Comprehensive political settlement to conflict urged.

• Position: United Nations relations with Tajikstan

Stressing the urgent need for a "comprehensive political sewement of the conflict through the inter-Tajik dialogue", the Security Council called for "substantive progress on fundamental institutional and political issues". It also asked the parties to fully cooperate with the Secretary-General's Special Envoy, Ramiro Piriz-Ballon.

The Council acted on 16 June by unanimously adopting resolution 999 (1995), by which it extended the mandate of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) for six months, until 15 December. The mission was established in December 1994.

The Council agreed to the extension provided that the 17 September 1994 Tehran Agreement between the Tajik Government and the opposition remained in force, and that the parties continued to be committed to an effective cease-fire, national reconciliation and promotion of democracy.

The parties were also urged to: agree to the early convening of a further round of inter-taiik talks; implement without delay all confidence-building measur(*, particularly on the exchange of detainees and prisoners of war, and on the return of all refugees and displaced persons; comply with all their obligations; and cooperate fully with UNMOT, ensuring the "safety and freedom of movement" of UN personnel.

A "direct political dialogue" between Taiikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov and Abdullo Nuri, Chairman of the Islamic Revival Movement of Taiikistan, was encouraged.

The urgency of the "cessation of all hostile acts on the Tajik-Afghan border" was also stressed, as the Council called upon States and others concerned to "discourage any activities that could complicate or hinder the peace process".

The Council also underlined the need to pursue the "close cooperation already existing" between UNMOT and the parties to the conflict, as well as its "close liaison" with the Collective Peace-keeping Forces of the Commonwealth of independent States (CIS), the border forces and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Mission in Tajikistan.

Obligations by the Government to assist the return and reintegration of refugees, as well as by the parties to "cooperate in ensuring the voluntary return, in dignity and safety, of all refugees and displaced persons to their homes", were welcomed.

A 'small step'

The fourth round of inter-Tajik talks, held in Almaty (22 May- 1 June), as well as the Kabul meeting (17-19 May) between President Rakhmonov and Chairman Nuri, constituted...