US calls Tajikistan not to move forward with construction of Roghun Dam

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The United States will continue to encourage the Government of Tajikistan not to move forward with construction or river diversion for the Roghun Dam until the completion of the feasibility studies, conducted by the World Bank, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert O. Blake.

Speaking at the session of the House Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, Blake said: “Regarding the Roghun dam project, the United States has had a long-standing policy to support the World Bank process. The World Bank is funding two feasibility studies to assess the technical, economic, environmental, and social impact of the proposed Roghun Dam.”

“We continue to encourage the Government of Tajikistan to fully cooperate with the World Bank and not to move forward with construction or river diversion for the Dam until the completion of the feasibility studies,” he added.

“We recognize that energy issues and water management are challenging issues for Central Asia and have been sources of tension between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan,” the US official stated.