Annan extends UN office 1 year to support peace-building efforts in Tajikistan

Secretary-General Kofi Annan has decided to continue for another year the activities of the United Nations office in Tajikistan in order to support the country's post-conflict peace-building efforts, particularly in light of the various problems that contribute to a "fragile political equilibrium."

In a letter to the President of the 15-member Security Council, Mr. Annan says he decided to extend the UN Tajikistan Office of Peace-building (UNTOP) to 1 June 2004 because of the country's continued instability and the positive role played by the Office.

"A multiplicity of problems related to the civil war, including the high unemployment rate among ex-combatants, the spread of small arms among civilians, drug trafficking and the resurgence of extremist organizations, such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir, make the political equilibrium of the country fragile," Mr. Annan states.

Since it was established in June 2000, UNTOP's activities have focused on the consolidation of peace and national reconciliation, the promotion of the rule of law, the strengthening of democratic institutions, capacity-building in the area of human rights and the social integration of ex-combatants.

In pursuit of these objectives, Mr. Annan says UNTOP continued a series of Political Discussion Club meetings held in all provinces of the country. During the past two years these Club meetings have become events of national political importance and a catalyst for national reconciliation.

Furthermore, the holding of free, fair and non-violent general elections in 2005 would be an important objective and an indicator of UNTOP's success, Mr. Annan says.