Annan Calls For Extension of UN Observer Force in Tajikistan
May 9, 1998 - 0:0
UNITED NATIONS Following the latest outburst of fighting in Tajikistan, Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday recommended UN military observers remain in the Central Asian country for another six months. In a report to the Security Council, Annan said progress in implementing a peace accord had been slow and it was unlikely that elections can be held as planned this year. Annan recommended that the council extend the presence of the 70-member military observer force in the former Soviet republic until at least Nov. 15.
During the past three months, progress in the peace process has been very slow, and ... the task of building confidence between the former adversaries is more difficult than anticipated, Annan said. As a result, it now seems unlikely that elections can be held in 1998, he added. Last week, clashes between the government and the united Tajik opposition killed 45 people and 80 wounded.
The fighting was among the greatest blows yet to the 1997 peace accord that ended Tajikistan's five-year civil war. (AP)
During the past three months, progress in the peace process has been very slow, and ... the task of building confidence between the former adversaries is more difficult than anticipated, Annan said. As a result, it now seems unlikely that elections can be held in 1998, he added. Last week, clashes between the government and the united Tajik opposition killed 45 people and 80 wounded.
The fighting was among the greatest blows yet to the 1997 peace accord that ended Tajikistan's five-year civil war. (AP)