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News
Headlines
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EBRD could mediate drumming up foreign
investments in
Tajikistan's economy: Rahmonov.
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Tajik known artiste Gurminj Zavqibekov passes
away.
- Tajikistan
to toughen efforts against unfounded rise
in prices of essential goods.
-
CIS railways heads plan to endorse new tariff
policy on goods transportation.
-
Tajik Industry Ministry sums up results of work
carried out in nine months of this year.
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German Agro Action trains population of mountain
areas to respond to natural disasters.
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Information-Analytic Center to be set up at
Mayor's office of Tajik capital.
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Disarmament starts in northern Afghanistan
without fanfare.
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UN condemns West Bank wall.
PRESIDENT
RAHMONOV INITIATES FURTHER HUMANIZATION
OF CRIMINAL LEGISLATION
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - The Tajik Government has
sent to the
Tajik Lower House (Majlisi Namoyandagon) a bill "On
making changes and
additions to the Criminal Code of Tajikistan", presidential
press
service reported.
According to presidential press service, these amendments
to the
Criminal Code has been prepared in accordance with Article
58 of the
Tajik Constitution on legislative initiative of the President.
"This
legislative initiative has been taken in regard to the fact
that human
being, his/her rights and freedoms are the highest value
in society",
reported presidential press service, "The bill has
been drafted and
submitted to the Parliament for the purpose of developing
a process of
democratization of the country's criminal legislation and
bringing it
into line with international legal acts". The draft
law provides for
making principle changes to some articles of the Criminal
Code of
Tajikistan softening punishment that is aimed, first of
all, at
humanization of the criminal legislation. Thus, these changes
provide
for extending opportunity for courts to pass alternative
punishments,
in particular being not connected with jailing and presupposing
re-education of convicted at large. After endorsement by
the
parliament of the mentioned amendments imprisonment will
be not used
for underage committing grave crime for the first time.
"Besides,
dispositions of some articles of the Criminal Code will
be presented
more precisely and concretely in the new edition",
according to
presidential press service.
EBRD
COULD MEDIATE DRUMMING UP INVESTMENTS
IN TAJIKISTAN'S ECONOMY: RAHMONOV
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - The European Bank for
Reconstruction
and Development (EBRD) could mediate drumming up foreign
investments
in economy and Tajikistan and promote increase in its industrial
and
energy potential for economic reconstruction of neighboring
Afghanistan, presidential press service quoted President
Rahmonov as
saying today at a meeting with visiting Director of the
EBRD
Business-Group for Russia and Central Asia Mr. Hubert Panza
(phonetically spelled).
As Asia-Plus was told at presidential press service in the
course of
the talks the sides discussed a present state and prospects
of further
expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the European
Bank for
Reconstruction and Development. Rahmonov highly appraised
the today's
level of relations between the republic and the Bank stressing
that
the EBRD had funded implementation of several important
projects in
the republic such as reconstruction of runways at airports
in Dushanbe
and Khujand, banks and private sector support, etc. Leader
of
Tajikistan expressed hope for further cooperation with the
EBRD and
that that cooperation would cover new branches of economy,
first of
all, transport and telecommunications sectors, according
to
presidential press service.
TAJIK
KNOWN ARTISTE GURMINJ ZAVQIBEKOV PASSES AWAY
DUSHANBE, Yesterday night, at about 10:00 p.m., Tajik known
actor
National Artist of Tajikistan Gurminj Zavqibekov passed
away.
Gurminj Zavqibekov was known in Tajikistan not only as gifted
actor of
cinema and theatre but also as a great expert in Tajik folk
music. He
founded at his home the first in Tajikistan the Museum of
Musical
Instrument, which has become one of sights of our capital
city. Today
afternoon, civil funeral was held at the Museum of Gurminj
Zavqibekov.
Mr. Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev, Chairman of the Majlisi Milli
also Mayor
of Dushanbe, and other officials attended the funeral ceremony.
Hundreds have come to say farewell to this gifted man.
TAJIKISTAN
TO TOUGHEN EFFORTS AGAINST UNFOUNDED
RISE IN PRICES OF ESSENTIAL GOODS ON MARKETS
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - Tajik Committee for Anti-Monopoly
Policy yesterday held a board meeting to sum up the results
of the
work carried out by the Committee in nine months of the
current year.
The meeting focused attention on discussion of issues related
to
measures taken to prevent unfounded rise in prices of essential
goods
(wheat flour, vegetable oil, sugar, etc.) in the republic.
As
Asia-Plus was told at the Anti-Monopoly Committee prices
of essential
goods showed an upward tendency in early August of the current
year
already and the Committee has taken all necessary measures
in
accordance with the present anti-monopoly legislation to
prevent this
process. Recently, according to the source, they have managed
to stop
unfounded rise in prices of wheat flour imported by Tajikistan
from
Kazakhstan.
The board meeting also considered issues related to state
control over
observance of anti-monopoly legislation on the republican
market of
good s and services. It was noted at the meeting that in
this
connection, a special commission dedicated to control formation
of
prices of essential goods on markets had been set up at
the Tajik
Committee for Anti-Monopoly Policy.
On results of the board meeting, all relevant structures
were ordered
to take under their control activities of markets in the
republic.
CIS
RAILWAYS PLAN TO ENDORSE NEW TARIFF POLICY
ON GOODS TRANSPORTATION
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - The 12 the conference
of heads of
the CIS railways will open on October 29, in the Kyrgyz
capital city
of Bishkek.
As Asia-Plus was told at the Tajik Railways the conference
is aiming
to work out and coordinate a tariff policy on good transportation
for
the next freight year of 2004. Tajik delegation at the conference
will be led representative of the Tajik Railways to the
Russian
Ministry of Communications and the Board of the CIS Council
for
Railways, Bahrom Shodiyev. The conference's work will last
till
November 1.
TAJIK
INDUSTRY MINISTRY SUMS UP RESULTS OF WORK
CARRIED IN NINE MONTHS OF 2003
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - Tajik Industry Minister
Zayd Saidov
yesterday presided over a meeting of an enlarged meeting
of the board
of the ministry. Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov attended
the
ministry's session. The meeting summed up the results of
work carried
out by the ministry in January-September of this year.
During the meeting, it was noted that in nine months of
the current
year, industrial enterprises of the republic produced 229.4
million
Somoni worth of output, 42 million Somoni more than last
year. Out of
117 enterprises of the Tajik Ministry of Industry, 80 have
met the
targets and 92 others have speeded up the production rates,
Industry
Ministry press service reported. At the same time, Zayd
Saidov
speaking at the meeting noted that a state of affairs at
some
enterprises such as the Yovon Chemical Plant, "Zarya
Vostoka" and
"Zarafshon" left much to be desired. According
to the Minister, a
volume of production at industrial enterprises should increase
by the
end of the current year by 25 percent compared to the previous
year.
Concerning successes made by the industrial enterprises
of the
republic, Saidov said they had managed to yield those results
due to
their own force and foreign investments.
Oqil Oqilov, for his part, pointed to the necessity of drumming
up
more foreign investments and enhancing quality of the produced
output
for increasing a volume of production at the industrial
enterprises.
GERMAN
ARO ACTION TRAINS POPULATION OF MOUNTAIN
AREAS TO RESPOND TO NATURAL DISASTERS
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - "Preparedness of
population for
possible natural disasters measures on mitigation of their
effects" ,
that is the subject of training conducted by the German
Agro Action
(GAA) in Tajikistan under the disaster preparedness program
of the
European Community Humanitarian Office (DIPECHO). The program's
principal objective is to reduce the impact of natural disasters
by
strengthening local physical and human resources in high-risk
areas.
As Asia-Plus was told at the GAA office in Dushanbe they
have
conducted already 8 out of 10 planned training so far. More
than 100
people from rural jamoats of Rasht, Tavildara, Nurobod (formerly
Darband) and Tojikobod districts in eastern Tajikistan.
The source
says experts from the Tajik Ministry of Emergency Situations
and Civil
Defense, as well as specialists in forestry and soil scientists
have
been invited to conduct those training.
For conducting these training the GAA has selected vulnerable
areas in
which there is the high frequency and high impact of natural
disasters
and the low response capacity. And experts from the ministry
of
emergency situations and representatives from the high-risk
areas
themselves are determining what kind of disaster is the
most typical
for this area. According to the source, each training consists
of two
phases: the first phase includes lectures and seminars and
during the
second phase a selected group numbering 20 persons has practiced
coordination of efforts in simulated natural disaster and
mitigation
of its effects. population together with specialists is
also
participating in working out measures to mitigate effects
of possible
disaster. They distribute to all participants visual aids
(booklets
and instructions) containing information about the natural
disaster
and population's actions in case of occurrence of them.
The source also says that on results of training it is expected
that
additional protection facilities will be constructed and
rapid
reaction with food and medicine reserve will be set up at
villages and
jamoats.
INFORMATION-ANALYTIC
CENTER TO BE SET UP
AT MAYOR'S OFFICE OF TAJIK CAPITAL
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - For the purpose of efficiently
informing city-dwellers of events and activities organized
and carried
out by the Mayor's office of Dushanbe an Information-Analytic
Center
is planned to be set up at the Mayor's Office, mayor's press
service
reported.
Shavkat Saidov, a spokesman for the mayor, told Asia-Plus
the Center
is dedicated to provide to city-dwellers opportune and reliable
information about implementation of municipal programs aimed
at
socioeconomic development of the capital city, preparation
and
celebration of national holidays, carrying out republican
and
international events in Dushanbe, and about activities of
sub-divisions of the Mayor's office. The Center will also
inform in
good time the city-dwellers of changing regime of supplying
water,
electricity, natural gas, work of telephone services.
Besides, employees of the Center will conduct opinion polls,
organize
news conferences with senior representatives from the Mayor's
Office
(once a quarter). The Center will also have its website
on Internet
for creation of which 2,339 Somoni will be allocated from
the city's
budget..
ADMINISTRATION
OF LOCAL BUDGET DISCUSSED IN GORNO BADAKHSHAN
KHOROG, October 22, Asia-Plus - Financial and tax structures
of the
Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO) have held a
meeting to
discuss a progress of administration of the local budget
over the
current year. It was noted at the meeting that revenue and
expenses
parts of the budget have amounted to 10.30 million Somoni,
which is
101 percent of the planned. It was noted that some organizations
and
enterprises had not used completely funds allocated for
purchasing
fuel, paying electricity, telephone communication, repairing
and
purchasing necessary equipment that might effect a progress
of
preparation for winter season. A special focus was given
to issues
related to clearing off debts for consumption of electric
power,
communication, and public utilities. Participants at the
meeting have
also introduced motions on working out the draft budget
for 2004.
DISARMAMENT
STARTS IN NORTHERN AFGHANISTAN WITHOUT FANFARE
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - Xinhua -- -- The much-awaited
program to disarm some 100,000 former militants in Afghanistan
started
in Kunduz province without fanfare on Tuesday, one day before
the
project is scheduled to kick off officially. Around 500
pieces of
light weapons, including Kalashnikov assault rifles and
RPG-7 rocket
launchers, were collected during the day, a provincial official
told
Xinhua. Tuesday's move is a pilot project to disarm different
armed
factions in the province, which will be followed by four
other
provinces across the country, including the area around
the capital
city of Kabul, under the UN-supported program.
The so-call Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration
(DDR)
program was due to be formally launched in the province
on Wednesday.
Under it, those who turn over their arms will receive 100
US dollars
in compensation, plus 130 kilograms of rice, flour and ghee.
A
UN-funded DDR office in the province would also look for
new jobs for
those disarmed soldiers and provide chemical fertilizers
and sees to
those who choose to work on the land. "All the people
in Kunduz
welcome the program, and this is a great chance for peace
in our
province," said Abdul Mutalib, the provincial governor.
The governor stressed that the disarmament process would
bring lasting
peace and stability to the area. President Hamid Karzai
is expected
to attend a grand inaugural ceremony for the program in
Kunduz city,
the provincial capital, on Friday.
UN
CONDEMNS WEST BANK WALL
DUSHANBE, October 22, Asia-Plus - BBC News -- The United
Nations
General Assembly has overwhelmingly passed a resolution
demanding that
Israel halt the construction of a security barrier in the
West Bank,
BBC News reported. The resolution also calls for existing
stretches
of fence to be removed. It says the barrier contravenes
international
law, but falls short of meeting Arab-led demands that the
entire
matter be referred to the International Court of Justice
in the Hague
for a legal ruling.
The BBC says the resolution sends a clear message to Israel.
However
General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, and
carry less
weight those passed in the Security Council.
The vote was passed with 144 in favor, 4 opposed and 12
members
abstaining.
Meanwhile, Russian officials at the UN say they have circulated
a new
Security Council resolution calling on both Israel and the
Palestinians to fulfil their obligations under the
internationally-backed peace plan, known as the road map.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan now has to report back in
a month's
time on Israeli compliance with the demand that work on
the barrier be
reversed. If the situation has not changed, then Mr. Annan
is tasked
with suggesting what further actions should be considered.
The vote came after lengthy negotiations between nations
representing
the European Union and the regional grouping of Arab countries.
Arab
diplomats had initially called for two resolutions, one
calling for an
end to construction of the security barrier and the second
seeking a
legal opinion on the barrier from the International Court
of Justice.
But a number of EU nations along with other UN member states
expressed
concern that if the matter was taken to The Hague this could
lead to
charges that the court itself was being politicized.
The
information is prepeared and released by Information Agency
"Asia Plus".
Adress: 35/1 Bohtar street, 8 floor, Dushanbe
Tel: ( 372 ) 21-78-63, 21-72-20, 24-40-13
Fax: ( 372 ) 21-78-63
E-mail: mailto:info@asiaplus.tajik.net
www.asiaplus.tajnet.com
www.ap.infotaj.com
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