The Security Council,

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

Having considered the report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Tajikistan of 4 November 1999 (S/1999/1127),

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

Welcoming significant progress in the peace process in Tajikistan, particularly the holding of the constitutional referendum which followed the official declaration by the United Tajik Opposition (UTO) of the disbandment of its armed units and the decision by the Supreme Court of Tajikistan lifting the bans and restrictions on activities by the political parties and movements of the UTO, and noting with satisfaction that these developments have set Tajikistan on the course of national reconciliation and democratization,

Welcoming also the renewed efforts of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and the leadership of the Commission on National Reconciliation (CNR) to advance and to expedite the implementation of the General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord in Tajikistan (S/1997/510), which have helped to contain emerging controversies and to reach the important milestones envisaged in the General Agreement,

Acknowledging the holding of the presidential elections on 6 November 1999 as a necessary and important step towards durable peace in Tajikistan,

Welcoming further the maintenance of close contact by the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan (UNMOT) with the parties, as well as its cooperative liaison with the Collective Peacekeeping Forces of the Commonwealth of Independent States (the CIS Peacekeeping Forces), the Russian border forces and the Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),

Noting with appreciation the continued contribution of the Contact Group of Guarantor States and International Organizations to the peace process, in particular through periodic joint plenary meetings with the CNR to review progress and to help to overcome difficulties in the implementation of the General Agreement,

Welcoming the fact that the general situation in Tajikistan has remained relatively calm with better security than in earlier periods, while noting that the situation in some parts of the country remained tense,

Recognizing that comprehensive international support remains crucial for achieving a positive outcome of the peace process in Tajikistan,

1. Welcomes the report of the Secretary-General of 4 November 1999;

2. Calls upon the parties to undertake further concerted measures to implement fully the General Agreement, especially all the provisions of the Protocol on military issues (S/1997/209, annex II), and to create conditions for the timely holding of parliamentary elections, underlines the necessity of the full resumption of the work of the CNR, and reiterates its encouragement to the CNR to intensify its efforts to broaden a dialogue among the various political forces in the country in the interests of the restoration and strengthening of civil accord in Tajikistan;

3. Welcomes the signing on 5 November 1999 by the President of Tajikistan and the Chairman of the CNR of the Protocol on political guarantees during the preparation for and holding of the elections to the Majlis-i Oli (the parliament) of the Republic of Tajikistan (S/1999/1159, annex), and, bearing in mind concerns expressed by the Secretary-General in his report regards the strict implementation of this Protocol as essential for the successful holding of free, fair and democratic parliamentary elections under international monitoring as foreseen in the General Agreement;

4. Notes with appreciation the work of the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and of all the personnel of UNMOT, encourages them to continue assisting the parties in the implementation of the General Agreement, reiterates the need for the Mission to operate throughout Tajikistan and to have the necessary personnel and financial support, and requests the Secretary-General to continue to consider means of ensuring a full and active role for UNMOT in the implementation of the General Agreement;

5. Reiterates the importance of the involvement of the United Nations, in continued close cooperation with the OSCE, in the preparations for and monitoring of the parliamentary elections in Tajikistan, which will be the last major event of the transitional period envisaged in the General Agreement;

6. Supports the continued active involvement of the Contact Group in the peace process;

7. 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;

8. Calls upon the parties to cooperate further in ensuring the security and freedom of movement of the personnel of the United Nations, the CIS Peacekeeping Forces and other international personnel, and reminds the parties that the ability of the international community to mobilize and to continue assistance for Tajikistan is linked to the security of those personnel;

9. Expresses its deep concern at the precarious humanitarian situation in Tajikistan, and welcomes the assistance provided by Member States, international organizations and humanitarian workers towards the implementation of the General Agreement and addressing the humanitarian, rehabilitation and development needs of Tajikistan;

10. Calls upon Member States and others concerned to make voluntary contributions to launch projects for demobilization and reintegration and to provide support for the elections, and to continue to respond promptly and generously to the consolidated inter-agency appeal for Tajikistan for 1999, and welcomes the preparation of a new appeal for 2000 as a strategic document that will guide a gradual transition to a more development-oriented focus;

11. Decides to extend the mandate of UNMOT for a period of six months until 15 May 2000;

12. Requests the Secretary-General to keep the Council informed of all significant developments, also requests him to submit after the parliamentary elections and within four months of the adoption of this resolution an interim report on its implementation, and supports his intention to outline in the above-mentioned report the future political role for the United Nations in assisting Tajikistan to continue on the path of peace and national reconciliation and contributing to the democratic development of Tajik society after the mandate of UNMOT is concluded;

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

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