Proximity talks 'very difficult but also very useful'.

Proximity talks 'very difficult also very useful'

Proximity talks on the situation relating to Afghanistan were held in Geneva on 29 and 30 August.

At a press briefing in Genava on 30 August Under-Secretary-General for Special Political Affairs Diego Cordovez, Personal Representative of Secretar-General Javier Perez de Cuellar on this matter, said the interlocutors were scheduled to meet again for proximity talks--from 16 to 20 December, in Geneva.

Mr. Cordovez, who conducted the negotiations, said the August talks had been "very difficult but also very useful."

On 27 and 28 August, Mr. Cordovez had met privately in separate sessions with Afghanistan Foreign Minister Shah Mohammad Dost and Pakistan Foreign Minister Sahabzada Yaqub-Khan.

Each delegation was present at the Palais des Nations in separate rooms, and Mr. Cordovez shuttled between them.

In accordance with established practice, the Iranian Government was kept informed through its Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Geneva.

Mr. Cordovez stressed that the kinds of difficulties encountered indicated that the process was reaching a very advanced stage. Both interlocutors had agreed that it was logical and natural that such difficulties should be encountered at this point.

At the same time, he said he had seen renewed determination by both interlocutors to reach a settlement. It was understandable that, given the complexity of the issues involved, perhaps both interlocutors were trying to assess the risks. Furthermore, even as they were discussing...