Russian President Vladimir Putin recently dispatched birthday greetings to Tajik leader Imomali Rahmonov, offering praise for Rahmonov's "personal contribution to the development of the friendly, allied and strategic partnership between our states," the Itar-Tass news agency reported. Political observers in Dushanbe view Putin's salutation as perhaps more a reflection of protocol than reality. Indeed, ties between Russia and Tajikistan are now arguably more strained than ever before.
Tajikistan has long been viewed as the Central Asian nation with the closest ties to Russia, due in part to the way Russian forces influenced the outcome of the 1992-97 Tajik civil war. However, Tajik-Russian relations have been troubled by bouts of antagonism since the September 11 terrorism tragedy, which prompted the United States to dramatically raise its strategic profile in Central Asia, including in Tajikistan. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].
Of late, political analysts say, Russia has sought to punish Dushanbe for its engagement of the United States by cracking down on Tajik migrant laborers. Moscow's move could have a profound impact on Tajikistan's economy. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. Remittances from Tajiks working both legally and illegally in foreign countries, the overwhelming number in Russia, totaled almost $250 million in 2002, approaching the size of the country's annual budget, according to an Itar-Tass report on September 24. Over 500,000 Tajiks have worked in Russia at some point during the past two years, Itar-Tass added.
Rather than compelling Tajikistan to adhere more closely to Kremlin policies, Russia's stance on labor migrants seems to have stiffened the resolve of Rahmonov's administration. At a late September gathering of CIS interior ministers in Dushanbe, Rahmonov lashed out at the "lack of legal protection for CIS citizens, including Tajik citizens in CIS states."
"Unfortunately, law-enforcement agencies are themselves often promoting this situation," the Asia-Plus news agency quoted Rahmonov as saying.
An analysis article printed by the Tajikistan newspaper on October 2 characterized the Tajik leadership as feeling betrayed by Russia, suggesting that Moscow was overreacting to Dushanbe's cooperation with the United States. Tajikistan, the article maintained, is "Russia's strategic partner," and has been a devoted ally "as far back as in the first days of its independence."
The newspaper bitterly complained that Russia was showing a preference for Kyrgyz migrant laborers over their Tajik counterparts. "Putin has given the
Editor's note:
Zafar Abdullaev is a freelance journalist based in Dushanbe.
