15-30 April 1999, No 38

DIRECTOR HUTTER FROM DPKO, UNHQ, VISITS DUSHANBE

Mr. Joachim Hutter, Director of Asia and Middle East Division of Department of Peacekeeping Operations in Headquarter New York, paid a week-long visit to Dushanbe and held a series of meetings with high-level officials of the Government and the UTO, as well as within the international community in Tajikistan. In separate meetings with DPM Azimov and FM Nazarov, he discussed mainly the Tajik peace process, including the security situation in the country, and the modalities of possible international support for the peace process. Mr. Hutter also met with CNR Chairman Nuri, Deputy Chairman Dostiev and leader of the Islamic Revival Party Himmatzoda. He also conducted extensive consultations within UNMOT focussing on the mission’s role in the peace process and the security of the staff. Questions pertaining to UNMOT’s future selective return to the field were also examined.

SRSG DISCUSSES FINANCIAL SUPPORT WITH AMBASSADORS TO ENHANCE IMPLEMENTATION OF TAJIK PEACE PROCESS

SRSG held a number of meetings with Ambassadors in Tashkent and in Dushanbe on issues concerning generation of resources to support the peace process. Lack of funds for implementation of the Military Protocol, especially the process of demobilization and integration of UTO fighters, were the main concerns of SRSG’s discussions. SRSG raised these questions at his meetings in Tashkent with the UK and US Ambassadors to Uzbekistan and with the visiting Head of Eastern Department in the Foreign Office. He also held meetings with Japanese and US Ambassadors to Tajikistan who had paid brief visits to Dushanbe. SRSG emphasized that the Tajik peace process was suffering a sheer deficiency of financial and material support, which might eventually induce major problems and serious slowing, even breakdowns in the process itself. He strongly urged the three governments to provide with effective direct support for the peace process and, if possible, to use their influence in other places to mobilize such support. He also stressed that major problems in the peace process in Tajikistan could also have negative impact on the neighboring countries. The Ambassadors reacted to SRSG’s concerns and pleas for extended support with understanding and pledged to bring to the attention of their respective authoritie s the gravity of the situation and the need to take appropriate measures.

American Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Finn informed about his forthcoming travel to Washington and meetings there and invited SRSG to visit Washington during his May travel to New York and to brief the respective State Department officials on the requirements of the Tajik peace process. The Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Obata, requested SRSG for specific and concrete projects and proposals in this respect. In response, SRSG informed that, in order to better assist the peace process, the UN programmes and agencies in Tajikistan were currently in the process of revising their activities and priorities. This would be completed in approximately one month’s time and appropriate requests would be made to potential donors, including Japan, for their consideration.

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USG ARLACCHI DISCUSSES ISSUES RELATED TO COMBATING DRUG-TRAFFICKING WITH TAJIK AUTHORITIES AND SRSG

USG Pino Arlacchi, who paid a short visit to Tajikistan, held series of meetings with Tajik leaders. During a meeting with President Rakhmonov, he discussed issues related to cooperation between UNDCP and Tajikistan in combating drug-trafficking. In this connection, the President pointed out the need for a comprehensive strategy and further implementation of the existing drug control projects and encouraged donor countries to participate in implementing those projects in Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Mr. Arlacchi invited President Rakhmonov to visit Vienna and to share with the international community Tajikistan’s experience in combating drug-trafficking.

During a meeting with Mr. Arlacchi, Opposition leader Nuri pointed out that prevention of drug trafficking would be impossible without the solution of the Afghan problem and the strengthening of the Tajik legislation regarding drug related crimes.

In the related development, Mr. Arlacchi and PM Azimov signed an agreement, under which Tajikistan will receive $ 6.4 mln for a programme to combat drug trafficking. The two -year programme includes staff training, the construction of drug laboratories and the setting up of a sniffer- dog service.

Before his departure from Tajikistan on 19 April, Mr. Arlacchi met with SRSG Kubis to discuss in more detail future UNDCP activities in Tajikistan in conjunction with the peace process.

EU’S DEMARCHE ON PEACE PROCESS PRESENTED TO CNR DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

Acting on behalf of the EU Presidency, German Ambassador to Tajikistan handed over to the CNR Deputy Chairman Dostiev the organization’s demarche expressing disappointment with the slow pace of the peace process and the recent crisis caused by the Presidential rejection of the CNR Concept Paper on changes and amendments to the constitution. The main points of the demarche revealed to media emphasize the following:

- the EU regrets the President’s rejection of the CNR proposals regarding changes in the constitution;

- the EU considers the compromise reached in negotiations between representatives of Government and Opposition at the CNR as a genuine step towards implementation of the peace agreements;

- the EU expresses concern about another delay in the peace process and calls on all participants in the process to adopt a responsible approach towards their duties stemming from the General Agreement; and

- the EU calls on all political and social groups in Tajikistan to support the peaceful democratic reforms on the administrative and government levels.

HCA DISCUSSES SUSPENSION OF POLITICAL PARTIES WITH MINISTER OF JUSTICE

During his meeting with minister of Justice, Mr. Ismoilov, Head of the Civil Affairs, Mr. Saksena stressed that the recent suspension of political parties by the Supreme Court was creating a negative impression regarding Government’s bonafides for creating a "level playing field" for the elections. HCA observed that evaluation of electoral environment by an expert team from UNNY in the near future would constitute an important parameter for UN’s involvement in the elections. He recommended that the Ministry of Justice should constructively assist the parties to fulfill all the conditions rather than first registering them and later filing a suit in the Supreme Court for their suspension.

SRSG AND CMO MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE COORDINATION COUNCIL

SRSG and CMO attended a meeting of the Coordination Council for the implementation of the General Agreement, chaired by DPM Azimov. The meeting focussed on the integration of UTO fighters into Government Power Structures. Deputy Minister of Interior i.a. pointed out that 500 mln TR was needed for the maintenance of the subdivisions of the power structures, established on the integrated UTO fighters, and that the problems related to the delivery of food and uniforms for those fighters had not yet been solved. The Chairman of the MS pointed out that no progress had been achieved in the integration of UTO fighters since the last meeting of the Council. The meeting also considered the issue of granting amnesty to 90 persons proposed by the CNR. DPM Azimov informed that a thorough examination of their cases was currently under way and tasked the relevant bodies and departments to resolve this issue within a week. Mr. Viguie, WFP representative, informed about WFP programmes and projects to support demobilization (food for work, training), but rejected a petition to provide direct food support for the former UT0 fighters, power structures, as that is the responsibility of the government.

TAJIKISTAN AND RUSSIA SIGN A NUMBER OF INTERSTATE AGREEMENTS

A number of interstate agreements, as follows, between Tajikistan and Russian Federation were signed during the President Rakhmonov’s official state visit to Moscow:

(i). A treaty on alliance and partnership;

(ii). An intergovernmental agreement on the encouragement and mutual protection of investments;

(ii). An agreement on the interaction of the Russian and Tajik Interior Ministries in 1999-2000;

(iii). An intergovernmental agreement on the production cooperation;

(iv). An intergovernmental agreement on the reception and broadcast of Russian television and radio programmes on territory of Tajikistan;

(v). A protocol of the Russian State on Cinematography and the Tajik Governmental Committee on Television and Radio on the cinematographic cooperation in 1999-2000;

(vi). An intergovernmental agreement on the cooperation of the National Bank of Tajikistan and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, which among other things guaranteed that US$ 40 mln Tajik debt to Russia would be written off and the payment of the remaining part would be rescheduled until 2001.

In this connection, President Rakhmonov mentioned that the said agreements would create a firm legal basis for a strategic partnership between the two countries. Commenting on the establishment of the Russian military base in Tajikistan, Rakhmonov also said that Tajikistan had used its legitimate right, in accordance with the UN Charter, to secure its territorial integrity and create conditions for development of the country . He remarked that under no circumstances would the Tajik-Russian military cooperation be directed against the security and interests of other countries.

Meanwhile, Tajik Opposition leader Nuri reportedly observed that UTO had always been against the creation of any foreign bases on the Tajik territory as it posed a continued threat to country’s sovereignty. He also remarked that, taking into account the present realities, the UTO was not against the presence of Russian troops in Tajikistan, however, they (Russian) should leave the country once they have completed their peacekeeping functions.

TAJIK PRESIDENT VISITS USA, VIENNA AND ST. PETERSBURG

During the period, in his working visit to the USA, President Rakhmonov met with the Director of the US Trade and Development Agency, in which it was noted that the sides had a great interest in developing bilateral and mutually advantageous cooperation, such as hydroelectric power engineering, telecommunication, the mining and the transport infrastructures. He also attended the signing ceremony of a general agreement on cooperation between Tajikistan and the Central Asian - American Enterprise Fund. On April, as a part of meetings and talks, president Rakhmonov, US Senator Sam Brownback, First US Deputy Secretary of State, Strobe Talott and other high-ranking US officials, i.a. discussed Tajik- US bilateral relations and cooperation, international and regional issues and the peaceful settlement of the Afghan crisis. He also attended a meeting of the Heads of States of the countries from the Transcaucasian region, Central Asia, as well as of Moldova, Turkey and Romania, organized by the Chairman of the Senate’s Sub-committee on foreign relations. The meeting focussed on development of cooperation among those countries under "the Silk Road" programme. President Rakhmonov met also with the President of the World Bank to discuss the implementation of the necessary conditions for the allocation of the second tranche of the WB credit for economic reforms in Tajikistan. In this respect, the WB announced that it would allocate a credit worth of 40 mln USD for structural reforms.

Having completed his working visit to the USA, President Rakhmonov had been to Vienna, where he addressed an international conference on combating organized crime, drugs and arms smuggling, organized under the UN auspices.

On 28 April, President Rakhmonov addressed an international conference in St. Petersburg, dedicated to the 1, 100 anniversary of the Samanid States. A high ranking Tajik delegation had been to St. Petersburg to attend the conference.

SRSG JAN KUBIS MEETS WITH UZBEK FM KAMILOV IN TASHKENT

On April 22, Mr. Kubis and Uzbek Foreign Minister Kamilov discussed issues related to the Tajik peace process and the political situation in the region. Touching upon the implementation of the Protocols on political and military issues of the General Agreement, SRSG pointed out that certain progress was seen in the Tajik peace process in 1999, however, a new qualitative level had not yet been reached. In his response, FM Kamilov noted that there were no changes in the Uzbek position concerning the peace process in Tajikistan and that Uzbekistan fully supports it. With respect to the Uzbek-Tajik bilateral relation, he emphasized his country’s willingness to further develop them and observed that Tajik PM’s recent visit to Tashkent was an important step in this direction. He also noted that Uzbekistan would like to reopen its Embassy in Dushanbe, however, it had not yet been done due to security and technical problems. In this connection, SRSG underlined the necessity of ensuring at least the presence of the Uzbek Representative at the CG meetings in Dushanbe.

TAJIK PRESIDENT MEETS HEAD OF OSCE MISSION

President Rakhmonov and Head of OSCE Mission, Ambassador Buhuara, discussed issues related to the pace of the peace process, elections and democratization of the Tajik society. The President expressed hope that OSCE would further assist Tajikistan in the establishment of a democratic and secular state. After the meeting, Ambassador Buhuara said that the role of mass media and the importance of objective coverage of elections were touched upon as well. Furthermore, he expressed OSCE’s readiness to render assistance to the local media journalists.

UNMOT ORGANIZED LECTURES ON "POLICING IN WESTERN DEMOCRATIC COUNTRIES"

As a part of the preparations for a police training project in Tajikistan, UNMOT CIVPOL officials held two lectures on "Policing in Western Democratic Countries" at the Higher Police School of Tajikistan. Twenty high ranking police officers and instructors of the police school attended those lectures showing ample interest in the programme.

TAJIK DPM DISCUSSES WITH HIGH RANKING KYRGYZ OFFICIAL ON THE RETURN OF TAJIK REFUGEES

Tajik DPM Vazirov met with a high ranking Kyrgyz official to discuss issues related to the return of Tajik refugees from Kyrgystan. Vazirov mentioned that the Tajik Government had allocated resources for the repatriation of Tajik Refugees from Kyrgystan. He also noted that currently there are 14 thousand Tajik nationals in Kyrgystan, out of which 2 thousand were willing to return to Tajikistan. Meanwhile, Mr. Goibnazar, Head of a working group of the CNR Sub-Commission on Refugees, met with an UNHCR representative in the Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, to discuss the repatriation of another group of Tajik refugees from Afghanistan, which was expected to take place, with UNHCR’s assistance and support, at Sharhan Bandar on 27 April. It was also announced that 250 Tajik refugees were expected to return from Turkmenistan at the end of this month.

BRIEF NEWS

F UNMOT Organizes a Seminar

On 28 April, UNMOT organized a seminar on "Role of religion in a modern nation state". Mr. Himmatzoda acted as the Keynote speaker at the conference which was well attended and covered by the local and foreign media.

F The Supreme Court Suspends Political Parties

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan suspended the activities of the ‘Civil and Patriotic Party’ and ‘Party of the Union’ for a period of six months for failing to submit the required documents for re-registration by a specified date.

F Russian and Tajik Ministers of Interior Sign Agreements

Ministers of Interior of Tajikistan and Russia signed an agreement on cooperation for 1999-2000. In this connection, Russian Minister of Interior reportedly said that he had discussed with his Tajik counterpart issues related to joint efforts in combating drug trafficking via Afghanistan-Tajikistan to Russia.

F Tajik Parliamentary Delegation in Brussels

A Tajik Parliamentary Delegation, headed by Deputy Speaker of Majlis Oli, took part in the 101 Inter-parliamentary Conference held in Brussels from 10 to 16 April 1999.

F New Commander of CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Tajikistan

Lt. Gen. Vladimir Chilindin took over command of CIS Collective Peacekeeping Forces in Tajikistan from Lt. Gen. Nikiolay Pugachev. General Chilindin arrived in Dushanbe from Rostov-on-Don, where he was deputy commander of the forces of the North Caucasus Military District.

MILITARY ISSUES

F CMO CALLS ON THE NEW COMMANDER OF CIS PKF

Chief Military Observer, UNMOT, Brig. Gen. Hvidegaard called on the new Commander of CIS PKF, Lt. Gen. Chelindin on 26 April. During their meeting, Gen. Chelindin reaffirmed CIS PKF’s continued cooperation with UNMOT. It was agreed that both Commanders will be meeting on regular basis.

F INTEGRATION OF UTO FIGHTERS: According to information received from the office of the CNR Military Sub-Commission, the following list of former UTO fighters has been integrated into the various power structures of the Government:

a. TBF : 1107 [ 682 from Khorog, 217 from Jirgital, 208 from Dushanbe]

b. MOI : 304 [ 227 from Khorog, 40 from Tangay, 37 (location not given) ]

c. CES : 550 [ 380 from Tajikabad, 170 from Porshnev ]

d. MOD : 464 [ all from Dushanbe ]

F ATTESTATION ACTIVITIES: The JCRC has completed attestation of MOD, MOI, MOS and TBF in Bishkent, Shaartuz, Kabodion, Jilikul, Kolkhozobad and Kumsangir districts of Khatlon region. About 1600 persons had been attested. From 20 April, the JCRC working team resumed attestation in Pianj district; after that, the same will be followed up in Kurgan Tube.