DUSHANBE, January 14, 2014, Asia-Plus – According to information posted on the Kyrgyz MFA’s official website, Kyrgyzstan has recalled its ambassador to Tajikistan over an incident around a disputed segment of the Tajik-Kyrgyz border.
In a statement released on January 14, the Kyrgyz MFA says Ambassador Urmat Saralayev had been recalled for consultations.
Meanwhile, an official source at Tajikistan’s Foreign Ministry says, “We do not have information about the recall of Kyrgyz envoy. Comments may be given only after clarification of this information.”
We will recall that construction of the Aksai-Koktash-Tamdyk road by Kyrgyz authorities in a disputed area of the two countries’ border sparked a shootout between border guards from the two countries on January 11.
According to Kyrgyz officials, five Kyrgyz border guards, one Kyrgyz policeman, and three Tajik border guards were hospitalized with injuries after tensions escalated into exchanges of gunfire along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
In a statement released on January11, Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) blamed the Kyrgyz side for starting the problem. The Tajik statement said the incident started on January 11 at 12:20 after Kyrgyz workers using armed cover of soldiers started doing work on a road, part of which passes through Tajikistan.
Kyrgyz authorities, or their part, noted last Saturday that a clash on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan can be regarded as a military operation planned in advance by the Tajik side.
Radio Liberty reports that Bishkek announced earlier on January 14 that the construction of the road would continue despite Tajikistan”s request to halt the project until the border is delimited.
