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A former Soviet All-Union Republic, Tajikistan has experienced three changes in government and a five-year
civil war since it gained independence in 1991 from the USSR. A peace
agreement among rival factions was signed in 1997, and implementation
reportedly completed by late 1999. Part of the agreement required the
legalization of opposition political parties prior to the 1999 elections,
which occurred, but such parties have made little progress in successful
participation in government. Random criminal and political violence in the
country remains a complication impairing Tajikistan's ability to engage
internationally. Bordering Afghanistan raised its profile and the US;
the Russians and India all have military bases there. |
