It seemed that Russia strengthen it position in south of Central Asia after recent meeting of Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and president of Russia Dmitry Medvedev at informal summit in St. Petersburg.

It is true in majority, but there are some unpleasant nuances. We will talk about them later. At first positive side; In June 2008 State Duma of Russia ratified the documents there Tajikistan becomes owner of military and economic facilities placed at the territory of Tajikistan and are important to. These documents also grant rights to Russia place troops there together with national forces of the Republic. Moreover, State Duma approved the Law on “Ratification of inter-governmental agreement between Tajikistan and Russia on regulation of Tajikistan’s debt to Russia and amendments to this Agreement dated December 9, 2002 on advanced repayment of Tajik’s debt to Russia via transfer into the ownership of Russia the optic-electronic unit “Nurek” and the rest part of debt will be invested into construction of Sangtuda HPS-1 located at the territory of Tajikistan.

The construction of optic-electronic unit Nurek (“Okno” (window) facility) was launched in period of Soviet Union but took into operation just in 1999. Together with Sangtuda HPS-1 the amount made more than $ 300 millions. For that Russia consider the Tajik debts as paid. For the first sight the buying and selling process is not adequate. Thus the space forces of Russia would be able to implement the security tasks of Russia and its confederates without any control of Tajikistan. The security is expensive thing. The facility “Okno” oriented to identify the high-orbital space objects flying at altitude more than 40.000 kilometers over Eurasia, Northern and Central Africa, as well as abut areas upon Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It is able to identify orbits, model and belonging of flying objects. The complex was constructed as military facility but it could also implement the peaceful tasks: track the cosmic garbage, asteroids, comets and meteorites. The facility is needed for anti-missile defence, so Russia adopted the correct solution to bye the facility constructed by itself.

The other steps were also implemented to strength the position of Russia in Tajikistan. On June 11, 2008, the state Duma ratified the agreement concluded between Russia and Tajikistan on troops’ usage joint planning to safeguard security of both countries. This document is also very important. According to it Russia together with Tajikistan analyze military and politic situation after making the decision they appoint the staff of coalition military alignment, project its usage in compliance with legislations of two countries. The head of General Staff for armed forces of Russia, first deputy Defence Minister Nikolai Makarov presented this document in lower chamber of parliament not occasionally. The agreement determine the international legal basis of joint planning and usage of coalition grouping, which includes the military contingents ready to fight and selected forces of Tajikistan and Russia. The implementation of this agreement serves the long-term strategic interests of Russia in Central Asia”, he added. According to General, ratification of the agreement will unify the efforts of both countries in providing the security in scope of military and strategic sectors. The agreement is valid during five years, and then it will be prolonged automatically if the sides do not send any notification. According to MFA of Russia Tajikistan already implemented all procedures needed for agreement to come into force.

Thus, Russia would provide its security and national interests in Central Asian region. Russian forces in Tajikistan presented by “Okno” and military base #201 implement the important tasks, said Mr. Makarov. These are protection of Russian interests in cosmos, provision of security in Tajikistan and defense of Tajik-Afghan border. Major of Mpscow Yuri Luzhkov during his visit to Dushanbe stated that Russian military forces in Tajikistan are the outposts not for security of Russia only, but for other CIS countries as well.

Meantime the Tajik-Russian relations are not perfect. “Tajikistan suddenly demanded payment for flights of our aviation at world prices, said Nikolai Makarov. This issue never appeared earlier.”

The head of General Staff of Russia noted that this issue decided already. “We will pay and continue our flights”, - he said. So, Tajikistan “twisted” Russia’s arms. But it is ready to make sizable payments to provide security and stability in southern regions of CIS.

We should not that Russia transfers Tajikistan arming and ammunition of 201^st military base to amount about $1 billion, free of charge. It is such a humanitarian aid to country from Moscow. Many Tajik servicemen study in Russia free of charge. In response Tajik authorities demand payment for flights of planes which provide security of this country. It is nothing but nonsense.