French Military to Remain

Following the announcement that France is to keep its military contingent in Tajikistan until the situation in Afghanistan improves, commentators say the continued NATO presence will help build confidence in Tajikistan’s own security.



Last week, Foreign Minister Saymumin Yatimov announced that the limited French air force contingent will remain in Tajikistan until the situation in Afghanistan stabilises. Yatimov emphasised that the French’s extended stay was in the interests of Tajikistan’s security.



The agreement that underpins the French presence at Dushanbe airport does not set a time limit. The forces, which have been in Tajikistan since late 2001, now consist of 400 personnel and transport planes used to support the United States-led Coalition in Afghanistan.



NBCentralAsia commentators say prolonging the French military presence will help keep the 1,500-kilometre Tajik-Afghan border secure.



Shokirjon Hakimov, deputy head of the opposition Social Democratic Party, said the decision to extent the NATO contingent’s mandate is a forced but necessary measure.



“The domestic political process in Afghanistan remains unresolved, and radical forces are reinforcing their positions there with external support, so it is still unclear what impact this will have on developments in Central Asia,” he said.



Political scientist Khodi Abdudjabbor said one an important aspect of the French presence was that was not an irritant either within Tajikistan or in the wider region.



“France’s position is very clear and it does not impose its views on the host country,” he said. “Another reason why their forces' are viewed without suspicion is that France has no superpower ambitions.”



NBCentralAsia understand that the French government does not pay for its forces’ presence in Tajikistan, as the United States does for its airbase in Kyrgyzstan. However, the French defence ministry provides funding and technical assistance to Dushanbe airport and training for the Tajik military.



(News Briefing Central Asia draws comment and analysis from a broad range of political observers across the region.)