CA-NEWS (TJ) - Mr. Robert Blake, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, met with Mr. Muhiddin Kabiri, leader of the Islamic Revival Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), in IRPT's headquarters in Dushanbe Wednesday afternoon.

According to the IRPT representative, the sides expressed satisfaction with expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and the United States.

The IRPT leader appreciates the United States' support for democratic reforms in Tajikistan and stressed that activity of society itself was needed for development of democratic society in the country, reported Asia-Plus.

Mr. Blake, for his part, expressed satisfaction with constructive and creative policy of IRPT in the country, he added.

In the meantime, concerning water-and-energy problems of the region and rail cargo transit problems arising between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, Mr. Blake noted yesterday at a meeting with reporters in Dushanbe that his country is supporter of direct and constructive negotiations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan for settlement of existing problems and disputes.

"The United States position on this issue coincides with the UN position that calls on the sides to solve existing problems through negotiations," Mr. Blake stressed.