From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Fri Feb 08 2002 - 10:40:58 EST
Tajik regional head urges government to build new road to Russia
The chairman of the northern Tajik Soghd Region has urged the government to
build a new road to Russia by-passing neighbouring Uzbekistan and
Kazakhstan but through Kyrgyzstan. The road would also provide a link
between the country's northern and southern regions all-year round. The
following is text of report by Tajik news agency Varorud:
The chairman of [northern Tajik] Soghd Region, Qosim Qosimov, submitted
some very important and specific projects to the government for
consideration at a meeting held with the participation of Prime Minister
Oqil Oqilov in Khujand to sum up the results of 2001.
In particular, Qosimov proposed the building of two alternative roads which
would not only link the country's northern and southern parts but would
also give the country access to Russia.
The Regional head thinks the construction of the alternative roads would
considerably strengthen Tajikistan's economic independence. He proposed
that with the aim of ensuring all-year round land communication between the
north and south of the country, it would suitable to use the territory of
Kyrgyzstan and start the construction of the Khujand-Batken [southern
Kyrgyzstan]-Jirgatol-Gharm [both place names in central-eastern Tajikistan]
highway and to look at the issue jointly with the government of the
neighbouring country.
This project will cost less than the other projects and will ensure all-year
round communication between all parts of the country. Qosimov said that
this project had been discussed earlier, but the country failed to
implement it due to the lack of funds.
Qosimov's next project was to built a new highway linking Tajikistan with
its strategic partner - Russia - by-passing Uzbek and Kazakh territories.
It is possible to use the Afghan territory to build a modern international
highway with the stabilization of the situation in this country [Qosimov
said]. He said that the highway should begin in the border town of Panj-i
Poyon [lower Panj in southern Tajikistan] and run through northern
Afghanistan to Herat [western Afghanistan], then to Iranian city of Mashad
and up to the port of Shah with an access to the Caspian Sea. This highway
might be about 2,500 km long.
One may ask: What prompted Qosimov to make such a proposal, when there is a
traditional highway to Russia via Uzbek and Kazakh territories?
Qosim Qosimov put forward convincing arguments to support his projects. He,
particularly, stressed that the transit movement of Tajikistan's citizens
and vehicles to Russia and back via traditional land routes had become
considerably difficult in recent years. There are many objective and
subjective factors which are hindering the free movement of Tajik nationals
and their means of transport.
The Uzbek and Kazakh authorities have been creating artificial barriers to
this. There are many cases of human rights violations in relation to Tajik
nationals and the violations of international laws. Tajiks are being
humiliated, insulted and persecuted. Moreover, Qosim Qosimov said, a road
blockade has been imposed on northern Tajikistan for several years. Qosim
Qosimov praised recent improvements in the relations with the
aforementioned countries, but nevertheless called for the construction of
alternative roads. He said that they were vital for the country and when
built would have a great role in consolidating the country's economic
independence.
It seems Qosim Qosimov's project was drafted by taking into account the
traditional relations between the people living in various parts of
Tajikistan and the efforts being made to raise these ancient ties to a
qualitatively new level, as well as by making deep and real analyses of the
communication problems facing the republic's northern part.
A poll conducted by Varorud has shown that the projects that the population
supports it. Obviously, the government will also support them, although the
republic may face certain problems in implementing them, including
financial problems. However, taking into account Tajikistan's increasing
role and place in the region and the fact that the international community
has recognized this factor, we can hope that it will not be difficult to
find investors in this project.
Source: Varorud news agency, Soghd, in Russian 6 Feb 02
BBC Mon CAU 070202 ajba/as
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