Tajikistan, 1994

Speaking from this high rostrum of the United Nations, I

would like first of all to congratulate you, Sir, on your

election to the high office of the presidency of the General

Assembly. I am convinced that, having received such a

high honour, you will be successful in your conduct of this

forum that is so important in the life of the world

community.

Reflecting on the past, we can state with satisfaction

that the United Nations, by traversing the difficult road

of overcoming political and ideological confrontation, has

saved humanity from a new global catastrophe. Today

we can say with confidence that the United Nations is a

universally recognized instrument of peace and

construction.

We commend the United Nations peace-keeping and

humanitarian efforts in Tajikistan. I consider it my duty

to convey the sincere thanks of the Tajik people to the

United Nations, the donor countries, the international

organizations - in short, to everyone who is doing

everything possible to help our State in these hard times.

There is no need to describe in detail all the

hardship that has befallen our long-suffering motherland.

The wounds of the civil war, that serious illness of our

society, cannot be healed either by surgical intervention

or by compulsory treatment. They are healed only when

the victim himself becomes aware of his affliction and

makes the most effective use of all possible means

necessary for recovery.

To the credit of the people of my country, it should

be said that they were able to put an end to bloodshed,

lawlessness and terror and start a constructive life.

Experiencing a severe lack of time and an extremely

heavy burden of political, social and economic problems,

we were able to consolidate a tendency towards the

stabilization of the situation in our country. Today we can

state with confidence that the situation differs radically

from that prevailing at the beginning of last year.

1

Recognizing its responsibility for the destiny of the

country, the Government of Tajikistan firmly declared its

commitment to values common to all humanity and its

resolve to start building a democratic and secular State

based on the rule of law. In order to realize these

intentions we have launched the constitutional process in

our country.

In the course of drafting the Constitution we were

guided by the experience of countries with established

democratic traditions and advice given by highly qualified

experts of the United Nations and the Conference on

Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). We sought to

take into consideration the high standards set up in the

basic documents of the Helsinki process so that the new

Constitution would ensure to the fullest extent possible the

protection of inalienable human rights.

We intend to conduct a referendum so the whole

population can decide on the adoption of the new

Constitution, the results of which will reinforce hope for

achieving further progress in the development of society

and the State. The proposed draft Constitution will provide

a legal basis for subsequent democratic transformations and

reforms. It will undoubtedly accelerate them and make

them irreversible. Furthermore, the President of the

Republic of Tajikistan, elected by the whole population,

will enforce the Constitution and guarantee the State’s unity

and integrity.

In our domestic policy the principal issues for our

country’s political leaders have become the questions of our

nation’s spiritual revival, of the halting of senseless

confrontation and of the creation of a social basis for

mutual understanding and forgiveness. The solution of

these problems will help achieve maximum progress

towards national reconciliation.

Let me describe briefly to the Assembly our view of

the problem. Addressing the General Assembly at its forty-

eighth session, I stated that political dialogue was the only

possible way of untying the internal Tajik knot and

achieving national reconciliation and that it was one of our

highest priorities. A careful study of the state of society,

and of public opinion in particular, gave us the idea of

entering into dialogue with those who have never concealed

their desire to seize power by force. In doing so we used

all possible means, including regional and international

mechanisms. Only the good will demonstrated by the

leaders of Tajikistan made it possible to start and to

develop the negotiating process.

The importance of the initiatives put forward by the

Secretary-General, the decisions of the Security Council

and the assistance of the Conference on Security and

Cooperation in Europe in accelerating the national

reconciliation process should be particularly emphasized.

We deeply appreciate the unwavering attention of

the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. Boutros

Boutros-Ghali to all the problems of Tajikistan, and we

take this opportunity to express to him our sincere

gratitude.

We appreciate no less deeply the activities of the

Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Tajikistan, Mr.

Ramiro Piriz-Ballon, of the United Nations Observers in

Tajikistan and of the CSCE mission. All of them have

made a valuable contribution to the elaboration of the

negotiating mechanisms.

I would like to note with satisfaction the hopeful

results of the political consultations between us and the

Tajik opposition, with the mediation of Mr. Ramiro

Piriz-Ballon, which took place in Tehran in the second

half of September 1994. The parties signed the

Agreement on a cease-fire and stopping hostile actions,

and we consider this to be an important step towards the

achievement of national reconciliation, peace and stability

in Tajikistan. The Security Council and the international

community noted with satisfaction the signing of that

document. From this rostrum I would like to express the

hope that the question of dispatching United Nations

military observers to Tajikistan will be resolved without

delay.

I express our gratitude to the Governments and the

peoples of the Russian Federation, the United States of

America, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the Islamic

Republic of Iran, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and

other concerned parties and countries for their assistance

in the promotion of the inter-Tajik dialogue.

However, I must state with regret that there have

been recurrent outbreaks of violence, initiated by the

unmotivated escalation of the armed opposition and

manifested in acts of terror, taking of hostages and other

subversive actions. We consider these actions a deviation

from political methods of resolving contentious questions

and reconciling existing contradictions. We also see them

as showing disregard of the international community’s

appeal to the Tajik parties to show restraint and

countenance no action that might impede the process of

negotiations.

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Despite those actions, the political leaders of

Tajikistan took a series of practical steps to strengthen

confidence-building measures. At its twentieth session the

Parliament of Tajikistan decided to postpone the

referendum and the elections. The aim of this initiative of

the members of Parliament was to involve the widest

possible spectrum of political forces in the constitutional

process, to give everyone wishing to return home an

opportunity to do so and to let all our compatriots who had

the bad fortune to be outside the country take part in the

elections. We are using this extra time to make proper

preparations for addressing organizational questions

concerning the invitation of observers from the United

Nations, the CSCE, other international organizations and

interested countries to the elections.

We reaffirm our principled position to solve existing

contentious questions by means of dialogue. We are

convinced that the opposition’s reliance on force and the

commensurate reaction to it may cause unpredictable

consequences leading to the undermining of the stabilization

process and of the positive decisions reached during

negotiations.

At the same time I consider it necessary to draw the

Assembly’s attention to another very important aspect of

this problem. It seems that the irreconcilable wing of the

opposition is cultivating plans of expanding the

geographical scope of the inter-Tajik conflict by instituting

the use of mercenaries in the armed confrontation. This

creates conditions for the internationalization of the conflict,

which may in turn threaten to spread the confrontation

throughout Central Asia. It is easy to imagine what serious

consequences this may have.

Speaking from this rostrum, I must draw the

Assembly’s attention to our anxiety over the current

situation in the neighbouring Islamic State of Afghanistan.

The world cannot remain indifferent to the situation in that

country, where internecine war came to dominate social

relations. The Afghan conflict has brought forth a

dangerous phenomenon: the emergence of anarchic

geographical units that can become a base for international

terrorism and unpunished trafficking in weapons and drugs.

The situation on the Tajik-Afghan border keeps a vast

region in tension. Central Asia’s fragile backbone of

political balance may not withstand the high pressure, and

the destructive processes taking place in Afghanistan right

now may lead to a regional cataclysm. We urge that the

Afghan problem be given the world Community’s most

serious consideration. Furthermore, we are convinced that

the alleviation of tension in Afghanistan will significantly

and positively influence the solution of the inter-Tajik

conflict. We have no doubt that the people of

Afghanistan will ultimately achieve reconciliation and

restore peace to their country. We sincerely wish the

people of Afghanistan success in achieving these goals as

soon as possible.

In current circumstances, with many hotbeds of

tension caused by the cold war still existing, the

peace-keeping efforts of the world community have a

particularly important role. It is evident that there are

certain rules limiting the use of United Nations

peace-keeping forces, which reduces the effectiveness of

measures taken by the Organization in this regard.

I would once again like to draw the attention of the

Security Council and the Assembly squarely to the

question of giving to the Commonwealth of Independent

States (CIS) joint peace-keeping forces in Tajikistan the

status of a United Nations operation. The CIS countries

are helping Tajikistan with the protection of its southern

borders, which are at the same time the borders of the

Commonwealth. In this regard we recognize the special

and leading role of Russia, which has been and remains

the guarantor of stability and security for all Central

Asian States. We do not believe the presence of the CIS

peace-keeping forces in our country contradicts the

decisions of the Security Council or the initiatives of the

Secretary-General aimed at achieving peace in Tajikistan.

Moreover, from our point of view, these forces are the

decisive factor in deterrence and in overcoming a state of

crisis on the Tajik-Afghan border. Taking a wider view

of this problem, one might even see the outlines of a new

concept of security for the whole of Central Asia. We

still hope the Security Council will find it opportune to

reconsider our initiative to call a special meeting of the

Council to consider the situation in and around Tajikistan,

as well as the question of giving the CIS joint

peace-keeping forces the status of a United Nations

peace-keeping force.

The tragedies of the peoples of Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Rwanda, Somalia and the hot spots in the

CIS all give evidence of the fact that the danger of

nuclear catastrophe has been replaced by civil conflicts

caused by international, religious or ethnic differences and

that their recurrence is becoming the primary problem for

the world community.

I should like to say a few words on the question of

the proposed reform of the Organization. On the whole

3

we support the idea of expanding the Security Council.

Such a step, on the one hand, would reflect the global

changes taking place in today’s world and, on the other

hand, would give an opportunity to achieve a more

balanced representation in the Council.

The emerging consensus on the need to enlarge the

number of seats in the Security Council will probably

improve the efficiency of this central body of the United

Nations. In other words, the Council will enhance its

potential, acquire more dynamism, increase the variety of

decisions it takes and generate a wider spectrum of ideas.

The world is diverse and is thus unique. Its diversity,

however, does not preclude the process of integration. A

praiseworthy example is Europe. A better future for

mankind is apparently based on these kinds of processes.

Tajikistan as a member of the world community sees

the future of its development in the integration processes on

various levels, in cooperation with neighbouring and distant

countries, regions and international organizations.

The activities of the CSCE have proved to us the

efficiency of such cooperation. Its informal approach to the

accelerated integration of Tajikistan into the international

community and the realization of the mandate of the CSCE

Mission to Tajikistan will undoubtedly be among the major

factors in the achievement of national reconciliation in our

country. To a considerable extent we rely upon CSCE

assistance to enhance democratic institutions and create a

society founded on the rule of law and on the basis of high

standards that will provide universal human rights and

freedoms for every citizen. While carrying out active

preparation for the upcoming Budapest summit meeting, we

hope to put forward at that important forum our view of the

problems and to define the areas of cooperation.

Undoubtedly for us the question of participation in the

Commonwealth of Independent States is vital.

Our present position is that independence and

sovereignty is not a sword but is rather the shield of a

nation that must be strong but not heavy. Independence

should not burden human lives but on the contrary should

make everybody’s life easier and give all people on Earth

the opportunity to be equal. Principles of independence and

sovereignty in the current period of history must be flexible

and diverse, for the main goal is to ensure that people who

used to have deeply rooted historical ties now have an

opportunity for a wider realization of their economic and

spiritual potential in the interests of future generations.

It is precisely in this light that we consider the

development of the Commonwealth of Independent States

that is trying to find a mutually acceptable form of

integration without harming national interests. Despite

well-known difficulties the Commonwealth of

Independent States pragmatically searches for ways to

rationalize all mechanisms of interaction among its

members.

I am convinced that the leadership and the people of

States members of the Commonwealth of Independent

States have by now recognized the truth that it is

unrealistic to expect that, alone, a country can expect to

solve the task of renewing society and of carrying out

reforms. We are facing the historical reality of building

our future by cooperative and coordinated efforts.

In the post-Soviet period, Russia - a permanent

member of the Security Council - has assumed a heavy

burden and responsibility for peace-keeping on a greater

part of the territory of the former Soviet Union. We note

with deep satisfaction that these supreme efforts of Russia

have started to bring results. The multinational nation of

Tajikistan highly appreciates and welcomes the

peace-keeping activities of Russia.

I should like to note in this context that the ideas of

concluding a comprehensive nuclear test-ban treaty, of

adopting the decision on the Non-Proliferation Treaty’s

open-ended and unconditional extension, of developing

regional programmes to strengthen peace and security,

and other proposals put forward by Mr. Boris Yeltsin,

President of the Russian Federation, in his address to the

forty-ninth session of the United Nations General

Assembly and aimed at strengthening international

security, all deserve the broadest support.

Tajikistan notes with gratitude the initiatives by

Uzbekistan to bring about a peaceful solution to the intra-

Tajik conflict and to ensure security and stability in the

region of Central Asia.

We highly appreciate our good-neighbourly relations

with the States of Central Asia. We hope that the sphere

of their integration efforts will expand in the interests of

all countries of the region of Central Asia. They deserve

careful study and support.

Nowadays it is universally recognized that alongside

political questions, problems of social and economic

development have assumed the same importance and

urgency. The correctness of this statement is confirmed

4

by the conclusions reached at the end of the high-level

Economic and Social Council segment, that we support and

approve. It is our firm conviction that the main aim of

restructuring the United Nations should be to preserve and

increase its potential to solve the whole range of

development issues.

For the Republic of Tajikistan which has found itself

in the hard grip of a transitional period aggravated by the

consequences of tragic events in recent years, the problem

of economic survival has become a critical test. According

to the "development indicators" data published by the

World Bank, Tajikistan has been included in the group of

countries with the lowest level of per capita income.

Today Tajikistan badly needs the help of the

international community, not only to restore its economy

but also to create the conditions for long-term development.

Our country, which is a land-locked State, is counting on

special attention from the international community in

matters of economic and social development, and hopes that

its appeal to include Tajikistan in the group of least

developed countries will be properly understood and

supported by the United Nations community.

I assure Members that the highest objective for the

leaders of the Republic of Tajikistan is the achievement of

values common to all humanity, calmness and peace in our

Republic, the creation of a unified, peaceful, developed

State of Tajikistan. And I hope that all countries of the

world will help us to achieve this noble objective.

Eighty years ago the fire of the First World War broke

out, and very soon - in a few months - humanity will mark

the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Second World

War. These dates will forever be inscribed in the history

of the twentieth century, in the history of the world. Still,

the dates themselves are not as important as the lessons

which these events have taught us.

The bitter experience of the Second World War

persuaded the leading Powers of the necessity to create an

international organization the aim of which would be the

maintenance and enhancement of peace all over the world.

The main achievement of the United Nations during the

almost 50 years of its existence has been saving humankind

from the fire of a new world war, and its development has

taken place on the basis of enhancing mutual understanding

and cooperation, taking into account the interests of all

parties, and the equality of large and small nations in the

name of preserving our planet for future generations.

Now, at the end of the twentieth century, it gives us

great hope that the world community will not only

prevent the outbreak of a third world war but will do its

best to make sure that the twenty-first century will

become a period of creativity and calm on the whole

planet.