acknowledges the right of the people of Afghanistan to freely determine their own political future in accordance with the principles of Islam, democracy, pluralism and social justice, and expresses appreciation of the Afghan mujahedin for their years of combat and sacrifice for the defence of the countrys independence.
notes that these interim arrangements are intended as a first step toward the establishment of a broad-based, gender-sensitive, multi-ethnic and fully representative government.
establishes an Interim Authority consisting of a 30-member Interim Administration presided over by a Chairman, a Special Independent Commission for the Convening of the Emergency Loya Jirga, a Central Bank and a Supreme Court.
lays down that an Emergency Loya Jirga or assembly of elders shall be convened within six months of the establishment of the Interim Authority. The Emergency Loya Jirga will be opened by His Majesty Mohammed Zahir Shah, the former King of Afghanistan.
the Emergency Loya Jirga shall decide on a Transitional Authority, including a broad-based transitional administration, to lead Afghanistan until a fully representative government can be elected through free and fair elections held no later than two years from the date of the convening of the Emergency Loya Jirga.
The agreement says that a Constitutional Loya Jirga shall be convened within eighteen months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority, in order to adopt a new constitution for Afghanistan.
The agreement also essentially restores the constitution of 1964, save for the role given to the monarchy.
It commits the Interim Administration to establish an independent Human Rights Commission with UN help to monitor human rights and investigate violations.
The Special Independent Commission to convene the Emergency Loya Jirga will ensure that due attention is paid to the representation in the Emergency Loya Jirga of a significant number of women as well as all other segments of the Afghan population.
The Emergency Loya Jirga will elect a Head of the State for the Transitional Administration.
Annex I to the agreement provides for an international security force
this says that while responsibility for law and order lies with the Afghans themselves, some time may be needed for Afghans to establish new security and armed forces.
the participants to the talks therefore request the United Nations Security Council to consider authorizing the early deployment to Afghanistan of a United Nations mandated force. This force will assist in the maintenance of security for Kabul and its surrounding areas. Such a force could, as appropriate, be progressively expanded to other urban centres and other areas.
the participants pledge to withdraw all military units from Kabul and other urban centers or other areas in which the UN-mandated force is deployed.
The text of the agreement can be accessed at www.uno.de AFP
