Newspaper Tajikistan (No.6) informed of the meeting between President Emomali Rahmonov with Francis Vendrella – Special Representative of UN Secretary General on Afghanistan which was held in Dushanbe on February 8. E.Rahmonov stated that despite the complicated military-political situation in neighbor Afghanistan the crisis in the country "does not have solution other than peaceful". Head of Tajik State expressed concern that Afghanistan became "the source of international terrorism" and one of largest centers for production and spread of narcotics. President of RT informed in detail of his vision of the situation in Afghanistan, its influence on security in the region of Central Asia. E.Rahmonov stressed the necessity of enhancing the activities of the international group of friendly and neighbor countries of Afghanistan by formula "6+2" on settling the conflict in the country. After the meeting with President of Tajikistan Francis Vendrella said to journalists that he "does not yet have any proposals and decisions" in regard of the conflict in Afghanistan. He said that the decisions would be made after the tour of the region.

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed of the meeting between Prime Minister of government of RT Akil Akilov with vice-president of American company Donovant Mr. John Stead on February 8. The sides discussed development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the Republic and the company, in particular in part of improvement of system of financing futures deals for production of cotton by private and collective farms of RT. Akil Akilov noted that it is necessary to review the scheme of financing, so that the investments are received by producers in time. In turn, John Stead noted that company Donovant had built joint ventures in Jilikul and Zafarobod districts for processing of cotton. The cotton ginning plant in Jilikul will begin functioning in nearest time.

Newspaper Vostochni Express informed that General Secretary of Council of Collective Security Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary V.V.Zemski had a work visit to Dushanbe on February 7-8. At the meetings with leadership of Tajikistan V.V.Zemski expressed satisfaction with the fact that Tajik side takes active part in resolving issues in implementation of the Agreement on Collective Security. In this connection, V.V.Zemski stressed the importance of the joint maneuvers "Southern shield of Commonwealth - 2000", scheduled for March-April.

Newspaper Sadoi Mardum No.11 published preliminary results of the first census of population in the history of independent Tajikistan. Director of State Agency for Statistics of RT Habibullo Gaibulloyev said that the population of RT is 6,105,000. He said that the population grew since the census of 1989 by 996,000 – 19.5%. The results of the census will be published soon.

Narodnaya Gazeta No.5 published the interview with chief-of-staff of Democratic Party of Tajikistan Rahmatullo Valiyev. R.Valiyev said that Democratic Party struggles for construction of the legal, democratic society, for prevalence of national interests over interests of parties, groups, clans or regions, for purifying law enforcement organizations from incompetent or unreliable staff. In the sphere of foreign relations, by opinion of Democratic Party, Tajikistan should make the priority on cooperation with Russia, Uzbekistan, Iran, USA, and Germany.

Newspaper Asia-Plus No.5 informed that the International Monetary Fund provided a credit of $18 million to Tajikistan for support of the national currency. By the schedule of IMF, $10 million will be provided every quarter, which will also be used for support of Tajik currency. Besides, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank intend to provide $25 million to Tajikistan, to support the budget of the country.

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe No.5 informed that the volume of cargo and passenger transportation by state Airline Company Tojikiston reduced by 30%. General director of the company Mirzo Mastangulov said that the main reasons for it are the inflation and growth of price for fuel, the enormous debts of organizations and institutions of the country for air transport services. Nevertheless, the regular flights will be re-opened by itineraries Dushanbe – Aini and Dushanbe – Garm.

Newspaper Asia-Plus No.6 informed of the ceremony of presenting textbooks to universities of the country by the Open Society Institute of Soros Foundation. The gift consists of 3,300 books in social, public and economic fields, published in Russia in the last three years. The cost of the project was $9,900.

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe No. 6 informed that the session of International Music Commission in Paris on February 4 summarized the results and determined the winners of the contest of young composers which was held in September of 1999. The second prize was awarded to citizen of Tajikistan – Nurullo Khojayev - grandson of a renowned Tajik composer Ziyodullo Shahidi.

Newspaper Biznes i Politika No.5 published an interview with prosecutor of Dushanbe Sherkhon Salimov. The prosecutor said that in 1999 law enforcement organizations disclosed 93 criminal groups, 19 of which were armed. The groups united 138 persons. The size of the groups ranged from 3 to 22 members. Some of the bandits were killed at detention or at committing the crimes. 77 members of the gangs have been arrested, and 59 are announced as wanted. The prosecutor said that during investigation of the crimes quite frequent is the situation when unknown facts and crimes are established. Most murders in the city are committed on reason of robbery and personal revenge. The prosecutor said that the biggest danger is the inadequate behavior of personnel of military units and the armed persons at public places. He also said that many crimes were committed by former military servicemen.

Newspaper Crime Info No. 6 informed that on February 7, in the period between 19:30 and 19:55 explosions took place in Dushanbe near the building of the Tax Committee, in the Rudaki avenue and near the Avesto hotel. No victims and damage were reported. Law enforcement organizations began investigation.

Newspaper Vecherni Dushanbe No.5 informed of the explosion on January 29 in the residential district Ispechak. Six persons were injured by the explosion that damaged three floors in an apartment house. Law enforcement structures suggest that most probably the explosion was the result of careless use of gas appliances.

Newspaper Asia-Plus informed that on February 5 law enforcement organizations of Tursunzoda found a storage of weapons. The storage contained 11 Kalashnikov machine guns, a carbine, a hunting rifle, hand grenades, etc.

Newspaper crime Info informed that law enforcement structures found about 10 kg of heroin in the dining car of the Dushanbe – Saratov train. Several members of the train crew had been arrested in this connection.