From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Jun 22 2001 - 09:44:42 EDT
Tajik authorities keep quiet about Uzbek landmines - Iranian radio
Excerpt from report by Iranian radio from Mashhad on 21 June
Here is a commentary entitled "Mine explosions in the border areas indicate
tension in Dushanbe-Tashkent [i.e. Tajik-Uzbek] relations.
We focus your attention on the problems of the area located in the heart of
Central Asia, usually considered as an eternally integrated area, which is
now, however, being divided by the new rulers, who are exercising their
absolute power. The disputes between Uzbeks and Tajiks over ownership of
the border areas are causing human tragedies.
[Passage omitted: known details of mine explosions on the border that have
caused human casualties; Uzbek authorities are carrying out unilateral
border demarcation].
This problem is giving rise to protest and alarm in all strata of Tajik
society, from bottom to top, which are worried about the problem. However,
the Dushanbe government is doing nothing serious, apart from the few
statements issued by its Foreign Ministry, and is watching its ordinary and
innocent people becoming victims. Naturally, such caution by Tajik
officials, particularly concerning their negligence over Tajik citizens
becoming the innocent victims of hidden landmines on the border, is coming
in for severe criticism both inside and outside the country.
Political experts, however, believe that the Dushanbe government is keeping
quiet about the government of neighbouring fraternal Uzbekistan, which is
planting antipersonnel landmines unilaterally in the border areas,
tightening restrictions on Tajik citizens wishing to visit Uzbek territory
as well as making efforts to minimize the links between Tajik citizens and
their relatives in Uzbekistan, stopping the gas and electricity supplies to
Tajikistan agreed under interstate accords, setting up obstacles for Tajik
exports and imports moving through its territory and, worst of all, Uzbek
internal affairs officers behaving like medieval mirshabs [policemen],
committing such inhuman and illegal acts on this [Tajik] country's
territory, hunting down Tajiks and Tajikistani residents with impunity.
The Dushanbe government has not shown any desire or any power to act against
such violations. The first reason is that, owing to its geographical
position and its particular political, economic and military weakness,
Tajikistan has no lever of influence over Uzbekistan. Politically aware
circles think that the reason why [Tajik President] Emomali Rahmonov cannot
withstand any pressure being exerted by the Uzbek government can be found
by looking at the special relationship between the two states. Top
officials in Uzbekistan and Mr Karimov [the Uzbek president] personally
have revealed that Uzbekistan had a hand in the Rahmonov government's
coming to power in December 1992.
[Passage omitted: Tashkent is interested in having an obedient government in
Tajikistan]
Tashkent has obtained the necessary help from the USA to strengthen its
borders and is planting the landmines under the pretext of strengthening
its borders. A question occurs to one at this point: what kind of efficient
steps can be taken by the world community to moderate the behaviour of
odious rulers in Central Asia and to warm up Tashkent-Dushanbe relations so
as to reduce the political and security tension between them?
Source: Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mashhad, in Uzbek 1500 gmt 21
Jun 01
BBC Mon CAU 210601 ker/mn
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