DUSHANBE, July 7, 2014, Asia-Plus -- Diplomatic missions of foreign countries active in Tajikistan may harm stability in Tajikistan by their reports, Sayfullo Safarov, the deputy director of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan, told a news conference in Dushanbe on July 7.

“I do not think that diplomatic mission of any foreign country has the right to interfere in domestic affairs of our country.  By such actions they may harm stability in Tajikistan,” Safarov said, commenting on the recent report by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs entitled “2014 Investment Climate Statement.”

We will recall that the report, in particular, says cronyism, nepotism, and corruption create a business environment that favors those with connections to government officials.  According to the report, bribery is endemic and many businesses view paying off predatory regulators and other officials as a necessary cost of doing business.

Mr. Safarov noted that he categorically opposed such actions of foreign diplomatic missions active in the country.

“We are well-informed about what is going on in our country, including the corruption problems.  Several surveys have been conducted in this field and their findings have been published,” the deputy director stressed.

He further added that it could not be ruled out that some countries were trying to provoke disorders in Tajikistan in their own interests.