S/PV.4034 Security Council

At the outset, I should like, on behalf of the Security Council, to extend deep sympathy to the Government and the people of Turkey in connection with the great tragedy they have experienced as a result of the major earthquake that occurred in north-western Turkey. I am sure that I speak for all members of the Council in expressing profound shock and sorrow at the great loss of human life and the extensive material damage suffered. I request the representative of Turkey to convey to his Government our sorrow and sincere condolences. Adoption of the agenda

I should like to inform the Council that I have received a letter from the representative of Tajikistan, in which he requests to be invited to participate in the discussion of the item on the Council's agenda. In conformity with the usual practice, I propose, with the consent of the Council, to invite that representative to participate in the discussion, without the right to vote, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter and rule 37 of the Council's provisional rules of procedure. There being no objection, it is so decided.

The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The Council is meeting in accordance with the understanding reached in its prior consultations. Members of the Council have before them the interim report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan, document S/1999/872. “The Security Council has considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan of 12 August 1999 (S/1999/872), submitted pursuant to paragraph 10 of its resolution 1240 (1999) of 15 May 1999. “The Security Council welcomes significant progress in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan (S/1997/510), achieved to a great extent due to the renewed efforts of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the leadership of the Commission on National Reconciliation (CNR). It particularly welcomes the official declaration by the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) of the disbandment of its armed units and the decision by the Supreme Court of Tajikistan lifting the bans and restrictions on activities by the political parties and movements of the UTO as important steps contributing to the democratic development of Tajik society. The Council reiterates its encouragement to the CNR to intensify its efforts aimed at the institution of a broad dialogue among the various political forces in the country in the interests of the restoration and strengthening of civil accord in Tajikistan. “The Security Council encourages the parties to undertake further concerted measures to ensure the full and sequential implementation, in a balanced manner, of the General Agreement, especially all the provisions of the Protocol on Military Issues (S/1997/209, annex II), including those related to the reintegration of former opposition fighters. It also encourages them to continue their active work in creating conditions for the timely holding of a constitutional referendum and presidential and parliamentary elections, underlines the importance of the involvement of the United Nations, in continued close cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, in this process and welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to approach Member States with concrete proposals on voluntary contributions to support such involvement. “The Security Council notes with appreciation the work of the outgoing Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Ján Kubiš, and of all the “The Security Council supports the continued active involvement of the Contact Group of Guarantor States and International Organizations in the peace process. “The Security Council welcomes the continued contribution made by the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States in assisting the parties in the implementation of the General Agreement in coordination with all concerned. This statement will be issued as a document of the Security Council under the symbol S/PRST/1999/25. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.