PROGRESS IN TAJIKISTAN HOSTAGE CRISIS.

Renegade commanders Bakhrom and Rizvon Sodirov released eight of their hostages over the weekend and indicated that they may release the last six today. The action followed negotiations with President Imomali Rahmonov, who arrived this morning in Obigarm, close to the Sodirovs’ camp. The hostages still being held include two UN military observers — a Ukrainian and a Swiss; three employees — a Russian, a Nigerian, and a Tajik — of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees office in Tajikistan; and State Security Minister Saidamir Zuhurov.

The Monitor is a publication of the Jamestown Foundation. It is researched and written under the direction of senior analysts Jonas Bernstein, Vladimir Socor, Stephen Foye, and analysts Ilya Malyakin, Oleg Varfolomeyev and Ilias Bogatyrev. If you have any questions regarding the content of the Monitor, please contact the foundation. If you would like information on subscribing to the Monitor, or have any comments, suggestions or questions, please contact us by e-mail at pubs@jamestown.org, by fax at 301-562-8021, or by postal mail at The Jamestown Foundation, 4516 43rd Street NW, Washington DC 20016. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution of the Monitor is strictly prohibited by law. Copyright (c) 1983-2002 The Jamestown Foundation Site Maintenance by Johnny Flash Productions