The role of political parties has never been so important as it is now. Political parties can safeguard democratic traditions and promote diverse cultures with their own actions. Some Asian countries have accumulated useful experience for the establishment of a multi-party system, which can be shared among ourselves. We don’t have to look to the West for such experience, though there is much there that Asian political parties can learn.

I want to stress in particular the status and role of political parties. Many Asian countries are characterized by the fact that the ruling parties have the best part of the motive force and resources for national development. Therefore they have more opportunities and are in a better position than parties out of office to realize the values of mankind in society. It is possible that realization of democratic principles and expansion of democracy may lead to loss of power or decline of social influence of ruling parties. The question is whether the ruling parties in many Asian countries are ready to embark on the road of democratization for the well-being of the nation, and whether the opposition parties are prepared to shoulder part of the responsibility and power that are handed out by the ruling parties in the process of reform. These two questions in any given society basically determine whether power goes from one party to another. We need to know that not only the competing parties, but also the future and destiny of the whole nation rely on the inter-relations of political forces, in which power needs to be passed between political parties.

A party in honest competition will transfer power in a civilized way, oblige its successor to do the same to the other opposition parties, and undertake the moral responsibility as an honest competitor. To our regret, honest competition has not yet become a tradition for political parties in many Asian countries. Transfer of power is often a headache, sometimes even accompanied with violence.

As regards Central Asian countries, the transition from an authoritarian system or a one-party system to a plural and multi-party system has not been a uniformed process. Sometimes it even seems that things are moving in the adverse direction in some countries with a stronger tendency for despotism. Despite lack of experience, some countries have more or less succeeded in establishing a multi-party system. Among them, Tajikistan is the only Central Asian country where a religion-based party, i.e. the Party of Islamic Revival of Tajikistan is playing a legitimate role. This party has become an important factor in the country’s effort to stop the civil war and to achieve political stability, which is made for the beginning of constructive dialogues among all social strata. Many people both at home and abroad have looked at this experience with circumspection, but the past seven years are sufficient to have proved its vitality.

We are not expecting the Tajik experience be applied to other countries in the region because they have different environment and conditions. However, we should take into consideration the fact that in some Asian countries including Central Asia, relations between the government and the religious circle are not yet in harmony, sometimes even in a state of tension. It is therefore useful to draw lessons from our experience. It is good to know that the Tajik achieved reconciliation because we had learned from other countries and nations, irrespective if they are Asian, or European or African countries, if they are big nations or small ones. It was with the help from neighbors and friends that we have achieved true reconciliation. We in Tajikistan believe that it is our duty to provide as much support as we can for the promotion of peace in other nations in the region.

It is my hope that this conference can serve as a bridge for Asian political parties to exchange ideas of seeking compromise within national or regional frameworks.