Text of report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 6th November

A major event in the last few days in Tajikistan was the
meeting between President Emomali Rahmonov and the chairman of
the National Reconciliation Commission of Tajikistan [NRC],
Sayed Abdullo Nuri, [who is also the leader of the United Tajik
Opposition (UTO) and the Islamic Rebirth Party of Tajikistan],
which ended at midnight Friday [5th November] with the signing
of a protocol in line with which the opposition lifted its
boycott of the presidential elections and agreed to take part
in them.

The long talks between Mr Rahmonov and Nuri resulted in
the signing of a protocol which gives political guarantees
during the campaign and elections to the Supreme Assembly of
Tajikistan.

According to this document, the NRC, which suspended its
activity on 18th October, will resume its activity from 8th
November, will draft a law on presidential elections in
Tajikistan and submit it to the president of the republic by
20th November.

With the aim of continuing the process of peace and its
consolidation in the country, the protocol reads: the UTO
supporters, in the list of 93 people [submitted earlier by the
UTO and whose release has been delayed] will be released from
jails. The amnesty for the UTO fighters approved by the Supreme
Assembly will be implemented, the protocol reads.

The remaining UTO fighters will undergo attestation and be
admitted to the military and law-enforcement agencies of the
country. The UTO fighters who have been admitted to the
country's power-wielding structures will be fully provided with
the required items, the protocol reads.

In order to conduct free, fair and democratic
parliamentary elections in Tajikistan all candidates will enjoy
the services of the official media and the press coverage of
the activity of all parties which stand in the elections will
be ensured, the protocol carries.

Representatives of the UN, the OSCE and of the countries
guaranteeing peace in Tajikistan will participate, within their
prerogatives stipulated in the general agreement on
establishing peace [and national reconciliation in Tajikistan
signed by Rahmonov and Nuri in Moscow in June 1997], in
conducting the parliamentary elections.

One of the provisions of the protocol, which ensures
conducting fair parliamentary elections, is that the ballot
papers will contain signatures of the representatives of
political parties and organizations.

In the event that the document signed yesterday is
implemented, the UTO will enjoy the following privileges during
the elections of the new [bicameral and professional]
parliament:

New UTO representatives will be admitted to the Central
Election and Referendum Commission and will have a 20-per-cent
quota in the election constituencies and polling stations.
Guarantees for the implementation of the protocol are
limited by Mr Rahmonov and Nuri's signatures.
 
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in
Persian 1600 gmt 06 Nov 99
BBC Mon CAU 071199/** AJBA/AS