DATE=3/17/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-246790
TITLE=U-N / AFGHANISTAN AGREEMENT (L - ONLY)
BYLINE=MAX RUSTON
DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY)
WELCOMED THE WEEKEND AGREEMENT BETWEEN AFGHANISTAN'S WARRING
PARTIES. BUT THE COUNCIL SAYS MORE TALKS ARE STILL NEEDED TO
ARRANGE A CEASE-FIRE, CREATE A REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT, COMBAT
DRUG TRAFFICKING AND ENSURE THAT THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS
ARE PROTECTED. V-O-A CORRESPONDENT MAX RUSTON REPORTS FROM OUR
UNITED NATIONS BUREAU.
TEXT: AFTER THE SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVED A BRIEFING ON THE
SITUATION IN AFGHANISTAN, COUNCIL PRESIDENT QIN HUASUN OF CHINA
READ A STATEMENT WELCOMING THE JUST-COMPLETED, U-N - MEDIATED
TALKS BETWEEN THE COUNTRY'S WARRING PARTIES. THOSE TALKS, WHICH
TOOK PLACE IN ASHGABAT, TURKMENISTAN, RESULTED IN A GENERAL
AGREEMENT ON POWER SHARING.
/// QIN ACT ///
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL VIEWED THE ASHGABAT TALKS AS A
STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. THEY EXPRESSED THE HOPE
THAT THE PARTIES WOULD CONTINUE THEIR NEGOTIATIONS IN
ORDER TO ACHIEVE AGREEMENT ON SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
RELATING TO AN INTRA-AFGHAN SETTLEMENT, IN PARTICULAR ON
A CEASE-FIRE, ON THE CREATION OF A BROAD-BASED AND FULLY
REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT ACCEPTABLE TO ALL AFGHANS,
WHICH WOULD ENSURE NATIONAL CONCORD AND HARMONY, GOOD
GOVERNMENT, COMPLIANCE WITH THE UNIVERSALLY-RECOGNIZED
NORMS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW IN HUMAN RIGHTS, IN
PARTICULAR THE RIGHTS OF ETHNIC MINORITIES, AND WOMEN
AND GIRLS.
/// END ACT ///
MR. QIN SAYS THE COUNCIL IS ALSO EAGER TO SEE PROGRESS IN
COMBATTING DRUG TRAFFICKING AND PREVENTING THE USE OF AFGHAN
TERRITORY TO CARRY OUT TERRORISM ACTIVITIES.
THE COUNCIL'S STATEMENT COMES AMID SIGNS THAT PARTIES INVOLVED IN
THE TALKS ARE ALREADY INTERPRETING THE RESULTS DIFFERENTLY,
PARTICULARLY ON THE ISSUE OF WHETHER THERE WILL BE A COALITION
GOVERNMENT.
DIPLOMATS SAY THE COUNCIL WANTS TO DO WHATEVER IT CAN TO ENSURE
THAT PROGRESS MADE IN THE TALKS DOES NOT UNRAVEL. THERE ARE
CONCERNS IN THE COUNCIL THAT INCREASED FIGHTING IN AFGHANISTAN
COULD LEAD TO INSTABILITY IN SOME NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES.
THE TALIBAN CONTROLS AN ESTIMATED 90 PERCENT OF AFGHANISTAN. THE
REMAINDER OF THE COUNTRY IS CONTROLLED BY A GROUP OF OPPOSITION
FORCES. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THE
TALIBAN BUT DOES MAINTAIN A WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH IT ON
HUMANITARIAN ISSUES. (SIGNED)
NEB/UN/MPR/LSF/WTW
17-Mar-99 5:28 PM EST (2228 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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