Tajikistan, Russia Probe Military Partnership

The extradition of a former top Tajik government official to Dushanbe may be related to a battle of wills between Tajikistan and Russia that could determine the fate of Russian armed forces in the Central Asian country. Russia is pressing to establish a military base in Tajikistan to help prevent the further erosion of its regional influence. Tajikistan has delayed a decision, in part because of an apparent desire to explore closer security cooperation with the United States.

Russian prosecutors on February 24 authorized the extradition of former Tajik interior minster Yakub Salimov, on condition that he not face the death penalty if convicted. Salimov, a one-time close political ally of Tajik President Imomali Rahmonov, was arrested in Moscow last June. He is accused of treason and other crimes in connection with a 1997 coup attempt. Salimov is in the custody of Tajikistan's Security Ministry and his case is the subject of further investigation, one of his lawyers, Saidkomil Qurbonov, told the Asia-Plus news agency on March 3.

Rahmonov had long pressed Moscow to hand Salimov over, but with little success. Tajikistan is scheduled to hold parliamentary elections planned in 2005, and some of Rahmovov's recent actions, included an extensive government reshuffle, appear to have been aims at keeping potential opposition in check. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].

A February 26 commentary in the Russian daily Nezavisimaya Gazeta suggested there was a political motive behind Salimov's handover. The paper characterized Salimov as "a bargaining chip" that Moscow gave Rahmonov with the aim of securing Dushanbe's consent to a permanent Russian military base in Tajikistan. "Observers feel that the Russians have managed to obtain concessions from their Tajik counterparts on the military base issue in exchange for Salimov's extradition," the commentary said. Russian diplomats have officially denied the existence of any quid pro quo involving Salimov.

The commentary added that there was no guarantee that a Russian base deal would be struck. Russia's dealings with Tajikistan and other Central Asian nations follow a "specific formula that does not provide for strict compliance with commitments, but is always rich in promise," the commentary said. Russia could well end up with no permanent base in Tajikistan, and nothing more than the "sincere gratitude" of Tajik authorities "for its help in catching a