TAJIK PRESIDENT MEETS UN DRUG CONTROL PROGRAM DIRECTOR

DUSHANBE, April 18 (Itar-Tass) - Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov
reaffirmed the readiness for a personal control over the fulfillment
of international projects to counteract the illicit drug trafficking
at a meeting with U.N. Undersecretary- General, Executive Director of
the U.N. Drug Control Program Pino Arlacchi on Sunday. Arlacchi is
currently in Tajikistan on a working trip.

The president views the illicit drug trafficking as a threat to the
peace process, security and stability of Tajikistan and the whole
region, presidential spokesman Zafar Sayedov said. He regrets that
"international drug dealers use Tajikistan for the illegal transit of
narcotic drugs from Afghanistan to other countries of the world."
Rakhmonov is interested in the U.N. assistance to Afghanistan in
opening of a drug addict rehabilitation center.

He thinks it important for donor-countries to join the drug control
projects in Tajikistan. The republican ability to counteract the
"narcotic drug attack" together with the international community
depends on that, Rakhmonov said.