Excerpts from report by Tajik radio on 30th October

Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov said in his first election
speech on 30th October that he is against candidates being
divided into friends and enemies. He said an atmosphere must be
created whereby the head of state can be elected without the
use of force or pressure. Candidates should be able to listen
to rivals' criticism but he called for people to watch what
they said and be respectful when addressing rivals or speaking
about them. All parties should work within the constitution, he
said. Rahmonov added that deputies should act as role models,
present appropriate income declarations and swear an oath that
they would not violate constitutional laws. The following are
excerpts of the first take of the speech, a full version
including the final take will be released separately on 1st
November.

[Presenter] It is 1815 in Dushanbe [1315 gmt]. Dear
listeners, President Emomali Rahmonov had a meeting with
representatives of the variuos strata of society - electorate
from various areas of the republic at the capital's Palace of
Unity on 30th October this year. A famous Tajik scholar,
academician Abdulqodir Maniyozov, opened the meeting. Here is
our report from the Palace of Unity.

[Passage omitted: Maniyozov opens the meeting and speaks
about president's merits; Rahmonov's few first words are
missing due to technical fault]

[Rahmonov] [I wanted] to have a candid conversation with
representatives of political parties and representatives from
all strata of Tajikistan's society. I wanted to speak about the
head of state's platform and plans on the future of Tajikistan
so that you could make proposals on this subject and hear from
the head of state what you have not been told by the media.
Secondly, I ask all of you not to ask biased questions, because
our society is in a very sensitive and transitional phase now.

I will not answer such questions. I am not going to say
anything nasty or false about my opponents or the opposition,
although many such statements have been made and other things
[by them]. I have been acepted every word of them. Our people
need peace. I am fully convinced that neither you nor the
overwhelming majority of people in Tajikistan will vote for
their president's handsome appearance. They will vote for
peace, national unity, quiet and calm. All the head of the
state has done is his duty. This means that after being elected
head of state, his duty is to serve the people. I do not think
there is any need for explanations. However, the people of
Tajikistan must certainly know about certain aspects of our
state's prospects that is to say, how we want to see our state
in the future, in the new century. [Passage omitted: expresses
gratitude to the people of Tajikistan]

It is not easy for a country which is just taking its
first steps on the path of democracy and whose democratic
institutions are in the process of being formed to hold several
important politicial campaigns in one year. People are today
participating actively and confidently in both the preparation
and conducting of the above campaigns. The referendum held on
26th September is evidence of this. Residents of Tajikistan
proved their support for peace and democratic society by their
active participation in this campaign. The country has taken
another serious and firm step towards democracy thanks to the
great wisdom and political reason of the people.

[passage omitted: because of technical fault]

We have experienced all sorts of misfortunes,
disappointments and happiness days over the past seven or eight
years. The experience the people of Tajikistan gained has not
been experienced by most of the people in the world. What we
call for first and foremost today, is for our lofty political
and spiritual culture to be raised to the level of the historic
culture which we have. That is to say, learning from the bitter
experiences of the past, I have become convinced that our
cultured and honourable people will not sell their honour for a
sack of flour or two-three dollars. However we must learn
another thing, we must learn to listen calmly and with reason
to criticism of our political rivals even if it is bitter or
harsh. There should be disputes, political disputes, proposals
so that the society can study them and chose freely. This
should not be done by using force or political blackmail or by
pinning hopes on foreign masters or in any other way. We should
rely on the culture of our own people. The most valuable gift
of indepenence is that the people of Tajikistan first and
foremost preceived the supremacy of the law, that is to say
they respect their country's constitution and the current laws,
recognize them and rely on them. Not a single international
organization or foreign country has the right to interfere in
the constitution of any sovereign country or its current laws.

That is to say, the residents should have a lofty political
culture and a wide political understanding in order to perceive
and respect the fact that we are first and foremost residents
of the Republic of Tajikistan. We are not residents of any
other foreign country. The destiny of the state, the destiny of
the nation and the destiny of the state system is in the hands
of the people of Tajikistan. If you look back for a moment, you
will see that I have not spoken about the presidential
elections in any place until today. I am not going to speak
today either about the serious problems we are facing now, in
order to avoid a deterioration in the situation in society.
This is very hard and difficult.

Representatives of the international organizations and
foreign countries are surprised at the calmness of our people.
The fact that people have been behaving calmly although the
presidential election campaign is under way in Tajikistan and
the fact that there has not been disorder has surprised the
international organizations and foreign countries. This is
because the ancient culture of the Tajik people, which I spoke
about from the highest podium in the world, is really very
worthy.

I again appeal to you thaat we should not forget to watch
our words whene making speeches.While speaking or meeting
political rivals, or in general when we are expressing our
views, we must show respect to each other. We must learn this.
We must learn it today, even if it is difficult. If our society
does not follow this path, there should be a person who does.
We have to learn this. Our society should experience this. A
person who criticizes us cannot be an enemy to us. In
Tajikistan we are used to immediately calling anyone who
criticizes us an enemy and to dividing people into friends and
enemies. We are used to assessing things in this way alone. Am
I not right? I am against such way of thinking. Let thing lie.
Let there be dozens of them. Let us recall the year 1992. The
presidential elections when the first president, the late
Rahmon Nabiyev, was elected by the people of Tajikistan. He was
elected from nine contenders. We must create a society and a
legal atmosphere where people can elect the head of state
without using weapons, without show-offs and without exerting
pressure or force. I do not think that the head of state should
depend on any party, organization or, I am sorry to say, on any
general, minister, other group or area. He is the head of state
of Tajikistan. He is the head of more than 6m people in
Tajikistan. All this should be done for the sake of peace and
accord in Tajikistan alone and in order to implement the
general peace agreement on establishing peace [and national
reconciliation signed by Rahmonov and the United Tajik
Opposition leader, Sayed Abdullo Nuri, in Moscow in 1997], that
is to say to elect a professional parliament. The political
atmosphere in Tajikistan will be very heated [during
parliamentary election campaign]. Our people are hotblooded, I
would say. We must begin preparations now. Let them
[opposition] be there. We should not leave the framework of the
current constitution and laws.

I adhere to the view, which I will officially repeat
below, that universal and complete peace in Tajikistan is in
the hands of the people of Tajikistan. This is not only
Rahmonov's achievement or the achievement of a person from
another political group. This is the achievement of the over 6m
people of Tajikistan who supported the policy of the head of
state and the government. Bravo to the farsighted, gifted and
wise people of Tajikistan! If it were not you or the people of
Tajikistan we would not have had peace today. However, we have
also been observing the opposite situation during the recent
few years. Certain contenders, who do not have enough of a
social base in their own country, have spent most of their time
seeking support from certain circles in foreign countries and
international organizations. They have been damaging the honour
and value of their own nation for the sake of personal, party
and group interests, and in so doing, they are damaging the
international authority of the republic. A politician who
considers the interests of the people and homeland the most
sacred thing and places it higher than other things would first
and foremost rely on its own people and would be sympathetic
and friendly to its own people. Of course, political struggle
takes place in every country, however in the civilized
countries entire political disputes are resolved within the
current laws in that country.

It should be said that every appeal by a defeated or
narrowminded politician to international organizations and
foreign states will not only mislead the world community about
the real situation in our country, but it may also obstruct the
implementation of various economic cooperation programmes and
investments in our country. They do not think that with this
act of wrongdoing, they will deprive thousands of needy
families of the ability to earn their livings.

Who lost out with the brutal killing of UN representatives
in Gharm valley, in Tavildara District [central Tajikistan]?
The people of that area lost the opportunity to earn their
livings for over a year as a result. They lost the humanitarian
assistance which used to be given to them by international
organizations.

After the presidential elections we will face another no
less important political campaign. This important campaign is
the elections to the new parliament. The political situation in
the country, the legislative system and the progress of reforms
depend on the form the new parliament takes and the people who
are elected to it. The people who work in the parliament will
speak for the people. They should serve as good examples to
others. That is why the deputies must present their income
declarations as it is the norm in civilized countries.

Moreover, they must take an oath saying that they will not
break constitutional laws. They should explain to people how
they bought the seven or eight cars which they each own. I am
not talking about the prices of the houses they have bought
already. Everything should take place within the law. Democracy
means the supremacy of the law. Every activity should take
place within the law. We must learn this. If they want to be
respected by the people, their activity should be clear as the
day. Only when competent, patriotic and honest people enter the
supreme representative and legislative body of the republic
will our parliament serve the people and the homeland in a
worthy fashion.

Esteemed audience, the path we have chosen has enhanced
the pillars of political, economic and cultural independence in
our country and our country has been recognized by the world
community as a secular and law-based state. Today I can speak
with pride and confidence about the path we have chosen.
[passage omitted: Rahmonov speaks about the seven years of
his activity: war stopped, refugees repatriated]

Every time when we speak about the achievements of recent
years, I recall most of the achievements we made in the
economy, in the construction sector, in road-building and
others. Of course, this is right, but our greatest achievement
since winning independence has been the unprecedented growth of
national pride and the self-recognition of our people and no
nation or people can gain prestige or respect without these
factors. National and patriotic sense will enhance the pillars
of the independent state in our country and the essence of our
independence [two words indistinct]. Our strength and power lie
in unity, integrity, friendship and mutual understanding. This
is a great force.

By appreciating their ancient and rich history, the Tajik
people were finally able to make others stop underestimating
them and see them as cultured, honourable and constructive
people. I once again say that independence and self-recognition
are the key for all advancement and achievement. One of the
most difficult tasks we face is to attain cultural independence
and national self-recognition.

[passage omitted: Tajik people value their ancient history
and culture; many countries, which did not exist before, took
their foundations from Tajiks state - the Samanids state and
their culture]

Dear compatriots!
After putting an end to the civil war we gradually began
implementing the duties facing us in order to strengthen the
foundations of national sovereignty. First and foremost, the
unity and territorial integrity of the country were guaranteed
and the threat of disintegration of the country was eliminated.
A new constitution, flag, emblem and national anthem, which are
sacred symbols of the state, were adopted. [Passage omitted:
because of technical fault]

Reconstruction become traditional. Deep reforms were
stepped up in the economy and agricultural spheres. The main
aim of the reforms was the transition from the method of
administrative and central management to the market economy
which assisted in the creation of qualitatively new economic
relations and the introduction of fruitful methods of
management, because the market economy is an achievement in
world civilization. The transition to the market economy forces
us, first of all, to pay serious attention to the training of
skilled specialists. At the moment, our economy needs skilled
specialists. In particular, I mean specialists in industry, oil
and gas, banking and finance, communications, aviation,
railway, mining, press and so on. We should train specialists
who will be able to met international standards and the
requirements of the market economy. As the experience of
developed countries shows, the steady development of the
economy will be achieved after three or four years of
undertaking specific measures. The experience of Tajikistan
also showed this: 1994 was the beginning of a reform year; the
growth of GDP was 2.7 per cent in 1997; growth reached 5.3 per
cent in 1998 and this figure will increase more in 1999. And
all these were achieved despite a financial crisis which,
first, occurred in Southeast Asia, then in Russia and other CIS
countries and also the decrease in the price of cotton,
alluminium, gold and other main export goods of the country on
the international market. Despite a number of problems in the
transition period, the rate of the national currrency and its
exchange rate remained stable to a certain extent. Fixed
salaries were also raised to some extent.

The experience of countries, whose economies are in a
transitional phase, show that the organization of a fruitful
economy is possible via the following mehtods:
First the appearence of new private enterprises in various
spheres, especially small and medium-size enterprises which can
create new jobs, make profits and invest considerably in the
development of industry.

Second is the privatization of state property. Favourable
conditions should be created for the fruitful use of these
methods. It should be mentioned that private banks have a
decisive role in the economies of the above countries.
Taking into account the various views on the privatization
process and the procedures for holding it, I would like to
express my own opinion on this issue. First and foremost, it
should be said that privatization is still the first step. Our
final aim is to divide [few words indistinct] and re-distribute
the stock of enterprises, direct necessary funds for the
modernization of enterprises and their reconstruction,
introduce fruitful methods and ways of managing them through
the organization of securities market. They assist in economic
development. I am sure that we will also do this gradually.
At the same time, I would like to mention that it is
impossible to cover all (?measures) which the government
envisaged in the economy in one report. That is why, I shall
cite an example. The (?committee on the production of communal
service goods) exported nearly 30m dollars worth goods on the
international market in the first nine months of this year.
This is the first [good] indicator for seven years.

[Word indistinct] mainly from cotton fibre, finished goods
not cotton fibre, not thread either. Finished goods, 36 types
of finished goods. Tell me, how were they produced? By how many
enterprises were they produced? More than 30bn Tajik roubles
worth of goods were produced in two enterprises where we
installed new technology and where new jobs were created. The
finished goods of these new enterprises were in competition on
the international market and they are currently sold at a high
price there. That is to say, Tajikistan is recognized not only
for alluminium, gold and cotton on the international market.
Tajikistan is currently recognized for finished goods meeting
international market requirements. The second is the Javoni
[Youth] enterprise. Only the two enterprises. This is an
economic reform, this is market economy, this is the
introduction of [new] technology, this is the policy chosen by
the Republic of Tajikistan.

[passage omitted: It is planned to introduce new
technology in the Dushanbe sock factory; 3m dollars worth
technology were bought to equip a cardiology centre; the
introduction of new technology increased output in the
Tajik-British Zeravshan JV and other enterprises;
implementation of these plans leads the country to great
achievements]

The implementation of measures envisaged in the
government's medium-term economic plan is necessary for
successful development in the next two or three years. The
purpose of these measures is to strengthen our achievements and
to create favourable conditions for further development of the
country's economy. It should be said that one can not imagine
the successful development of economic reform without
development in the agricultural sphere. The issue of
self-sufficiency in provisions made us start the agricultural
reforms. The development of many spheres in the republic's
industry, especially the cotton-processing industry, spinning
and textiles, food, fruit and vegetable-processing industries
and strengthening the economic might of the country as a whole
directly depend on raw-materials and goods from the
agricultural sphere. During this period, 75,000 ha of land were
distributed to people as a result of which the issue of meeting
the demand of the public for grain and other domestic
provisions was generally settled. The distribution of land was
not such a simple job because, as you know, this issue required
the psychology of people in their attitude to land to change
completely. Despite opposition at all levels of the leadership,
we managed to complete this work. We can state quite
confidently that this is an achievement in agricultural
production relations.

[passage omitted: the government to allocate land for
intelligentsia not to leave their jobs in rural areas; natural
resources are not unlimited; Tajikistan proposed 2003 as the
international year of water]

Source: Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 1330
gmt 30 Oct 99
BBC Mon CAU 311099/** AJC/AS