DUSHANBE, October 4, 2010, Asia-Plus — The Ministry of Defense (MoD) states that the majority of reports by Tajik independent media over an attack on a military convoy in Rasht and the latest developments in the area cover the events one-sidedly.
In a statement released on October 4, Defense Minister Sherali Kairulloyev says that journalists do not realize that by releasing such reports they assist terrorists and play into their hands “and thereby they commit serious crime.”
The minister wonders why journalists have covered that terrorist attack one-sidedly. “In their reports, journalists describe errors and shortcomings of the Ministry of Defense, its officials and servicemen as if they are outstanding military experts. But they don’t not ask themselves who and by whose order conducted that shameful and inhuman act,” sad the statement posted on Khovar’s website.
“Moreover, these media have the face to demand apology from the Ministry of Defense for recent TV program, in which they were harshly criticized. But it is you esteemed journalists that must apologize, if you have a heart.”
The statement also notes that there are some political parties and separate politicians that superficially condemn the terrorist, accusing the government of emergence of the problem.
“At a time like this, they demand dialogue and negotiations,” said the statement, “I wonder whom this dialogue must be conducted with? With terrorists and killers or with you, leaders of political parties? If we meet with you and fulfill your demands, terrorists will be satisfied? If so, one may conclude that they are forces that were illegally armed by you because they consider your opinion. Therefore, there ought to think before saying.”
At the end of the statement, the Ministry of Defense demands law enforcement authorities of the country make a legal assessment of reports by Tajik independent media over events in the east of Tajikistan.
