TAJIK OPPOSITION LEADER SAYS MOSCOW DISAPPROVES OF DUSHANBE’S LATEST MOVES.

United Tajik Opposition (UTO) First Deputy Chairman Akbar Turanjozoda yesterday reported that Moscow shares UTO’s concerns over the Tajik parliament’s recent measures against the UTO. Returning from talks with Russian officials in Moscow on economic and political issues, Turanjozoda reaffirmed that the UTO will insist on a reversal of the parliament’s moves. (Itar-Tass, June 1) The parliament has most recently banned parties of a religious character and has invalidated the appointment of two UTO leaders to government posts.

Moscow officially signaled disapproval of these breaches of the peace agreement on May 29. UTO chairman Saidabdullo Nuri, who doubles as chairman of the government-opposition National Reconciliation Commission, warned that the UTO would withdraw from the pacification process if Rahmonov fails to veto the parliament’s measures. (Itar-Tass, May 31). Rahmonov on the whole controls the Tajik parliament.–VS

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