PRESIDENT E. RAHMONOV - FOR ORDER IN THE ARMY

Newspaper Jumhuriyat ü42 and others published two decrees of President of RT of May 15. The first decree prohibits, throughout Tajikistan, that the staff of the Armed Forces and other power structures leave territory of military units and posts of duty with firearms, ammunition, and drive the combat vehicles. Heads of all power structures are to carry out, before July 1, 2000 inventory of the armaments and ensure its proper storing, distribution and return. It is also prohibited to use personal bodyguards and to organize illegal posts to all military staff that are not entitled to it.

The other decree abolishes, as of August 1, 2000 military service by contract. The funds released with discharge of the contract staff will be used for improvement of financial and pension provision of military personnel and strengthening of material and technical base of the army. Ministry of Labor and Employment, heads of territorial authorities are obliged to provide employment for the discharged contract staff.

A HIGH-RANKING OFFICIAL WAS KILLED IN DUSHANBE.

According to the mass media information, Mr. Saif Rakhimov, the Head of Television and Broadcasting Committee was killed in the capital on May 20, in the evening near his house. The murderer made three shots and left the place of crime. The government of the country had estimated this crime as the act of political terrorism. The President of the country personally permitted to create special group of experienced specialists from Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Internal Affairs, to investigate this crime. According to the information of some newspapers, in particular ("Vostochni Express", ü 18), there are witnesses of the crime. According to the data of "Asia Plus" (ü 18) photo-robots of suspected are done.

MAJLISI NAMOYANDAGON ADOPTED LAWS ON COURT PRACTICE

Newspaper Jumhuriyat ü42 informed that last week, the deputies of Majlisi Namoyandagon adopted several draft laws, regulating activities of courts in Tajikistan. Among them are the Constitutional Law On Council of Justice, law on amendments in Constitutional law on Constitutional Court, On Supreme Court, On structure of courts, On status of judges, On Military Courts, and Law on Economic Court of RT.

PROSECUTOR GENERAL OF RT BELIEVES THAT ALMOST ALL LEVELS OF POWER IN THE COUNTRY ARE INVOLVED IN NARCOTIC BUSINESS

In the interview with newspaper Biznes i Politika No. 20 the recently appointed Prosecutor General of RT Bobojon Bobokhonov stated that in 1999 more serious crimes were registered in Tajikistan than in previous year: 5,417 in 1998 against 9,451 in 1999, or about 40% more. The prosecutor does not think that more crimes were committed in 1999. Many of crimes of previous years were disclosed and were included in statistics of 1999. In 1999, law enforcement authorities eliminated about 30 bandit groups. He also asserts that there are facts proving that almost all levels of power are involved in narcotic business. B.Bobokhonov said that members of extremist organization Hizb-ut-Tahrir have been arrested in Leninabad region, in Leninski district and in Dushanbe.

TAJIKISTAN - FOR FURTHER INTEGRATION IN CIS

Newspaper Jumhuriyat No. 42 and others informed that on May 16 President of Tajikistan received chairman of Executive Committee of CIS Yuri Yarov. The sides discussed creation of the anti-terrorism center in CIS and formation of zone of free trade. President of RT E.Rahmonov stressed that as the co-author of the idea of the anti-terrorism center in CIS, Tajikistan would like that the structure has the functions of coordinator in the joint struggle against extremism in CIS. E.Rahmonov also stated that Tajikistan is for the further integration in CIS and is extremely interested in creation of a zone of free trade.

THE SUMMIT OF "SHANGHAI FIVE" IS POSTPONED

Newspaper Asia-Plus No. 17 informed that the summit of heads of states - members of the "Shanghai Five", which was scheduled for end of May in Dushanbe, has been postponed until beginning of July. Press secretary of head of state Zafar Saidov informed A-P that the summit was postponed with the purpose of better preparing of the documents to be discussed at the meeting.

VISA REGIME WITH UZBEKISTAN - A REALITY

Newspaper Asia-Plus No. 17 informed of the visit of delegation of government of Uzbekistan to Dushanbe. The delegation is headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulaziz Kamilov. During the visit, the sides signed the Agreement on travel of citizens of Uzbekistan and RT. The document was adopted by initiative of Uzbekistan, and enforces a visa regime between the neighbor countries. The multiple entry visas for citizens of the countries would cost $4.00 for one month, $10 for 6 months, $20 for 12 months. Prolongation of visas would cost the same amount. The agreement foresees various discounts. For example, consular fees would not be charged on children under 16, workers of science, culture, art and sports, veterans of Great Patriotic War, students studying in territory of other countries, etc. Citizens of RT - residents of border areas (about twenty districts) have a right to enter territory of Uzbekistan and stay in the country up to five days without visas.

THE HEADS OF MEMBER COUNTRIES OF THE CUSTOMS UNION MET IN MINSK.

Newspapers informed, on May 22, official delegation of RT, heading by the President arrived in Minsk. The main purpose of the visit is participating in the meeting of Council of Heads of Governments and Interstate Council of Customs Union Countries. "Tajikistan" (ü21) informed that the issues of the Agreements on Customs Union and Common Economic Space and its implementation were discussed during the meeting of heads of the governments. According to "Tajikistan's" data, Mr. Nazarbayev, the President of Kazakhstan, was re-elected to the post of the Chairman of Interstate Council of Customs Union states. Mr. Tokaev, Prime-Minister of Kazakhstan, was elected to the post of the Chairman of "five" governments' heads. The next meeting of Interstate Council of Customs Union states will hold in Astana on October 2000.

SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF UNO CALLED TAJIKISTAN THE POOREST COUNTRY OF CIS

"Busines and Politick" No.21 informed, that UN Special Representative of secretary-general Ivo Petrov in his speech in headquarter of UN in New York claimed mission of UN in Tajikistan to be one of the most successful in UN peace keeping operations. Nevertheless, Ivo Petrov considers, that it's necessary to be careful in declarations about peace processes in Tajikistan to be irreversible until the situation in Afghanistan is not resolved. I. Petrov stressed attention on the terrible economic situation in Tajikistan. Tajikistan is the poorest CIS countries with $10 average salary per month. In comparison with other same countries, Tajikistan had not received enough financial funds from outside. I. Petrov asks world community to overcome humanitarian crisis in the country.

TURAJONZODA WILL PARTICIPATE IN CIS ECONOMIC COUNCIL

A-P No.21 informed, that Government delegation, guiding by the First Vice-Prime Minister of country Kh. A. Turajonzoda, will take part in regular meeting of CIS Economic Council on 25-26 of May. The issue of formation of free trade zone will be the important one.

COTTON GROWERS OF TAJIKISTAN OWED BY FUTURES

"Narodnaya Gazeta" No. 21 and A-P No. 18 informed, that Tajik cotton growers owed by futures to Swiss bank "Credit Swiss First Boston Bank". According to A-P information, total amount of debt is 36 million USD. This issue was considered during the meeting with Prime -Minister Mr. A. Akilov instructed debtors to ship about 15 thousands tones of cotton to clear off debt. A-P also informed, that during this year 26 futures contracts were concluded, with total amount $ 8 128 000.

LOCAL CURRENCY UNIT OF TAJIKISTAN IS FIVE YEARS OLD

"Businessman" No. 11 informed, that Tajik ruble is five years old. The ruble was issued in circulation as the only means of payment on May 10,1995 in the whole territory of country. Newspaper points, that ruble during this five years could survive in competition with USD and took deserving place in foreign exchange. Newspaper informs, that the National Bank continues its efforts for strengthening of national currency. According to the forecast of Tajik economists, the inflation rate would not exceed 13% in 2000. According to the newspaper's data, the National Bank fulfilled the control re-computation of 3,68 billion rubles, including 1,13 billion of cleared off and exterminated. Since the introduction of Tajik currency, 4,85 billion rubles of dilapidated banknote was immobilized, that is 9,15% from the total volume of cash money in circulation now.

BIG PARTY OF DRUGS WAS FOUNDED IN THE CAR OF TAJIK AMBASSADOR IN KAZAKHSTAN.

"Vecherny Dushanbe" ü 21 informs that two cars were detained on May 21, near the Alma-Ata by the employees of the Department of National Security Committee of Kazakhstan. One of this car was belonged to Tajik ambassador in Kazakhstan. The examination of the cars in presence of Tajik ambassador and the representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan was made. 62 kg of heroin, 54 thousand of USD in cash, banking check on the amount of 1 261 thousand English pounds were founded in these two cars. Five citizens of Tajikistan are arrested, they are suspected in smuggling of drugs. To the data of newspaper, drugs were intended for trade representative within the Embassy of Tajikistan in Kazakhstan. The main channel of drugs transit was functioning under the direct support of some official diplomatic representatives of Tajikistan in Kazakhstan.

JOURNALIST OF RADIO OZODI BEATEN IN DUSHANBE

Newspaper Asia-Plus No. 17 reported that Radio Ozodi (Liberty) expressed concern in connection to beating of the journalist of Tajik Service of the Radio, and urged the law enforcement authorities of Dushanbe find and punish the attackers. By information of the Tajik Service of the Radio, correspondent S.Dostiyev was beaten by three persons in camouflage uniform in the evening of May 12, in district 33 of Dushanbe. The journalist suffered injuries of medium gravity. Department of internal affairs of Dushanbe informed A-P on May 15 that the journalist had not applied to law enforcement authorities of Dushanbe.

TAJIKS ARE CHASED IN RUSSIA

"Najot" No.21 published the article about state of labor migrants in Russia. The author considers, that security of these people is not guaranteed. To the author's data, Tajiks migrants in Moscow and other regions of Russia are chased with militia, and several Tajiks were killed by nationalists. Chases become stronger, when Russian mass media inform about new victims of Russian army in Chechnya.