Asia Plus Blitz¹ 84 ( 247 )

Issued every day ( except Saturday & Sunday )

6 May 1999

INFORMATION SUPPORT OF PEACE PROCESS

POWER

SESSION OF MAJLISI OLI SCHEDULED FOR MAY 14

On May 5, presidium of Majlisi Oli of Republic of Tajikistan made a decision on gathering the 11th session of Majlisi Oli on May 14. Head of secretariat of Majlisi Oli Abdufa-toh Sharipov informed A-P on May 6 that holding the session before earlier-made plans is connected to the letter that President E.Rahmonov sent to the parliament on May 4. The let-ter in particular said that «taking into account the decision of Commission for National Rec-onciliation and application of United Tajik Opposition, with the purpose of accelerating peace process in RT, and in accordance with Article 70 of Constitution of RT I request you to gather a session of Majlisi Oli for consideration of draft resolution «On general amnesty». Apart from this, the agenda will include several other issues: draft law of RT On changes and additions in Article 223 of Labor Code of RT»; draft of law of RT «On introducing changes and additions in law of RT on pensions for citizens of RT»; «On state social security», etc.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

INFORMATION OF US EMBASSY5 May 1999, reporting about the meeting of RT President Emomali Rahmonov with US Ambassador Robert Finn, mass media of Tajikistan spread incorrect information about the alleged resumption of full-scale operations by US Embassy in Tajikistan in the near fu-ture. The Embassy has to inform that resumption of its full-scale operations in Tajikistan will become possible only after the construction of the new embassy building meeting all security requirements that will take a few years, of which US Ambassador Finn had repeatedly stated in his interviews and official meetings. Among other issues, plans of returning the Embassy to Tajikistan were discussed with the President. In the meantime, the Embassy will continue to work in its present regime.

ECONOMY

GOVERNMENT ALLOTTED TR1 BILLION FOR RESTORING THE VAKHSH-YAVAN RAIL ROAD The Collegium of the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Economic Relations of RT on May 5 discussed implementation of decisions of the Ministry on restoration of Vakhsh - Yavan rail road that was destroyed by natural disasters in 1993. This year, government of RT allotted TR1 billion for reconstruction of the road. The Collegium stated that Ministry of Transport and Roads of RT will begin works on this road this month. Representatives of ministries, organizations and Hukumats discussed implementation of orders of president E.Rahmonov outlined at meeting of the government on April 10. The Collegium also dis-cussed results of the session of the Council on Anti-Monopoly Policy of CIS on April 23 and implementation of Law of RT «On natural monopolies», which was enacted in RT in 1977.

TAJIKMIASOMOLPROM: A CHANCE TO PUT UP SAILS The long-awaited-for credit of TR160 million was received by Republican Association of Meat and Dairy Industry Tajikmiasomolprom from Agroinvestbank. Deputy chairman of the Association Abdurazok Khojayev informed A-P that the credit will be used for purchase of cattle, technological equipment, components for production of conserved food, fuel, repair of existing equipment. The credit, given at 24% annual interest, is to be repaid by September of 1999. A.Khojayev said that in case it is repaid in time Agroinvestbank would continue co-operation with he Association. Back in the middle of 1998, management of the Association said in the interview to A-P that the industry is in acute need of funds and had repeatedly ap-plied to the government for that. The call was heard and responded; now it is time to revive production.

CRIME

PRECIOUS STONES AND HEROIN IN THE SAME TRAIN About 200 kg of precious and semi-precious stones packed in six bags were found by customs officers of Pakhtaobod during inspection of passengers of Dushanbe - Moscow train on May 4. As press service of Customs Committee of RT informed A-P, the bags contained onyx, opal, jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise, quartz and pearls. The person who tried to smuggle the stones to Russia in violation of all regulations could not give any explanation. By prelimi-nary estimation, the value of the stones is several million Tajik Rubles. In another wagon of the same train two packages of heroin were found, with total of 200 grams of heroin. The drug smuggler tried to hide the packages in another compartment in the wagon.

SOCIETY

ON THE EVE OF GREAT CELEBRATION Units of Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan are preparing to celebrate the Victory day. Head of press service of the ministry Zarobiddin Sirojev informed A-P that servicemen of gar-rison of Dushanbe will take part in the traditional parade in Victory Park on May 9, together with students of Suvorov cadet school, military college, soldiers of President’s Guard and 25th battalion of Ministry of Defense. On May 7, Minister of Defense of RT Colonel-General Sherali Khairulloyev organizes a reception, to invite veterans of Great Patriotic War and Armed Forces of RT. As A-P was informed at press service of Hukumat of Dushanbe, mayor’s office prepared extensive program for these days: exhibitions and trade fairs, enter-tainment in all parks and gardens of Dushanbe.

NEW READING ROOM FOR GERMAN RESEARCHES As part of cooperation between Ministry of Culture of RT and embassy of federal Republic of Germany, representative of the Institute of Ghoete in Moscow Ms.Ostwald-Riechter will visit our country on May 5-7. As embassy of Germany in RT informed, the pur-pose of the visit is to prepare for opening of a new reading room at national library named after Firdawsi. Visitors to the library will be able to use science literature, textbooks, periodi-cals and videofilms in German language, thus expanding their knowledge of FRG, traditions and customs of German people, German culture.A-P COMMENT: The Ghoete Institute works in the sphere of study and development of Ger-man language, culture and traditions.

WORLD AROUND US: EVENTS, FACTS, PERSONS

LEADERS OF THREE SHIITE GROUPS OF AFGHANISTAN FORM A COALITION By information of Agency IRNA, representatives of Harakate Islomie Afghanistan (Islamic Movement of Afghanistan) and two fractions of Hezbe Vahdate Afghanistan (Islamic Unity of Afghanistan) during negotiations in the capital of Iran, with the purpose of consolidation and strengthening their positions signed an agreement on uniting their efforts. The information was confirmed by press secretary of embassy of Afghanistan in RT Mr.Oriyonfar. the new group in the military-political arena of the country will be called High Council of Islamic Coalition of Afghanistan. The decision on forming the union was made three months ago at the meeting of leaders of the three groups in the city of Kum in Iran. The leaders stated that they will coordinate their military and political activities.

VISIT OF IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER TO TASHKENT Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran Kamol Harrozi made a one-day official visit to Uzbekistan on May 5. He met with president of Uzbekistan Islam Karimov, prime minister Utkur Sultanov, and foreign minister Abdulaziz Komilov. By information of BBC, the sides discussed bilateral economic cooperation, peace process in Tajikistan and issues of settlement of the conflict in Afghanistan. Head of Uzbek foreign ministry proposed that the next confer-ence of countries by formula 6+2 be held in Uzbekistan.

TALIBS LOST 15% OF TERRITORIES UNDER THEIR CONTROL IN THREE WEEKS Another battle in the last three days - for city of Sari-Suf - took place on may 4 in the north of Afghanistan. Commander of one of units of anti-Talib coalition General Hussein Anvari said that his troops had, in the beginning, given way under the attack of the enemy, but then undertook an offensive and defeated Talibs. 25 Talibs were killed in the fight, in-cluding their commander - Mullo Taheer. 14 soldiers were taken prisoner, a lot of arms and ammunition was taken. Press secretary of embassy of Afghanistan in RT Mr. Oriyonfar in-formed A-P that forces loyal to Ahmadshah Mas’ud are fighting in province Kishandiz, in vicinity of Balkh and villages Darzo and Chil-Chirog. Having lost two key cities - Bamiyan and sari-Suf, Talibs tried to take them back, but failed. In the last three weeks, Talibs lost control over 15% of territories that they control. A powerful explosion in one of military camps of Taliban in the center of Kabul resulted in death of 35 peaceful residents and injuries to four Talib fighters.

TURKMENISTAN WILL OPEN EMBASSIES IN COUNTRIES OF COMMONWEALTH

President of Turkmenistan Saparmurad Niyazov signed a decree on May 5 on opening embassies in all countries of CIS where diplomatic missions have not been opened yet. These are Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan. The deci-sion is directly connected with the departure of Turkmenistan from the agreement on visa-free movement of citizens of CIS in the territory of members of the Commonwealth, from June 9, 1999. At the meeting with the government, president Niyazov noted that having made the de-cision on enforcing the visa regime with countries of CIS, Turkmenistan brings the relations in conformity with international standards; this measure was dictated by desire to make hu-manitarian exchange peaceful and civilized, exclude from it all attempts of destructive ele-ments to penetrate the republic in pursuit of their own interests. Therefore, by opinion of Ni-yazov, with transition to conditions of bilateral regulation of consular relations, Turkmeni-stan guarantees a possibility for law-abiding citizens and ordinary people visit each other. President also said that the work with partners in CIS on preparation of bilateral consular ac-cords is nearing completion. Consultations showed that «there is no reason for concern in re-gard of openness of Turkmenistan and its preparedness for expanding comprehensive inter-state partnership». This week, delegation of Russian ministry of foreign affairs will arrive in Ashgabat to discuss details of bilateral agreement on visa regime.

PRESIDENT OF IRAN INVITED PRESIDENT OF TURKMENISTAN TO TEHRAN President of Iran Muhammad Hotami invited head of Turkmenistan Saparmurad Niyazov to take part in the ceremony of opening the mausoleum to Turkmen poet and philosopher of 18th cen-tury Mahtumkuli, in the place where his grave is located - Antokai (Iran). The invitation was relayed through Ibrahim Derazgisu - governor of province Golestan that borders Turkmenistan. S.Niyazov assured him that he will take part in the ceremony, scheduled for middle of May. In the last five years, S.Niyazov had more than 50 meetings with ex-president of Iran Rafsanjoni. But the new leaders of Iran in summer of last year had openly demonstrated its dissatisfaction with behavior of its northern neighbor. There was no ambassador of Iran in Ashgabat for nine months, and two weeks ago the ambassador resumed his duty. A source in Ashgabat connects the tension in relations first of all with implementation by Turkmenistan of the trans-Caspian project, supported by USA, thus excluding the route across Iran.

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3 AP - BLITZ ¹ 84 (247)