General Assembly Session 50 meeting 95

The President

As indicated in document A/50/817, the General Assembly, by its decision 49/321 of 23 December 1994, appointed four members of the Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term of office beginning on 1 January 1996 and expiring on 31 December 2000. Subsequently, the Secretary-General was informed that one such member, Mr. Ali Badara Tall, of Burkina Faso, had submitted his resignation on 17 October 1995 before commencing his term of office, which would have started on 1 January 1996 and expired on 31 December 2000.

The General Assembly is accordingly required, at the fiftieth session, to appoint a person to serve as a member of the Joint Inspection Unit for a five-year term of office beginning on 1 January 1996 and expiring on 31 December 2000.

In accordance with the procedures described in article 3, paragraph 1, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, having consulted the regional group concerned, and on the basis of a candidature submitted by the African States, I have determined that Burkina Faso should be requested to propose a candidate to replace Mr. Tall.

As further indicated in document A/50/817, as a result of consultations in accordance with article 3, paragraph 2, of the statute of the Joint Inspection Unit, including consultations with the President of the Economic and Social Council and with the Secretary-General in his capacity as Chairman of the Administrative Committee on Coordination, I now submit to the Assembly the candidature of Mr. Louis Dominique Ouedraogo, of Burkina Faso, for appointment as a member of the Joint Inspection Unit for a term of office commencing on 1 January 1996 and expiring on 31 December 2000.

May I take it that it is the wish of the General Assembly to appoint the candidate?

The President

The Assembly has thus concluded its consideration of sub-item (g) of agenda item 17.

Before starting consideration of the next agenda items, in view of the large number of speakers on the list for this afternoon, I should like to appeal to the delegations concerned to limit their statements to a maximum of 10 minutes. I thank delegations in advance for their cooperation.

The President

The draft resolution before the Assembly, issued as document A/50/L.60, has two parts: part A is entitled "Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan" and part B is entitled "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security".

I now call on the representative of Germany to introduce draft resolution A/50/L.60.

Mr. Henze (Germany)

Germany is pleased to introduce the draft resolution whose two parts are entitled "Emergency international assistance for peace, normalcy and reconstruction of war-stricken Afghanistan" and "The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security".

The draft resolution is sponsored by the following Member States: Afghanistan, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ireland, Japan, Jordan, Kazaksktan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Yemen.

My country has enjoyed a long history of friendly and intensive relations with all segments of Afghan society. We therefore feel honoured that, as at the forty-ninth session of the General Assembly, we were again able to work together with interested delegations on the texts now before us. In this respect, I would like to thank the delegations that participated in this exercise for their cooperation.

At the same time, we are deeply worried about the continuing civil war in Afghanistan, which has brought massive destruction upon the country and immeasurable grief upon its people. Civilian targets are being bombarded, massive violations of human rights are occurring and there is no end to the plight of the population.

While the developments on the ground in Afghanistan over the last 12 months may be cause for sadness, and while there may be frustration that more could not be accomplished in the search for peace, we must not give up hope that progress is possible, and we should strengthen our efforts to achieve such progress.

To do so, we should make an unvarnished assessment of the situation in Afghanistan. Also, we should try to be clear on what the international community can and should do to help and what can be accomplished only by the Afghan parties themselves. On this basis, we should define ways to support and further strengthen the efforts of the United Nations in Afghanistan.

The draft resolution I am introducing today follows this approach. It takes stock and gives an unvarnished assessment of the situation. The draft expresses deep concern about the lack of progress in reaching an agreement on the establishment of an acceptable and broadly representative mechanism, the transfer of power and an immediate and durable cease-fire. It also expresses deep concern about the consequences of 16 years of war, the prolongation and, in some regions, intensification of armed hostilities and violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. It affirms Afghanistan's need for continued international assistance and takes note of the extremely critical economic situation of this land-locked, least developed and war-stricken country.

The draft resolution urgently appeals to the international community, including the international financial institutions, to provide much-needed assistance for humanitarian and, as far as conditions on the ground permit, reconstruction purposes. It calls upon all States to promote peace in Afghanistan, to stop the flow of weapons to the parties and to put an end to this destructive conflict. At the same time, it calls upon all States to strictly refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of Afghanistan and to respect the right of the Afghan people to determine their own destiny.

The draft resolution also makes it clear that peace can only be achieved by the parties themselves. It urges the leaders of all Afghan parties to renounce the use of force and to settle their differences by peaceful means. It reiterates its call upon all Afghans, especially the leaders of the parties, to cooperate fully with the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan in establishing a broad-based authoritative council and to cooperate with this. It also states the close interrelationship between peace and normalcy in Afghanistan and the country's chances for economic development.

On the basis of this assessment of the situation in Afghanistan and the draft resolution's appeals to the international community and the Afghan parties, the draft resolution centres on extending strong support for the United Nations effort in Afghanistan. It welcomes the efforts of the United Nations Special Mission headed by Ambassador Mahmoud Mestiri. It underlines the importance of the urgent creation of a fully representative and broad-based authoritative council. It emphasizes the continuing need of the Special Mission for strong political support by the international community. Finally, it welcomes the decision of the Secretary-General to strengthen the Mission by stationing four additional political counsellors in Afghanistan.

We hope this draft resolution will be adopted by consensus. In doing so, the General Assembly would send a strong message of support to Afghanistan, would call upon the parties to end this terrible conflict and would call upon the international community and all States to do all they can to contribute to putting an end to the bloodshed. But, first and foremost, this resolution would extend an offer to the people and the parties in Afghanistan -- an offer of strengthened support from the United Nations, both in the humanitarian and the political fields.

Finally, I would like to strongly urge all parties in Afghanistan to accept this offer and to make the best possible use of it. If they do so, I am convinced that progress towards peace and security and away from war and endless suffering, can and will eventually be achieved.

The President

I should like to propose that, if there is no objection, the list of speakers in the debate on this item be closed at 3.45 this afternoon.

The President

I therefore request those representatives wishing to participate in the debate to inscribe their names on the list of speakers as soon as possible.

Mr. Kharrazi (Iran)

The situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate, resulting in the continued killing of and injury to many innocent civilians, the displacement of thousands of people and widespread destruction of property in that war-stricken country. It was our fervent hope that, after the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the establishment of an Islamic State in that country, Afghan parties and groups would set aside their differences and work towards the reconstruction of their country. But, unfortunately, more fighting replaced a period of calm, and the suffering of the people of Afghanistan has continued, especially in Kabul, whose people are suffering from both a hard winter and indiscriminate attacks against civilian targets.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, which has many things, as well as a long border, in common with the people of Afghanistan, has traditionally maintained close and friendly relations with that country. We are therefore gravely concerned about the situation there. Besides being host to millions of Afghan refugees and rendering humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, my country has spared no effort to help various parties and groups inside Afghanistan to overcome their difficulties and differences. In that respect, we have repeatedly called upon all parties to agree on a durable cease-fire and a just and lasting political settlement.

Nevertheless, we are keenly aware of the sensitivity of the Afghan people with respect to foreign interference in their internal affairs and the imposition of any solution from outside, and we utterly respect and support their right to determine their own destiny. On this basis, our policy has focused on maintaining contact with the Government and all Afghan groups to persuade them to arrive at a solution through negotiations.

We firmly believe that what the people of Afghanistan need first and foremost is the support of the entire international community in bringing about a peaceful solution, acceptable to all parties, to this regrettable fratricidal war. For our part, we continue to use every opportunity to promote peace, and we shall continue to cooperate with our neighbours to help to achieve peace in Afghanistan, which will serve the best interests of all the people of the region.

The United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan, headed by Ambassador Mahmoud Mestiri, has played a crucial role in the efforts to bring peace and normality to Afghanistan. Ambassador Mestiri has our full support and cooperation in his difficult task. We also commend and support the efforts of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) in this regard. We hope that the close cooperation and coordination between the United Nations, the OIC and neighbouring countries will give added impetus to the peace process in Afghanistan.

The sad situation in Afghanistan has endangered the very basic rights of the innocent people of that country, who are living in an exceedingly difficult situation. As the Secretary-General points out in his report, the incidence of disease and malnutrition in some areas of the country is reaching alarming proportions. The need to address these poverty-related issues simultaneously with the rehabilitation of war-affected areas and reconstruction of the country is critical to improving the overall situation there and to achieving a sustainable development process.

We agree with the Secretary-General that the transition from humanitarian assistance to rehabilitation and development is not a linear process. Humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation must be pursued in parallel, with the longer-term development perspective always being kept in mind. It is in this context that an enduring commitment on the part of the international community to providing both humanitarian assistance and financial support is necessary in order to restore peace and prosperity to Afghanistan.

Since 1980 the Islamic Republic of Iran has been host to 2.5 million Afghan refugees, whom we have received and protected with a very high standard of treatment, based on our Islamic values and international commitments. Unfortunately, international assistance for these refugees and their repatriation has not been commensurate with the magnitude of the problems.

Since the establishment of the Islamic State of Afghanistan, we have been in close contact with its Government in order to facilitate the voluntary return of Afghan refugees to their homes. Thus far, about 1 million refugees have returned to their country voluntarily, and the process is being monitored through close coordination between the two Governments and related agencies of the United Nations.

However, the problem of millions of anti-personnel land-mines and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan, as well as continuing armed hostilities in the country, may be preventing many Afghan refugees from returning to their homes. To ensure the safe and secure repatriation and resettlement of refugees, international cooperation and assistance to remove the existing obstacles is an absolute necessity.

Last year, in coordination with the World Health Organization, my country initiated a vaccination plan for Afghan children. It has distributed 8 million doses of vaccine throughout Afghanistan. In addition, Afghan medical groups have been trained in Iran, and hospitals and clinics have been established in certain areas of Afghanistan. We have also made arrangements to establish a Joint Commission to examine ways of more effectively controlling the flow of narcotics through the region and converting the poppy-growing areas in Afghanistan to the production of useful alternative crops that meet the basic needs of the Afghan people.

Besides all these initiatives, fuels, food and non-food assistance have been provided to the people of Afghanistan on an ongoing basis. This task will continue to be pursued with dedication and vigilance.

Finally, we hope that with the adoption of draft resolution A/50/L.60 the approach of the international community with regard to Afghanistan will enter a new phase. Today, Afghanistan is in dire need of our support to arrive at an immediate and durable cease-fire and to form an acceptable transitional government. Similarly, it needs our commitments to render all financial, technical and material assistance for the restoration of basic services, the reconstruction of Afghanistan, and the voluntary, safe and secure return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their homes. The Islamic Republic of Iran continues to do its utmost to contribute to these humanitarian endeavours.

Mr. Owada (Japan)

Today Afghanistan finds itself in a tragic situation. The internal conflict in that country has been going on for more than 15 years. It has had disastrous consequences for the civilian population and has nearly destroyed the country's social infrastructure.

The situation in Afghanistan, if it continues in this way, could threaten the stability of the region to such an extent that the conflict, if left unattended, could spread to neighbouring countries. Indeed, it is my Government's conviction that the present situation demands the urgent attention of the international community. In particular, the vigilance of the United Nations is of immediate urgency. In this regard, the efforts of the United Nations Special Mission to Afghanistan under Ambassador Mahmoud Mestiri and of the Secretary-General's Office in Afghanistan, to both of which I wish to pay high tribute, are of utmost importance for achieving peace and promoting national reconstruction and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

As an Asian country, Japan is gravely concerned about the present situation. We in Japan are particularly concerned that some foreign countries are providing the warring parties, directly or indirectly, with military weapons, ammunition and other forms of military-related assistance. This, we believe, is at least in part responsible for the prolongation of the very dangerous situation in Afghanistan. Japan calls upon those countries to immediately halt such exports -- which are in fact illegal -- and to actively support the efforts of the United Nations aimed at achieving peace among the parties concerned.

The humanitarian situation and human rights problems in Afghanistan are also sources of grave concern. Japan attaches particular importance to the safe and voluntary return of refugees and displaced persons. Also, demining activities and infrastructure building should be essential elements in the reconstruction of the political system.

Japan urges all the parties concerned to cease their hostile activities and accept the peace plan set forth by the Special Mission of the United Nations, which provides for negotiations for the transfer of power and the establishment of a transitional mechanism. For the United Nations to play a significant role in this context, it is essential that the parties to the conflict ensure that the safety and security of United Nations personnel in no way be jeopardized. The parties to the conflict must guarantee the freedom of movement of such personnel.

The Government of Japan has long supported the peaceful efforts of the United Nations. It has provided a political officer to the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Afghanistan (UNGOMAP) and has contributed more than $400 million in refugee assistance, including $12 million for de-mining activities. As one of the fellow members of Asia, Japan feels it incumbent upon it to shoulder a useful role in cooperating with the United Nations for the resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan. It is as a manifestation of this desire on Japan's part that my Government has decided to respond positively to the request of the United Nations and send a political officer to assist Ambassador Mestiri, provided that certain prerequisites for ensuring the safety of his person are met.

As an Asian nation, Japan is especially sensitive to the need to assist the people of Afghanistan in their national reconciliation and reconstruction efforts. I should like, therefore, to strongly urge Member States to support the United Nations as it addresses the myriad problems confronting war-stricken Afghanistan and to abide by their obligations under the draft resolution which the General Assembly is about to adopt.

The Government of Japan, for its part, is committed to contributing to efforts toward the restoration of peace and the building of prosperity in Afghanistan.

The draft resolution introduced by the German delegation and co-sponsored by Japan and other like-minded countries was prepared through a lengthy process of discussion and negotiation. My delegation pays high tribute to the German delegation for the coordinating role it played in achieving consensus among the countries concerned. My delegation considers the draft resolution to be a clear expression of the determination of the international community to assist, in both political and humanitarian spheres, Afghanistan's efforts to restore peace and prosperity. Japan hopes that this draft resolution will be adopted by consensus.