Tajikistan Politics

Dushanbe fears of a Shia population in Tajikistan will be influenced by the returning Iranian seminary graduates (Islamic religious radicalism) might cause violence, and anti state activities. The Tajik government ordered 200 students studying in Tehran home and took out 90 Tajik students from schools run by the Iranian embassy in Dusanbe. Siding with Iran over the issue of nuclear energy, they were quoted as saying, "the international community must respect Iran's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The claims that Iran is after developing atomic weapons should be proved at the first hand" before the international community can take measures against it. "The international agreements, contracts, and conventions stipulate Iran's right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes", stated the first foreign minister of Tajikistan, Saymumin Yatimov. Tajikistan is skeptical over the use of sanctions against Iran is not a good way for the Security Council resolutions to resolve the global issues making them more complicated. The June 2009 Presidential elections saw Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon congratulate President Ahmadinejad on his reelection, mentioning that his victory was free and transparent, proving evidence that the Iranian people support their country's policies. Several high profile visits between the two countries have been canceled in 2011, with Tajikistan rebuffing the Iranian proposal to end visa restrictions between them because of growing tensions. Limiting the inflluence and interests in Tajikistan, and Iranian relations, while facing a strong cultural affinity are facing obstacles for further negotiations. Withdrawing from Afghanistan and the issue of whether the US understands that Central Asia will become peripheral to US interests is forcing them to reevaluate their entire policy towards the region. Central Asian republics must understand that Tajikistan's economy is susceptible to instability emanating from a post-US Afghanistan, and the violence in the country can put US investments in jeopardy across the region. Suggestions on the table are, 1) the Tajik government should find common ground while monitoring the Shia population to check the influence their students returning from Iran have, 2) as a neighboring country they have a responsibility to Iran and the international community to continue working with Iran to resolve the issue of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, 3) ease tensions with Iran to realize that there can be a happy medium with each others religious beliefs.