BBC MONITORING INTERNATIONAL REPORTS: AGREEMENT REACHED IN
TAJIKISTAN ON NEW UNIVERSITY

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.

BBC MONITORING INTERNATIONAL REPORTS: TAJIK HEAD, AGA KHAN IV
SIGN AGREEMENT TO OPEN CENTRAL ASIAN UNIVERSITY

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]