SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON AFGHANISTAN ADOPTS GUIDELINES, AUTHORIZES TRAVEL BY AFGHAN PILGRIMS TO PERFORM THE HAJJ

Press Release
SC/6802

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON AFGHANISTAN ADOPTS GUIDELINES, AUTHORIZES TRAVEL BY AFGHAN PILGRIMS TO PERFORM THE HAJJ

On 1 February 2000, the Committee adopted the Guidelines for the conduct of its work. On 4 February 2000, the Guidelines were transmitted to all States, as well as international organizations and specialized agencies, for their use, as appropriate.

On 4 February 2000, the Committee decided to authorize, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 4 (a) of Security Council resolution 1267 (1999), as well as in accordance with paragraph 6 of the Guidelines of the Committee for the conduct of its work, a request by the Taliban for ninety (90) round trips in two phases (first phase -– 9 February to 9 March 2000; second phase -– 25 March to 23 April 2000) for Ariana Afghan Airlines to transport 12,000 Afghan pilgrims to perform the Hajj, from Kabul and Kandhar (Afghanistan) to Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), with a stopover for refuelling at Sharjah (United Arab Emirates). The Committee agreed to the above dependent on the following conditions: that any change of the flight schedule and/or change of aircraft must be communicated to the Committee for its approval; that any unauthorized stopover(s) are likely to jeopardize future flights; and stressed the importance of the implementation of its Guidelines which, among others, provide that the aircraft must be inspected to ensure that it is operating exclusively for the declared humanitarian purposes (i.e., no additional passengers and/or cargo at stopover point and destination) and in accordance with the relevant provisions of Security Council resolution 1267 (1999). Accordingly, this inspection should be effected at Sharjah (United Arab Emirates) and at Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) on the outbound and return flights, in both phases of the operation, with the participation of United Nations officials, as well as by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabian authorities, respectively.

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