Moscow (08/21/97) — Ambassador Bill Richardson, U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations, held talks August 17 with Uzbekistan President I.A. Karimov on issues related to U.N. reform, U.S.-Uzbek relations, and regional security matters, with particular attention to the situation in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The Uzbekistan president supported the proposal of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and of Ambassador Richardson to resume the repatriation of Tajik refugees from Afghanistan to Tajikistan through the mediation of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to a press release received August 21 from the U.S. Information Service, American Embassy in Moscow.

Following is the text of the press release:

(Begin text)

On August 17 Uzbekistan President I.A. Karimov received Ambassador Bill Richardson, American Permanent Representative to the United Nations. During the talks, issues related to reform of the United Nations, the situation in the region, and bilateral Uzbek-American relations were discussed.

The two sides agreed to continue cooperation within the framework of the U.N. on the question of reforming that organization.

President Karimov and Ambassador Richardson exchanged views on regional security matters, with particular attention to the situation in Afghanistan and Tajikistan.

The Uzbekistan president supported the proposal of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and of Ambassador Richardson to resume the repatriation of Tajik refugees from Afghanistan to Tajikistan through the mediation of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

In accordance with this agreement, those Tajik refugees so designated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees must be transported to Tajikistan in a manner that ensures both that security concerns and international norms and standards are taken into account. Details of the transit of Uzbek territory by the refugees will be arranged by the UNHCR in cooperation with the Government of Uzbekistan. They will also monitor the transit through Uzbekistan of the Tajik refugees.

The UNHCR also will coordinate the reception and accommodation of the refugees with the government of Tajikistan.

The parties also noted the role and significance of international guarantees for the realization of the inter-Tajik agreement and expressed their willingness to offer necessary cooperation and support to the peace process in Tajikistan as provided in the Tajikistan Peace Accords, including the Protocol on Political Guarantees.

Ambassador Richardson agreed that it is necessary to increase the involvement of the U.N. in mediating the Tajik crisis.

In conclusion, both parties acknowledged the positive developments in Uzbek-American relations in the political, commercial/economic, and other spheres.

Ambassador Richardson was accompanied by Ross Wilson, acting special advisor for the Newly Independent States, and by U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Stanley T. Escudero.

The Uzbek side also included State Counselor for Foreign Affairs Vladimir Norov and Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Komilov.

(End text)