NEWSLETTER 15-31 March 1999, No. 36

CMO SAYS "SELAMAT TINGGAL"

After a one year of duty tour with UNMOT, Brig Gen Tengku Ariffin from the Malaysian Armed Forces, departed for his home country on 1 April 1999. The General’s sayonara is not an "April Fool’s Trick" because his seriousness in leaving the country was evident from the report that his unaccompanied luggage had been despatched discreetly to Mov Con’s office in the afternoon of 24 March 1999.

Brig Gen Tengku Ariffin, who succeeded Brig Gen Boleslaw Izydorczyk of Poland, assumed the appointment as UNMOT’s fourth CMO on 15 April 1998.

In an exclusive interview with Newsletter, he expressed his mixed feelings about leaving this Mission. It is not only that he had made many friends in UNMOT and fell into many habits, (some were good), which might take him perhaps a few months to adjust to his country’s working routine, but most importantly he had had the opportunity to contribute, in a way, towards the peace accord and national reconciliation of Tajikistan. He opined that his achievements were made possible due to military observers as well as civilian international and local staff’s sincere and committed support. For this, the General expressed his wholehearted thanks and gratitude to all staff members. Commenting on the peace process, the General reiterated that "UNMOT, other UN and international agencies have done a tremendous job. This success, which is tough to achieve, may not emerge and be seen instantly, particularly here, in a country which has undergone two separate transition periods, i.e., the breakaway from USSR to become an independent nation and the national reconciliation resulting from the civil war. The ultimate success of the peace agreement now depends on the sincere commitments of both parties and the genuine desire of the society in general."

"In this regard, UNMOT’s staff must maintain their cohesiveness, mutual respect and family oriented attitude because future success cannot be achieved if UNMOT is divided into two distinct components which is contrary to its integrated image", he observed .

Gen Tengku Ariffin saluted all staff for their sacrifices and patience in ensuring that this Mission would achieve its mandated tasks. Finally, the General said "Selamat Tinggal" (good bye) and "Terima Kasih" (thanks) and prayed for safety of all staff and UNMOT’s success in its future endeavors.

Newsletter will introduce Brig. Gen. Ariffin’s successor Brig. Gen. John Hvidegaard from Denmark, who arrived on 31 March, in our next edition.

HCA RECEIVES CLARIFICATION ON IMPORTANT ISSUES

During a meeting between HCA and CNR Deputy Chairman Dostiyev, the latter explained that the President agreed to three important and substantive CNR’s proposals on changes to the constitution, such as the establishment of a bicameral parliament, the nomination of candidates by political parties rather than labour collectives and the establishment of a special permanent council composed of judges, academicians and parliamentarians which would nominate and approve judicial appointments. Mr. Dostiyev also clarified that President had expected the Opposition to be more flexible on two important issues which were currently being discussed at the CNR i.e. he would like the ‘Secularism’ to remain unaltered and the appointments of chiefs of hukumats to remain as prerogative of his office.

ECHO, DGIA AND DGVIII MEMBERS DISCUSS WITH SRSG ON PLAN FOR

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF AND REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES

A joint mission of ECHO (European Commission of Humanitarian Organization), DGIA and DGVIII, which visited the Republic from 13 to 26 March, focused its activities on the plan for humanitarian relief in 1999-2000, rehabilitation activities and food supplies.

During the meeting with SRSG, the members of the joint mission and Mr. Kubis focused on the political, security and humanitarian situation in the country, the status of implementation of the General Agreement and on the need for further concerted efforts and well coordinated activities of international humanitarian organizations in support of the peace process in Tajikistan. Particularly, the meeting emphasized on projects which facilitate the demobilization / reintegration process and return of refugees. The delegates pointed out that ECHO was currently preparing a global strategy for Tajikistan and new directions for rehabilitation activities in the country. They specifically outlined the need for better coordination of the relief / rehabilitation activities and programmes of different organizations operating

in Tajikistan.

UNMOT NEWSLETTER 15-31 MARCH 1999, No. 36

 

EU - DELEGATION VISITS DUSHANBE

An EU delegation headed by the EU Regional Coordinator for Central Asia met with PM Azimov and discussed issues related to EU economic assistance for Tajikistan. The delegation confirmed the EU’s intentions to restart its food assistance programme for Tajikistan and informed that it had allocated ECU 8 mln grant as well as ECU 1 mln loan for the development of public health care, education, agriculture and land reform in Tajikistan. In addition, the EU Regional Coordinator reportedly presented the Tajik government with the following three conditions for the resumption of EU programmes and projects in the country:

a. Conducting a referendum on constitutional amendments, stabilization of the political situation in the country through further cooperation between the Government and the Opposition and carrying out of free and fair elections;

b. Further implementation of economic reforms in accordance with the recommendations of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank; and

c. Progress in the security-related issues.

He added that the EU would continue its work aimed at consolidation of relations with Tajikistan and at the gradual resumption of its activities in the country on the condition that the Tajik authorities intensify efforts to meet EU requirements.

UNMOT’S THIRD CONCERT IN THE SERIES OF "THE SOUND OF PEACE, THE SONG OF UNITY"

UNMOT’s third concert in the series of "The Sound of Peace, the Song of Unity" in the Opera and Ballet of Dushanbe on 24 March was cheered as a great success. The Concert held in celebration of Nowruz and in aid of peace and national unity in Tajikistan, was inaugurated with remarks from the Head of Civil Affairs, Mr Yogesh Saksena, who, with reference to the ancient traditions of Nowruz, stressed on the importance of cultural activities in the development of peace ....

Three of the best singers of Tajikistan, Said Ghol Bilalov, Dowlatmand Khalov and Daler Nazarov performed at the concert. Over eight hundred people, including high ranking politicians from the Government, CNR and UTO attended the concert and expressed their gratitude for the idea of holding concerts in aid of peace. Ambassadors of the CG also praised UNMOT’s efforts and several pledged that they will be accelerating their cultural activities in future. One of the singers, Said Ghol Bilalaov, said after the concert that since the initiation of these concerts together with UNMOT’s other cultural activities the entire atmosphere of peace in Tajikistan had changed, "as if a new chapter had opened-- like the dawning of spring -- in the role that arts, culture, music played in building peace in Tajkistan." The concert was broadcast live by Tajik radio and TV showed the major parts of it the following evening. The Head of Radio and TV, Mr Seyf Rahimov, said it was one of the best concerts shown from TV for a number of years.

UNMOT’S FIRST TV PROGRAMME

The first TV programme made by UNMOT in conjunction with TRT was shown on 19 March at 18:50 from Tajik TV. It centered on the cultural activities of UNMOT such as the holding of concerts , seminars, conferences and festivals in Tajikistan. The second programme including the latest information on the peace process is due to be shown on 15 April. UNMOT has also been negotiating with channel 6, the Russian 201 Division’s TV station, for broadcasting news about peace process.

UNMOT ORGANIZES A LECTURE ON SECULARISM

On 19 March 1999, UNMOT organized a discourse on secularism at which the Turkish Ambassador presented a paper on "Secularism in Turkey". His presentation aroused keen interest amongst the audience. In his closing remarks, the HCA mentioned that secularism was necessary in a modern nation state, which has groups professing different faiths, beliefs and values, to ensure political stability leading to economic development and therefore - improving the quality of life of the citizens - which is the ultimate purpose of the state.

SPECIAL ENVOY OF THE UN SECRETARY GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN VISITS DUSHANBE

The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan, Mr. Brahimi arrived in Dushanbe on 18 March 1999 for consultation with the Tajik leadership on matters related to the Afghan conflict and the peace process initiated recently in Ashkhabad. Mr. Brahimi met with President Rakhmonov who called the peace talks between the Afghan sides in Askhabad as a hopeful beginning and reaffirmed Tajikistan’s full support to the efforts aimed at finding a speedy peaceful settlement of the Afghan issue. Mr. Brahimi met also with FM Nazarov, who pointed out that Tajikistan would render necessary support to speed up the Afghan peace talks and offered Dushanbe as a venue for future meetings for Taleban and the Northern Alliance.

UNMOT had assisted in organizing the visit and SRSG accompanied Mr. Brahimi in some of his meetings.

BRIEF NEWS

SRSG MEETS WITH SPEAKER OF THE PARLIAMENT

Speaker of the parliament, Mr. Rajabov apprised SRSG that the CNR had managed to finalize the discussions on constitutional amendments, and those proposals on this issue had to be sent to President Rakhmonov for his consideration. He said that if the procedure goes smoothly, a referendum could be conducted in July this year, presidential election - by the end of October and parliamentary election - eventually in November- December.

PRESIDENT APPOINTS FIVE ADDITIONAL UTO NOMINEES

President Rakhmonov appointed five additional UTO nominees to different posts in the central government at the level of deputy head of the department, including Ministry of Foreign Affairs and State Committee on Military Equipment. The newly appointed Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Sattorzodda, in parallel to his new obligations, is to continue activities in the CNR for several weeks.

BELARUS MINISTER OF DEFENSE VISITS DUSHANBE

Belarus Minister of Defense visited Dushanbe for talks on bilateral military cooperation and on issues related to the CIS Collective Security Treaty in the light of the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the CIS Defense Ministers. A Protocol which was signed as a result of the visit envisages cooperation in the field of formation and training of military officers and in modernization of the Tajik air defense.

KAZAKHSTAN NOT TO WITHDRAW ITS BATTALION FROM TAJIKISTAN

Kazakhstan’s border guard chief, Major General Toktasyn Buzubayev, said at a press conference in Almaty on 17 March that his country would not withdraw its battalion from Tajikistan but the size of the battalion had been reduced from 500 to 300 men.

SRSG LEAVES FOR GENEVA

SRSG left for Geneva on 23 March where he attended a UNITAR seminar and held meetings with UN High Commissioners for Refugees and Human Rights. SRSG Jan Kubis also met with OSCE high officials. He is due back on 2 April .

PROMINENT POLITICAL FIGURE KILLED IN DUSHANBE

On 30 March, Mr. Safarali Kenjayev, a well known political figure, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee for Legislation and Human Rights and head of the Socialist Party of Tajikistan was killed by unknown gunmen in a residential area in the western part of Dushanbe. One of Kenjayev’s body guards was also killed on the spot and a second one wounded.

MILITARY ISSUES

STATUS OF INTEGRATION

During the period, the UNMOT representatives were briefed in a meeting by the Head of UTO Press Center, Mr. Hamadov on the status of the UTO fighters’ integration into the Government power structures. According to Mr. Hamadov, so far only 20 Officers had been reinstated to their previous or equal positions and other 600 persons were integrated as follows:

(I). 460 into the 25 Battalion ;

(ii). 100 into the SDS Battalion; and

(iii). 40 into the MOS structure.

UNMOT REPRESENTATIVES CARRY OUT RECONNAISSANCE

Three separate combined (military/civilian) UNMOT reconnaissance teams visited Kurgan Tube, Khorog and Khojand recently in order to assess among other things security situation in all three locations with the view to reopen Mission offices there.