DUSHANBE, April 9, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Mr. Trevor Moore, yesterday visited the head office of the Islamic Revival Party (IRPT) in Dushanbe, where he held talks with the IRPT leader also deputy of the Majlisi Namoyandagon (Tajikistan’s lower chamber of parliament), Mr. Muhiddin Kabiri.

According to Hikmatullo Sayfullozoda, a spokesman for the IRPT, Ambassador Moore was interested in issues related to preparation and adoption of the new country’s law “On Freedom of Conscience and Religious Associations” as well as preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections that will be held in Tajikistan in February 2010.  British diplomat was also interested in opinion of the IRPT leader of impact of the global financial crisis on Tajikistan, the spokesman said.

“On the new religion law, Kabiri said that the government had not taken into consideration proposals of the IRPT stated in the party’s alternative law,” Sayfullozoda said.

As far as preparations for the upcoming parliamentary elections are concerned, Kabiri expressed hope that the draft law on elections to the Majlisi Oli (Tajik parliament) proposed by the Communist, in preparation of which representatives of the IRPT also participated, will be approved by the parliament.

On the impact of the global financial crisis on Tajikistan’s economy, the IRPT leader said that the country’s authorities had underestimated the situation initially.