DUSHANBE, January 11, Asia-Plus – The resumption of the BBC’s services in Tajikistan on FM frequencies figured in three European Ambassadors’ discussions with Tajik Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zaripov on January 10, German Ambassador to Tajikistan Rainer Muller remarked at a meeting with journalists in Dushanbe on January 11.
According to him, the British Ambassador, Graeme Loten, raised the issue. “As far as I know, the question is of bureaucracy,” said German diplomat, “Foreign Minister Zaripov promised to assist in resolving this problem.” Muller expressed hope that the issue of the resumption of the BBC FM broadcasts in Tajikistan will be resolved soon.
“During the meeting, the minister noted that the suspension of the BBC’s services in Tajikistan on FM frequencies is procedural and there is no any political aspect in the suspension of the BBC FM broadcasts in the country.”
We will recall that on January 10, 2006, after the BBC was unable to complete the process of extending its registration in the 20 days stipulated by Tajik law, its FM broadcasts in Tajikistan were ended. The BBC called the 20-day deadline to register with the Justice Ministry “unrealistic.”
