UN General Assembly
1996

country by torpedoing the agreements reached at the inter- Tajik talks. By constantly and flagrantly violating the Tajik-Afghan sector of the southern border of the Commonwealth of Independent States, it is inflicting pain 24 and suffering on the civil population and causing irreparable damage to the unique wildlife of the Pamir region. The leadership of Tajikistan believes that the road to peace in the country lies through the continuation of dialogue and the resolution of existing differences through constitutional legitimacy and only by political means. The Republic of Tajikistan sincerely appreciates the active humanitarian mediation of the United Nations, which is searching for ways to resolve the conflict peacefully. My Government greatly values the personal contribution made by the Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, his Special Representative, Mr. Gerd Merrem, and the United Nations Mission of Observers in Tajikistan to the settlement of the conflict. We greatly appreciate the significant contribution made to the peace process by other international organizations, as well as by the States attending the talks as observers. In particular I would like to note the constructive role