Text of report by Tajik radio on 20th October

The first deputy prime minister of the Republic of Tajikistan,
Haji Akbar Turajonzoda, has told the Khovar [state] news agency
that branches of the Islamic Rebirth Party [IRP] of Tajikistan
have demanded at their sessions in the towns of Khujand,
Mastchoh, Isfara, Zafarobod, and Ghonchi districts [the centre
and districts in northern Leninobod Region] that an emergency
congress of the IRP should be held following the circulation of
a statement by the presidium of the United Tajik Opposition of
14th October this year and an appeal by the presidium of the
Islamic Rebirth Party of 18th October 1999.

The abovementioned branches backed Haji Akbar
Turajonzoda's stance which manifests itself in support for
Emomali Rahmonov's candidacy for the post of president of
Tajikistan and for holding the presidential elections (?without
delay) on 6th November. The members of the branches appealed to
the IRP of Tajikistan and its chairman, Sayed Abdullo Nuri, to
continue their official participation in the National
Reconciliation Commission and to speed up the peace process in
cooperation with the government of the republic.

Source: Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 0500
gmt 20 Oct 99
BBC Mon CAU 201099/** JF/MI