Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE525
2006-03-20 13:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIKISTAN: CITY CONTINUES DEMOLITION, TARGETS BUSY MARKET
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UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000525
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: CITY CONTINUES DEMOLITION, TARGETS BUSY MARKET
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000525
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: CITY CONTINUES DEMOLITION, TARGETS BUSY MARKET
1. Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev signed an order to
level a busy market for the construction of two new four-story
apartment buildings. Tarrakiet Development owns the Rohi
Abreshim market, more commonly known as the "82nd Bazaar" due to
its location in the 82nd district of Dushanbe. The city
ordered Tarrakiet Development, the property owner, to tear down
all market stalls within two months.
2. Last October, the Tajik Supreme Economic Court declared the
market illegal. Dushanbe city officials point out the market's
buildings and stalls were constructed without city permission
and do not meet city architectural and safety standards.
Officials claim that businessmen operating at the market will be
able to re-open their stalls at other markets around the city.
However, it is unlikely they will relocate. Some merchants have
told Embassy sources they will seek work in Russia and join the
one million other labor migrants from Tajikistan.
3. When EmbOff visited the 82nd market March 19. Visible
demolition had not yet begun. However, some stalls were vacant,
and the normally crowded market had noticeably less patrons.
The market's destruction would reportedly put 3,500 people out
of work. Merchants are outraged. Rumors of a pending
destruction started eight years ago. However, merchants
dismissed the rumors as years passed without any actions taken.
Many will not be able to sell their inventory within the next
two months and will suffer large financial losses. Because of
the illegal status of the stalls and small shops, the government
will not compensate vendors.
4. Embassy staff heard unconfirmed rumors President Rahmonov's
daughter would build new apartments on the market's site.
Others speculate that owners of the nearby new and modern
"Ganjina" shopping complex encouraged the demolition to
eliminate competition and drum up businesses. Government
officials and wealthy businessmen from Kulob, President
Rahmonov's home region, have purchased most of the space in the
"Ganjina" complex but have been unable to rent out the shops and
stalls. A Ganjina stall costs $100 each month, a high sum for
the average small merchant.
5. COMMENT: The 82nd bazaar is only the latest victim of
government-ordered demolition during Dushanbe's unprecedented
construction boom. Homes, hospitals, civic organizations, and
businesses have been or are in the process of being torn down
around the new presidential palace to create a park. A popular
restaurant valued at $50,000 will be torn down, and the owner
will not be compensated. Even the historic Russian Military
Hospital on Rudaki Avenue is being forced to move for new
development. The government and its crony developers will need
to pay close attention that their haste for visible economic
growth doesn't breed too much political resentment among
citizens. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON SOCI TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: CITY CONTINUES DEMOLITION, TARGETS BUSY MARKET
1. Dushanbe Mayor Mahmadsaid Ubaidulloyev signed an order to
level a busy market for the construction of two new four-story
apartment buildings. Tarrakiet Development owns the Rohi
Abreshim market, more commonly known as the "82nd Bazaar" due to
its location in the 82nd district of Dushanbe. The city
ordered Tarrakiet Development, the property owner, to tear down
all market stalls within two months.
2. Last October, the Tajik Supreme Economic Court declared the
market illegal. Dushanbe city officials point out the market's
buildings and stalls were constructed without city permission
and do not meet city architectural and safety standards.
Officials claim that businessmen operating at the market will be
able to re-open their stalls at other markets around the city.
However, it is unlikely they will relocate. Some merchants have
told Embassy sources they will seek work in Russia and join the
one million other labor migrants from Tajikistan.
3. When EmbOff visited the 82nd market March 19. Visible
demolition had not yet begun. However, some stalls were vacant,
and the normally crowded market had noticeably less patrons.
The market's destruction would reportedly put 3,500 people out
of work. Merchants are outraged. Rumors of a pending
destruction started eight years ago. However, merchants
dismissed the rumors as years passed without any actions taken.
Many will not be able to sell their inventory within the next
two months and will suffer large financial losses. Because of
the illegal status of the stalls and small shops, the government
will not compensate vendors.
4. Embassy staff heard unconfirmed rumors President Rahmonov's
daughter would build new apartments on the market's site.
Others speculate that owners of the nearby new and modern
"Ganjina" shopping complex encouraged the demolition to
eliminate competition and drum up businesses. Government
officials and wealthy businessmen from Kulob, President
Rahmonov's home region, have purchased most of the space in the
"Ganjina" complex but have been unable to rent out the shops and
stalls. A Ganjina stall costs $100 each month, a high sum for
the average small merchant.
5. COMMENT: The 82nd bazaar is only the latest victim of
government-ordered demolition during Dushanbe's unprecedented
construction boom. Homes, hospitals, civic organizations, and
businesses have been or are in the process of being torn down
around the new presidential palace to create a park. A popular
restaurant valued at $50,000 will be torn down, and the owner
will not be compensated. Even the historic Russian Military
Hospital on Rudaki Avenue is being forced to move for new
development. The government and its crony developers will need
to pay close attention that their haste for visible economic
growth doesn't breed too much political resentment among
citizens. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND