DUSHANBE, March 26, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- Delays in transiting cargo bound for Tajikistan through territory of Uzbekistan are not politically motivated, a reply note issued by the Uzbek Embassy in Dushanbe on March 25 says.

The Uzbek Embassy claims that the delay is technical resulting from multiple increase in cargo traffic via Uzbekistan’s railroad infrastructure.  The Uzbek embassy justifies the delay by saying that the cargo traffic volumes have allegedly increased significantly over the first quarter of this year.  Besides, Uzbekistan’s rail lines have also been damaged by floods and mudslides.

To solve difficulties with passage of Tajikistan-bound freight trains, Uzbekistan’s railroads administration is charged to develop and implement a schedule ensuring an advance passage of freight trains bound for Tajikistan, the Uzbek embassy said.

We will recall that in a report released at a news conference at the UN Headquarters in New York, Tajik Prime Minister Oqil Oqilov revealed on March 23 that the railroads in Uzbekistan are in satisfactory condition to allow for the transportation of freight trains without difficulties.  According to him, after inspection, there was no significant damage discovered and the passage of the freight trains could have been resumed without obstruction.  Oqilov said the blockade is depriving many Tajik farmers of fuel just as the seed-planting season approaches.