A/RES/51/195 Page 5 Federation, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan,8 the statement issued on 28 October 1996 by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union9 and the Tehran Declaration of 30 October 1996,10 Welcoming the initiative of the Secretary-General to convene the international meeting on Afghanistan on 18 November 1996 in New York and his intention to convene further meetings of the group from time to time, Wishing the people of Afghanistan peace and prosperity, Strongly committed to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of Afghanistan, Expressing concern at the continuation and recent intensification of the military confrontation in Afghanistan, which have caused civilian casualties and an increase in refugees and displaced persons, and which seriously endanger the stability and peaceful development of the region, Deeply concerned about the discrimination against women and girls and other recurring abuses of human rights in Afghanistan, and emphasizing the importance of democracy and of the realization of human rights in any future political process in Afghanistan, Deeply concerned also about the lack of progress in reaching an agreement on the establishment of an acceptable and broadly representative council and an immediate and durable ceasefire and urging all Afghan parties to resolve their differences through peaceful means and achieve national reconciliation through political dialogue, Affirming the readiness of the United Nations to assist the people of Afghanistan in their effort to resolve internal political differences, facilitating national reconciliation leading to the restoration of a fully representative, broad-based transitional government of national unity and to the start of the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction in their country, Convinced that the United Nations, as a universally recognized intermediary, must continue to play a central and impartial role in international efforts towards a peaceful resolution of the Afghan conflict, 8 A/51/470-S/1996/838, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-first Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1996, document S/1996/838. 9 A/51/635-S/1996/894, annex; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fifty-first Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1996, document S/1996/894. 10 A/51/634-S/1996/890; see Official Records of the Security Council, Fiftyfirst Year, Supplement for October, November and December 1996, document S/1996/890. /...