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Delegation Reports
Parliamentary delegation from Tajikistan
15 to 19 November 2010 Delegation Mamadsaid Ubaidulloev Saidov Nurddon Saidovich Rajabova Zarrina Gulomshoeva Kobilamo Kanovna Nozimov Mahmadsharif Latipov Rustam Barotovich Saidov Shavkat Norkuzievich Mahmudov Sohibnazar Ubaidulloevich – Security Officer The delegation arrived at Heathrow airport on Sunday, 14 November and were met on arrival by HE Mr Erkin Kasymov, Ambassador for Tajikistan, and Kenneth Courtenay, General Secretary of the IPU. The programme started on Monday morning with a meeting with the Lord Speaker. During the meeting, the Tajik Speaker gave an overview of Tajikistan – a pioneering country in medicine where the study of English was compulsory. The priority there is to adopt laws in economic and social areas to improve the lives of the people. As a result, 47% of citizens live below the poverty line compared to 80% ten years previously. Mr Ubaidulloev continued by explaining that the country has excellent hydro facilities, and there is pressure to develop these. Electricity cuts are frequent in the winter and there is an issue on how to improve the power distribution. The Lord Speaker was invited to visit next year, the 20th anniversary of independence. The second meeting of the morning was a presentation on parliamentary procedures by Mark Hutton, Head of the Overseas Office in the House of Commons. The delegation asked many questions on the Westminster Model, and were intrigued by how our Government is answerable to Parliament. They also asked about the Parliament Act and whether it ever created a conflict between the Commons and the Lords. Lunch that day took place in the Peers’ Dining Room and was hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Anderson of Swansea, a Vice-Chair of the Central Asia All Party Group. The treasures were found 130 years ago by the Oxus River, which forms the border between Tajikistan and Afghanistan.They are currently in the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Leaving the Museum, the delegation headed to the South Bank for a trip on the London Eye before returning to Parliament for the official welcome reception hosted by Nigel Evans MP, acting Chair of the British Group. Tuesday morning began with a tour of the Palace of Westminster led by Tim Loughton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Education. The tour was followed by a meeting with members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Mike Gapes MP; it was also attended by David Watts MP. Mike Gapes began by briefly explaining our select committee system which has been developed over the last 30 years, and was now stronger than ever. He gave various examples of the committee holding the FCO and the Ministers to account. He went on to explain that the Committee had recently visited Afghanistan and Pakistan, something the delegation were very pleased to hear. The Speaker responded by stating that because Tajikistan had a long border with Afghanistan, the country was very keen to see peace in the region. He said Tajikistan was grateful for the UK’s – and other international forces’– efforts in Afghanistan. However, he thought that it was now time to find an alternative to the military solution – one based on dialogue. He explained that the 1300 km-long mountainous border terrain was very difficult to police and that help was needed in this regard. He finished by saying that the drug trafficking was the main source of income for the Taliban in Afghanistan – and this would continue unless alternative economic solutions were found. The Speaker also touched on the importance of a new high voltage powerline from Tajikistan to Afghanistan and stemming from that the need for a new hydro power station. Finally, the Speaker voiced his concern over the lack of any inter-governmental agreements between the UK and Tajikistan – stating that they were the only country in Central Asia without any such agreements. Lunch that day was a working lunch at Shepherd’s restaurant – chaired by Jeremy Corbyn MP, a member of the British Group Executive Committee. The discussions again centred mainly on Afghanistan and hydro power. After lunch, the delegation was back in Parliament for a meeting with the Defence Select Committee chaired by James Arbuthnot MP; it was also attended by Dai Havard MP and Bob Russell MP. The Speaker opened discussions by explaining that because of clashes with the coalition forces, the Taliban were moving from the South of Afghanistan to the North, towards the border with Tajikistan – and this was of obvious concern to the delegation. He reminded the Committee members that Tajik land and airspace was being used by the coalition forces and they were very happy to assist with this. He went on to say again, however, that in his opinion a military solution to the problem did not exist. Efforts should concentrate on economic development in Afghanistan – creating a modern infrastructure and educating the future workforce. The Committee Members stated that they were surprised to learn the Taliban were moving north. The Speaker confirmed that there had been clashes with the Taliban at their borders – and Tajik surveillance found that the Taliban were well armed in the North and there was even evidence that they have armoured personnel carriers. The Taliban were even sending envoys into Tajikistan and other neighbouring countries to intimidate those assisting with the coalition forces. The Speaker ended by saying they had enough manpower at the borders but they needed assistance with more technical equipment – more modern surveillance installations. The meeting concluded with the Committee agreeing that they had not appreciated what a key role Tajikistan played in the fight for peace in Afghanistan and that they were also surprised to learn that the UK had no inter-governmental agreements with Tajikistan. The delegation then moved up to the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London – where they met Dr Bhavna Dave, Chair, Centre of Contemporary Central Asia and the Caucasus. They also had the opportunity to talk with some Tajik students. Dinner that evening was at the Athenaeum Hotel and was hosted by Tethys Petroleum. After this meeting, the delegation watched Prime Minister’s Question Time and then moved on to Government Lunch at Lancaster House which was hosted by Robert Goodwill MP. During discussions over lunch, the UK parliamentarians praised the delegation for Tajikistan’s effort to tackle the opium poppy industry. Back to the House after lunch, the delegation sat in the gallery to watch the question session in the House of Lords before moving on to the Foreign Office for a meeting with Simon Fraser, the Permanent Under Secretary. During this meeting, the discussions again focused on Tajikistan’s role in Afghanistan, as well as the challenges posed by narcotics trafficking, environmental and water management issues affecting the region, and UK-Tajik relations including the developing commercial relationship. Back in the House of Commons again, the Speaker and Ambassador met the Speaker, the Rt Hon John Bercow in his State Rooms. Mr Speaker explained his role and that he has little influence on policy, but that he can convey messages to ministers and written material can be passed on. He said he understood there were concerns about human rights in Central Asia, and links have to be maintained with Tajikistan’s Opposition parliamentarians as well as the Government. Thursday morning began with a meeting with potential commercial investors in Tajikistan – arranged by the company, CATBIG. Peter Lilley MP, non executive Vice-Chairman of the board of Tethys Petroleum – which has a sizeable operation in Tajikistan – summed up reasons for investing in Tajikistan. The country has a good geography, there is a solid framework of tax and law within which to operate, a business friendly government (the President has created a Business Council which ensures that any problems are dealt with at the highest level), and there is a highly technically skilled and professional workforce in Tajikistan on which to draw. Following a lively lunch hosted by Asia House, which again focused on investment opportunities, but this time concentrating mainly on mining and education, the delegation headed to the airport for a flight to Edinburgh. Arriving late, the delegation relaxed over an informal dinner. Friday morning began early with a drive out to Pitlochry to visit the Cluny Hydro Power Station. Following an introduction from Paul Smith, Policy Advisor, Renewable Strategy and On-Shore Renewables, the delegation was led on a tour of the power station. Returning to Edinburgh, the delegation had a tour of the Scottish Parliament before returning on the evening flight to London. The delegation departed London from Heathrow on Saturday morning.
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