RUSSIAN SUPPORT FOR DUSHANBE DECRIED.

Arguing that Moscow lacks a considered policy in Tajikistan, Novoe vremya (no.16) suggested that the Russian border guards there are not a stabilizing force because they too obviously back one side in the conflict. But that is simply a reflection of a broader problem, the journal said. Moscow seems to believe that it must back the current regime regardless of what it does. Even the Uzbek government–long one of the staunchest supporters of Dushanbe against the Islamic opposition–is now moving away from the current Tajik government.

Tajiks to Launch Their Own Currency.