DUSHANBE, November 24, 2009, Asia-Plus — Uzbekistan’s decision to withdraw from the unified central Asian power grid is politically motivated because Uzbekistan now has real opportunities to influence economic and political situation in Tajikistan, Tajik political scientist Shokirjon Hakimov said in an interview with Asia-Plus.
Thus, Uzbekistan’s withdrawal from the unified power grid makes Turkmen electricity deliveries to Tajikistan in the winter period impossible that may result in energy security situation in Tajikistan becoming worse and people’ trust in political leadership of the republic decreasing, Haikmov noted.
“By this decision, Uzbek authorities want to demonstrate that Uzbekistan plays a dominant role in the Central Asian region,” the expert said.
According to him, Tajikistan should take adequate measures with regard to Uzbekistan’s withdrawal from the unified Central Asian power grid.
“We must use all levers of pressure we have to make Uzbekistan reconsider its decision,” said Hakimov, “Thus, in response of the neighboring country’s decision to pull out of the unified power grid of the region Tajikistan could make a decision to withdraw from the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia, which is empowered to deal with issues of regulation, distribution, rational use and maintenance of trans-border water resources of the region.”
He further added that taking into account its national interests, Tajikistan could also reconsider its attitude to some regional organizations.
