Comments on: Russia: Friend or Foe? http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/ neweurasia\'s latest on Tajikistan Sun, 27 Jul 2008 09:33:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.3 By: great blog http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-7344 great blog Tue, 02 Jan 2007 13:54:38 +0000 http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-7344 <strong>great blog...</strong> ... great blog…

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]]> By: Tajik Boy http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-715 Tajik Boy Tue, 09 May 2006 17:07:40 +0000 http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-715 James- I think the choice is always there. The issue here is what are the (political) costs for the current government? True, economically the country has been active (again if we look at the nature of these activities, the Russian parties are omni-present). However, a quick peek into the nature of the contracts (be it shareholding of alluminum plant or the construction of Hydro-power plants) will reveal that Tajiks are being ripped off. I don't know if that is because of GoT lack of experience or otherwise, but it seems the country is getting itself further into debt (pressured by political alliance with Russia), while perhaps other alternatives (West and China) could exist. I think GoT mixes political agenda with an economic one here. They should not necessarily be the same. I don't see why the country could not pursue an economic agenda that is independent of political alliances. James-

I think the choice is always there. The issue here is what are the (political) costs for the current government? True, economically the country has been active (again if we look at the nature of these activities, the Russian parties are omni-present). However, a quick peek into the nature of the contracts (be it shareholding of alluminum plant or the construction of Hydro-power plants) will reveal that Tajiks are being ripped off. I don’t know if that is because of GoT lack of experience or otherwise, but it seems the country is getting itself further into debt (pressured by political alliance with Russia), while perhaps other alternatives (West and China) could exist.

I think GoT mixes political agenda with an economic one here. They should not necessarily be the same. I don’t see why the country could not pursue an economic agenda that is independent of political alliances.

]]> By: Manuchehr http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-711 Manuchehr Mon, 08 May 2006 19:01:10 +0000 http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-711 I am afraid, the intra-Tajik regional divisions are too strong to make a case for a strong national identity. worse yet there are divisions within the regions, as well as between them. national unity!? we are a long way away from it. there is too much thinking about one's own interests going on, e.g. rampant corruption, unfortunately. I am afraid, the intra-Tajik regional divisions are too strong to make a case for a strong national identity. worse yet there are divisions within the regions, as well as between them. national unity!? we are a long way away from it. there is too much thinking about one’s own interests going on, e.g. rampant corruption, unfortunately.

]]> By: James http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-698 James Sat, 06 May 2006 03:42:49 +0000 http://tajikistan.neweurasia.net/2006/05/04/russia-friend-or-foe/#comment-698 Perhaps more pointedly, does Tajikistan really have much of a choice? Right now, not really; dealing with superpowers is old hat for Central Asian rulers. Were I Rakhmanov, I would just keep playing the same game in foreign policy (balance everyone, anger no one - especially the Russians), and concentrate on the economy. And that seems to be exactly what is happening. Perhaps more pointedly, does Tajikistan really have much of a choice? Right now, not really; dealing with superpowers is old hat for Central Asian rulers. Were I Rakhmanov, I would just keep playing the same game in foreign policy (balance everyone, anger no one - especially the Russians), and concentrate on the economy.

And that seems to be exactly what is happening.

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