PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN

At a Headquarters press conference this afternoon, the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmonov, told correspondents that the situation in neighbouring Afghanistan could destabilize the Central Asian region.

Acknowledging the serious problems the flow of drugs and arms posed to the security of nations in the region, President Rahmonov pledged his country's continued determination to end illegal trafficking, especially along the Tajik-Afghan borders. The Afghan problem could undermine the fragile peace in his country.

The President said some of the measures taken against cross-border trafficking had been successful, and there had been a noticeable drop in incidents of border violation. Tajikistan was working closely with its neighbours in this regard.

Counting the successes of his six-year-old independent nation, President Rahmonov said law and order had returned to Tajikistan and that a democratic system of government had been put firmly in place with the full participation of all the different forces. Eight political parties were in existence under a Constitution that had been adopted by a referendum.

Calling on foreign investors to take advantage of the ongoing economic reforms in Tajikistan, Mr. Rahmonov said a number of public enterprises were being privatized and others were being made into stockholding companies. Land reform was being implemented. Export was being liberalized.

Stressing that Tajikistan had close economic cooperation with many countries, the President said over 200 joint ventures were already in operation, including the Tajik-British joint gold production venture, as well as a cotton-processing venture with Italy. His economic policies were aimed at increasing productivity and satisfying the basic needs of the people.

Decrying the negative publicity his country had been receiving in the world media, the President invited members of the mass media to visit Tajikistan to see things for themselves.

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