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Text of report by Tajik radio on 29th August
Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov of Tajikistan yesterday met Aga Khan
IV, who came to our country to sign an agreement on setting up a Central
Asian university. The aforementioned agreement was signed [on 28th August]
by Aga Khan IV and President Emomali Rahmonov of Tajikistan.
Oqilov expressed gratitude to the distinguished guest for his
great contribution to setting up the scientific establishment. The prime
minister noted that it would be a unique university and that the cadres
trained by it would lead the country in the next century.
Speaking about economic development in the country, the prime
minister said that the situation in this sector was gradually coming back to
normal.
Now we need not only humanitarian aid. We also need investments
made on a mutually beneficial basis, the prime minister said. In this aspect
the Aga Khan Foundation can be cited as an example, Oqilov said. The
government of the republic has been paying great attention to setting up
joint ventures, as they create jobs for the people and promote the
improvement of their living conditions. We may cooperate with the Aga Khan
Foundation in mining, the processing of precious stones and tourism. Using
all this for the benefit of the people, one can gain a lot. We are satisfied
that we may have comprehensive cooperation with you, Oqilov said.
Issues relating to the problems of Sarez Lake [in eastern
Tajikistan] and the development of tourism were also touched upon during the
meeting.
Touching upon the prime minister's proposals on developing
tourism in Tajikistan, Aga Khan IV said that he would invest in building a
modern hotel in Dushanbe [capital].
The world leader of the Ismaili Shiah Muslim sect, Prince Karim
Aga Khan IV, on Monday signed an agreement with Tajik President Emomali
Rahmonov to found a Central Asian university, Tajik radio reported.
The agreement is due to be signed later by the presidents of
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
The Russian news agency ITAR-TASS earlier reported that an
international university is being planned for the Tajik mountain town of
Khorugh, where the republic's Ismaili community is mainly concentrated.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov received His Majesty Prince
Karim Aga Khan today. The presidential spokesman, Zafar Saidov, comments:
[Saidov] A ceremony was held at the presidential palace to sign
an agreement between Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and the Imam of the
world Ismailis on setting up a Central Asian university. The agreement was
signed for the Tajik government by President Rahmonov and Prince Aga Khan
IV. At the next stage, the agreement will also be signed by the heads of
Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
[passage omitted: before signing the agreement, President
Rahmonov and Prince Aga Khan IV discussed cooperation]