A/55/775
S/2001/121
Security Council
Fifty-sixth year
General Assembly
Fifty-fifth session
Agenda items 20 and 46
Strengthening of the coordination of humanitarian and disaster relief assistance of the United Nations, including special economic assistance
The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace and security
Letter dated 8 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
I have the honour to forward herewith the text of a letter dated 7 February 2001 addressed to you by His Excellency Burhân-ud-din Rabbâni, President of the Islamic State of Afghanistan (see annex).
I should be grateful if you would have the text of the present letter and its annex circulated as a document of the General Assembly, under agenda items 20 and 46, and of the Security Council.
(Signed) Ravan Farhâdi
Ambassador
Permanent Representative
Annex to the letter dated 8 February 2001 from the Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General
Extending my best wishes for your health and well-being, I seize the moment to express our appreciation for your interest in finding a solution to the Afghan crisis and facilitating aid for the oppressed people of Afghanistan.
You are aware that the Afghan nation, as a result of the imposed war and blatant foreign intervention, compounded by the drought, has faced burdensome hardships. Additionally, the continued Taliban military offensives during the current harsh winter, shortages of food and aid, leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Afghan families, the brutal winter and the closed borders of our neighbouring States - all constitute a tragedy for our nation, one where the death of hundreds of internally displaced persons manifests the immensity of such a tragedy.
On the other hand, the forced expulsion of thousands of Afghan refugee families from Pakistan is another sad event in the series of endless grievances of this oppressed nation. It would have been better if Pakistan, instead of deporting these oppressed refugees, would have prevented the crossing of armed consignments, which enter Afghanistan from Pakistan on a regular basis with the aim of carrying out mass execution of the people, destroying and torching their houses and villages.
As per your request, Mr. Kamal Hosain, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, while expressing concern regarding the summary execution of innocent civilians in Yaka-owlang by the Taliban, also requested the parties to the conflict to take steps towards a cessation of hostilities.
Welcoming this humane request wholeheartedly, the Islamic State of Afghanistan is ready to put an end to the conflict and to start, under the supervision of the United Nations, negotiations with the Taliban.
It is our wish that the Taliban, instead of continuing the path of war and dragging the oppressed Afghan nation towards additional horrendous tragedies, deploy efforts towards the termination of the crisis. Reminded of God's wrath, judgement of history and anger of the Afghan nation, they are to take no more strides in the annihilation and abjectness of the people.
While expressing appreciation for your noble and human feelings regarding Afghanistan, I should like to draw your attention to alleviating the humanitarian situation of the people and to assisting us in putting a stop to the crisis in Afghanistan.
(Signed) Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani
President
Islamic State of Afghanistan
Badakhshan, Afghanistan, 7 February 2001