PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TAJIKISTAN

Press Briefing

PRESS BRIEFING BY SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TAJIKISTAN

Jan Kubis, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Tajikistan, told the press at a Headquarters briefing today that the peace process in Tajikistan had moved forward since the signing more than a year ago of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord. The United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) had reported more mature cooperation between the Tajik Government and the United Tajik Opposition.

Noting the Security Council's adoption yesterday of resolution 1206 (1998) extending UNMOT's mandate until 15 May 1999, he said he was cautiously optimistic about the peace process. While the peace process continued to move ahead despite crises and complications resulting from armed activities, it was, nonetheless, moving at its own pace.

Sadly, he said four UNMOT colleagues had been killed several months ago. An investigation into that matter was continuing. The Security Council resolution of yesterday had included a very strong signal to the Tajik parties about the importance of moving ahead with the investigation as quickly as possible.

Noting recent fighting in the Leninabad area of Tajikistan, he added that the peace process was approaching a very crucial juncture. There were a number of key elements relating to the implementation of the peace agreement which were very complex. These elements were related to military protocol, constitutional amendments, and the legalization and work of opposition political parties.

In response to a question from a correspondent about the role of external military factors in the conflict, he said that such factors did exist.

To a question about the events in Leninabad, he noted that representatives of Tajikistan, including President Emomali Rakhmonov, had blamed the incident on certain forces and certain services in neighbouring Uzbekistan. However, those statements had been refuted equally strongly by the Uzbek Foreign Minister.

Asked about the investigation regarding the killings of UNMOT personnel, Mr. Kubis noted that the process was moving forward very slowly due to the complexity of situation. The fact that the country was still recovering from civil war and the existence of internal frictions had complicated the matter.

UNMOT Briefing - 2 - 13 November 1998

In response to a question about security for unarmed peacekeepers and military observers, he noted that the subject was being discussed by the international community. He hoped that security arrangements would be improved. However, he added, there were few security options for the UNMOT mission. As host of the mission, the Tajik authorities had the responsibility to provide protection. While Tajik authorities had attempted to create a special unit to provide security, that unit was not yet prepared to provide viable and reliable protection. Since the killings, UNMOT personnel had limited field activities. Such arrangements would continue until real protective measures and guarantees were provided.

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