Vitaly Volkov, Deutsche Welle

The talks between Russian and Tajik presidents are completed in Dushanbe. Discussion of issues Dmitry Medvedev has not managed or failed to solve during his visit to Tajikistan, will be partically continued in Issyk-Kul.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov attended the formal ceremony of the fourth block of Sangtuda-1 HPS putting into operation on July 31. It is the largest joint Russian-Tajik project. The ceremony can be called formal, because the object not only operates but provides Tajikistan  with electric power. It is also disputable topic between Moscow and Dushanbe.

Sangtuda is not gift

It deals with that one of the major problems with Sangtuda is that Tajikistan accumulates debt for electric power supplied by the station. "According to various sources, the debt varies from $18 to $30 million. Russia and Tajikistan own this station. Russia has 75 percent of shares but Tajikistan - 25 percent plus one share. But it deals with that Dushanbe has not paid its share for for these actions yet," Russian expert on Central Asia, Arkady Dubnov, being in Dushanbe now, reminded about the problem.

At present, it is not the only problem that complicates the relations between Moscow and Dushanbe. Perhaps, on this reason Russian and Tajik presidents did not speak to media after their meeting which preceded putting Sangtuda into operation.

Presidents have not solved problems

Moscow and Dushanbe have very delicate, very sharp, and nerve problems with interrelations. Any question to one of the presidents can cause an avalanche or even a domino effect. Russian-Tajik relations can break. Indeed, relations of CIS close partners are not so well, Arkady Dubnov said.

As it is known, major stumbling blocks are the Rogun hydroelectric power station project, the 201-st Russian military base, as well as the draft law on language, which is under consideration in the Tajik Parliament. Although the presidents in their statements, tried to ease the dispute, it was not finished, indeed, Arkady Dubnov said.

"Naturally, Dushanbe drew attention to the leakage of information with reference to undisclosed Kremlin other Russian pro-governmental sources that Moscow may respond to such Dushanbe's demarches by response demarches, such as restrictions for arrival of guest workers or visa regime in relations with Tajikistan. It is, indeed, very serious and inadequate response. All this proves that the problems are not solved, at the moment, the Russian expert said.

The Kremlin will need Dushanbe's support in Bishkek

On the other hand, it was undesirable for Dmitry Medvedev to aggravate relations with the Tajik vis-à-vis during visit to Dushanbe, as both of them will negotiate at the unofficial summit of the Collective Security Treaty Organization in Bishkek tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

There, the Kremlin need loyalty from Emomali Rakhmonov towards plan of establishment and structuring of the Collective Operational Reaction Forces of the CSTO.
Arkady Dubnov is confident that the initiative of Moscow will be opposed by Belorussian and Uzbek presidents. Kyrgyz support is unobvious.

Dushanbe is willing to be coordinator

It was easier to declare success as a result of a quadripartite meeting of presidents of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Russia took place on July 30. It took place in the context of the efforts of the international community indicated at G8 Summit in Italy, aiming to attract neigbouring countires to solve Afghan problem.

"It deals with that some proposals were voiced by Pakistan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan to assist Afghanistan. Rakhmonov has declared himself major coordinator of these proposals. He will summarize them and deliver at the next meeting in other format. Arcady Dubnov said that there is no reason to argue that this meeting has brought concrete results, apart from a possible agreement to cooperate in the establishment of the so-called power market, uniting regions of Central and South Asia.

Nobody paid attention to explosion

Explosion occurred in Dushanbe Thursday in the evening. Observers tend to qualify it as terror act. Was it somehow reflected on the meetings of Presidents and the mood in the capital given disturbing situation with security in the Republic? Russian commentator Arkady Dubnov said that situation looks like as if Dushanbe gets used to such incidents, being duty background of situation in Tajikistan. I talked to people there, they are indifferent to both authority and those who are behind these explosions.

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