Iranian radio from Mashhad on 24th February broadcast an interview with the
leader of the United Tajik Opposition, Sayed Abdullo Nuri, who is also the
chairman of the National Reconciliation Commission and the leader of the
Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan on the election campaign in Tajikistan.
The interview lasted 10 minutes.

On the election campaign Nuri said: "The election campaign has been a little
more democratic than the presidential elections [of 6th November 1999].
Although there have been cases of individual people breaking the law, on
the whole the heads of administrations and Regional administrations have
ensured security and provided good conditions for us. We can say that there
have been difficulties in certain places but we removed these by citing the
law on elections. We can announce that we are satisfied with this."
Nuri said that his party was afraid of ballot-rigging: without this the
Islamic Rebirth Party could win about 70 per cent of the votes.
On canvassing and campaigning, Nuri said: "There have been no obstacles to
canvassing on television, but the broadcasting slot allocated was not
enough to present our manifesto in full."

On recent events in Tajikistan such as the killing of a deputy security
minister and a bomb blast on a bus in which several people were killed,
Nuri said: "I think the events that happened in the city [Dushanbe]
[words indistinct] have taken place not between those who are standing in
the elections. There is no manifestation of opposition between the parties
or candidates for seats in the parliament in these cases. (a few words
indistinct) These things have probably been staged by the country's enemies
who want to blacken this process, which is a step towards democracy and
(word indistinct) can add to the authority of our country in the
international scene. They also want to do all they can to hinder the
elections. The recent assassination attempt against the mayor of Dushanbe
made the situation in the city a little tense and both the representatives
of the foreign missions and in general all leaders have felt uneasy. In any
case, I think, it is very good that such incidents have nothing to do with
internal discord, and the agencies responsible for this should do their
best to ensure order and be in control of the situation so that we conduct
our elections in a good and peaceful atmosphere to the honour of our
country."

Further processing as text or excerpts for release by 1800 gmt on 25th
February.

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Persian 1600 gmt
24 Feb 00