SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES 'SIX PLUS TWO' GROUP ON AFGHANISTAN, AGREE ON COMMON APPROACH TO TALIBAN MOVEMENT
Press Release
SG/SM/6711
AFG/86
SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES 'SIX PLUS TWO' GROUP ON AFGHANISTAN, AGREE ON COMMON APPROACH TO TALIBAN MOVEMENT
19980922 Following is the text of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's statement on 21 September 1998 to the opening of the Foreign-Ministers Level Meeting of the "Six Plus Two":I thank you all for coming to this meeting, in spite of the short notice. The fact that most of the Foreign Ministers of the "Six Plus Two" group are present here today clearly demonstrates your concern and that of the international community over recent developments in Afghanistan, as well as our shared commitment to help bring peace to Afghanistan and the region.
The situation in Afghanistan has gone from bad to worse in recent weeks, as the Taliban movement intensified its offensives in the northern part of the country. The fighting -- regrettably encouraged and fuelled by neighbouring and other countries, despite all our repeated efforts to stop this -- has led to further destruction and loss of life in a country that had already been devastated by 20 years of conflict. Of particular concern are the disturbing reports of mass killings that seem to have occurred after the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif, and perhaps in Bamiyan too. Among the victims were the Iranian diplomats and journalist in Mazar.
More recently, we have heard this morning of the rocket attacks launched on Kabul in the past day and a half that have led to the loss of well over 50 lives, and maybe many more. As if the wretched people of Kabul have not been forced to suffer enough in recent years, these senseless and random killings of innocent civilians are an abomination.
As the war in Afghanistan itself has escalated, so have risks of its becoming a full-scale regional conflict. A particular danger is posed by the increase in tension in the border areas between Iran and Afghanistan. This threat, if allowed to continue unattended, poses a very real danger to the peace and stability of the region. Together with the endless sufferings of the Afghan people, this is a source of deep concern for me and the international community at large.
It is in the interest of all the States represented here to end the conflict in Afghanistan and ensure peace and stability in the region. I hope
- - Press Release SG/SM 6711 AFG/86 22 September 1998
that today's meeting will send out a message to those in the region that the high-level delegations represented here this afternoon are united in the conviction that the situation in Afghanistan and the region should not be allowed to deteriorate any further.
You have already agreed on the basic principles for a settlement of the Afghan conflict, including that ultimately there can be no military solution. Even if one party could overwhelm the others by force, it would not end the conflict but merely lift it to another stage of endless struggle. What is sorely needed in Afghanistan is a representative and inclusive government which truly reflects the interests of all ethnic and religious groups in the country.
The message we must send out today is therefore that all of us remain committed to these principles and that together, we are determined to take action to bring peace to Afghanistan and the entire region.
To do this, it might be advisable to try to agree among ourselves on a common approach to the side that appears to have made sizeable gains and -- for the moment at least -- is in control of most the country: the Taliban movement. The Taliban need to be told what the international community expect of them by way of minimum standards of behaviour, and this group is well placed to start that process. The more we can speak with one voice, the more effective we are likely to be.
My Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Lakhdar Brahimi, is here with us today. He will brief you on the latest developments in Afghanistan and the activities of the United Nations, including those of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA).
As you may have heard, I have asked Mr. Brahimi to return to the region in the near future to explore ways in which the United Nations might help to reduce the tensions in the region. I believe he should go with the collective endorsement of the members of the "Six Plus Two", and I very much hope I and he can count on the cooperation of all the countries represented here.
I now give the floor to Ambassador Brahimi.
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