AFGHANISTAN TELLS ASSEMBLY TALIBAN IS A MERCENARY FORCE FOR PAKISTAN, DURING DEBATE ON IMPLICATIONS OF AFGHAN SITUATION ON PEACE AND SECURITY
Press Release
GA/9531
AFGHANISTAN TELLS ASSEMBLY TALIBAN IS A MERCENARY FORCE FOR PAKISTAN, DURING DEBATE ON IMPLICATIONS OF AFGHAN SITUATION ON PEACE AND SECURITY
19981209 Draft Introduced by Which Assembly Would Stress Responsibility of Afghan Parties for Political Solution to ConflictEquating the Islamic State of Afghanistan with the Taliban -- a mercenary force trying to implement the expansionist policy of Pakistan -- was a slap in the face of human civilization and the indissoluble right of an independent State, the representative of Afghanistan told the General Assembly this morning as it discussed the situation in Afghanistan.
To equate the State of Afghanistan with the Taliban mercenary group was an insult, and contrary to the United Nations Charter and the principle of the equality of Member States, he said. Objecting to equal blame being placed on all Afghan leaders and sides, he said it would be a blunder to consider instruments of tyranny, mercenaries of a foreign country, instigators of international terrorism, profiteers of illicit drugs, promoters of gender apartheid and champions of intolerance "equals to civilized individuals like those of us here".
The representative of Pakistan said it was unfortunate that the drafts now before the Assembly painted a pessimistic picture about the situation in Afghanistan, despite the fact that there was peace in nearly 90 per cent of the country. The overall tone and tenor of the text was biased against one party to the conflict. The most conspicuous omission in that context was the absence of any reference to the ongoing shelling of Kabul by the forces of Ahmed Shah Massoud, despite the fact that the incident had been mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General. Such omissions did not augur well for the image of the United Nations as an impartial mediator.
Introducing the draft on Afghanistan, the representative of Germany said extensive consultations had been conducted in an effort to secure consensus on the draft. The more than 50 sponsors of the text, which covered both political and humanitarian questions, included Member States from all regions of the globe. By adopting the text, the General Assembly would send a strong message to the Afghan parties and the States with influence in Afghanistan.
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The representative of the Russian Federation said extensive military assistance encouraged the aggressive ventures of the Taliban; impaired efforts by the international community to launch intra-Afghan negotiations; and strengthened Taliban claims for single-handed rule. It also led to the neglect of basic norms of civilized behaviour and mass crime. The new stage of the civil war unleashed by the Taliban required urgent and decisive measures to prevent further growth of the fratricidal conflict and to forestall its spread to neighbouring countries. Strict compliance with United Nations decisions by the Taliban was the only way to lay the foundation for constructive collaboration between them and other Afghan parties, and the world community.
By the terms of the two-part draft, the Assembly would stress that the main responsibility for finding a political solution to the conflict lies with the Afghan parties and urge them to respond to the United Nations calls for peace. By part A of the text, which focuses on the situation's implication for international peace and security, the Assembly would call upon all Afghan parties to cease all armed hostilities, renounce the use of force and engage, without delay or preconditions, in a political dialogue aimed at achieving a lasting settlement of the conflict through creating a broad-based, multi- ethnic and fully representative government.
By part B of the draft addressing, particularly, emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war- stricken Afghanistan, the Assembly would call upon all relevant organizations of the United Nations to coordinate humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on the basis of the strategic framework, and in particular to ensure a consistent approach on matters of principle, human rights and security.
In other matters this morning, the Assembly took note of the appointment to the Committee on Conferences of Algeria, Austria, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, and the United States, for a period of three years beginning on 1 January 1999.
The Assembly also decided to postpone its date of recess until Thursday, 17 December, since the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) would continue its work until next week and not be able to conclude its work on Friday, 11 December.
Statements were also made by Austria (on behalf of the European Union), United States, Turkey, Japan, Egypt, Iran and Tajikistan.
The Assembly will meet at 3 p.m. this afternoon to consider the reports of the Third Committee (Social, Humanitarian and Cultural).
Assembly Work Programme
The General Assembly meets this morning to discuss the implications of the situation in Afghanistan for international peace and security. It would also consider emergency international assistance to support peace, normalcy and reconstruction there; and draft resolutions on that matter. The Assembly would also appoint to the Committee on Conferences.
Situation in Afghanistan
The Secretary-General's report on emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war stricken Afghanistan (document A/53/346) details humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations and its partners over the past year and draws attention to future prospects. The report gives an overview of: the assistance strategy for the country; relief and food aid; and assistance by Member States.
The Secretary-General states that Afghanistan has all the ingredients for the worst case scenario of a complex emergency: intervening neighbours with vested interests; engagement by other external Powers with vested interests; as well as escalating ethnic and religious differences. There is an extensive presence of arms in a country where governance capacity had been reduced to nothing. The illegal economy is establishing itself as the main source of income. Environmental degradation is unchecked, and human rights are constantly violated.
The murders and shootings of United Nations staff in 1998 are despicable incidents which must be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice, says the Secretary-General. He calls upon the authorities to ensure the safety and security of all humanitarian personnel who provide assistance to Afghans. He also calls on all Afghans to lift any blockade of humanitarian relief supplies and upon the Taliban to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance in their areas. He also urges the Taliban authorities to cooperate fully with the international community in providing support for the equal access to education and health of all Afghans.
The Secretary-General says that the aid community has accepted that it must adopt a principle-centred, common programme if it is to have any success in assisting the people of Afghanistan. In this context, there is no distinction between short- and long-term interventions because they reinforce each other. Closely linked to this scenario is the interrelationship between humanitarian assistance programmes and the peace process.
Despite the manifold difficulties, notes the Secretary-General, the United Nations agencies and the non-governmental organizations are currently achieving positive results. They are having an impact on food security in some parts of the country and contribute to the rebuilding livelihoods in rural and urban areas. There are also clear signs that the Afghan private
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sector is still willing to invest more in the country. The Secretary-General says that more assistance is, nevertheless, needed. He appeals to donors to increase the level of their contribution to the 1998 Consolidated Appeal for Afghanistan.
Within the context of the implications of the situation in Afghanistan for international peace and security, the Secretary-General's report on international assistance to Afghanistan (document A/53/695), before the Assembly, covers developments in that country since 14 November 1997. It describes the principal events that have taken place in the country, including major military and political developments; the activities of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan (UNSMA); activities in New York; missions of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Afghanistan; and activities in neighbouring countries. The report also outlines humanitarian activities, the human rights situation and the question of illegal drugs in the country.
The Secretary-General observes that Afghanistan, once a flashpoint of super-Power rivalry, has now become the stage for a new, regional version of the "Great Game", in which the domestic, economic and national security interests of Afghanistan's neighbours and their supporters are played out. A vicious cycle has developed in which the inability of the Afghan factions to agree to a political settlement is both the cause and the effect of persistent outside interference in the affairs of Afghanistan.
In the last few months, the military victories scored by one of the factions have brought about a new phase in the long Afghan saga, states the Secretary-General. As of September 1998, the Taliban have taken control of most of the country and the opposition United Front, with the significant exception of the fighters under the command of Ahmed Shah Massoud, appear to have been largely eliminated as a viable fighting force. The success of the Taliban on the battlefield appears to have reduced the willingness of some parties to negotiate further and has also increased the prospect of a deeper regionalization of the conflict. A political solution still remains elusive.
The Secretary-General remains convinced that a durable settlement can be achieved only through a ceasefire and political dialogue among Afghans leading to national reconciliation and the establishment of a broad-based, multi-ethnic representative government. While his Special Envoy and the UNSMA will continue to promote these objectives, he states it is clear that these goals cannot be attained without a concerted effort by all the outside powers concerned.
The "six plus two" group of countries -- Pakistan, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China; plus the Russian Federation and the United States -- has provided a useful forum in which to discuss the Afghan issue, the Secretary-General states.
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However, he says he is somewhat disappointed by the failure of some of those countries to narrow their differences and to cease supplying weapons and other war matériel that fuel the conflict. While he appreciates the need to protect their legitimate interests, he finds it paradoxical that, instead of promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan, these countries continue clandestine military support for favoured Afghan factions, despite their recognition that the conflict poses a threat to their own stability.
The Secretary-General acknowledges success of his Special Envoy in defusing a possible military confrontation between Iran and the Taliban during his recent visit to the region, following the shocking murder of the Iranian diplomats and the journalist in Mazar-i-Sharif in August. The Secretary- General hopes that his Special Envoy's achievements will continue to be built upon, by prosecuting those responsible for the murders and releasing any remaining Iranian prisoners. It is essential for Iran and the Taliban to open a bilateral dialogue at an early date to further reduce tensions. The United Nations and the Organization of the Islamic Conference, will continue to foster such a dialogue.
While its achievements to date may be modest, the Secretary-General says that he will continue to convene informal meetings of the six plus two group. At this juncture, a promising development is the proposed ministerial- level meeting of the group which he believes should be convened after adequate preparation, and with the participation of all major Afghan factions. He also plans to continue consulting with the "Group of 21" countries with influence in Afghanistan which, he says, constitute an indispensable complement to the six plus two group.
His Special Envoy will continue to play the primary role in conducting United Nations peacemaking activities in Afghanistan, states the Secretary- General. The UNSMA will continue to provide support for the Secretary- General's good offices; monitor the overall political and military situation; maintain and strengthen contacts with all Afghan factions, in particular the Taliban authorities, as well as with all other interested parties and organizations, including neighbouring States and others concerned about the situation there.
It is the Secretary-General's intention, with the consent of the Taliban and other relevant Afghan authorities, to add a new monitoring function to the UNSMA, to promote respect for minimum humanitarian standards and deter massive and systematic violations of human rights in the future. To this end, he proposes to establish a separate civil affairs unit, initially composed of 12 monitors who would be deployed in major centres in Afghanistan. Their exact location, mandate and functioning would be determined following the return of an assessment team, which he intends to dispatch to Afghanistan at an early date, with the agreement of the Afghan authorities.
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In the months to come, the Secretary-General says he will look to the UNSMA and to all United Nations funds and programmes, in particular the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to further strengthen coordination in the context of the strategic framework for Afghanistan. He hopes that United Nations staff members will soon be able to return to Afghanistan. Before that can happen, however, the Taliban authorities must furnish information regarding the recent murders of United Nations staff. They must also provide credible assurances that the Organization's agencies will be able to carry out their humanitarian work free from obstacles and harassment.
The Secretary-General's report on progress of the UNSMA (document A/53/455) covers developments in Afghanistan since June, including the attack on special mission personnel and the killing of Iranian diplomats; activities of the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Afghanistan; and the humanitarian situation and human rights. The points of common understanding that were agreed upon at the meeting of the six plus two group, at the level of Foreign Ministers, held at the United Nations Headquarters on 21 September are also annexed to the report.
The Secretary-General says that the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly due to intensified fighting between the United Front and the Taliban following the collapse of the peace process in June. The prolonged civil war in Afghanistan is now threatening to become a regional conflict, and poses a real danger to regional stability. The Secretary- General reiterates that even if one party were to overwhelm the others by force, the conflict would not end, but would merely enter a new phase.
The Secretary-General appeals to all the Afghan factions, in particular the Taliban, to respect the human rights of the people under their control. He noted that the mission of his Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, is of critical importance. The outcome of his efforts will depend primarily upon the determination of all parties involved, Afghans as well as their neighbours, to reach agreement on a pragmatic and practical formula to return Afghanistan to stability and an appreciable degree of normality. This would make possible further endeavour to achieve a durable political solution so that the peoples of Afghanistan can coexist in peace.
By the terms of the two-part draft resolution on the situation in Afghanistan (document A/53/L.66), the General Assembly would stress that the main responsibility for finding a political solution to the conflict lies with the Afghan parties and urge them to respond to the United Nations calls for peace. By the terms of part A of the text, focusing on the situation's implication for international peace and security, the Assembly would call upon all Afghan parties to cease all armed hostilities, to renounce the use of force and to engage, without delay or preconditions, in a political dialogue aimed at achieving a lasting political settlement of the conflict through creating a broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative government.
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The Assembly would urge the parties to take further confidence-building measures and the Taliban and other Afghan parties to refrain from all acts of violence, especially against civilians. It would also condemn continued foreign military support to the Afghan parties and call on States to strictly refrain from any outside interference and to end the supply of arms and military equipment, training or any other military support to the parties of conflict in Afghanistan, including the presence of foreign military, paramilitary or secret service personnel. It would request the Secretary- General to authorize the UNSMA to continue its efforts to facilitate an immediate ceasefire.
The Assembly would further endorse establishing a separate civil affairs unit of the Special Mission to deter grave violations of human rights and promote respect for minimum humanitarian standards and to send an assessment mission to the country, as soon as security conditions permit, to determine the exact mandate, composition and location of the civilian monitors. It would welcome the constitution of groups of interested States, in particular the six plus two group, to coordinate their efforts, as well as the activities of international organizations, in particular the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the initiatives of its Secretary-General, and urge them to continue their efforts in a constructive manner to promote peace in Afghanistan.
Also by the terms of the draft, the Assembly would call upon the Taliban to provide security guarantees for an investigation under the auspices of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the reports of massacres of civilians and mass executions of prisoners of war, as well as on reports of killings in Mazar-i-Sharif and Bamyan, and urge all the parties, in particular the Taliban, to demonstrate their full commitment to the safety and security of international and humanitarian personnel.
It would further take note of the Supplementary Protocol to the Memorandum of Understanding of 13 May, signed by the United Nations and the Taliban, on the security of United Nations personnel in Afghanistan and urge the Taliban to proceed with an investigation of the death, serious injury and disappearance of staff members and persons employed by the United Nations, in particular the killing of the two Afghan staff members of the World Food Programme (WFP) and of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Jalalabad and of the Military Adviser to the UNSMA in Kabul, and to keep the United Nations regularly informed about the progress of that investigation.
The Assembly would strongly condemn the killing of the diplomatic and consular staff of the Consulate-General of Iran in Mazar-i-Sharif and the correspondent of the Islamic Republic News Agency, and urge the Taliban to inform the Government of Iran and the United Nations about the result of its investigation to date. It would call upon the Taliban to cooperate fully with
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an international investigation of the murders with the view to prosecute the guilty parties.
Also by the terms of the text, the Assembly would urge the Taliban and other parties to recognize, protect and promote all human rights and freedoms and call upon them to end discriminatory policies and to recognize the equal rights and dignity of men and women. It would condemn the widespread violations of international humanitarian law in Afghanistan and urgently call upon all parties to respect its provisions that provide essential protection for the civilian population in armed conflicts.
The Assembly would demand that all parties, in particular the Taliban, stop harbouring and training terrorists and that all Afghan parties cooperate with efforts to bring indicted terrorists to justice. The Assembly would reiterate its call to all parties to halt all illegal drug activities and to support international efforts to ban illicit drug production and trafficking. It would further call upon all Afghan parties, in particular the Taliban, to protect the cultural and historic relics and monuments of Afghanistan and request all Member States to take appropriate measures to prevent the looting of cultural artifacts and to ensure their return to Afghanistan.
By the terms of part B of the draft text addressing, particularly, emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan, the General Assembly would endorse the observations contained in the report of the Secretary-General and call upon all relevant organizations of the United Nations to continue to coordinate their humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan on the basis of the strategic framework, in particular to ensure a consistent approach on matters of principle, human rights and security. It would also appeal to donor countries and other humanitarian organizations to cooperate closely with the United Nations.
It would further call upon the leaders of all Afghan parties to place the highest priority on national reconciliation, demand that all Afghan parties respect international humanitarian law and that they, in particular the Taliban, ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of all humanitarian personnel and the protection of property of humanitarian organizations, and to cooperate fully with the United Nations and associated bodies as well as with other humanitarian organizations in their efforts to respond to the humanitarian needs of the people of Afghanistan. The Assembly would condemn all blockades or other interference in the delivery of humanitarian relief supplies to the Afghan people, and note the recent lifting of the blockade in central Afghanistan by the Taliban.
Also by the terms of the draft, the Assembly would urge all Afghan parties to provide unimpeded access and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and to prevent the looting of United Nations premises and food supplies. It would also take note of the Supplementary Protocol to
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the Memorandum of Understanding of 13 May 1998, signed by the United Nations and the Taliban on the security of United Nations personnel in Afghanistan, and urge the Taliban to take the steps for its full implementation. It would denounce the continuing discrimination against girls, women and religious minorities and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in Afghanistan, and call upon all parties within Afghanistan to respect fully the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion, in accordance with international human rights instruments.
The Assembly would also strongly urge all of the Afghan parties to end discriminatory policies and to recognize and promote the equal rights and dignity of women and men, including their rights to full and equal participation in the life of the country, freedom of movement, access to education and health facilities, employment outside the home, personal security and freedom from intimidation and harassment, in particular with respect to the implications of discriminatory policies for the distribution of aid. It would appeal to all States and to the international community to ensure that all humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan integrates a gender perspective and promotes the participation of both women and men, and that women benefit equally with men from such assistance.
The Assembly would express concern over the continued laying of landmines and urge all Afghan parties to put a complete halt to their use, which continues to take a heavy toll on civilians and seriously impedes the delivery of humanitarian assistance. It would urgently 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, when conditions on the ground permit, all possible financial, technical and material assistance for the Afghan population and the voluntary, safe and secure return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
Also by the terms of the draft, the Assembly would also call upon the international community to respond to the inter-agency consolidated appeal for emergency humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance for Afghanistan to be launched by the Secretary-General for the period from 1 January to 31 December 1999, bearing in mind the availability also of the Afghanistan Emergency Trust Fund. It would request the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its fifty-fourth session a report on the actions taken pursuant to the present resolution and decide to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-fourth session, under the cluster of items on coordination of humanitarian assistance, the item on emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan.
The draft is sponsored by Afghanistan, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece,
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Guatemala, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States and Uzbekistan.
Committee on Conferences
The Assembly had before it the Secretary-General's note (document A/53/108) on appointment of members of the Committee on Conferences. The 21 members of the Committee serve for a period of three years, on the basis of the following geographical distribution: six from African States; five from Asian States; four from Latin American and Caribbean States; two from Eastern European States; and four from Western European and other States. One third of the members retire annually and retiring members are eligible for reappointment. The present members of the Committee are Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Benin, Chile, Fiji, France, Gabon, Georgia, Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Russian Federation and the United States.
Since the terms of office of Austria, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nepal and the United States expire on 31 December 1998, it will be necessary for the General Assembly President to appoint seven members to fill the resulting vacancies during the fifty-third session. The members will serve for a period of three years beginning on 1 January 1999.
Committee on Conferences
The Assembly took note of the appointment to the Committee on Conferences of Algeria, Austria, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal and the United States, for a period of three years beginning on 1 January 1999.
Other Matters
The Assembly decided to postpone its date of recess until Thursday, 17 December, since the Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) will continue its work until next week and not be able to conclude its work on Friday, 11 December.
Situation in Afghanistan
DIETER KASTRUP (Germany), introducing the draft text on Afghanistan, said that extensive consultations had been conducted in an effort to secure consensus on the draft. It was co-sponsored by more than 50 Member States, and the sponsors attached particular importance to the fact that the co- sponsorship bridged all regional group lines. A durable settlement of the Afghan conflict could be achieved only through a ceasefire and the start of a political dialogue. Germany supported all efforts of the United Nations and
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the activities of groups of interested States or international organizations to promote peace in Afghanistan.
The draft covered both political and humanitarian questions, he said. Direct consequences of the continued fighting in Afghanistan were massive loss of human life, killing, refugee flows, harassment, forced displacement of innocent civilians and extensive economic destruction. Germany was deeply concerned by the increasingly ethnic nature of the conflict and by reports of persecutions on the grounds of ethnic origin and religious persuasion.
The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continued to deteriorate, he said. Other concerns included the continued laying of mines, military support to the Afghan parties, safety and security of humanitarian personnel, discrimination against women and terrorism. Germany, having always supported the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, now strongly supported the Secretary-General's proposal to establish a separate civil affairs unit by adding a monitoring function to the UNSMA. In conclusion, he expressed hope that the draft resolution would be adopted by consensus. The General Assembly would thus send a strong message to the Afghan parties and the States with influence in Afghanistan.
SERGEY V. LAVROV (Russian Federation) said the extensive, external military assistance encouraged the aggressive ventures of the Taliban; impaired the efforts of the international community to launch intra-Afghan negotiations; and strengthened the claims of the Taliban for single-handed rule of the country. It also led to the neglect of basic norms of civilized behaviour and mass crime. The new stage of the civil war unleashed by the Taliban required urgent and decisive measures to prevent further growth of the fratricidal conflict in Afghanistan and to forestall its spread to neighbouring countries. Strict compliance with United Nations decisions by the Taliban, especially on the key issues of Afghan settlement, was the only way to lay the foundation for constructive collaboration between them and other Afghan parties, and the world community.
The resolution 1214 (1998), which was unanimously adopted yesterday by the Security Council, contained a principal assessment of Taliban actions and made specific demands of them, he said. The resolution also noted a readiness to consider the imposition of measures aimed at achieving the full implementation of previous Council resolutions on Afghanistan. He noted that the draft adopted yesterday by the Council also sent a clear message to the Taliban regarding world opinion on how the conflict should be resolved. The Taliban leaders should have long realized the impossibility of solving the Afghan problem through military means. The United Nations should play a decisive role in coordinating and integrating the preparation of any plan for Afghan settlement. In addition, his delegation continued to place great hopes on the activities of the six plus two group, which would remain the principal format of negotiations on Afghan settlement. The Russian Federation continued to provide humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. During 1997 and 1998, its
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Ministry for Management of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation had repeatedly provided aid in the amount of $600,000, to the people of Afghanistan affected by hostilities and an earthquake.
ERNST SUCHARIPA (Austria), speaking on behalf of the European Union and associated States, said the international community's efforts to help the victims of the conflict -- meaning the vast majority of the Afghan people -- had been repeatedly impeded by factions whose behaviour most often did not meet even a minimum of internationally accepted norms. Those factions, who usually blamed each other for the country's deplorable situation, must not expect the international community to accept their unwillingness to protect human rights, fundamental freedoms and international humanitarian law. Civil war factions must first and foremost realize their responsibility to stop killing and enter negotiations aimed at a political settlement. Those who believed that military success and rule of violence and terror would bring peace to Afghanistan, must be told their distorted and inhuman vision was bound to fail.
The European Union condemned the continuing outside interference in Afghanistan, he went on to say. Those powers who kept interfering in the country's matters in a covert and destructive manner, by providing strategic and military support, should know that their activities had not gone unnoticed. Being committed to the sovereignty and national unity of Afghanistan, he urged those countries with influence on the Afghan factions to use it in a positive and constructive manner. The European Union would continue to enforce the embargo on the export of arms and he urged others to do the same.
As the major donor of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, he said the European Commission had to suspend funding for projects in Kabul due to the hostile attitude towards foreign workers. He expressed concern that no progress had been made in the murder investigation of two United Nations workers in Jalahabad, and about the alarming regional consequences from the killing of Iranian diplomats. Additional efforts from the Taliban were needed to ensure a credible investigation of the crimes.
In the complete absence of governance, he added that the economy of Afghanistan was substantially dependent on illegal activities. The illegal drug business caused serious damage to the Member States of the European Union; therefore, it would fight against illegal drugs in Afghanistan. Furthermore, lawlessness in the country provided favourable conditions for terrorist bases and training camps. He called upon all Afghan factions to close down bases for foreign terrorist inside Afghanistan. He also urged the halt of the use of landmines.
PETER BURLEIGH (United States) said he shared the Secretary-General's disappointment that the six plus two group had not yet been able to foster a political settlement in Afghanistan. Two of the group's members -- Iran and
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Pakistan -- had had to carry a disproportionate burden of the struggle. Just as they had borne the burdens of the Afghan conflict, he believed that they also held the key to its resolution. The United States joined other governments, the United Nations and the group members in urging those two Governments to seek an accommodation on Afghanistan. They should resume the promising bilateral dialogue begun earlier in the year and find ways to harmonize their interests. He supported the initiative of Uzbekistan to hold a meeting of the group in the region, with the possible participation of the Afghan factions.
For its part, the United States stood behind the points of common understanding adopted by the Foreign Ministers of the group on 21 September, he continued. The common points -- together with recent Security Council resolutions, the Assembly resolution to be adopted and the "talking points" approved by the group this year -- were the virtual blueprint for a comprehensive settlement of Afghanistan's problems. That the conflict could be resolved by military means was a false notion.
The United States was concerned about the presence of international terrorists in Afghanistan and called for the expulsion of terrorists such as Usama bin Laden, he said. Also, the absence of organized government or law enforcement had allowed Afghanistan to become the world's second largest producer of illegal opium and heroin. That problem would have growing long- term consequences for Afghans, neighbouring States and beyond.
He said the United States stood ready to mobilize resources for aid, technical assistance, trade and investment to rebuild the country's economy. Unfortunately, the provision of that assistance must await a political settlement. His Government looked forward to the day when Afghanistan and its neighbours could coalesce around the formation of a government which: had the support of its people; respected human rights, including the rights of women and girls; and accepted the principles of the United Nations Charter and the covenants to which Afghanistan was a signatory.
VOLKAN VURAL (Turkey) said that all the countries of the region, especially those neighbouring Afghanistan, suffered from the conflict. The ethnic and religious nature of the conflict entailed gross human rights violations, murders and population displacements in northern Afghanistan. Discriminatory behaviour by the Taliban against girls, women and members of ethnic or religious groups were unacceptable by any standard. Discontinuation of United Nations assistance and a dismantled economic infrastructure were further adding to the people's suffering. Conditions for the resumption of the United Nations humanitarian work must be created.
Throughout its history, military campaigns and outside interference had brought nothing but turmoil and destruction to Afghanistan, he remarked. The only viable solution to the problem remained the establishment of a broad- based, multi-ethnic government, representing all parties. Such a
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reconciliation process, however, would not be possible without a declared ceasefire and dialogue among the parties. Collective diplomatic efforts, with the United Nations in the central role, might lead to such a dialogue. He called upon the six plus two group and the "Group of 21" countries to enhance their deliberations on the conflict and adopt a more harmonious position.
MASAKI KONISHI (Japan) said that his country concurred with the view that it was necessary to build upon the results of the efforts of Secretary- General's Special Envoy by dispatching a team to investigate the killing of the Iranian diplomats in Mazar-i-Sharif on 8 August. It also supported the proposal that the UNSMA monitor the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, provided that the safety and security of the members of a new unit was guaranteed, and its mandate clearly specified. In addition to peacemaking, the United Nations must play a central role in addressing a range of issues in Afghanistan, including improving humanitarian conditions, providing assistance for internally displaced persons and refugees, and combating the production and trafficking of illegal drugs.
For its part, on December 7 and 8, Japan had hosted in Tokyo the fourth meeting of Afghanistan support group. With the help of Member States and representatives of international organizations, Japan, as the chair of the meeting, had finalized a summary of the discussions on a ceasefire and on dialogue aimed at the establishment of a broad-based multi-ethnic government, as well as the return of international humanitarian personnel. The group reaffirmed its commitment to humanitarian assistance based on the strategic framework and the principled common programming. It encouraged the non- governmental community to strengthen its own coordination mechanisms and addressed the issues of natural disasters, landmines, human rights, drugs and gender. Japan was extending financial assistance to Afghanistan and it was involved in projects in eastern Afghanistan designed to assist the return of refugees from neighbouring countries. His Government had decided to provide $2 million to the Afghan projects to be implemented by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the UNHCR.
NABIL A. ELARABY (Egypt) said the Secretary-General painted a disquieting picture of the declining political situation in Afghanistan and the fact that the factions had opted for a military solution. It also showed their appetite for power and their determination to rule without sharing. The report also indicated the scope of foreign intervention in assisting warring factions, in terms of military and technical support. The support of those who had interests in seeing the war continue only impeded a political settlement. The international community and regional parties must open a genuine dialogue on setting up a broad-based and representative government.
Egypt condemned the attacks on Iranian nationals and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice, he said. The efforts of the UNHCR must be strengthened. Afghanistan had to be prevented from harbouring and exporting terrorists. The worsening human rights situation was of grave
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concern because it accentuated ethnic tensions in the country. Egypt called for international investigations of mass murders and for the perpetrators to be brought to trial. The designation of civilian observers was not necessary at the present time, due to the security conditions in the country. He hoped the six plus two group would help the Afghan people build a society of peace and justice.
SEYED MOHAMMAD HADI NEJAD HOSSEINIAN (Iran) said his country was determined to see to it that those responsible for the cold-blooded murder of its diplomatic personnel and the correspondent of the Islamic Republic News Agency in Mazar-i-Sharif were apprehended and brought to justice, in keeping with international standards of a fair trial. That was an important pending issue between Iran and the Taliban. The problem in Afghanistan, however, went beyond the Iranian-related issue. The core problem was the threat which the status quo in that country posed to regional and international peace and security, on the one hand, and the unacceptable, inhumane and horrifying situation in which millions of Afghan people were now subjected to, on the other.
The areas of concern for the international community, in general, and most of Afghanistan's neighbours, in particular, were many, he said. They included the destabilizing effects on the region of continued conflict; the rejection of ceasefire and all efforts aimed at finding a political solution; the methodical killing spree by the Taliban of members of ethnic and religious minorities in northern Afghanistan; and the harbouring of terrorists, including those operating against neighbouring countries. Because of the historical realities and the traditional and multi-ethnic structure of Afghanistan, only a broad-based, multi-ethnic and fully representative government could bring peace and normalcy to the country. The Taliban's claim of being a multi-ethnic group was absurd.
RASHID ALIMOV (Tajikistan) said the numerous calls from the international community for a peaceful settlement in Afghanistan had been disregarded by the leadership of the Taliban movement, which continued to believe in a military solution to the problem. Activities of the Taliban had resulted in fierce opposition from other parties in the country. In its desire to establish its monolithic control in Afghanistan and institute barbaric customs reminiscent of the Middle Ages, the Taliban was committing grave breaches of international law. Tajikistan was repulsed by reports of assassinations of Iranian diplomats and a journalist in Mazar-i-Sharif, of massacres of prisoners of war and the brutal prosecution of representatives of different ethnic and religious groups, as well as women. Such acts should be halted and the perpetrators should be punished.
The situation in Afghanistan threatened stability in the region and internationally, he continued. The trend towards turning the territory of Afghanistan into the fortress of religious extremism and the centre for drug trafficking confirmed the conclusions of the leaders of the Commonwealth of
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Independent States (CIS) countries that the acts of the Taliban constituted a threat to the stability of the whole region of central and southern Asia. Recent events in northern Afghanistan also proved the timeliness of a decision to create a "troika" of Russia-Tajikistan-Uzbekistan to counteract the threat of religious extremism.
Tajikistan had adopted measures to strengthen its border with Afghanistan and, together with its partners from the CIS, was prepared to protect their common interests and security, he said. His country welcomed the involvement of the United Nations in Afghanistan, having co-sponsored Security Council resolutions and General Assembly texts on the issue. It was essential to have an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between all the concerned groups to form a multi-ethnic broad-based government in Afghanistan. He also hoped that the forthcoming meeting of representatives of the six plus two group would contribute to the settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan.
RAVAN FARHADI (Afghanistan) said Pakistan's hegemonic policy of patronizing the rejectionist attitude of the Taliban had again dashed hopes for peace and security in Afghanistan. A notable fear of instability had been generated among regional countries by those policies and the spread of "Taliban internationalism", a doctrine that had transformed a certain type of terrorist into an immortal hero.
Last year's Security Council resolution 52/211 (1997) firmly expressed its concern about foreign intervention in Afghanistan, he continued. Yet, in total defiance of the international community, Pakistani military intelligence had become more active in Taliban military operations inside Afghanistan, with the purpose of realizing what Indian-weary Pakistan had always called "strategic depth".
He said events in the country developed rapidly. The latest massive uprisings during October, November and December of this year throughout the Taliban-occupied territories of northern Afghanistan had put an end to the Taliban military drive, which began in July 1998. As a result, many areas had been liberated. The massive assistance provided by local populations in the occupied territories to the armed forces of Afghanistan in their fight against Pakistani aggression and intervention -- and also against Pakistani mercenaries, called the Taliban -- was the most distinct characteristic of new developments in the country. That awareness of the true nature of the Taliban, as the tools of Pakistan, was shared by the Tajiks, Uzbeks and Hazaras of northern and central Afghanistan and by the Pashtu in the East and South of the country. Yet, the two recent reports of the Secretary-General did not provide any insight or information about the affiliation of certain Pashtu leaders with the armed forces of Afghanistan, who had recently liberated areas in the East.
Placing equal blame on all Afghan leaders and sides was unjust and unfair in light of the realities, he said. To equate the State of Afghanistan
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to the Taliban mercenary group was an insult, contrary to the United Nations Charter and the principle of equality of Member States. "We are not a faction and calling us a faction would be inequitable", he said. "Equating the Islamic State of Afghanistan -- which continues to defend its sovereignty -- with the Taliban -- a mercenary force trying to implement the expansionist policy of Pakistan -- is a slap in the face of human civilization and the indissoluble right of an independent State to coexist among the family of nations, without any foreign coercion".
He said it would be a blunder to consider instruments of tyranny, mercenaries of a foreign country, instigators of international terrorism, profiteers of illicit drugs, promoters of gender apartheid and champions of intolerance "equals to civilized individuals like those of us here". Operative paragraph 15 of Security Council resolution 1214 (1998), which was adopted yesterday, was of paramount importance, since it expressed its readiness for the imposition of measures that aimed at achieving the full implementation of United Nations resolutions on Afghanistan.
AHMAD KAMAL (Pakistan) said he believed that there was a window of opportunity for the restoration of peace in Afghanistan. However, that would only be possible if there was a cessation of all outside interference in the country. The recent impounding by the Kyrgyz authorities of a train-load of weapons destined for Ahmed Shah Massoud showed that massive arms supplies continued to be smuggled into Afghanistan. His country's consistent policy had always been the promotion of a peaceful and negotiated settlement in Afghanistan. To achieve that objective, Pakistan had continued constructive engagement with all parties to the conflict. No country had suffered more than his over the last 19 years due to the conflict in Afghanistan. "We are looking after 1.5 million Afghan refugees almost single-handedly", he said. Pakistan had also suffered from the spill-over of drug trafficking, illicit arms smuggling and terrorism.
He said it was unfortunate that the draft before the Assembly today painted a pessimistic picture about the situation in Afghanistan, despite the fact that there was peace in nearly 90 per cent of the country. The overall tone and tenor of the text was biased against one party to the conflict. The most conspicuous omission in that context was the absence of any reference to the ongoing shelling of Kabul by the forces of Massoud, despite the fact that the incident had been mentioned in the report of the Secretary-General. The situation did not reflect well on the image of the United Nations as an impartial mediator. The resolution was replete with the phrase "in particular the Taliban". That made it biased, giving the impression that the violence and the social evils in Afghanistan were due only to the acts of the Taliban.
He said the draft mentioned ethnic and religious persecution "particularly against the Shiite". That was not substantiated by realities. The Taliban had admitted that the killing of the Iranian personnel in Mazar-i-Sharif had been carried out by "renegade" elements from their militia.
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The formulation of operative paragraph 12 of the draft gave the impression that the unfortunate incident was the outcome of a deliberate Taliban policy decision. The Taliban had officially imposed a ban on the promotion, transport and sale of landmines. In contrast, landmines had been laid by the Northern Alliance, as reflected in the Secretary-General's report. There was no reference to that in the resolution. Due to those serious shortcomings, Pakistan disassociated itself from consideration of the resolution before the Assembly today.
The Acting President of the Assembly, MIKHAIL WEHBE (Syria) announced that in order to allow time for the review of the programme budget implications of the draft resolution, action on the text would be taken on a later date to be announced.
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