DUSHANBE, January 29, 2009, Asia-Plus — Conflicts between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in energy, transportation and other spheres are inevitable and the most thing in such situations is to minimize damage, independent Tajik expert Rashid Ghani Abdullo said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
According to him, conflicts of any kind between neighboring countries in the period of formation of them as independent states are quite common. “International experience shows that conflicts between neighbors are an inevitable component of this process,” said the expert, “Realizing inevitability of emergence of such situations, there ought to take steps to contain these conflicts and minimize possible damage. The problem is that only competent officials are able to cope with such a work.”
On the arguments that could be used in negotiations on resumption of the Turkmen power deliveries to Tajikistan via Uzbekistan, Rashid Ghani Abdullo considers that the most forcible argument is the “water” one.
“Tajik foreign minister already states that the Norak reservoir needed to operate at full capacity to compensate fort he lack of Turkmen electricity in the national power grid. In view of the fact that it is necessary to bring the reservoir to normal water level, our neighbors should be interested in the uninterrupted delivery of Turkmen electricity to Tajikistan,” said Tajik pundit, “It’s quite on the cards, that other arguments could also be used during the negotiations. Therefore, negotiators should be provided with all necessary data to support their positions.”
At the same time, Tajikistan ought to think about alternative methods of delivery of electrical power from Turkmenistan, he added. “Additional opportunities of Turkmen power deliveries to the country through Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan could make us less vulnerable to energy crises,” Rashid Ghani Abdullo noted.
However, the most effective protection against energy crises is creation of own power supply sources. “This plus more intensive exploration for hydrocarbons in the country as well as development of alternative power sources and even construction of nuclear power stations,” the expert said.
To achieve these goals it is necessary to intensify cooperation in different directions, first of all, with Islamic countries. “We have already lost much time and time has come to pass from words to deeds and get rid of prejudice that this cooperation may be unfavorable for us,” Rashid G. Abdullo said.
