Joint statement by the delegation of the government of Tajikistan and the delegation of the United Tajik Opposition on the results of the talks held in Tehran from 5 to 19 January 1997

On the instructions of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, E. Sh. Rakhmonov, and the leader of. the United Tajik Opposition, S. A. Nuri, delegations of the parties conducted in Tehran from 5 to 19 January 1997, under United Nations auspices, talks on the issues specified in the agreement and protocol signed by them in Moscow on 23 December 1996. The delegation of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan was headed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Talbak Nazarov, and the delegation of the United Tajik Opposition by the first Deputy leader of the United Tajik Opposition, Mr. Akbar Turajonzodah. The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Tajikistan, Mr. Gerd Merrem, acted as facilitator in the course of the talks. The talks were attended by observers from the Islamic State of Afghanistan, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, the organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC).

In accordance with the agreements reached, the parties conducted an in-depth discussion of issues relating to the size of the Commission on National Reconciliation, who should serve on it and its specific functions and powers. In this context, they reviewed a draft protocol on political problems, of which the agreement and protocol of 23 December 1996 form integral parts.

The parties considered a draft statute of the Commission on National Reconciliation and agreed on the structure of the statute, as well as on the number of members of the commission - 27 - and its specific functions and powers. Agreement was reached to continue discussion of issues relating to quotas in the commission and guarantees of the safety of its members.

In the course of the round, progress was made in agreeing on the protocol on political problems. Agreement was reached on three of the four political issues of principle: (a) The procedure for adoption of the Reciprocal Pardon Act and the Amnesty Act;

(b) The central commission on elections and the conduct of the referendum for the transition period and the quota of representatives of the United Tajik Opposition in its membership;

(c) Reform of the Government and the mechanism for including representatives of the United Tajik Opposition in the power structures in accordance with a quota.

The parties agreed to continue discussion of the question of renewal of the activity of the political parties and movements forming part of the United Tajik Opposition.

For purposes of overcoming the consequences of the civil war and achieving peace and national accord, the parties signed the protocol on refugee questions, which forms an integral part of the general agreement on the establishment of peace in the country. The protocol determines the political and legal parameters for voluntary return of refugees and forcibly displaced persons to their homes in conditions of safety and dignity, their reintegration into the economic, political and social life of the country and also the restoration of their civil and property rights and the guaranteeing of their security.

The parties agreed to conduct the next round of talks starting on 26 February 1997, in Moscow or Tehran, in line with the invitations of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The parties expressed their deep gratitude to the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the hospitality and assistance extended for the organization and conduct of the talks in Tehran. They also expressed their gratitude to the representatives of the observer States and international organizations for their cooperation and support in the course of the talks.

The delegations of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the United Tajik Opposition express their sincere appreciation to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Tajikistan for his efforts to secure progress in the talks.

Talbak Nazarov, Head of the Delegation of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan

Khoja Akbar Turajonzodah, Head of the Delegation of the United Tajik Opposition

Gerd Dietrich Merrem, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations for Tajikistan

19 January 1997, Tehran

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