Excerpts from report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 4th December

[Presenter] As was reported earlier, one of the major difficulties in
drafting the law on new parliamentary elections in Tajikistan has been
removed and the Supreme Assembly will approve the new election law and the
date for the elections to the new bicameral parliament will be set soon.
The parliamentary elections in Tajikistan are particular because following
the establishment of peace and calm in the country the political parties of
the United Tajik Opposition [UTO] will participate in these elections.
At present, disputes and efforts aimed at ensuring appropriate conditions
for the participation of a greater number of political parties and
organizations in these elections are continuing in the country.
[passage omitted: correspondent repeats the presenters words]
[Correspondent] Mainly five parties: the People's Democratic Party, the
Communist Party, the Islamic Rebirth Party, the Democratic Party and the
Justice Party of Tajikistan, are preparing to stand in the parliamentary
elections now.

However experts think that an increase in the number of political parties
and their participation in political life will promote the consolidation of
the democratic process in Tajikistan. The minister of justice of
Tajikistan, Shavkat Ismoilov, also says that he supports the idea of
setting up as many political parties as possible, but these parties must
carry out their activities within the law so as to avoid obstacles in the
way of their activities.

[Ismoilov] We have only one goal, all the parties should carry out their
activities within the law. We want to see a greater number of parties and
new movements, but they should carry out their activity in accordance with
the law. They must feel their responsibility before the law and try to
avoid our interference in their activity. All the parties are equal before
us.

[passage to end omitted: increase in the number of parties will promote
democracy]

Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Persian 1600 gmt
04 Dec 99
BBC Mon CAU 051299/** JF/AS