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EURASIA INSIGHT

TAJIKISTAN: DUSHANBE MAKES DIPLOMATIC PROTEST TO UZBEKISTAN
1/28/09

The Tajik Foreign Ministry has sent a diplomatic note of protest to the Russian embassy in Dushanbe over the recent joint communiqué issued by Uzbek President Islam Karimov and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, over the two leaders’ insistence that hydroelectric projects in Central Asia meet international standards. Tajik officials view the communiqué as an attempt to hamper Dushanbe’s efforts to complete the Rogun dam.

According to a report published by the Russian newspaper Nevazisimaya on January 28, Tajik officials also see the communiqué as a clear expression of preference for Uzbek interests. Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have wrangled over a variety of issues since the 1991 Soviet collapse, including Islamic militants, water, hydroelectric power, and the operation of the Talco aluminum plant.

Tajikistan is currently seeking investors for the completion of the $6 billion Rogun dam project on the Vakhsh River. The wording of the Uzbek-Russian communiqué implies that Rogun and other Tajik projects can’t meet internationally recognized safety and environmental specifications.

"We are surprised by the statements Medvedev made in Tashkent as they are at odds with statements made during his state visit to Dushanbe," the newspaper quoted a Tajik government source as saying. The official added that when Medvedev was in Dushanbe, he pledged Russian assistance for Rogun and several other Tajik hydroelectric projects.

In August of 2007, Tajikistan abruptly canceled an agreement with the Kremlin-aligned Russian concern Rusal to complete Rogun and improve operations at Talco. At the time, some political observers speculated that geopolitical factors -- in particular Tashkent’s strong opposition to the projects, combined with Moscow’s desire to court Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s support -- helped scuttle the Rusal-Tajik agreement. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

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