4-15 January 1999, No.31

Mindless fighting kills innocent people on the eve of New Year’s Festivities

Strong condemnation has been voiced by the general public as well as institutions involved in the peace process -- whether Tajik or international -- about the mindless fighting between rival UTO commanders on the eve of celebrations for the New Year, on 30 December, outside the CNR. According to the UTO spokesperson, Mr. Sultan Hamadov, the fighting started when three UTO Field Commanders came to the CNR building with their men appearing tense and angry. Mr. Hamadov says the FCs were due to attend a meeting at the Dacha of Academy of Science near Dushanbe and CNR members were surprised to find them at the CNR. Soon after their arrival at the CNR, adds the UTO spokesperson, they opened fire on each other, but then the leader of UTO and the CNR Chairman, Said Abdullo Nuri, acted immediately and brought the situation under control. The three commanders left Dushanbe soon after the incident, leaving behind them the bodies of five people including three innocent pedestrians. Following urgent consultations with UTO leadership, Chairman Nuri dismissed the two commanders he felt were responsible for the incident and requested the law enforcement agencies in the country to bring to justice those responsible for the fighting. They were dismissed on grounds that they had failed to obey the order of the Supreme Commander of the UTO armed formations. On 5 January one of the Commanders announced that he will abide by the decision of the leadership and asked men loyal to him to join another UTO group. Chairman Nuri also wrote a letter to the Minister of Security, Said Amir Zukhurov, on 7 January complaining about the poor security measures for the CNR building and its members, a point which he said had repeatedly been brought to the attention of the authorities but so far no action had been taken to improve conditions.

CNR ANGERED AT THE SHOOTING

Concerned about the consequences of such incidents for the peace process and for the relations between UTO and Government, members of the CNR unanimously condemned the shooting incident and held an emergency meeting to decide on measures to prevent future repetitions of such incidents. In a CNR resolution published on 6 January all UTO fighters are instructed to obey the orders of their Supreme Commander, Said Abdullo Nuri. They are also instructed that they may not leave their Assembly Areas

armed or without prior permission obtained from their respective field commanders. The same resolution looks to the UTO leadership to ensure all arms are kept securely in a safe place in the Assembly Areas and that they are fully under the control of the leadership. The leadership is also tasked with arresting and disarming of all fighters who disobey such commands. Furthermore, they are requested to punish the disobedient fighters. On the arrest and bringing to justice of those responsible for the shooting of the 30 December, the UTO leadership is to cooperate fully with Government law enforcement agencies.

Contact Group condemns the killing

The Contact Group of guarantor states also felt very strongly about the damaging effects of irresponsible action by armed men and its consequences for the peace process. In a statement published on 5 January Contact Group condemned the shooting incident and deplored the unnecessary loss of life saying such incidents only add to the sense of insecurity and lawlessness for the residents of Dushanbe. It recommended the speedy implementation of the Military Protocol and urged all concerned to take effective measures to improve security situation.

PRESS RELEASE

5 January 1999
No. 33

Contact Group condemns the shooting incident which took place outside the CNR building on 30 December 1998 which resulted in the death of five individuals, including three innocent civilian bystanders. It deplores the unnecessary loss of life and extends its condolences to the families of the victims.Contact Group notes that such incidents add to the sense of insecurity and lawlessness for the residents of Dushanbe. Contact Group welcomes the firmness with which the UTO leadership and the CNR have handled the incident and notes that it is a strong sign of support for the peace process as a whole. It looks forward to further appropriate steps to bring those responsible to justice. Furthermore, Contact Group strongly recommends strict and expeditious implementation of the Military Protocol which will contribute significantly to preventing such incidents in the future. It also urges all concerned to take effective measures to improve the security situation in Dushanbe.

F Another Killing of Innocent People

The authorities in Tajikistan announced that four farm workers were killed on 5 January in a raid by an armed gang led by commanders Rustam and Ikrammudin belonging to a faction of the opposition. The attack occurred in the Sagirdasht area of Darvaz in the Gorno Badakhshan region. The raiders asked for 15 sheep from framers and when they were refused they opened fire. Four people were killed, fourteen injured and a policeman was reportedly taken hostage. On 11 January, the CNR Chairman, Said Abdullo Nuri expressed outrage at the incident saying that the opposition commanders had been asked to arrest the rebel commanders. He further informed that Rustam had been arrested by the opposition’s Chief Commander, Mirzo Zioiev, but Ikrommodin was still at large. The Chief of Staff of UTO Armed Formations, General Mirzo Khoja Nizamov, was due to go to the area to investigate the incident.

PRESIDENT STRESSES ON PEACE AND NATIONAL UNITY AND
CONFIRMS ELECTIONS IN 1999

In His New Years’ Address to the nation, broadcast from TRY on 1 January 1999, the President of Tajikistan, Mr. Imomali Rakhmonov, said "today every patriotic and sober minded Tajik must acknowledge that peace is a blessing derived from our unity which we will never abandon." He added that the Tajik nation must demonstrate to the world that it is a worthy successor of the grand culture and traditions of its ancestors. A few days earlier, when visiting the Presidential Guards on the occasion of the New Year, President Rakhmonov gave an interview in which, among other things, he stated that 1999 will be a year of critical test for the Tajik nation, as three major political steps are to be undertaken - holding of a referendum on constitutional amendments, elections of a new Parliament as well as presidential elections.

This is the first time that President made it public that elections to the Parliament will be held in 1999, thus making it semi-official Government's opinion on the matter.

Majlisi Oli Speaker and elections in 1999

In a meeting held between UNMOT’s Head of Civil Affairs, Mr. Yogesh Saksena and the Chairman of Majlisi Oli, Mr. Safarali Rajabov, on 6 January issues related to the need to accelerate the peace process, constitutional amendments and holding of elections in the country in 1999 were discussed. Mr. Rajabov pointed out that some progress had been made on the issue of secularism and the CNR was now proceeding with a review of other chapters of the constitution. He underlined that the adoption of constitutional amendments, as well as the adoption of respective laws on elections of President, Parliament and of local administration were important pre-conditions for holding elections in the country in 1999.

A Special Announcement

UNMOT is holding its second concert "The Sound of Peace, the Song of Unity" at 13:00 on 21 January in the Opera and Ballet of Dushanbe. The aim of this concert is to congratulate the people of Tajikistan for the New Year 1999 and to herald this year as the year of peace and national unity. Members of the Government and UTO as well as many NGO’s, intellectuals, writers and poets, students, journalists and other members of public are invited to the concert to enjoy together the "Art of Badakhshan" as performed by the most talented musicians, singers and dancers of Badakhshan including Gorminj Zowghabeigov, Khorshid Alidadov, Eghbal shah, Shirinma and Dalir Nazarov. For tickets please contact UNMOT Public Information office.

MORE NEWS

q High Level Tajik Delegation Goes to Tashkent

Following the souring of relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan early in November due to accusations by the Tajik Government of Uzbek interference in Lenninabad events, it was announced on 7 January that a high level delegation has gone to Tashkent for talks. The delegation -- led by Prime Minister Yahya Azimov and including Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov -- met with the Uzbek cabinet to discuss the possibility of improvement in relations. Mr. Azimov exchanged views on the future prospects of relations with President Islam Karimov. According to official reports there was a particular discussion on the delivery of gas from Uzbekistan to Tajikistan. In the past during the winter months Uzbekistan would cut off the gas supply to Tajikistan demanding payment. The Tajik delegation also discussed the question of transit of Uzbek goods through the territory of Tajikistan and Tajik goods through Uzbekistan. President Karimov is reported to have expressed confidence that there would be no further decline in the bilateral relations. Diplomats say they believe the two countries are making a serious effort to reduce the damage caused by heightened tension in their relations in the month of November.

q Former Deputy Prosecutor General of Lenninabad Shot Dead

According to reports from the Ministry Of Interior, on 2 January the former Deputy Prosecutor of the Leninabad province, Mr. Tolib Boboev, was shot dead by two masked gunmen in his residence in the town of Chkalovsk, near Khujand in the Leninabad region. Law-enforcement authorities had initiated investigation, however political motives for the murder can not be ruled out. International media quoted Mr. Boboev's relatives as saying that his murder was an act of political terrorism. At the beginning of the '90s Mr. Boboev was the Deputy Prosecutor-General of Tajikistan, prior to being Deputy Prosecutor of the Leninabad Province. He was relieved of this post two years ago. In 1994 he joined the Party of National Unity of the former Prime Minister Abdullajanov, who was accused by the Government of having masterminded the recent rebellion in the Leninabad Province.

q Hurricane Hits Tajikistan

According to information published by the Government, at least fifteen hundred people have been made homeless after a hurricane hit the north of the country. The storm struck the area around Lenninabad on the first day of the New Year, tearing down houses, power lines and trees. Thousands of people were left without electricity in freezing cold weather. There were no reports of injuries but the cost of damage has been put at hundreds of thousands of dollars.

 

CONTACT GROUP

PRESS RELEASE

13 January 1999

No. 34

During its last meetings, Contact Group carried out an analysis of the peace process in 1998 and discussed priorities for 1999 and noted the following points:

Contact Group noted with satisfaction that the peace process went through a period of consolidation during 1998. It noted no armed clashes took place between Government and UTO forces since May 1998 indicating that the resolution of conflicts has moved from military to the political arena. Furthermore, it noted with satisfaction, that these indigents were promptly resolved by the parties. This illustrates that during the year, a mechanism for the resolution of conflict evolved between the Parties signaling a maturing of the peace process. Contact Group expressed appreciation of the role of President Rakhmonov who took the initiative on several occasions to solve the crises and of CNR Chairman Nuri who showed a spirit of accommodation.

 

Contact Group recognized the progress that was made on the Military, Political and Refugee related Protocols. It welcomed the passage of the Law on Political Parties, appointment of UTO representatives to Government posts as well as the return and integration of refugees and internally displaced persons. Contact Group also noted that Government and UTO began to demonstrate cooperation in acting jointly in subduing rebellious armed groups. This augurs well for disarming unaffiliated armed groups which is one of the tasks called-for by the General Agreement.

 

Contact Group noted that the rapport between the leadership of both parties has improved considerably and welcomed the frequent meetings between President Rakhmonov and UTO leader, Mr. Nuri. It was encouraged by the spirit of accommodation and reconciliation at the end of 1998 and acknowledges the substantial role of the leadership of both parties in fostering this new climate.

The accomplishments described above are also coupled with concern that the transition period of 12 - 18 months stipulated in the General Agreement expired on 27 December 1998. Time-tables adopted by the CNR and endorsed by the President lapsed and contributed to mistrust between the rank and file members of both parties. Contact Group was disappointed to note that the process of demobilization, rehabilitation and re-integration did not make significant progress. It also noted that discussions on amendments to the Constitution did not lead to substantive progress on the issue. Contact Group observed that the security situation in the country in general and in Dushanbe, in particular, did not improve.

In this vein, Contact Group urges the Parties to take expeditious action to implement the remaining important tasks, including: constitutional amendments leading to referendum and elections, 30% UTO representation in government structures, prompt implementation of the Amnesty Law, genuine disarmament and completion of stages I & II of military protocol, integration of UTO fighters into power structures and lifting of ban on political parties and media.

Contact Group also regretted that investigation into the killing of four UNMOT staff on 20 July 1998 has not progressed satisfactorily, so as to allow a review by UNMOT of its activities outside Dushanbe.

Contact Group expresses hope that during 1999 the General Agreement will be implemented at an accelerated pace to compensate for the slow progress during 1998.

Contact Group also appeals to states to make available the funds pledged by them at the Vienna Donor Conference in November 1997 and in Paris in May 1998, to reinforce the peace process.

Contact Group welcomes President Rakhmonov’s confirmation of referendum and elections in 1999. It urges all concerned to take steps in order to improve the security situation and create a level playing field in order to allow for free and fair elections to take place.

Contact Group is optimistic regarding the prospects of a stable peace in Tajikistan in 1999. It compliments President Rakhmonov, CNR Chairman Nuri and people of Tajikistan for their efforts to consolidate the peace process in 1998 and looks forward to their renewed efforts to complete the process in 1999.

THE DEATH OF A VERY DEAR COLLEAGUE

It is with great sorrow that we have to report the death of a very dear colleague, William Bergquist, a UN Senior Humanitarian Affairs Officer who died tragically on the early hours of the first day of this year as he was leaving UNMOT’s building where he had attended a party with his colleagues. William arrived at the New Year’s Eve party dressed in the most becoming formal suit and black tie. He was the only one dressed so majestically. Immediately upon his arrival, therefore, everyone noticed him not just because he was so well dressed, but also because he sounded so happy and was so full of life, joking and dancing all night. When he was leaving the party, he accidentally fell on the stairs and was killed instantaneously. A special ceremony was held for him in Dushanbe the following day and on 6 January his body was flown to Washington. William Bergquist -- who had just become 54 years old on 13 December -- had a most distinguished career of twenty five years at the UN as a humanitarian affairs officer. He had worked in Cambodia and Somalia and just prior to his arrival in Dushanbe in late September, he had worked in Herat in the UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Development Activities of Afghanistan. He was relocated to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, when UN faced some problems in Afghanistan with the Taliban leadership. When the Gulf crisis added to international concerns about the security of American nationals in the region, William who loved Tajikistan, asked to be posted here. In fact so devoted was he to his career at the United Nations that other than his UN colleagues he did not have a family. On 8 January his two closest friends in New York received his body. May his soul rest in peace.