The Security Council,

Recalling all its relevant resolutions and the statements of its President,

Having considered the reports of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan of 4 September 1997 (S/1997/686 and Add.1) and of 5 November 1997 (S/1997/859),

Having considered also the letter of 17 October 1997 from the Secretary-General to the President of the Security Council (S/1997/808),

Reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Tajikistan and to the inviolability of its borders,

Welcoming the progress made by the parties in the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan (S/1997/510) and the effective maintenance of the ceasefire between the Government of Tajikistan and the United Tajik Opposition (UTO),

Expressing concern that the security situation in Tajikistan remains volatile with, in particular, a high level of violence in the central part of the country, although large parts of the country are relatively calm,

Welcoming the decision of the Commonwealth of Independent States to authorize its Collective Peacekeeping Forces (the CIS Peacekeeping Forces) to assist in providing security for United Nations personnel at the request of the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) and with the agreement of the parties,

Taking note of the requests of the parties, contained in the General Agreement and in the letter of 27 June 1997 from the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and UTO leader to the Secretary-General (S/1997/508), for the further assistance of the United Nations in implementing the General Agreement, and recognizing that the implementation of this Agreement will require the consistent good faith and constant effort of the parties, as well as the sustained and vigorous support of the United Nations and the international community,

1. Welcomes the reports of the Secretary-General of 4 September 1997 and of 5 November 1997;

2. Welcomes also the serious efforts made by the Government of Tajikistan and the UTO to carry out their commitments under the General Agreement and the progress achieved in the activities of the Commission on National Reconciliation (CNR), the exchange of prisoners of war and detainees, the registration of UTO fighters inside Tajikistan and the repatriation of refugees from Afghanistan;

3. Notes with appreciation the agreement of the parties to form a joint security unit with the task of providing security, including armed escorts, for UNMOT personnel and transports mainly in the central part of the country and calls upon them to establish it without delay;

4. Authorizes the Secretary-General to expand the size of UNMOT in accordance with his recommendations;

5. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMOT until 15 May 1998;

6. Decides that the mandate of UNMOT shall be as follows:

To use its best efforts to promote peace and national reconciliation and to assist in the implementation of the General Agreement and, to this end, to

(a) Provide good offices and expert advice as stipulated in the General Agreement;

(b) Cooperate with the CNR and its subcommissions, and with the Central Commission on Elections and the Holding of a Referendum;

(c) Participate in the work of the Contact Group of guarantor States and organizations and to serve as its coordinator;

(d) Investigate reports of ceasefire violations and report on them to the United Nations and the CNR;

(e) Monitor the assembly of UTO fighters and their reintegration, disarmament and demobilization;

(f) Assist in the reintegration into governmental power structures or demobilization of ex-combatants;

(g) Coordinate United Nations assistance to Tajikistan during the transition period;

(h) Maintain close contacts with the parties, as well as cooperative liaison with the CIS Peacekeeping Forces, the Russian border forces and the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Tajikistan;

7. Calls upon the parties to cooperate further in ensuring the safety and freedom of movement of the personnel of the United Nations, the CIS Peacekeeping Forces, and other international personnel;

8. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to convene in Vienna on 24 and 25 November 1997 a Donor Conference to obtain international support dedicated to the fulfilment of the General Agreement, and encourages Member States and others concerned to respond promptly and generously to ensure that this opportunity is not lost to contribute to the success of the peace process;

9. Further encourages Member States and others concerned to continue assistance to alleviate the urgent humanitarian needs in Tajikistan and to offer support to Tajikistan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of its economy;

10. Welcomes the continued contribution made by the CIS Peacekeeping Forces in assisting the parties in the implementation of the General Agreement in coordination with all concerned;

11. Commends the efforts of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and of the personnel of UNMOT and encourages them to continue assisting the parties in the implementation of the General Agreement;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council informed of all significant developments, in particular regarding the security situation, and also requests him to report within three months of the adoption of this resolution on its implementation;

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.