Press Review

March 11 – 24

Brother of Prince Aga Khan visited Tajikistan

Newspapers reported about the visit to Tajikistan on March 13 the personal representative and brother of Aga Khan IV – Prince Amin. On March 13, the high guest was received by Prime Minister of RT Akil Akilov. The sides discussed opening of a university in the city of Khorog – the center of Mountainous Badakhshon Autonomous Region, financing of the project for alleviation of possible outcome of the breakdown of Lake Sarez; the Aga Khan Foundation is prepared to provide a grant of $500,000 for the project.

Mayor of Dushanbe demands that struggle against crime be strengthened

Newspapers Jumhuriyat No.25, Sadoi Mardum No. 21 report that on March 12 Mayor of Dushanbe Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev chaired the meeting of administration of the city. The Mayor criticized the poor performance of power structures of the city in struggle against crime. The Mayor said that military units, the staff of which violate laws, should be relocated from the city. A special commission was formed at city administration to work on this issue.

Visit of Russian General

Newspapers Vecherni Dushanbe No.11, Jumhuriyat No.25 informed that on March 11 President of Republic of Tajikistan received Commander-in-Chief of Air Forces of Russia, chairman of Coordination Committee of United Air Defense System of countries of CIS General Anatoli Kornukov. The sides discussed rehabilitation of air defense systems at southern borders of CIS.

Meeting of leader of "Islamists" Sayeed Abdullo Nuri with chief of UN Mission of Observers Ivo Petrov

Newspaper Najot No. 11 informed that on March 10 the leader of Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan, chairman of Commission for National Reconciliation Sayeed Abdullo Nuri met with the head of UN Mission of Observers in Tajikistan Ivo Petrov. At the meeting, S.A.Nuri said that the candidate of IRP Muhiddin Kabirov won the elections in Kofarnihon and in Faizobod – he received 53% of votes and was congratulated by chairman and members of the election commission. However, later the officials had violated the laws and changed the results of the elections. The candidate himself and his brother were persecuted. In response, Ivo Petrov stated that his organization carefully studies such complaints, and would make a statement in this regard. S.A.Nuri said that the results of election by party lists were falsified. He made a suggestion that the activity of the UNMOT be prolonged. The newspaper quoted the words of Ivo Petrov that he positively assesses the proposal.

Attempt to property of citizens of Turkey

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe No.11 informed that embassy of Turkey in Dushanbe sent a note of protest to Ministry of Foreign Affairs of RT in regard of attack and robbery of two citizens of Turkey on March 5. The newspaper referred to embassy of Turkey saying that on March 5 a group of armed persons stopped a convoy of Turkish trucks at the entrance to Dushanbe. The persons threatened the two Turkish drivers with firearms and took from them $800, a satellite antenna and other property.

A doctor and his wife killed

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe reported that on March 12 a merited doctor of the republic chief neuro-surgeon of Central Clinical Hospital Ivan Lipatsev and his wife Sharifabonu Turdiyeva were killed in their own apartment.

Italy wants to cooperate with Tajikistan

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed that Prime Minister of RT Akil Akilov received on March 20 Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Republic of Italy in RT Yolanda Brunetti Getz. The sides discussed a number of issues in cooperation between Italy and Tajikistan. Yolanda Getz noted that Italian businessmen are interested in expanding contacts with Tajik entrepreneurs, and plan to organize this year a trade fair of their products. Italy intends to offer cooperation in the field of textiles, extraction of marble, and development of civil aviation (leasing of aircraft).

Only six lawyers in the lower chamber of parliament of Tajikistan

Newspaper Biznes i Politika published the interview with chairman of Central Commission for Elections and Referendum Mirzoali Boltuyev. He said that altogether 60 deputies were elected to the parliament. Elections will be held again in three election districts – Kofarnihon, Khojamaston and Khorog. Among the deputies are nine women, 15 economists, 5 agrarians, 10 pedagogues, 6 lawyers, 10 engineers and 15 workers of culture, education and health care. The People’s Democratic Party is the leader by number – 30; there are also 15 non-party deputies, 13 Communists, and two representatives of Islamic Revival Party.

Russian citizens in RT are welcomed to vote for Putin

Newspaper Biznes i Politika No. 12 published the article of chairman of the board of republican public organization ‘Slavianski Soyuz" V.Radiilovski, devoted to the election of president of RF on March 26. The author underlines the positive qualities of one of the candidates – President-in-Office of Russia Vladimir Putin. By opinion of the author, Putin is the consolidating person in modern Russia, and enjoys respect among all strata of Russian society. The author specially notes that Putin takes special care of his compatriots abroad. The article ends with the call to residents of Tajikistan – citizens of Russia to vote for Putin on March 26.

Russia will provide assistance to Tajikistan and Afghanistan

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed that the government of Russian Federation made a decision on March 16 on providing humanitarian assistance to population of Afghanistan, which suffered from the armed conflict, and population of Tajikistan affected by natural disasters. The government of Russia proposed that 4.6 million Russian Rubles be allocated to Ministry of Emergency Situations of RF for acquisition and delivery of aid to Tajikistan in 2000.

$15 million from Kuwait Development Fund

Newspaper Asia-Plus No. 9 informed that the Kuwait Development Fund will provide a grant for feasibility study and construction of the Zegar – Hostav – Shkev section of the road between Kulob and Kalai hum. The newspaper noted that the agreement was the result of the visit of delegation of RT to Kuwait. The amount of the grant is $15 million.

 

484 kg of narcotics destroyed in Dushanbe

Newspapers reported that the staff of Ministry of Security of RT had destroyed, on March 18, 484 kg of narcotics, including 161.5 kg of marijuana, 4.6 kg of heroin, 277 kg of raw opium. The narcotics were burned in a furnace at one of enterprises in Dushanbe. Newspaper Asia-Plus also informed that seven persons were convicted for contraband of these narcotics. The newspaper referred to Ministry of Security of RT informing that a citizen of Republic of Uzbekistan, who was arrested last year at attempt to smuggle 150.8 kg of hashish and 1.4 kg of heroin was sentenced by Supreme Court of Tajikistan to extreme penalty.

 

Russian officer and two civilians killed in Dushanbe

Newspapers reported that in the morning of March 15 officer of Armed Forces of Russia Kandil Khushdilov, his brother Muhbir Khushdilov and resident of Vanj district Dildor Subadorov were killed in eastern part of Dushanbe. The three persons were killed by firearms. Investigation of the case began.

Newspaper Crime Info reported that several persons in civilian dress, armed with a pistol, broke in an Indian restaurant in the center of Dushanbe. They took $1,500, beat the brother of director of the restaurant – citizen of India Das Suman, and deputy to director of the institution.