P rominent t ajik f igures of the

Prominent Tajik Figures of the Twentieth Century

143
Supreme Soviet. In time, Kenjaev became a major decision-maker in

the Nabiev presidency.
Kenjaev's politics combined his deep knowledge of the Soviet law,
especially as it is applied to the republics of Central Asia (Tajikistan in
particular), with a thorough understanding of Soviet government. His
objections to illegal acts committed by those who operated outside the
law indicated his commitment to and reverence for that law. In addition,
he was proficient in the Islamic Shari'a law and had a deep understand-
ing of the differences between the teachings of Imam Hanafiyyah and
the edicts followed by the Wahhabiyyah.
Furthermore, Kenjaev was fully familiar with the Soviet military,
and tried to use this knowledge to harness the energies of the youth of
the republic for the common good. His organization of the National
Front of Tajikistan, created and made operational within a short period
of time, was indicative of the depth of his knowledge about military af-
fairs and about attracting the youth of the nation around a single cause--
liberation.
Kenjaev's decision to blockade Dushanbe using the forces of the
First and Second National Front is a good example of his understanding
of the non-combatant role of the military. By introducing the blockade,
he paralyzed the economic, military, and ideological forces that con-
tributed to the well-being of the Coalition Government. Stripped of its
constant reinforcement, especially from Hissar, Shahri Nov, Tursun-
zoda, Yovon, Ghozimolik, Jillikul, Qabodion, and Shahrtus, the Coali-
tion Government lost its base of authority and its militia fell victim to
the fresh Tajik, Uzbek, and Russian forces emerging from Uzbekistan.
Finally, Kenjaev was fully familiar with the mission of the United
Nations and of its constituent countries. He wrote letters, sent tele-
grams, and held meetings with people from different levels of society
and with different UN constituents to further the welfare of weaker na-
tions at the international level. Indeed, he made a strong case for inter-
national intervention in Tajikistan not only by Uzbekistan and Russia,
but also by the United Nations.
Kenjaev was supportive of the people of Kulab and of Imomali
Rahmonov. He asserted, however, that in the placement of the cadres,
Rahmonov had committed major mistakes that would come to roost at
his threshold and the threshold of the people of Tajikistan in the future.

---

Iraj Bashiri

144
Kenjaev is the author of the three-volume Tabadduloti Tojikiston

(Tajikistan Transformation) published in 1993.
Kenjaev was assassinated in March, 1999, in Dushanbe.