INTER-TAJIK TALKS OPEN AND BREAK DOWN.

Tajik government-opposition negotiations on the country’s post-war political system opened yesterday in Tehran, but promptly broke down over Dushanbe’s execution of two opposition prisoners and the Russian authorities’ arrest or attempted arrest of 11 opposition members. Both actions contravene the amnesty announced at the preceding round of negotiations, Opposition chief delegate Akbar Turanjozoda said in announcing the suspension of talks. Dushanbe offered to release two other Opposition prisoners as compensation for the two executed. Russia’s delegate to the Tehran talks accused the Opposition of using "tried-and-tested pretexts" and described the 11 Tajiks as terrorists. (Itar-Tass, April 9)

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