text:
Coordinates: 39°N 71°E / 39°N 71°E
Republic of Tajikistan
Anthem: Суруди Миллӣ Surudi Milli National Anthem |
Location of Tajikistan (green) |
Capital and largest city | Dushanbe 38°33′N 68°48′E / 38.550°N 68.800°E | |||||
Official languages | Tajik | |||||
Inter-ethnic language |
Russian | |||||
Ethnic groups (2010) | [1] | |||||
Demonym | Tajik[2] | |||||
Government | Unitary dominant-party presidential republic | |||||
• | President | Emomali Rahmon | ||||
• | Prime Minister | Kokhir Rasulzoda | ||||
Legislature | Supreme Assembly | |||||
• | Upper house | National Assembly | ||||
• | Lower house | Assembly of Representatives | ||||
Independence from the Soviet Union | ||||||
• | Declared | 9 September 1991 | ||||
• | Completed | 25 December 1991 | ||||
Area | ||||||
• | Total | 143,100 km2 (98th) 55,251 sq mi |
• | Water (%) | 1.8 | ||||
Population | ||||||
• | 2015 estimate | 8,610,000[3] (98th) | ||||
• | 2010 census | 7,564,500 | ||||
• | Density | 48.6/km2 (155th) 125.8/sq mi |
GDP (PPP) | 2011 estimate | |||||
• | Total | $17.555 billion[4] (128th) | ||||
• | Per capita | $2,247[4] | ||||
GDP (nominal) | 2015 estimate | |||||
• | Total | $8.572 billion[4] (136th) | ||||
• | Per capita | $949[4] | ||||
Gini (2009) | 30.8 medium |
HDI (2014) | 0.624[5] medium · 129th |
Currency | Somoni (TJS) | |||||
Time zone | TJT (UTC+5) | |||||
Drives on the | right | |||||
Calling code | +992 | |||||
ISO 3166 code | TJ | |||||
Internet TLD | .tj |
Tajikistan (i/tɑːˈdʒiːkᵻstɑːn/, /təˈdʒiːkᵻstæn/, or /tæˈdʒiːkiːstæn/; Тоҷикистон [tɔd͡ʒikɪsˈtɔn]), officially the Republic of Tajikistan (Tajik: Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Çumhuriji Toçikiston), is a mountainous, landlocked country in Central Asia with an estimated 8 million people in 2013, and an area of 143,100 km2 (55,300 sq mi). It is bordered by Afghanistan to the south, Uzbekistan to the west, Kyrgyzstan to the north, and China to the east. Pakistan lies to the south, separated by the narrow Wakhan Corridor. Traditional homelands of Tajik people included present-day Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan.
The territory that now constitutes Tajikistan was previously home to several ancient cultures, including the city of Sarazm[6] of the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, and was later home to kingdoms ruled by people of different faiths and cultures, including the Oxus civilization, Andronovo culture, Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism and Islam. The area has been ruled by numerous empires and dynasties, including the Achaemenid Empire, Sasanian Empire, Hephthalite Empire, Samanid Empire, Mongol Empire, Timurid dynasty, and the Russian Empire. As a result of the breakup of the Soviet Union, Tajikistan became an independent nation in 1991. A civil war was fought almost immediately after independence, lasting from 1992 to 1997. Since the end of the war, newly established political stability and foreign aid have allowed the country's economy to grow.
Tajikistan is a presidential republic consisting of four provinces. Most of Tajikistan's 8 million people belong to the Tajik ethnic group, who speak Tajik (a dialect of Persian). Many Tajiks also speak Russian as their second language. Mountains cover more than 90% of the country. It has a transition economy that is highly dependent on remittances, aluminium and cotton production.
Tajikistan means the "Land of the Tajiks". The suffix "-stan" is Persian for "place of"[7] or "country"[8] and Tajik is, most likely, the name of a pre-Islamic (before the seventh century A.D.) tribe.[9] According to the Library of Congress's 1997 Country Study of Tajikistan, it is difficult to definitively state the origins of the word "Tajik" because the term is "embroiled in twentieth-century political disputes about whether Turkic or Iranian peoples were the original inhabitants of Central Asia."[9]
Tajikistan frequently sometimes appeared as Tadjikistan or Tadzhikistan in English prior to 1991. This is due to a transliteration from the Russian: "Таджикистан". In Russian, there is no single letter j to represent the phoneme /ʤ/ and дж, or dzh, is used. Tadzhikistan is the most common alternate spelling and is widely used in English literature derived from Russian sources.[10] "Tadjikistan" is the spelling in French and can occasionally be found in English language texts. The way of writing Tajikistan in the Perso-Arabic script is: ".تاجکستان"
Early history
Cultures in the region have been dated back to at least the 4th millennium BCE, including the Bronze Age Bactria–Margiana Archaeological Complex, the Andronovo cultures and the pro-urban site of Sarazm, a UNESCO World Heritage site.[11]
The earliest recorded history of the region dates back to about 500 BCE when much, if not all, of modern Tajikistan was part of the Achaemenid Empire.[9] Some authors have also suggested that in the 7th and 6th century BCE parts of modern Tajikistan, including territories in the Zeravshan valley, formed part of Kambojas before it became part of the Achaemenid Empire.[12] After the region's conquest by Alexander the Great it became part of the Greco-Bactrian Kingdom, a successor state of Alexander's empire. Northern Tajikistan (the cities of Khujand and Panjakent) was part of Sogdia, a collection of city-states which was overrun by Scythians and Yuezhi nomadic tribes around 150 BCE. The Silk Road passed through the region and following the expedition of Chinese explorer Zhang Qian during the reign of Wudi (141–87 BCE) commercial relations between Han China and Sogdiana flourished.[13][14] Sogdians played a major role in facilitating trade and also worked in other capacities, as farmers, carpetweavers, glassmakers, and woodcarvers.[15]
The Kushan Empire, a collection of Yuezhi tribes, took control of the region in the first century CE and ruled until the 4th century CE during which time Buddhism, Nestorian Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Manichaeism were all practiced in the region.[16] Later the Hephthalite Empire, a collection of nomadic tribes, moved into the region and Arabs brought Islam in the early eighth century.[16] Central Asia continued in its role as a commercial crossroads, linking China, the steppes to the north, and the Islamic heartland.
It was temporarily under the control of the Tibetan empire and Chinese from 650–680 and then under the control of the Umayyads in 710. The Samanid Empire, 819 to 999, restored Persian control of the region and enlarged the cities of Samarkand and Bukhara (both cities are today part of Uzbekistan) which became the cultural centers of Iran and the region was known as Khorasan. The Kara-Khanid Khanate conquered Transoxania (which corresponds approximately with modern-day Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, southern Kyrgyzstan and southwest Kazakhstan) and ruled between 999–1211.[17][18] Their arrival in Transoxania signaled a definitive shift from Iranian to Turkic predominance in Central Asia,[19] but gradually the Kara-khanids became assimilated into the Perso-Arab Muslim culture of the region.[20]
During Genghis Khan's invasion of Khwarezmia in the early 13th century the Mongol Empire took control over nearly all of Central Asia. In less than a century the Mongol Empire broke up and modern Tajikistan came under the rule of the Chagatai Khanate. Tamerlane created the Timurid dynasty and took control of the region in the 14th century.
Modern Tajikistan fell under the rule of the Khanate of Bukhara during the 16th century and with the empire's collapse in the 18th century it came under the rule of both the Emirate of Bukhara and Khanate of Kokand. The Emirate of Bukhara remained intact until the 20th century but during the 19th century, for the second time in world history, a European power (the Russian Empire) began to conquer parts of the region.
Russian Tajikistan
Russian Imperialism led to the Russian Empire's conquest of Central Asia during the late 19th century's Imperial Era. Between 1864 and 1885 Russia gradually took control of the entire territory of Russian Turkestan, the Tajikistan portion of which had been controlled by the Emirate of Bukhara and Khanate of Kokand. Russia was interested in gaining access to a supply of cotton and in the 1870s attempted to switch cultivation in the region from grain to cotton (a strategy later copied and expanded by the Soviets). By 1885 Tajikistan's territory was either ruled by the Russian Empire or its vassal state, the Emirate of Bukhara, nevertheless Tajiks felt little Russian influence.
During the late 19th Century the Jadidists established themselves as an Islamic social movement throughout the region. Although the Jadidists were pro-modernization and not necessarily anti-Russian the Russians viewed the movement as a threat. Russian troops were required to restore order during uprisings against the Khanate of Kokand between 1910 and 1913. Further violence occurred in July 1916 when demonstrators attacked Russian soldiers in Khujand over the threat of forced conscription during World War I. Despite Russian troops quickly bringing Khujand back under control, clashes continued throughout the year in various locations in Tajikistan.
Soviet Tajikistan
After the Russian Revolution of 1917 guerrillas throughout Central Asia, known as basmachi, waged a war against Bolshevik armies in a futile attempt to maintain independence. The Bolsheviks prevailed after a four-year war, in which mosques and villages were burned down and the population heavily suppressed. Soviet authorities started a campaign of secularization, practicing Islam, Judaism, and Christianity was discouraged and repressed, and many mosques, churches, and synagogues were closed.[21] As a consequence of the conflict and Soviet agriculture policies, Central Asia, Tajikistan included, suffered a famine that claimed many lives.[22]
In 1924, the Tajik Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was created as a part of Uzbekistan, but in 1929 the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic (Tajik SSR) was made a separate constituent republic, however the predominantly ethnic Tajik cities of Samarkand and Bukhara remained in the Uzbek SSR. Between 1927 and 1934, collectivization of agriculture and a rapid expansion of cotton production took place, especially in the southern region.[23] Soviet collectivization policy brought violence against peasants and forced resettlement occurred throughout Tajikistan. Consequently, some peasants fought collectivization and revived the Basmachi movement. Some small scale industrial development also occurred during this time along with the expansion of irrigation infrastructure.[23]
Two rounds of Soviet purges directed by Moscow (1927–1934 and 1937–1938) resulted in the expulsion of nearly 10,000 people, from all levels of the Communist Party of Tajikistan.[24] Ethnic Russians were sent in to replace those expelled and subsequently Russians dominated party positions at all levels, including the top position of first secretary.[24] Between 1926 and 1959 the proportion of Russians among Tajikistan's population grew from less than 1% to 13%.[25] Bobojon Ghafurov, Tajikistan's First Secretary of the Communist Party of Tajikistan from 1946–1956 was the only Tajikistani politician of significance outside of the country during the Soviet Era.[26] He was followed in office by Tursun Uljabayev (1956–61), Jabbor Rasulov (1961–1982), and Rahmon Nabiyev (1982–1985, 1991–1992).
Tajiks began to be conscripted into the Soviet Army in 1939 and during World War II around 260,000 Tajik citizens fought against Germany, Finland and Japan. Between 60,000 (4%)[27] and 120,000 (8%)[28] of Tajikistan's 1,530,000 citizens were killed during World War II.[29] Following the war and Stalin's reign attempts were made to further expand the agriculture and industry of Tajikistan.[26] During 1957–58 Nikita Khrushchev's Virgin Lands Campaign focused attention on Tajikistan, where living conditions, education and industry lagged behind the other Soviet Republics.[26] In the 1980s, Tajikistan had the lowest household saving rate in the USSR,[30] the lowest percentage of households in the two top per capita income groups,[31] and the lowest rate of university graduates per 1000 people.[32] By the late 1980s Tajik nationalists were calling for increased rights. Real disturbances did not occur within the republic until 1990. The following year, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Tajikistan declared its independence.
The nation almost immediately fell into civil war that involved various factions fighting one another; these factions were often distinguished by clan loyalties.[33] More than 500,000 residents fled during this time because of persecution, increased poverty and better economic opportunities in the West or in other former Soviet republics.[34] Emomali Rahmon came to power in 1992, defeating former prime minister Abdumalik Abdullajanov in a November presidential election with 58% of the vote.[35] The elections took place shortly after the end of the war, and Tajikistan was in a state of complete devastation. The estimated dead numbered over 100,000. Around 1.2 million people were refugees inside and outside of the country.[33] In 1997, a ceasefire was reached between Rahmon and opposition parties under the guidance of Gerd D. Merrem, Special Representative to the Secretary General, a result widely praised as a successful United Nations peace keeping initiative. The ceasefire guaranteed 30% of ministerial positions would go to the opposition.[36] Elections were held in 1999, though they were criticized by opposition parties and foreign observers as unfair and Rahmon was re-elected with 98% of the vote. Elections in 2006 were again won by Rahmon (with 79% of the vote) and he began his third term in office. Several opposition parties boycotted the 2006 election and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) criticized it, although observers from the Commonwealth of Independent States claimed the elections were legal and transparent.[37][38] Rahmon's administration came under further criticism from the OSCE in October 2010 for its censorship and repression of the media. The OSCE claimed that the Tajik Government censored Tajik and foreign websites and instituted tax inspections on independent printing houses that led to the cessation of printing activities for a number of independent newspapers.[39]
Russian border troops were stationed along the Tajik–Afghan border until summer 2005. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, French troops have been stationed at the Dushanbe Airport in support of air operations of NATO's International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. United States Army and Marine Corps personnel periodically visit Tajikistan to conduct joint training missions of up to several weeks duration. The Government of India rebuilt the Ayni Air Base, a military airport located 15 km southwest of Dushanbe, at a cost of $70 million, completing the repairs in September 2010.[40] It is now the main base of the Tajikistan air force. There have been talks with Russia concerning use of the Ayni facility,[41] and Russia continues to maintain a large base on the outskirts of Dushanbe.[42]
In 2010, there were concerns among Tajik officials that Islamic militarism in the east of the country was on the rise following the escape of 25 militants from a Tajik prison in August, an ambush that killed 28 Tajik soldiers in the Rasht Valley in September,[43] and another ambush in the valley in October that killed 30 soldiers,[44] followed by fighting outside Gharm that left 3 militants dead. To date the country's Interior Ministry asserts that the central government maintains full control over the country's east, and the military operation in the Rasht Valley was concluded in November 2010.[45] However, fighting erupted again in July 2012.[46] In 2015, Russia sent more troops to Tajikistan.[47]
In May 2015, Tajikistan's national security suffered a serious setback when Colonel Gulmurod Khalimov, commander of the special-purpose police unit (OMON) of the Interior Ministry, defected to the Islamic State.[48]
Almost immediately after independence, Tajikistan was plunged into a civil war that saw various factions, allegedly backed by Russia and Iran, fighting one another. All but 25,000 of the more than 400,000 ethnic Russians, who were mostly employed in industry, fled to Russia. By 1997, the war had cooled down, and a central government began to take form, with peaceful elections in 1999.
"Longtime observers of Tajikistan often characterize the country as profoundly averse to risk and skeptical of promises of reform, a political passivity they trace to the country's ruinous civil war," Ilan Greenberg wrote in a news article in The New York Times just before the country's November 2006 presidential election.[49]
Tajikistan is officially a republic, and holds elections for the presidency and parliament, operating under a presidential system. It is, however, a dominant-party system, where the People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan routinely has a vast majority in Parliament. Emomalii Rahmon has held the office of President of Tajikistan continually since November 1994. The Prime Minister is Kokhir Rasulzoda, the First Deputy Prime Minister is Matlubkhon Davlatov and the two Deputy Prime Ministers are Murodali Alimardon and Ruqiya Qurbanova.
The parliamentary elections of 2005 aroused many accusations from opposition parties and international observers that President Emomalii Rahmon corruptly manipulates the election process and unemployment. The most recent elections, in February 2010, saw the ruling PDPT lose four seats in Parliament, yet still maintain a comfortable majority. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe election observers said the 2010 polling "failed to meet many key OSCE commitments" and that "these elections failed on many basic democratic standards."[50][51] The government insisted that only minor violations had occurred, which would not affect the will of the Tajik people.[50][51]
The presidential election held on November 6, 2006 was boycotted by "mainline" opposition parties, including the 23,000-member Islamic Renaissance Party. Four remaining opponents "all but endorsed the incumbent", Rahmon.[49] Tajikistan gave Iran its support in Iran's membership bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, after a meeting between the Tajik President and the Iranian foreign minister.[52]
Freedom of the press is ostensibly officially guaranteed by the government, but independent press outlets remain restricted, as does a substantial amount of web content. According to the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, access is blocked to local and foreign websites including avesta.tj, Tjknews.com, ferghana.ru, centrasia.ru and journalists are often obstructed from reporting on controversial events. In practice, no public criticism of the regime is tolerated and all direct protest is severely suppressed and does not receive coverage in the local media.[53]
Tajikistan is landlocked, and is the smallest nation in Central Asia by area. It lies mostly between latitudes 36° and 41° N (a small area is north of 41°), and longitudes 67° and 75° E (a small area is east of 75°). It is covered by mountains of the Pamir range, and more than fifty percent of the country is over 3,000 meters (9,800 ft) above sea level. The only major areas of lower land are in the north (part of the Fergana Valley), and in the southern Kofarnihon and Vakhsh river valleys, which form the Amu Darya. Dushanbe is located on the southern slopes above the Kofarnihon valley.
Mountain | Height | Location | ||
Ismoil Somoni Peak (highest) | 7,495 m | 24,590 ft | North-western edge of Gorno-Badakhshan (GBAO), south of the Kyrgyz border | |
Ibn Sina Peak (Lenin Peak) | 7,134 m | 23,537 ft | Northern border in the Trans-Alay Range, north-east of Ismoil Somoni Peak | |
Peak Korzhenevskaya | 7,105 m | 23,310 ft | North of Ismoil Somoni Peak, on the south bank of Muksu River | |
Independence Peak (Revolution Peak) | 6,974 m | 22,881 ft | Central Gorno-Badakhshan, south-east of Ismoil Somoni Peak | |
Academy of Sciences Range | 6,785 m | 22,260 ft | North-western Gorno-Badakhshan, stretches in the north-south direction | |
Karl Marx Peak | 6,726 m | 22,067 ft | GBAO, near the border to Afghanistan in the northern ridge of the Karakoram Range | |
Garmo Peak | 6,595 m | 21,637 ft | Northwestern Gorno-Badakhshan. | |
Mayakovskiy Peak | 6,096 m | 20,000 ft | Extreme south-west of GBAO, near the border to Afghanistan. | |
Concord Peak | 5,469 m | 17,943 ft | Southern border in the northern ridge of the Karakoram Range | |
Kyzylart Pass | 4,280 m | 14,042 ft | Northern border in the Trans-Alay Range |
The Amu Darya and Panj rivers mark the border with Afghanistan, and the glaciers in Tajikistan's mountains are the major source of runoff for the Aral Sea. There are over 900 rivers in Tajikistan longer than 10 kilometres.
Administrative divisions
Tajikistan consists of 4 administrative divisions. These are the provinces (viloyat) of Sughd and Khatlon, the autonomous province of Gorno-Badakhshan (abbreviated as GBAO), and the Region of Republican Subordination (RRP – Raiony Respublikanskogo Podchineniya in transliteration from Russian or NTJ – Ноҳияҳои тобеи ҷумҳурӣ in Tajik; formerly known as Karotegin Province). Each region is divided into several districts, (Tajik: Ноҳия, nohiya or raion), which in turn are subdivided into jamoats (village-level self-governing units) and then villages (qyshloqs). As of 2006, there were 58 districts and 367 jamoats in Tajikistan.[54]
Division | ISO 3166-2 | Map No | Capital | Area (km²)[54] | Pop (2010) Census |
Sughd | TJ-SU | 1 | Khujand | 25,400 | 2,233,500 |
Region of Republican Subordination | TJ-RR | 2 | Dushanbe | 28,600 | 1,722,900 |
Khatlon | TJ-KT | 3 | Qurghonteppa | 24,800 | 2,677,300 |
Gorno-Badakhshan | TJ-BG | 4 | Khorugh | 64,200 | 206,000 |
Dushanbe | Dushanbe | 10 | 724,800 |
About 2% of the country's area is covered by lakes, the best known of which are the following:
- Kayrakum (Qairoqqum) Reservoir (Sughd)
- Iskanderkul (Fann Mountains)
- Kulikalon (Kul-i Kalon) (Fann Mountains)
- Nurek Reservoir (Khatlon)
- Karakul (Tajik: Қарокул; eastern Pamir)
- Sarez (Pamir)
- Shadau Lake (Pamir)
- Zorkul (Pamir)
Nearly 47% of Tajikistan's GDP comes from immigrant remittances (mostly from Tajiks working in Russia).[55][56] The current economic situation remains fragile, largely owing to corruption, uneven economic reforms, and economic mismanagement. With foreign revenue precariously dependent upon remittances from migrant workers overseas and exports of aluminium and cotton, the economy is highly vulnerable to external shocks. In FY 2000, international assistance remained an essential source of support for rehabilitation programs that reintegrated former civil war combatants into the civilian economy, which helped keep the peace. International assistance also was necessary to address the second year of severe drought that resulted in a continued shortfall of food production. On August 21, 2001, the Red Cross announced that a famine was striking Tajikistan, and called for international aid for Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, however access to food remains a problem today. In January 2012, 680,152 of the people living in Tajikistan were living with food insecurity. Out of those, 676,852 were at risk of Phase 3 (Acute Food and Livelihoods Crisis) food insecurity and 3,300 were at risk of Phase 4 (Humanitarian Emergency). Those with the highest risk of food insecurity were living in the remote Murghob District of GBAO.[57]
Tajikistan's economy grew substantially after the war. The GDP of Tajikistan expanded at an average rate of 9.6% over the period of 2000–2007 according to the World Bank data. This improved Tajikistan's position among other Central Asian countries (namely Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan), which seem to have degraded economically ever since.[58] The primary sources of income in Tajikistan are aluminium production, cotton growing and remittances from migrant workers.[59] Cotton accounts for 60% of agricultural output, supporting 75% of the rural population, and using 45% of irrigated arable land.[60] The aluminium industry is represented by the state-owned Tajik Aluminum Company – the biggest aluminium plant in Central Asia and one of the biggest in the world.[61]
Tajikistan's rivers, such as the Vakhsh and the Panj, have great hydropower potential, and the government has focused on attracting investment for projects for internal use and electricity exports. Tajikistan is home to the Nurek Dam, the highest dam in the world.[62] Lately, Russia's RAO UES energy giant has been working on the Sangtuda-1 hydroelectric power station (670 MW capacity) commenced operations on 18 January 2008.[63][64] Other projects at the development stage include Sangtuda-2 by Iran, Zerafshan by the Chinese company SinoHydro, and the Rogun power plant that, at a projected height of 335 metres (1,099 ft), would supersede the Nurek Dam as highest in the world if it is brought to completion.[65][66] A planned project, CASA-1000, will transmit 1000 MW of surplus electricity from Tajikistan to Pakistan with power transit through Afghanistan. The total length of transmission line is 750 km while the project is planned to be on Public-Private Partnership basis with the support of WB, IFC, ADB and IDB. The project cost is estimated to be around US$865 million.[67] Other energy resources include sizable coal deposits and smaller reserves of natural gas and petroleum.
In 2014 Tajikistan was the world's most remittance dependent economy with remittances accounting for 49% of GDP and expected to fall by 40% in 2015 due to the economic crisis in Russia.[68] Tajik migrant workers abroad, mainly in Russia, have become by far the main source of income for millions of Tajikistan's people[69] and with the 2014–2015 downturn in the Russian economy the World Bank has predicted large numbers of young Tajik men will return home and face few economic prospects.[68]
According to some estimates about 20% of the population lives on less than US$1.25 per day.[70] Migration from Tajikistan and the consequent remittances have been unprecedented in their magnitude and economic impact. In 2010, remittances from Tajik labour migrants totaled an estimated $2.1 billion US dollars, an increase from 2009. Tajikistan has achieved transition from a planned to a market economy without substantial and protracted recourse to aid (of which it by now receives only negligible amounts), and by purely market-based means, simply by exporting its main commodity of comparative advantage — cheap labor.[71] The World Bank Tajikistan Policy Note 2006 concludes that remittances have played an important role as one of the drivers of Tajikistan's robust economic growth during the past several years, have increased incomes, and as a result helped significantly reduce poverty.[72]
Drug trafficking is the major illegal source of income in Tajikistan[73] as it is an important transit country for Afghan narcotics bound for Russian and, to a lesser extent, Western European markets; some opium poppy is also raised locally for the domestic market.[74] However, with the increasing assistance from international organizations, such as UNODC, and cooperation with the US, Russian, EU and Afghan authorities a level of progress on the fight against illegal drug-trafficking is being achieved.[75] Tajikistan holds third place in the world for heroin and raw opium confiscations (1216.3 kg of heroin and 267.8 kg of raw opium in the first half of 2006).[76][77] Drug money corrupts the country's government; according to some experts the well-known personalities that fought on both sides of the civil war and have held the positions in the government after the armistice was signed are now involved in the drug trade.[74] UNODC is working with Tajikistan to strengthen border crossings, provide training, and set up joint interdiction teams. It also helped to establish Tajikistani Drug Control Agency.[78]
Tajikistan is an active member of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO).
In 2013 Tajikistan, like many of the other Central Asian countries, was experiencing major development in its transportation sector.
As a landlocked country Tajikistan has no ports and the majority of transportation is via roads, air, and rail. In recent years Tajikistan has pursued agreements with Iran and Pakistan to gain port access in those countries via Afghanistan. In 2009, an agreement was made between Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to improve and build a 1,300 km (810 mi) highway and rail system connecting the three countries to Pakistan's ports. The proposed route would go through the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province in the eastern part of the country.[79] And in 2012, the presidents of Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Iran signed an agreement to construct roads and railways as well as oil, gas, and water pipelines to connect the three countries.[80]
The railroad system totals only 680 kilometers (420 mi) of track,[81] all of it 1,520 mm (4 ft 11 27⁄32 in) broad gauge. The principal segments are in the southern region and connect the capital with the industrial areas of the Hisor and Vakhsh valleys and with Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Russia.[82] Most international freight traffic is carried by train.[83] The recently constructed Qurghonteppa–Kulob railway connected the Kulob District with the central area of the country.[83]
In 2009 Tajikistan had 26 airports,[81] 18 of which had paved runways, of which two had runways longer than 3,000 meters.[84] The country's main airport is Dushanbe International Airport which as of April 2015, had regularly scheduled flights to major cities in Russia, Central Asia, as well as Delhi, Dubai, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Kabul, Tehran, and Ürümqi amongst others. There are also international flights, mainly to Russia, from Khujand Airport in the northern part of the country as well as limited international services from Kulob Airport, and Qurghonteppa International Airport. Khorog Airport is a domestic airport and also the only airport in the sparsely populated eastern half of the country.
Tajikistan has two major airlines (Somon Air and Tajik Air) and is also serviced by over a dozen foreign airlines.
The total length of roads in the country is 27,800 kilometers. Automobiles account for more than 90% of the total volume of passenger transportation and more than 80% of domestic freight transportation.[83]
In 2004 a bridge between Afghanistan and Tajikistan was built, improving the country's access to South Asia. The bridge was built by the United States.[85]
As of 2014 many highway and tunnel construction projects are underway or have recently been completed. Major projects include rehabilitation of the Dushanbe – Chanak (Uzbek border), Dushanbe – Kulma (Chinese border), Kurgan-Tube – Nizhny Pyanj (Afghan border) highways and construction of tunnels under the mountain passes of Anzob, Shakhristan, Shar-Shar[86] and Chormazak.[87] These were supported by international donor countries.[83][88]
Tajikistan has a population of 7,349,145 (July 2009 est.)[2] of which 70% are under the age of 30 and 35% are between the ages of 14 and 30.[89] Tajiks (Persians) who speak Tajik (a dialect of Persian) are the main ethnic group, although there are sizable minorities of Uzbeks and Russians, whose numbers are declining due to emigration.[90] The Pamiris of Badakhshan, a small population of Yaghnobi people, and a sizeable minority of Ismailis are all considered to belong to the larger group of Tajiks. All citizens of Tajikistan are called Tajikistanis.[2]
In 1989, ethnic Russians in Tajikistan made up 7.6% of the population, but they are now less than 0.5%, after the civil war spurred Russian emigration.[91] The ethnic German population of Tajikistan has also declined due to emigration and was 38,853 in 1979, and it has almost vanished since the collapse of the Soviet Union.[92]
The official and vernacular language of Tajikistan is Tajik although Russian is routinely used in business and communication. The Constitution mentioned Russian as the "language for inter-ethnic communication", but an amendment passed in 2009 was thought to remove all Russian's official roles,[93] but it was later clarified that the status was later re-instated and Russian has returned to its status, being a language permissible for law-making, although all official communications should formally first take place in Tajik.[94][95]
Despite its poverty, Tajikistan has a high rate of literacy due to the old Soviet system of free education, with an estimated 99.5% of the population having the ability to read and write.[2] The majority of the population follow Sunni Islam.
In 2009 nearly one million Tajik men and many women worked abroad (mainly in Russia).[96] More than 70% of the female population lives in traditional villages.[97]
| |||||||||
Rank | Name | Province | Pop. | ||||||
Dushanbe Khujand |
1 | Dushanbe | Dushanbe | 679,400 | Kulob Qurghonteppa | ||||
2 | Khujand | Sughd | 155,900 | ||||||
3 | Kulob | Khatlon | 93,900 | ||||||
4 | Qurghonteppa | Khatlon | 71,000 | ||||||
5 | Istaravshan | Sughd | 60,200 | ||||||
6 | Vahdat | Districts of Republican Subordination | 49,100 | ||||||
7 | Konibodom | Sughd | 47,100 | ||||||
8 | Tursunzoda | Districts of Republican Subordination | 44,200 | ||||||
9 | Isfara | Sughd | 40,600 | ||||||
10 | Panjakent | Sughd | 35,900 |
The Tajik language is the mother tongue of around 80% of the citizens of Tajikistan. The main urban centers in today's Tajikistan include Dushanbe (the capital), Khujand, Kulob, Panjakent, Qurghonteppa, Khorugh and Istaravshan. There are also Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Russian minorities.
The Pamiri people of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province in the southeast, bordering Afghanistan and China, though considered part of the Tajik ethnicity, nevertheless are distinct linguistically and culturally from most Tajiks. In contrast to the mostly Sunni Muslim residents of the rest of Tajikistan, the Pamiris overwhelmingly follow the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam, and speak a number of Eastern Iranian languages, including Shughni, Rushani, Khufi and Wakhi. Isolated in the highest parts of the Pamir Mountains, they have preserved many ancient cultural traditions and folk arts that have been largely lost elsewhere in the country.
The Yaghnobi people live in mountainous areas of northern Tajikistan. The estimated number of Yaghnobis is now about 25,000. Forced migrations in the 20th century decimated their numbers. They speak the Yaghnobi language, which is the only direct modern descendant of the ancient Sogdian language.
Tajikistan artisans created the Dushanbe Tea House, which was presented in 1988 as a gift to the sister city of Boulder, Colorado.[98]
Sunni Islam of the Hanafi school has been officially recognized by the government since 2009.[100] Tajikistan considers itself a secular state with a Constitution providing for freedom of religion. The Government has declared two Islamic holidays, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as state holidays. According to a U.S. State Department release and Pew research group, the population of Tajikistan is 98% Muslim. Approximately 87%–95% of them are Sunni and roughly 3% are Shia and roughly 7% are non-denominational Muslims.[101][102] The remaining 2% of the population are followers of Russian Orthodoxy, Protestantism, Zoroastrianism and Buddhism. A great majority of Muslims fast during Ramadan, although only about one third in the countryside and 10% in the cities observe daily prayer and dietary restrictions.
Bukharan Jews had lived in Tajikistan since the 2nd century BC, but today almost none are left. In the 1940s, the Jewish community of Tajikistan numbered nearly 30,000 people. Most were Persian-speaking Bukharan Jews who had lived in the region for millennia along with Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe who resettled there in the Soviet era. The Jewish population is now estimated at less than 500, about half of whom live in Dushanbe.[103]
Relationships between religious groups are generally amicable, although there is some concern among mainstream Muslim leaders that minority religious groups undermine national unity. There is a concern for religious institutions becoming active in the political sphere. The Islamic Renaissance Party (IRP), a major combatant in the 1992–1997 Civil War and then-proponent of the creation of an Islamic state in Tajikistan, constitutes no more than 30% of the government by statute. Membership in Hizb ut-Tahrir, a militant Islamic party which today aims for an overthrow of secular governments and the unification of Tajiks under one Islamic state, is illegal and members are subject to arrest and imprisonment.[104] Numbers of large mosques appropriate for Friday prayers are limited and some feel this is discriminatory.
By law, religious communities must register by the State Committee on Religious Affairs (SCRA) and with local authorities. Registration with the SCRA requires a charter, a list of 10 or more members, and evidence of local government approval prayer site location. Religious groups who do not have a physical structure are not allowed to gather publicly for prayer. Failure to register can result in large fines and closure of place of worship. There are reports that registration on the local level is sometimes difficult to obtain.[105] People under the age of 18 are also barred from public religious practice.[106]
Despite repeated efforts by the Tajik government to improve and expand health care, the system remains extremely underdeveloped and poor, with severe shortages of medical supplies. The state's Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare reported that 104,272 disabled people are registered in Tajikistan (2000). This group of people suffers most from poverty in Tajikistan. The government of Tajikistan and the World Bank considered activities to support this part of the population described in the World Bank's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper.[107] Public expenditure on health was at 1% of the GDP in 2004.[108]
Life expectancy at birth was estimated to be 66.38 years in 2012.[109] The infant mortality rate was approximately 37 deaths per 1,000 children in 2012.[110] In 2011, there were 170 physicians per 100,000 people.[111]
In 2010 the country experienced an outbreak of polio that caused more than 457 cases of polio in both children and adults, and resulted in 29 deaths before being brought under control.[112]
Public education in Tajikistan consists of 11 years of primary and secondary education but the government has plans to implement a 12-year system in 2016.[113] There is a relatively large number of tertiary education institutions including Khujand State University which has 76 departments in 15 faculties,[113] Tajikistan State University of Law, Business, & Politics, Khorugh State University, Agricultural University of Tajikistan, Tajik National University, and several other institutions. Most, but not all, universities were established during the Soviet Era. As of 2008 tertiary education enrollment was 17%, significantly below the sub-regional average of 37%.[114] Many Tajiks left the education system due to low demand in the labor market for people with extensive educational training or professional skills.[114]
Public spending on education was relatively constant between 2005–2012 and fluctuated from 3.5% to 4.1% of GDP[115] significantly below the OECD average of 6%.[114] The United Nations reported that the level of spending was "severely inadequate to meet the requirements of the country's high-needs education system."[114]
According to a UNICEF-supported survey, about 25 percent of girls in Tajikistan fail to complete compulsory primary education because of poverty and gender bias,[116] although literacy is generally high in Tajikistan.[108] Estimates of out of school children range from 4.6% to 19.4% with the vast majority being girls.[114]
The national sport of Tajikistan is gushtigiri, a form of traditional wrestling.[117]
Another popular sport is buzkashi, a game played on horseback, like polo. One plays it on one's own and in teams. The aim of the game is to grab a 50 kg dead goat, ride clear of the other players, get back to the starting point and drop it in a designated circle. It is also practised in Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. It is often played at Nowruz celebrations.[118]
Tajikistan's mountains provide many opportunities for outdoor sports, such as hill climbing, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and mountain climbing. The facilities are limited, however. Mountain climbing and hiking tours to the Fann and Pamir Mountains, including the 7,000 m peaks in the region, are seasonally organized by local and international alpine agencies.
Football is a popular sport in Tajikistan. The Tajikistan national football team competes in FIFA and AFC competitions. The top clubs in Tajikistan compete in the Tajik League.
The Tajikistan Cricket Federation was formed in 2012 as the governing body for the sport of cricket in Tajikistan. It was granted affiliate membership of the Asian Cricket Council in the same year.
Rugby union in Tajikistan is a minor but growing sport.
Four Tajikistani athletes have won Olympic medals for their country since independence. They are: wrestler Yusup Abdusalomov (silver in Beijing 2008), judoka Rasul Boqiev (bronze in Beijing 2008), boxer Mavzuna Chorieva (bronze in London 2012) and hammer thrower Dilshod Nazarov (gold in Rio de Janeiro 2016).
Khorugh, capital of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region, is the location of highest altitude where bandy has been played.[119]
Notable individuals
- Yusup Abdusalomov, Olympic medalist, wrestler
- Abdumalik Bahori, poet, writer
- Nargis Bandishoeva, singer
- Mavzuna Chorieva, Olympic medalist, boxer
- Daler Nazarov, musician
- Sherali Dostiev, boxer
- Mamadsho Ilolov, scientist
- Abduhamid Juraev, mathematician
- Makhmadjon Khabibulloev, football coach
- Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, mathematician, astronomer, geographer
- Otakhon Latifi, journalist, politician
- Yuri Lobanov, Olympic medalist, sprint canoer
- Shabnam Surayyo, singer
- Farruh Negmat-Zadeh, artist
See also
- Tajikistan – Wikipedia book
- Index of Tajikistan-related articles
- Outline of Tajikistan
- 2006 Tajikistan earthquake
- Central Asian Union
- Ittihodi Scouthoi Tojikiston
- Kingdom of Balhara
- List of cities in Tajikistan
- Mount Imeon
- Telecommunications in Tajikistan
- Yaghnob Valley
- Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province
This article incorporates public domain material from the CIA World Factbook website https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html.
This article incorporates public domain material from the Library of Congress Country Studies website http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/.
- ↑
- 1 2 3 4 "Central Asia: Tajikistan". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ↑ De Wulf, Martin. "Population Pyramids of the World: Tajikistan 2015". populationpyramid.net. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 "Tajikistan profile at". International Monetary Fund website. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
- ↑ "2015 Human Development Report" (PDF). United Nations Development Programme. 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
- ↑ "Proto-urban Site of Sarazm". UNESCO.org. UNESCO. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ↑ "What's the Story Behind All the 'Stans?". About.com. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
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- 1 2 3 A Country Study: Tajikistan, Ethnic Background, Library of Congress Call Number DK851 .K34 1997,
- ↑ http://articles.latimes.com/1990-02-13/news/mn-615_1_armenian-refugees
- ↑ Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Proto-urban Site of Sarazm – UNESCO World Heritage Centre". unesco.org.
- ↑ See: The Deeds of Harsha: Being a Cultural Study of Bāṇa's Harshacharita, 1969, p 199, Dr Vasudeva Sharana Agrawala; Proceedings and Transactions of the All-India Oriental Conference, 1930, p 118, Dr J. C. Vidyalankara; Prācīna Kamboja, jana aura janapada =: Ancient Kamboja, people and country, 1981, Dr Jiyālāla Kāmboja, Dr Satyavrat Śāstrī – Kamboja (Pakistan).
- ↑ C. Michael Hogan, Silk Road, North China, The Megalithic Portal, ed. Andy Burnham
- ↑ Shiji, trans. Burton Watson
- ↑ Wood 2002:66
- 1 2
- ↑ "Encyclopedia – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". eb.com.
- ↑ Grousset, Rene, (2004). The Empire of the Steppes. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 0-8135-1304-9.
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- ↑ ilak-khanids: Iranica. accessed May 2014.
- ↑ Pipes, Richard (1955). "Muslims of Soviet Central Asia: Trends and Prospects (Part I)". Middle East Journal. 9 (2): 149–150. JSTOR 4322692.
- ↑ "A Country Study: Tajikistan, Impact of the Civil War". U.S. Library of Congress.
- 1 2 "Tajikistan – Collectivization". countrystudies.us.
- 1 2 "Tajikistan – The Purges". countrystudies.us.
- ↑ Tajikistan – Ethnic Groups, U.S. Library of Congress
- 1 2 3 "Tajikistan – The Postwar Period". countrystudies.us.
- ↑ Historical Dictionary of Tajikistan, by Kamoludin Abdullaev,Shahram Akbarzaheh, 2010, second edition, pg 383
- ↑ Vadim Erlikman. Poteri narodonaseleniia v XX veke spravochnik. Moscow 2004; ISBN 5-93165-107-1, pp. 23–35
- ↑ C. Peter Chen. "Tajikistan in World War II". WW2DB.
- ↑ Boris Rumer, Soviet Central Asia: A Tragic Experiment, Unwin Hyman, London, 1989, p. 126.
- ↑ Statistical Yearbook of the USSR 1990, Goskomstat, Moscow, 1991, p. 115 (Russian).
- ↑ Statistical Yearbook of the USSR 1990, Goskomstat, Moscow, 1991, p. 210 (Russian).
- 1 2 "Tajikistan: rising from the ashes of civil war". United Nations. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "Human Rights Watch World Report 1994: Tajikistan". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "Telling the truth for more than 30 years – Tajikistan After the Elections: Post-Soviet Dictatorship". Washington Report on Middle East Affairs. June 1995. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ Jim Nichol. "Central Asia's Security: Issues and Implications for U.S. Interests" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. p. 8. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION". Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "OSCE and CIS Observers Disagree on Presidential Election in Tajikistan". New Eurasia. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "OSCE urges Tajikistan to stop attacks on free media". Reuters. 18 October 2010.
- ↑ Kucera, Joshua (7 September 2010). "Tajikistan's Ayni airbase opens – but who is using it?". The Bug Pit – The military and security in Eurasia. The Open Society Institute. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ↑ "Tajikistan: Dushanbe Dangling Ayni Air Base Before Russia". EurasiaNet.org. 19 October 2010. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ↑ "Ratification of Russian military base deal provides Tajikistan with important security guarantees". Jane's. Retrieved 10 August 2014.
- ↑ "Tajikistan says restive east is under control". BBC News. 18 October 2010.
- ↑ "Tajikistan Says Kills Three Suspected Islamist Militants". Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ↑ "Tajikistan: The government withdraws troops from the Rasht valley". Ferghana Information agency, Moscow. 3 November 2010. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ Khayrullo Fayz (24 July 2012). "Tajikistan clashes: 'Many dead' in Gorno-Badakhshan". BBC Uzbek. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ↑ "Why Russia Will Send More Troops to Central Asia". Stratfor.
- ↑ "Commander of elite Tajik police force defects to Islamic State". Reuters. 28 May 2015.
- 1 2 Greenberg, Ilan, "Media Muzzled and Opponents Jailed, Tajikistan Readies for Vote", The New York Times, 4 November 2006 (article dateline 3 November 2006), page A7, New York edition
- 1 2 "Change you can't believe in". The Economist. 4 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- 1 2 "Tajikistan elections criticised by poll watchdog". BBC. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
- ↑ "Press TV – Iran makes move to join SCO". Presstv.ir. 24 March 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
- ↑ "Tajik Government's Fury Over Conflict Reporting". Iwpr.net. 22 October 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- 1 2 Population of the Republic of Tajikistan as of 1 January 2008, State Statistical Committee, Dushanbe, 2008 (Russian)
- ↑ "Remittance man". The Economist. 7 September 2013.
- ↑ Tajikistan: Building a Democracy (video), United Nations, March 2014, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ey-4PO7fE
- ↑ "Integrated Food Security Phase Classification" (PDF). usaid.gov. USAID. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ↑ "BBC's Guide to Central Asia". BBC News. 2005-06-20. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
- ↑ "Background Note: Tajikistan". US Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. December 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "Tajikistan: Over 392.5 thousand tons of cotton picked in Tajikistan". BS-AGRO. December 12, 2013.
- ↑ Алюминий по-таджикски [Aluminium in Tajiki]. Expert Kazkhstan (in Russian). 23 (25). 6 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 November 2011. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
- ↑ "Highest Dams (World and U.S.)". ICOLD World Register of Dams. 1998. Archived from the original on 5 April 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
- ↑ Первая очередь Сангтудинской ГЭС в Таджикистане будет запущена 18 января [First stage of the Sangtuda HPS launched on 18 January] (in Russian). Vesti. 25 December 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ↑ "Sangtuda-1 HPS launched on January 18, 2008". Today Energy. 2008-01-05. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "Iran participates in power plant project in Tajikistan". IRNA. 2007-04-24. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "Chinese To Build Tajik Hydroelectric Plant". Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty. 2007-01-18. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "Pakistan can end power crisis thru CASA-1000". The Gazette of Central Asia. Satrapia. 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2012-06-08.
- 1 2 "Tajikistan: Remittances to Plunge 40% – World Bank". EurasiaNet.org.
- ↑ Dilip Ratha; Sanket Mohapatra; K. M. Vijayalakshmi; Zhimei Xu (2007-11-29). "Remittance Trends 2007. Migration and Development Brief 3" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "UNDP: Human development indices – Table 3: Human and income poverty (Population living below national poverty line (2000–2007))" (PDF). Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ↑ Alexei Kireyev (January 2006). "The Macroeconomics of Remittances: The Case of Tajikistan. IMF Working Paper WP/06/2" (PDF). IMF. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
- ↑ "Tajikistan Policy Note. Poverty Reduction and Enhancing the Development Impact of Remittances. Report No. 35771-TJ" (PDF). World Bank. June 2006. Retrieved 8 March 2008.
- ↑ MEET THE STANS – episodes 3&4: Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, BBC, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFVcQ7ZxC1o
- 1 2 Silk Road Studies, Country Factsheets, Eurasian Narcotics: Tajikistan 2004
- ↑ Roger McDermott (2006-01-10). "Dushanbe looks towards Afghanistan to combat drug trafficking". Eurasia Daily Monitor. Archived from the original on November 21, 2006. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ "Central Asia: Tajikistan". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ↑ Overview of the drug and crime situation in Central Asia. Factsand Figures, Coordination and Analysis Unit of the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia
- ↑ Fighting Drugs, Crime and Terrorism in the CIS Dushanbe, 4 October 2007
- ↑ "President Zardari chairs PPP consultative meeting". Associated Press of Pakistan. 10 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ↑ "Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan sign agreement on road, railway construction". tehrantimes.com. Tehran Times. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- 1 2 "CIA World Factbook – Tajikistan". April 28, 2010. Retrieved May 21, 2010.
- ↑ Migrant Express Part 1: Good-bye Dushanbe. YouTube. 1 September 2009.
- 1 2 3 4 Administrator. "Tajikistan Mission – Infrastructure". tajikistanmission.ch.
- ↑ CIA World Factbook. Tajikistan
- ↑ "US Army Corps of Engineer, Afghanistan-Tajikistan Bridge". US Army Corps of Engineer. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ↑ Shar-Shar auto tunnel links Tajikistan to China, The 2.3 km (1 mi) Shar-Shar car tunnel linking Tajikistan and China opened to traffic on Aug. 30.,Siyavush Mekhtan, 2009-09-03
- ↑ Chormaghzak Tunnel renamed Khatlon Tunnel and Shar-Shar Tunnel renamed Ozodi Tunnel, 12/02/2014 15:49, Payrav Chorshanbiyev, http://news.tj/en/news/chormaghzak-tunnel-renamed-khatlon-tunnel-and-shar-shar-tunnel-renamed-ozodi-tunnel
- ↑ Trade, tunnels, transit and training in mountainous Tajikistan, May 7, 2013, http://blogs.fco.gov.uk/leighturner/2013/05/07/trade-tunnels-transit-and-training-in-mountainous-tajikistan/
- ↑ Tajikistan: Building a Democracy (video), United Nations, March 2014,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1ey-4PO7fE
- ↑ Russians left behind in Central Asia, Robert Greenall, BBC News, 23 November 2005.
- ↑ Tajikistan – Ethnic Groups. Source: U.S. Library of Congress.
- ↑ Russian-Germans in Tajikistan. Pohl, J. Otto. "Russian-Germans in Tajikistan", Neweurasia, 29 March 2007.
- ↑ "Tajikistan Drops Russian As Official Language". RFE/RL - Rferl.org. 2009-10-07. Retrieved 2013-09-13.
- ↑ "The status of the Russian language in Tajikistan remains unchanged - Rahmon". RIA - RIA.ru. 2009-10-22. Retrieved 2016-09-30.
- ↑ "В Таджикистане русскому языку вернули прежний статус". Lenta.ru. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ↑ Deployment of Tajik workers gets green light. Arab News. 21 May 2007.
- ↑ Azimova, Aigul; Abazbekova, Nazgul (27 July 2011). "Millennium Development Goals: Saving women's Lives". D+C. D+C. p. 289. Retrieved 12 September 2013.
- ↑ The Dushanbe-Boulder tea house. Retrieved on 2 May 2009 Archived May 27, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Islam per beginning of the article.
- ↑ Avaz Yuldashev (5 March 2009). «Ханафия» объявлена официальным религиозным течением Таджикистана ["Hanafi" declared the official religious movement in Tajikistan] (in Russian). Archived from the original on 25 August 2010.
- ↑ Pew Forum on Religious & Public life, Chapter 1: Religious Affiliation retrieved 29 October 2013.
- ↑ "Background Note: Tajikistan". State.gov. Retrieved 2009-10-02.
- ↑ "Home Stand". Tablet Magazine.
- ↑ "Hizb ut Tahrir". BBC News. BBC. 2003-08-27. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ↑ TAJIKISTAN: Religious freedom survey, November 2003 -Forum 18 News Service, 20 November 2003
- ↑ U. S. Department of State International Religious Freedom Report for 2013, Executive Summary retrieved 2 August 2014.
- ↑ "Tajikistan – Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and joint assessment". World Bank. 31 October 2002. Archived from the original on 26 May 2009. Retrieved 1 November 2006.
- 1 2 "Human Development Report 2009 – Tajikistan". Hdrstats.undp.org. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ↑ "Country Comparison: Life Expectancy at Birth". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ↑ "Country Comparison: Infant Mortality Rate". The World Factbook. CIA. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ↑ "WHO/Europe – Data and statistics". who.int.
- ↑ "2010 polio outbreak in Tajikistan: A reminder of the continued need for vigilance as the Region marks 10 years of polio-free status". World Health Organization. 10 July 2012. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- 1 2 "Tajikistan Education System". classbase.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 http://www.unicef.org/ceecis/Tajikistan.pdf
- ↑ Tajikistan, Public spending on education, total (% of GDP) World Bank
- ↑ "Tajikistan hosts education forum". News note. UNICEF. 2005-06-09. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
- ↑ Ibbotson, Sophie; Lovell-Hoare, Max. Tajikistan. Bradt Travel Guides. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ↑ Abdullaev, Kamoludin; Akbarzaheh, Shahram. Historical Dictionary of Tajikistan. Scarecrow Press. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
- ↑ "Google Translate". google.co.uk.
Further reading
- Historical Dictionary of Tajikistan by Kamoludin Abdullaev and Shahram Akbarzadeh
- Land Beyond the River: The Untold Story of Central Asia by Monica Whitlock
- Tajikistan: Disintegration or Reconciliation by Shirin Akiner
- Tajikistan: The Trials of Independence by Shirin Akiner, Mohammad-Reza Djalili and Frederic Grare
- Tajikistan and the High Pamirs by Robert Middleton, Huw Thomas and Markus Hauser, Odyssey Books, Hong Kong 2008 (ISBN 978-9-622177-73-4)
- Majority Minoritized by Government: Muslims in Tajikistan (analysis) by Dr. Ruslan Kurbanov, OnIslam.net. May 19, 2012.
External links
- Tajikistan at UCB Libraries GovPubs
- "Tajikistan". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency.
- Tajikistan at DMOZ
- Tajikistan profile from the BBC News
- Wikimedia Atlas of Tajikistan
- Key Development Forecasts for Tajikistan from International Futures


text:
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Day After
The two most notable deadlines in baseball, the trading deadline and the signing deadline, produce a lot of action, and typically there is a flurry of activity in the final 20 minutes. Of course, there needs to be a foundation of communication for those final 20 minutes to be worthwhile, which we had established with all of our remaining draftees.
With about 20 minutes to go we received word that AJ Vanegas had decided to attend Stanford. This was a disappointment, especially since we thought so highly of him and his family, but we understood his desire to fulfill that dream. We knew it was a longshot from the beginning, but we still tried to make a compelling case. Our signing bonus offer would have placed AJ among the top ten picks in the country, but that didn't sway his decision. It was clearly never about the money for AJ, and that is admirable.
With about eight minutes to go until the deadline, we heard from John Barbato, our 6th round selection, and within a minute had agreed on a deal that would pay him 1st round money to pass on his commitment to the University of Florida. This was a big and unexpected win. It was expensive, but we feel as though we got a top round talent.
As for Karsten Whitson? I don't think anyone is happy this morning - not the player, not the agent, not the team, and not the fans. With that being the case, it's justified to question how we ended up there.
We had every reason to believe that he would be signing within a few days of the draft (and I mean every reason). Then other people got involved and slowed the process down. Nevertheless, we were still confident that we would get a deal done, especially due to all of the conversations that had taken place before the draft. Once it continued to drag on, we knew that the deadline was the only way that it was going to happen.
When the deadline approached, despite feeling somewhat taken advantage of, we did what every team does in order to get a deal done: we improved our offer to the last dollar. At the end of the day, it was an over slot offer that would have placed Karsten just behind the 8th pick in the country and comfortably ahead of the 10th. However, Karsten did not do what every single other first rounder (who didn't have an issue with their physical) did do: agree to a deal.
At 11:59 eastern time last night, we had over $5 million of offers on the table to three high school players, and they all turned down the money, two of them due to a strong commitment to school. We even had two offers to high school right-handers that would have paid them both like top ten picks in the country! Surreal indeed.
The good news is that, despite having a winning Major League team, we'll have a top pick in next year's draft as compensation, and the industry believes that the 2011 draft class will be much stronger. Also, as in Major League free agency, when someone doesn't take your money, you find another player or basket of players to acquire with that money. A straightforward example is when the Nationals were unable to sign Aaron Crow a few years ago with the 9th overall pick and then the following year took Drew Storen as compensation. Crow is now in A ball with a 5.40 era, while Storen is in the big leagues with a 2.61. So, we didn't sign Whitson, Vanegas, and Dwyer, but now we'll be able to put that money toward other investments either in the draft, internationally, or at the big league level.
Hey, given our organization's track record in the first round, maybe it was time to take a year off!
Seriously, at the end of the day, we were unexpectedly able to sign a handful of players in the 2010 draft in over slot deals, including Cates, Barbato, and Dore. We can also be opportunistic going forward since we expected to spend a lot more money yesterday. Lastly, it doesn't change the fact that from 2007-2009 only the Yankees and Red Sox spent more on amateur players than we did. We planned for that trend to continue in 2010, and we'll plan for it again in 2011.
25 comments:
- Paul DePodesta said...
I'm already catching a hard time for my joke, but two things:
1) We're never going to be perfect, and if we can't laugh at ourselves sometimes, then we're taking ourselves too seriously.
2) Let's remember that we haven't had a first round pick work out in a while, and yet we're still in first place. While disappointing, it's not the end of the world. - August 17, 2010 at 11:13 AM
- Marc Normandin said...
It helps when the organization has been successful in the draft overall, even without the first round picks developing. Mat Latos was an 11th round pick, Will Venable a 7th rounder, Nick Hundley (2nd round)--there's plenty to smile about in terms of draft success in recent years, especially with the farm bearing more fruit as of late. And as you said, you still ended up with a first-round talent later on in the draft.
- August 17, 2010 at 11:29 AM
- Paul DePodesta said...
I can't post that. Sorry. It's much better than you think. - August 17, 2010 at 11:41 AM
the silver lining is that we won't have to pay for his Tommy John and rehab that he'd inevitably need in 2 weeks after his first start, based on our recent history of first round hurlers...
- August 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
- Unknown said...
Seems to me we'll be pulling in some 2.5m more in revenue not including the playoffs. I don't see how Tejada and Ludwick for the remainder of the year would of cost us a chance to sign either Whitson or Barbato. On top of that we didn't do anything in International Free Agency so where'd the 10m dollar budget go that we've had the last couple years ago? Does Hoyer eat more free hot dogs than anticipated?
What are your thoughts on the Diamondback's situation? Seems to me that sweetheart deal came a couple years too late. At the very least the Padres should protest the decision considering we've had 2 first rounders in pretty much the same circumstances. - August 17, 2010 at 12:02 PM
- Unknown said...
If all the groundwork is done, why not get them to sign on the dotted line before? It is beyond ridiculous that the Team waits until the last second.
The team cannot afford to get those players get away, and without signing more high ceiling HS players year after year I don't see the commitment from management, we got close is not good enough.
You brag about the draft money spent between 07-09, but I see Christian Colon, Jason Kipnis and Brett Mooneyham going unsigned, yet signing low ceiling guys college signable players like Schmidt, Dykstra, Carroll, Canham, Chalk, Sogard, Payne, Kulbacki.
From the 2007? You can say the biggest contributor was Wynn Pelzer because he brought Miggy, or Kluber because of Ludwick, but really, C'mon. Luebke and Cumberland still look good, but for all those picks? - August 17, 2010 at 12:03 PM
- Unknown said...
Is there a way to salvage this horrible feeling by taking a chance on Loux? I hear he will become a Free Agent. Sure he is a college arm with questionable health, but can you comment on it?
Why is this organization so much opposed to the incentive laden contracts? Isn't that a great way to get a low risk-high reward type player every now and then? - August 17, 2010 at 12:09 PM
- Tom said...
I've been critical of past Padre drafts, but in the specific case of Whitson, the team didn't blow it. Sound decision, unexpected outcome. The workflow was sound, this wasn't Batt Mush or Allan Panic Dykstra.
Players should get as much as they can, it's only fair given how they surrender control of their professional lives, but to (rumor has it) almost double your demands in the closing hours isn't negotiating, it's a temper tantrum.
Whitson now must hope that he stays healthy and that the 2013 draft doesn't have predetermined bonuses. Even if he goes in the top 10 again he's not likely to top two and a half million. He assumed a lot of risk last night and his "advisors" took on very little. - August 17, 2010 at 12:14 PM
- Paul DePodesta said...
Two points:
1) It's always the player's decision to wait, not the Club's.
2) We signed guys like Pelzer, Everett Williams, Matt Lollis, Keyvius Sampson, Donavan Tate, Cole Figueroa, James Needy, and more to over slot deals also in the past couple of years. And, that doesn't include over $2 million to Adys Portillo, who is now just 18 and last night was 93-96 mph in five shutout innings in short-season A ball. We're never going to get everyone. - August 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
- Hockeykev said...
Thanks for explaining what happened.
I do have question on Whitson. My understanding is he can only be in the draft next year if one of two things happens
1- He plays independent ball.
2-If he played next year for a JC.
Is that correct and can he actually play for a JC since he's already committed to a 4 year college? - August 17, 2010 at 12:46 PM
- Ben B. said...
Last year, Tyler Matzek, drafted 11th, signed for 3.9 million. Jacob Turner at 9 signed for 4.7. Shelby Miller at 19 signed for 2.875. This year, second rounder Stetson Allie signed for 2.25 million. Zach Lee signed for 5.25 (although spread out over five years). All these guys were highly regarded high school pitchers drafted at or below the 9th pick.
If you guys thought Karsten Whitson was the second best high school pitching prospect in the draft, 2.15 million (what Delino DeShields signed for at 8), looks like a low ball offer, regardless of what Whitson's initial, pre-draft money demands were. - August 17, 2010 at 12:51 PM
- Paul DePodesta said...
If anyone wants more color on what happened, I suggest you listen to Jed's interview on XX 1090.
- August 17, 2010 at 12:58 PM
- Paul DePodesta said...
Yes, that's correct, and I believe he could still elect to attend JC rather than U of F. - August 17, 2010 at 12:59 PM
- Paul DePodesta said...
Ben B,
And Matt Hobgood signed for $2.4 in the 5th overall spot. Mike Minor signed for $2.4 in the 7th spot, and Mike Leake signed for $2.2 in the 8th spot. Both Minor and Leake are already in the big leagues. Chad James, picked right in front of Miller, signed for $1.7.
Mat Latos, who is winning Major League games and who signed for first round money back in the spring of 2007, will have career earnings AFTER this year that will be below what we offered to each of these high school right-handers.
This is a fruitless game. Everyone can point to comps. The reality is that every situation is unique. - August 17, 2010 at 1:06 PM
- Tom said...
To speak to Ben (whom I normally agree with on almost everything), there seems to be a major divide between Whitson and Matzek / Turner in absolute talent. First-round high school arms is a cohort, but there's a lot of variation within it.
Allie is a solid talent comp, yes, but nobody knew what he'd take. For all the Padres knew he might have been popped at #10, so the "second rounder got 2 million" argument would have never arisen.
The verbal agreement isn't just eyewash. Almost every prospect gives teams who ask some indication of what he'll sign for. How could you plan for a player who says he wants a certain amount and then jumps it as much as Whitson did?
Part of the problem is the slot system itself. Intended to control costs and distribute talent, it hasn't been all that successful at the former and has often failed at the latter. MLB only paid attention to one side of the question, they seem not to have considered that agents could use other signings as precedents. - August 17, 2010 at 1:25 PM
- Schlom said...
Paul, if you didn't want to spend more than slot why didn't you draft someone like Cam Bedrosian or Chris Sale? Or even one of the USD pitchers, at least they have local ties. I'm sure all three would have signed for underslot.
- August 17, 2010 at 1:26 PM
- Unknown said...
Isn't HockeyKev only partly right? Wouldn't going the indy ball route mean Karsten couldn't sign until his HS class reached their junior year of college?
- August 17, 2010 at 1:43 PM
- Phillips said...
Was just wondering what's up with James Needy. Haven't heard anything about him since he signed last year.
Also, are you guys concerned about Tate's injuries, or do you think he will sort things out and be fine? - August 17, 2010 at 1:44 PM
- Ben B. said...
Hobgood and James were not as highly rated by Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus than the high school guys I listed. It seemed like Whitson fit better with Matzek and Wheeler talent wise than James and Hobgood, but maybe that wasn't your evaluation, or maybe you thought Matzek and Miller for that much money were bad investments relative to other players.
Listening to the Hoyer interview, it sounds like more of an issue of principle than of money. Bummer.
Oh well. This was frustrating, but as you say it's not the end of the world. It sounds like a one time issue and not something systemic. Will the pick next year being unprotected by further compensation picks require taking someone who will sign for slot? - August 17, 2010 at 1:45 PM
- Unknown said...
Paul - can you provide any context for what happened with Miguel Pena? Right after the draft, it sounded like he was going to sign. He went out and had a good start on the Cape, then disappeared and went back to Texas. Was there any conversation with him as the deadline approached?
- August 17, 2010 at 1:47 PM
- Mr. Maestro said...
I was about to make that joke on gaslampball and saw that you already had. Touche! I appreciate that you via this blog and Jed via 1090 are open to discussing this after the obvious disappointment. Do you think Whitson's agent (SFX) learned about the $2 M offers to Vanagas and Dwyer and expected more than 2.15 for him as a result?
- August 17, 2010 at 1:58 PM
- Cpt Top Off said...
Paul, after hearing Jed on 1090 I can certainly understand the club's stance and would have done the same thing myself. That being said, the franchise has a knack for screwing up the 1st round, so I'm hesitant to give any benefit of the doubt. Maybe there was an error made in assessing the kid's makeup and signability. Maybe not.
You did fail to mention that next year's #11 pick is unprotected, meaning the club HAS TO sign the player or there will be no further compensation. Of course that gives the draftee considerable leverage. So I think its fairly obvious that the club will target a signability guy and not a player in the top 11 in the country. Realistically that 11th pick will net a top 20-30 player. And we all know how inept the club has been at picking those (Dykstra, Schmidt, Antonelli, Carrillo).
Also, please don't tell us the money not used to sign Whitson will be reinvested elsewhere. We all know thats a pile of horse manure. We've been fed that crap for years. Every year its "oh, just wait until next year, we'll spend more money." The money is never reinvested in the product, just like Moorad isn't going to reinvest the added revenue this tremendous season has brought him.
Where exactly is Moorad spending his money?
Thanks Paul - August 17, 2010 at 2:03 PM
- field39 said...
What bothers me here. Is that it sounds like a high shool kid, took The San Diego Padres for a ride.
I do not have issues with your not getting this deal done. I have issues with your lack of slime radar. - August 17, 2010 at 2:06 PM
- Unknown said...
The silver lining is that next year at 11 the team gets a better prospect, yet worse leverage. Paul, don't get me wrong, I like what the Padres have drafted in the past, but the ones that get away sting more than a jellow jacket because in the majority of the cases it comes down to money, and in the Padres' case that is the best chance they have to get premium talent.
I don't agree with the philosophy of "we can't sign them all", but we can all agree that more could have been done to sign those players.
If you can speak on it, what do you think of Loux? - August 17, 2010 at 2:57 PM
- Tom said...
Does baseball have a stuff/slime scale similar to the hot/crazy ratio? - August 17, 2010 at 3:58 PM

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Kato Unitram 14-801-5 N TLR0601 Green Tram Portram
A new transit system called Light Rail is employed more and more in cities in USA and Europe for its eco-friendliness.
In Japan as well, the first LRT (Light Rail Transit) began operation in 2006 in Toyama. While the railroads have been made to match with the speed of trains, LRT is rather made with the concept of matching it with people's speed and convenience, making the distance between stops short and the floor low.
Please use houses and trees, etc. sold by Kato and make lively streets where LRT runs.
Smooth Low-Speed Run is realized just like the prototype street tram TLR0600.
Head and Taillights turn on.
Equipped with interior lighting


text:
cross-posted from Commons Transition
In France, the theme of "commons" as a possible structure for society re-emerged gradually since the late 90s and French books on the subject have been published since the 2000s.
This question has been confined to the field of digital commons for a long time, and has expanded more and more in recent years into areas such as community gardens or food cooperatives.
Events clearly identified as related to commons began to be organized in 2009 ("Brest in commons") and are scattered over thirty territories in 2013. The same year, Michel Bauwens popularized the concept of "Chamber of Commons" (earlier proposed by David Ronfeldt in 2012) and quickly supplemented it with the concept of "Assembly of Commons", in an appeal: Proposed Next Steps for the emerging P2P networks and Commons.
After another highlight at the "Forum of Cooperative uses" of 2014 and the self-organized festival "The Common's time" in October 2015 which saw the emergence of 344 events with the logistical support of VECAM association, the idea of federating the commons as permanent assemblies was mature.
After this festival, several Assemblies of Commons begun to emerge explicitly in Lille, Toulouse, Brest and several other big cities in France. It must be understood that these assemblies are all at the "incubation" stage, and each of them is inventing its own operation as informal structures. For most, they met only once or twice.
They have a French wiki to document and exchange practices, and a website to communicate to the outside.
The main purpose of these assemblies is to be a forum to exchange experiences and bring together commoners. They also aim to promote the creation of an ethical economy that can create livelihoods around the commons. They try to identify and develop commons through mapping and meetings.
Connecting across geographies
The project is related to similar ones in France and in other countries as from the beginning, we felt the need to create communication tools on the web, such as a wiki. Thus other Francophone assemblies of commons (Toulouse, Brest, Rennes, but also Liège in Belgium …) could join the dynamic. The projects are connected through the wiki and Facebook groups and can learn from each other.
For the moment we have no links with other assemblies in the world, but also because they do not yet exist to our knowledge. Francophone assemblies are interconnected but also to local associations which were already dedicated to the commons for many years.
The Assembly of Lille
One of the most active assemblies is located in Lille (North of France) where meetings are held once a month since October 2015. There, news from different commons of the territory are shared, but also skills, ideas and knowledge in the form of self-managed workshops organized by those who are present. All members of the assembly have the opportunity to offer workshops and other members join the workshops that they like.
The assembly of the commons in Lille was started by a group of people who were the co-organizers and participants of "Roumics", an event focusing on digital inclusion and digital rights; the launch co-incided with the 'Temps des Communs' , a multi-day coordination of events in the French and francophone world, held in October 2015. More specifically, it started around the workshop "Identify and promote convergence around commons" that has gathered the first group of people interested in the subject including members of the Interphaz association. Interphaz is a popular education structure whose purpose is to gather citizens around projects that become mediation places.
After "Roumics", two informal meetings took place to discuss the notion of assembly of commons. Then the idea was structured around a third meeting entitled "Building in action the assembly of commons" which was announced on Facebook and in which a first organization with workshops was tested.
As I created www.semeoz.info in september 2015 to observe collaborative and constructive actions around the world, I quickly heard about the commons and I wanted to participate in the third meeting in Lille. Coming from Toulouse a few months ago, it was also for me a good way to create a new social network in connection with my ethical values.
All citizens are invited to participate in the assemblies. People come from different backgrounds: associations, local elected officials, commoners… During a round, which aims to create cohesion, everyone presents and describes the common or other structures in which they participate. In no case a person represents an organization. People attend the assembly as individuals (and they often say they are relieved to be able to do).
There are wide disparities between different groups: some have known the concept of Commons for many years, others have just discovered the concept and like to participate in the introductory workshop. Workshops can be held on site the day of the meeting, or in a remote way. Each workshop is documented.
The operating mode adopted for the moment is peer-to-peer and decentralized. However, the members of the assembly are careful to leave many written traces of their work (mainly on the wiki) as it follows a stigmergic strategy – which is a mechanism of indirect coordination. This may scare some people, or be considered as inefficient because it is informal, but in reality, the workshops are all operational one after the other, and the objectives of the group are achieved without requiring votes or endless meetings.
Governance is currently based on consent: as long as nobody makes a reasoned objection, the meeting records progress. After six months of operation (seven assemblies), no major objections were raised. Should this happen, the meeting would focus on dialogue rather than voting. The emphasis is put on welcoming contributing impulses and trusting people as a starting point. The assembly members prefer to build together rather than "fight against".
To date, the assembly is supported financially by a local association which pays for room rental. It works closely with the Chamber of Commons whose future vocation is to support the assembly.
Despite the involvement of several people (also in Lille), the chamber of commons is still a concept because it seems easier to federate individuals than established structures which are often dependent on local political and civic institutions. There is nevertheless a website that offers explanations to better publicize this proposal.
In Lille and Toulouse, a "Social Charter" is being written. It will define the basic objectives of the Assembly (ethics, shared values, inclusion in the local "ecosystem"), its governance, tools, methods, partners…
Basic strategies for establishing Assemblies
This is just the beginning…
And if we could share some advice for people / commoners who would like to establish an assembly of the commons, we would say:
- Set yourself some simple goals, do things and describe what you are doing (instead of writing in detail what should be done).
- Let people be free as individuals, their creativity will surprise you.
- Even if the operating mode is decentralized, it is important to plan times to get acquainted and to exchange in order to create a group dynamic.
- Consider inviting local elected officials, association representatives who do not know commons to start building bridges with social life (they are often very happy to discover new practices).
- Use digital tools from the beginning to create emulation inside your assembly and between assemblies.
The Future of the Assemblies
It is impossible to know the future of the assemblies. I cannot make any prospective forecasts regarding the commons movement. If the time has come for the deployment of a peer-to-peer society, then it will naturally emerge. From my perspective, this emergence depends primarily on the personal development of individuals. According to me, self-awareness is the best way of distinguishing equality from egalitarianism and of avoiding working unconsciously on the establishment of forms of totalitarianism despite good intentions.
I therefore believe that commons can develop harmoniously only on the condition that the individuals integrate profoundly that "peer" is not synonymic of that which is "identical to me" (identity as homogeneity) but rather is talking about connecting and loving radical otherness (p2p identification as heterogeneity). Finding what we have in common does not mean erasing our singularities, but rather learning to work together with them in order to create something in common, which is very difficult to achieve (indeed, the work of a lifetime)!
If the development of assemblies of the commons moves in this direction, the network meetings are expected to grow more and more in territorially, based on the existing network of the commons. In principle, the assemblies should not consolidate too large geographic territories, and allow smaller communities to interconnect with each other.
Originally licensed under a Peer Production, P2P Attribution-ConditionalNonCommercial-ShareAlikeLicense
Go to the GEO front page


text:
Crescent has come out with a new locking adjustable wrench, model ACL10VS, which they say combines the versatility of an adjustable wrench with the gripping power of locking pliers.
The new Crescent 10″ locking adjustable wrench also boasts a max opening of 1-5/16″, for increased access for a wide variety of fasteners.
The wrench has grooved jaws, for "amplified gripping power," for applications such as tightening and loosening of rounded fasteners. These jaws, and the locking pliers-type mechanism give it the ability to securely grip fasteners of different sizes and shapes.
A product manager for Crescent Tools said that:
Mechanics and plumbers will appreciate the quick release handle with dual material comfort grip. This innovative wrench is easy to use on even corroded fittings.
If this is the kind of tool you've been missing, you can pick it up soon, for around $25, possibly less.
Price: $25
Buy Now(via Home Depot)
Compare(Cheaper Stanley Model via Amazon)
Promo Video:
Stanley offers something similar, for ~$12 via Amazon. The Crescent design has a shaped locking handle, gripped main handle, and grooved wrench jaws. But is it worth twice as much?
Sears also offers a nearly identical locking adjustable wrench, under Craftsman Extreme Grip branding, for around $20. Given Craftsman's relationship with Apex Tools, it's safe to assume the tools come from the same Apex Tools factory.
First Thoughts
While the idea of a locking adjustable wrench seems awfully gimmicky, I have heard from more than one pro tool user who expressed interest in an adjustable wrench with jaws that can be fixed in place.


text:
Enugu Increases NYSC State Allowance For Members Serving In Healthcare Facilities
The Enugu State Government has announced that it has increased the allowances of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in primary healthcare facilities in rural areas in the state.
This was revealed through the commissioner for Information, Mr Ogbuagu Anikwe, in Enugu on Wednesday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.
Anikwe said that medical doctors serving in hospitals in rural areas would henceforth receive N30, 000 monthly from the state government as against N3,800 being given to them currently.
Similarly, he said, pharmacists, nurses, radiographers, laboratory scientists and statisticians would receive a monthly stipend of N20,000.
He announced that the government also planned to review the service condition and welfare of other set of corps members in the state.
The commissioner explained that the increase in allowances of the corps members serving in health facilities was to further ensure that health services were taken close to rural dwellers.
"The government has approved that each corps member selected to work as a medical doctor in government hospital in the rural areas will get a monthly stipend of N30, 000.
"All of these will cost the government extra N31.2 million per annum but it is an expense that is worth it. It is to ensure that health facilities are available at the door steps of our people," he said.
Anikwe said that the government noted the challenges of getting medical personnel to work health facilities in rural communities and decided on the incentive.
According to him, the council decided that one sure way to solve the problem is to get health personnel from the NYSC who will be encouraged with an increased stipend.
The commissioner said that the state government had invested much in rural communities and would want such facilities to have direct impact on the inhabitants.
"Before now, Enugu had a peculiar problem because the state was paying a certain amount as allowance and it led to an influx of youth corps members from all over the country, wanting to serve here.
"It then became impossible for the state government to continue to sustain that stipend because we are not out of the woods yet.
"So, we are not unmindful of what to do for corps members but everything we are doing, we check our purse.
"I am sure that as the finances of the state government improves, we will come to a point where everybody is given an allowance that enables them cope with the condition of life in the country," he said.
Anikwe said that the government was first looking at very critical sectors, adding that others would follow soon.
He said that the governor, Mr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was passionate about making residents of the state competitive and healthy "and that is why his economic blueprint traversed the entire state".
Also, Commissioner for Works, Mr Greg Nnaji, said that the state government had approved the renovation and upgrade of eight district hospitals across the state.
Nnaji said that the gesture was to reduce the pressure on secondary health facilities in the state and to ensure that residents did not have to travel to the state capital for medical attention.
He said that such hospitals and clinics would now wear new looks while modern health equipment would be installed in them.
All youth corps members posted to rural communities of the state are paid monthly stipend of N3,800 each.


text:
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In an interview on NBC's Today Show with Matt Lauer, a Newsweek representative discussed the cover story for this week's issue, "In Search of the Spiritual." The feature is based on a Newsweek/Beliefnet poll focusing on spirituality and religious practice in America. The Newsweek guy (sorry, I didn't catch his name) discussed the results of various questions, making passing reference to the importance for most spiritual people of viewing the "central myth" as real.
Since 85% of those polled self-identified as "Christian," I think it's fair to guess that the question results overall should reflect a measure of the broadly American "Christian" landscape. Among the promising results, the vast majority of those polled believe God created the universe and in an "afterlife."
But the inane banter ensued in full force when Lauer and Newsweek guy discussed the results of a question about whether a "good person" of another faith could be saved. Nearly 80% responded affirmatively. Lauer asks if this means that "intolerance" is on a downward trend. While Newsweek guy doesn't want to go that far, he does say that this is the "good news" of the poll, that "tolerance" is being affirmed. This is essentially the "I'm ok, you're ok, whatever's good for you," po-mo (post-modern) worldview. In the word's of the Newsweek subhead, "they don't much care what the neighbors are doing."
What about those who didn't answer in the affirmative? "You might want to watch out for that 12%," says Newsweek guy. After all, I guess they might try to [gasp!] "evangelize" you.
This Newsweek article strikes me as a particularly clear example that the "press…just doesn't get religion." .


text:
2nd October, International Day of Non Violence
New Delhi
Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign, that was started in the year 2009 and was working towards Repeal of AFSPA through highlighting struggle of Irom Sharmila and to spread voice of Irom Sharmila throughout the country has decided to dissolve itself with the fact that a dedicated campaign was required to stand with sharmila as she was imprisoned and was unable to move frequently at various places to speak about her demand, but now she is free and therefore a dedicated campaign is not required. SSSC welcomes Sharmila's decision to leave fast and to take struggle in her hand and speaking about this through her approach and SSSC stands with her in this decision, however as SSSC is a non political movement and was specifically structured for the cause, it cannot become associated with any politician.
SSSC during all these years of ground struggle remained a movement that was supported by people and sustained without any funding from national or international organizations. It completely championed itself in bringing the cause of Irom sharmila in mainstream through its dedicated approach and innovative campaigns. SSSC was the campaign that revealed through its RTI that NHRC had not visited Manipur to investigate any human rights violations or to meet Irom sharmila during 2000 to 2011. Later, SSSC delegation met with NHRC chairpersons two times and on this memorandum cause of AFSPA was first time discussed before NHRC meeting with NGOs. SSSC has organised documentary screenings and panel discussions at many educational institutions. SSSC has organized numerous public demonstrations, candle vigils, human chains, rallies etc in support of Irom Sharmila in various states and had also organized nationwide signature campaign that receieved lakhs of signatures from people and even it was automatically organized in other counties. SSSC has also led 4500 km Srinagar-Imphal yatra to highlight struggle of Irom sahrmila and has written numerous letters to concerned authorities and government. SSSC convey its best wishes to Sharmila and also extend its sincere thanks to all who has been associated with the campaign throughout these years and made it one of the most recognized voices.
SSSC decided to dissolve the campaign on this day of Gandhi birth anniversary as it is the day known as International Day of Non Violence. SSSC stands with the cause of Repeal AFSPA from all areas of North East and J&K. SSSC has been now dissolved and a new and fresh campaign , with another name and new team would be start for the cause of Repeal AFSPA.
Ravi Nitesh
Convener- Save Sharmila Solidarity Campaign
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