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Tajikistan: the trial period
Centre for Eastern Studies |
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Tajikistan’s experience of regaining independence and its consequent political, social and cultural transformation, was more dramatic and bitter than in any of the other Central Asian republics. It is coping well with these problems but without internal stability and considerable outside aid, Tajikistan has no chance of further development or of overcoming the deep economic and civil crisis which it faces, states the author of this paper. Curbing authoritarian tendencies, encouraging political pluralism and institutionalising the informal political mechanisms are needed to create internal stability and an environment friendly to further investment. It is necessary to strengthen the role played by moderate Muslim forces in order to meet the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalism. Tajikistan’s geopolitical location, particularly that it borders Afghanistan makes it of interest to China, Pakistan Iran and India. The events of September the 11th, led to the involvement of the USA in the region, which used Tajikistan as base for operations against the Taliban. As a result it became the beneficiary of much needed aid, with Western financial institutions financing the building of bridges and roads. This has helped to stabilise the situation, and has opened Tajikistan to the world and shaken the dogma of Russia’s monopoly of a military presence in the region. |
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Contributor: |
Centre for Eastern Studies - http://www.osw.waw.pl |
Topic: |
Politics and Governance |
Country: |
Tajikistan |
Document Type: |
Political Analyses and Commentaries |
Year: |
2004 |
Keywords: |
Coalition, Decentralisation, Elections, Institution Building, Islam |
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