghanistan. He hoped it would also act as a catalyst to arouse the Member States' collective conscience. The situation of malnutrition in some of the more remote areas was reaching alarming proportions; yet in 1994-1995, the international community's contributions for humanitarian assistance had fallen short of the target by $27.1 million. India would continue its assistance to Afghanistan. That assistance was symbolic of its concern and sympathy for the people of Afghanistan.
M. NABIL ELARABY (Egypt) reaffirmed his country's support for strengthening the United Nations mission in Afghanistan and for the Secretary- General's decision to send four political advisers to be based around Afghanistan. The continued instability in Afghanistan might lead to serious consequences not just for Afghanistan but for the entire region, he said. Afghani territory could be used as a home base for terrorists and extremists. Stability and national reconstruction were essential to deprive terrorist bands from using Afghanistan for their plans.
He expressed concern that extremely small portions of Afghanistan's assistance needs were being met. Much more long-term assistance was necessary, as was a long-lasting recovery plan which had the support of the international community and the United Nations.
ARNOLD SCHIFFERDECKER (United States) said that his Government, in co- sponsoring the draft, was firmly committed to the restoration of a legitimate government in Afghanistan. While appreciating the efforts of the United Nations Special Mission, headed by Ambassador Mahmoud Mestiri, he was disappointed that the Afghan parties had failed to display the political will necessary for national reconciliation. The resolution established a blueprint for achieving that goal by proposing the transfer of power to a broad-based interim council, a cease-fire, creation of a national security force and the formation of a transition government.
Continued armed action would only tempt outsiders to meddle in Afghanistan's affairs, he said. The resolution bluntly warned against the use of Afghan territory as a springboard for terrorism and trafficking in arms and drugs. The United States called on all States to respect Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from shipping weapons to the factions.
While the United States endorsed the resolution's call for a strengthening of the United Nations Special Mission, that should be achieved within the existing resources of the Programme Budget for 1996-1997.
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HUSEYIN E. CELEM (Turkey) said he once again appealed to all conflicting sides in Afghanistan to agree on a national reconciliation process and to support the United Nations Special Mission in that regard. He fully supported the Mission's wide-ranging consultations with Afghan parties and its proposals to bring about an end to the factional fighting, to set in motion the process of political reconciliation, and to embark on the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan. He welcomed the draft resolution's reference to the establishment of a fully representative and broad-based Authoritative Council. In general, the draft resolution provided a sound and workable basis for the speedy resolution of the Afghanistan conflict.
He strongly supported the appeal in the draft resolution for Member States to provide all possible financial, technical and material assistance for the repatriation and settlement of Afghani refugees and displaced persons, and for the reconstruction of Afghanistan. The international community should actively respond to the Secretary-General's Appeal for Afghan humanitarian assistance by generously contributing to the fund set up for that purpose.
GAAFAR ALLAGANY (Saudi Arabia) said it was regrettable that the General Assembly was once again considering resolutions seeking to restore peace and normalcy to Afghanistan. His Government had hoped that the factions there would have agreed to earlier calls for a cease-fire and the return of a broad- based government.
Afghanistan commanded the concern of Saudi Arabia, which had continuously provided humanitarian assistance to that country. The current situation was devastating Afghanistan and affecting its neighbours. He hoped that the Afghan people could once more live in peace. Saudi Arabia was pleased to co-sponsor both drafts on Afghanistan. They represented a framework for a political solution.
AHMAD KAMAL (Pakistan) said that during 14 years of "Jihad", Pakistan had stood by Afghanistan, sheltering three and one half million refugees. Since the end of that war, some 1.5 million refugees had been repatriated with the assistance of UNHCR. That programme had considerably slowed with the outbreak of factional fighting since 1992. Pakistan had supported Afghanistan during the negotiation of the Geneva Accords which had ended the occupation of the country and had subsequently helped bring about cease-fires between the factions. Unfortunately, seven years after the Geneva Accords, factional fighting still prevented the return of peace and normalcy.
Notwithstanding the Islamabad Accord of 1993, Professor Rabbani had repeatedly extended his term as President of Afghanistan, he said. He had also refused to establish a defence council composed of members from different parties to demilitarize Kabul and other cities. Professor Rabbani's reluctance to share power with other groups lay at the root of current fighting in Afghanistan. In consequence, the Taliban controlled half of
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Afghanistan, with President Rabbani's government representing only the Tajik ethnic group and limited to controlling Kabul and 5 of Afghanistan's 32 provinces.
The suffering of Afghanistan would only be alleviated when the international community addressed the root cause of the conflict in that country and urged Professor Rabbani to hand over power to a broad-based interim council with authority to negotiate and accept the transfer of power, oversee a cease-fire and demilitarize the whole country, he said.
SATTEEANUND PEERTHUM (Mauritius), Acting President, announced that Albania, Georgia, Italy, Mongolia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Honduras, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Latvia and Denmark had joined as co-sponsors of the draft on the situation in Afghanistan.
The two-part draft was adopted without a vote. The Assembly also adopted without a vote the related decision recommended by its Fifth Committee.
The Assembly then adopted the resolution on the financing of the UNIFIL without a vote.
TAMMAM SULAIMAN (Syria) said that had the draft been put to a vote, his delegation would have voted against it, believing that expenses for the Force should be borne by the aggressor -- the State of Israel.
The Assembly then adopted the draft on the financing of the United Nations Operation in Haiti without a vote.
Situation in Burundi
ALI M.O. YASSIN (Sudan), speaking on behalf of the African Group, introduced the draft resolutions on Burundi.
NSANZE TERENCE (Burundi) said his country was prey to a crisis that mixed promises of a happy conclusion with destabilizing threats to the progress achieved. The departure of the Secretary-General's Special Representative, Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, was unanimously regretted. It was up to the Secretary-General now to identify the rare bird to succeed him. Seeing so many international political, economic and humanitarian organizations and prestigious foreign personalities flowing into Burundi, the local citizens were in danger of giving in to the temptation of imagining they were the centre of the world. But that was a vain delusion; all the attention was the result of the extreme seriousness of the danger and the importance of the stakes involved.
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He said negotiations between eight parties of the Burundi opposition and the Presidential Movement, made up of four groups, had led to the creation of the Convention on Governance, called on to institute a democratic system through power-sharing. Through ministerial reshuffling last October a more solid government team had been put in place. It was better disposed to work together for the causes of peace, security and development. The political families which had signed the Convention had agreed to turn to the International Commission of Enquiry to look into the assassination of the Head of State and the massive massacres that had been perpetrated following that event.
He said the problems now facing Burundi included terrorists rising up against people devoted to peace and the presence of hundreds of thousands of refugees and other displaced people. There was a need for financial assistance from the international community to help those people. He protested the paradoxical conditionality of assistance for Burundi, under which it seemed that financial help was only given as a kind of bonus for peace. He said Burundi's traditional partners had been stingy and even miserly, in particular by refusing to make commitments during the recent Meeting of Friends of Burundi in Bujumbura.
He said the Great Lakes region was being poisoned by radio programmes dedicated to urging terrorism and claiming that genocide was the prerequisite for power. The ignominious role played by Radio-Television Mille Collines during the Rwanda holocaust was in danger of being reprised by that station's soul mate in Burundi.
MULUGETA ETEFFA (Ethiopia) stressed the importance of convening the proposed conference on peace and security in the Great Lakes region, and said the OAU had a special role to play in facilitating and coordinating such a conference. The complexity and magnitude of the problem in Burundi made it absolutely necessary for the United Nations and the OAU to closely coordinate their actions. At the conference, the prevailing political, economic, humanitarian and security problems must be tackled in a comprehensive manner, with a view to achieving a durable and just solution to the conflict in Burundi -- a solution which he hoped would lead to the removal of the negative effects of that conflict on the neighbouring countries and the region.
He said the OAU's effort to bring the conflicting parties to serious dialogue needed the total backing of the United Nations. The international community was also called upon to commit itself to making the necessary resources available to repatriate and reintegrate refugees and displaced persons. Concerning the refugees, the emphasis should be on assisting the countries of the Great Lakes region to implement the Bujumbura Plan of Action.
SLAHEDDINE ABDELLAH (Tunisia) welcomed the fact that the parties in Burundi had reaffirmed their commitment to the process of national
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reconciliation. The parties must work towards the consolidation of peace through dialogue. Extremists attempting to obstruct that process must be held back. It was critical to put an end to pirate radio, which was inciting people to violence. The OAU had played an important role in ensuring stability in Burundi, where African military observers were proving the determination of the continent's countries to take a preventive approach to the settlement of disputes. The Secretary-General's Special Representative had done praiseworthy work in cooperation with the OAU. Tunisia stood ready to support all initiatives in Burundi.
The consolidation of peace in Burundi was a priority, he stressed. Without continued international support to undo the damage to infrastructure and institutions caused by the civil war it would be difficult to avoid clashes arising from want, which could be exploited by extremists in order to throw the country back into civil war. The refugees were a constant source of instability throughout the region. A regional conference on assistance to refugees had been held last February and had adopted a programme of action for dealing with the problem. However, the follow-up to that plan had not been adequate. The international community must increase its assistance for the outcome of the conference to be effective. Tunisia supported the holding of an international conference on peace, security and development in the region. Ultimately, it was up to the Burundi people themselves to achieve peace and national reconciliation.
ERNESTO DE ZULUETA (Spain), speaking on behalf of the European Union, called on the OAU to remain actively involved in efforts to promote positive diplomacy in Burundi. The European Union was contributing to the financing of OAU observers on the ground. He was concerned about acts of violence in Burundi and the destabilizing efforts of groups, including radio stations, there. It was important to identify and dismantle the radio stations disseminating hatred.
He said it was essential to have a Special Representative in Burundi to carry out the tasks of preventive diplomacy that had been entrusted to the United Nations until the 1988 presidential election. He called on the Secretary-General to appoint his Special Representative as soon as possible. It was important to reinforce moderation and discourage extremists by instituting the Convention of Governance. He welcomed the establishment by the Secretary-General of an International Commission of Enquiry and stressed the importance of its achieving its mandate.
He called on the States that signed the Cairo declaration to abide by their commitments. He said it was particularly important to convene the conference on the Great Lakes region under the auspices of the United Nations and with the cooperation of the OAU.
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SERGIO AUGUSTO DE ABREU E LIMA FLORENCIO (Brazil), speaking on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group, said that the texts on Burundi represented positive elements in the promotion of peace, economic recovery and human rights. Burundi faced a profound crisis compounded by economic recession, financial deficits and refugees. His regional group joined with the African Group to stress the importance of the Convention of Governance signed on 10 September 1994 by the four parties. Lasting peace in Burundi would only be achieved by sustained efforts to resolve socio-economic problems. Implementation of international commitments, such as the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries, could provide a solid foundation for peace in the Great Lakes subregion.
ALAIN DEJAMMET (France) called on all the parties that had signed the Convention on Governance to condemn as firmly as possible the attempts at destabilization and not to be tempted by the forces that were trying to rupture Burundi society, in particular by means of radio broadcasts inciting violence and murder. He hoped that the Secretary-General would name a new Special Representative as soon as possible so that the work of the Organization in the region would not be interrupted. He hoped that the objectives of consolidating democracy and national reconciliation would be achieved as rapidly as possible.
MANZI BAKURAMUTSA (Rwanda) expressed support for the drafts on Burundi, which, among others, importantly addressed the negative propaganda of pirate radio that was sowing the seeds of genocide. Such radio had been used to incite people to murder in Rwanda, causing the genocide which had taken place in his country, he said. In fact, the same individuals who had perpetrated the crimes in Rwanda were doing the same in Burundi. Governments which had assisted those criminals in the past were doing so again in Burundi. It was critical to attack the problem at its root, by removing the sense of impunity with which the criminals acted. The countries of the Great Lakes region had experienced a culture of impunity. Burundi, in response, had created institutions aimed at consolidating the rule of law. The international community must support such efforts.
Peace and stability could not be assured in the Great Lakes region without provisions for development there, he continued. It was necessary to promote economic cooperation with Rwanda and Burundi. The type of cooperation must be changed from the provision of arms to the provision of assistance for real development. Every country had the right to sell arms to a State, but questions arose when such weapons were used to violate human rights. "We are appealing to the countries which supply arms to Africa to instead provide computers and tractors", he said. That would ultimately promote security in the region.
PEDRO LUIS PEDROSO CUESTA (Cuba) said it was essential to call the international community's attention to the worsening situation in Burundi.
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The efforts of the coalition Government were not adequately supported by international assistance. Without that assistance, the hopes for progress in Burundi would continue to be uncertain or postponed. Urging increased support by the international community he said Cuba had co-sponsored the draft resolution.
WANG XUEXIAN (China) said the international community had made tremendous efforts to normalize the situation in Burundi and to promote economic development there. The Secretary-General's Special Representative and the Security Council had carried out noteworthy activities. In addition, the OAU had taken a number of initiatives to prevent the situation in Burundi from worsening.
The precarious situation in the Great Lakes region had resulted in a large increase in the number of refugees in the region, bringing huge pressure to bear on the countries concerned and causing instability, he said. The international community had a responsibility to resolve the problem by providing assistance. For its part, China had provided bilateral aid to Burundi. China would work with the international community to create stable conditions in Burundi and to promote national reconciliation there.
IBRAHIM A. GAMBARI (Nigeria) said Burundi still needed the continued assistance and support of the international community. The presence of two to five million armed refugees in the Great Lakes region was causing a volatile and unstable situation. There was also the problem of facilitating the repatriation of displaced persons. It was important to highlight the issues raised in the two draft resolutions and for the international community to provide the necessary resources and technical support for the economic recovery of Burundi.
It was announced that action on the draft resolutions was postponed until a later date.
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