President calls for international help to end Afghan war

The president of Tajikistan, Emomoli Rakhmonov, on Saturday called on the international community and organisations to help end the conflict in Afghanistan. According to an AFP report, in his New Year's message Rakhmonov said the only way to resolve the Afghan conflict was through peace talks and not through military means. While praising Russia and the United States for focusing more attention on the crisis in Afghanistan over the past year, he said the conflict should be resolved "not just in the interests of the country and its neighbours, but also in those of the international community." Tajikistan shares 1,500 miles of border with Afghanistan which is often the scene of regular shoot-outs with Afghan drug smugglers. In addition, the anti-Taliban opposition Northern Alliance is widely believed to use Tajikistan as a supply base and route for its weapons and supplies.