Tajik media reports on the aftermath of Monday's airliner crash in the United Arab Emirates which killed 85 people:

Cause of air crash unclear

Text of report by Tajik radio

A special technical commission of the Tajikistan State Air Company has gone to Sharjah to investigate the cause of the TU-154 air disaster involving a TU-154 aircraft of the Leninobod Air Company flying on the Khujand-Sharjah air route.

"The cause of the air crash has not been clarified yet," the commission chairman, director-general of Tajikistan State Air Company, Mirzo Mastongulov, told journalists.

"At the moment we cannot say anything about an explosion aboard the aircraft," he added.

Source : Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 1200 gmt 17 Dec 97

Tajik officials to attend crash funeral

Text of report by Tajik radio

A delegation of the state commission for the extraordinary investigation of the TU-154 air crash led by the [Tajik] country's Prime Minister, Yahyo Azimov, visited Khujand [the centre of Leninobod Region in northern Tajikistan] this afternoon [17th December].

The deputy chairmen of the state commission, Deputy Prime Minister Abdurahmon Azimov, and a deputy chairman of the Supreme Assembly [parliament], Gulafzo Savriddinova, and others are in the delegation.

The delegation of the state commission will attend a funeral ceremony that will take place in Khujand tomorrow [18th December]. The bodies are expected to be brought to Khujand by aircraft on the morning of 18th December.

Source : Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 1200gmt 17 Dec 97

Uzbek president sends condolences after Tajik crash

President Islam Karimov of Uzbekistan has sent his condolences to his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmonov after the crash. The following is the text of the telegram as read out on Tajik radio on Wednesday:

Here is a telegram of condolences to His Excellency President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Sharifovich Rahmonov:

Esteemed Emomali Sharifovich, it was with great sadness that the people of Uzbekistan learnt that a Tajik aircraft had crashed on landing at Sharjah airport and that this had led to many deaths. At this difficult time, our people share all the anguish of the family members and relatives of the deceased.

On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, I express my sincere condolences to you.

[signed] President Islam Karimov of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Source: Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 1200 gmt 17 Dec 97

Three days' mourning in northern region

Excerpts from report by Tajik radio

[Announcer] Our correspondent, Ulmasjon Erkayev, reported from Leninobod Region that he learned from the administration of the Region that a TU-154 aircraft which was flying from Khujand to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates crashed while landing 13 kilometres from Sharjah airport on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

As a result of this crash 77 passengers and nine crew members died. However according to the reports reaching the administration of Region, one member of the crew is alive...

The administration of Leninabad Region expresses condolences to the relatives of the deceased and has declared 16th, 17th and 18th December to be days of mourning throughout the Region.

The administration of the Region has set up a commission to carry out burial of the dead. The commission will be led by the chairman of the Region, Qosim Qosimov.

Source : Tajik Radio first programme, Dushanbe, in Tajik 0800 gmt 16 Dec 97

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