"This is viewed as an attempt to de-Russify Tajikistan and is seen as a dangerous
tactic because: Any move that antagonises Russia is sure to cause economic
pain for Tajiks. Russia can retaliate by potentially placing restrictions on Tajik
guest workers, whose remittances are critical to the economic welfare of a large
number of families in Tajikistan (cited in Arman 2007, 2). Finally, there is a fear in
Tajikistan that President Ra ..."