In an extensive interview published in "Trud" on 5 September and pegged to the 10th anniversary of Tajikistan's independence, Imomali Rakhmonov admitted that it is not certain whether Tajikistan would have survived 10 years as an independent state without Russian assistance. He added that preserving "Tajikistan's sovereignty and self-sufficiency depends first and foremost on geopolitical priorities." As he has done in several earlier interviews this year, Rakhmonov also expressed his hope of raising economic cooperation with Russia to the level of military cooperation. He denied that the opposition or the independent media in Tajikistan are subjected to any restrictions. (RFE/RL)