id: 49083
date: 1/4/2006 12:34
refid: 06DUSHANBE32
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000032
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, INL/AAE — DEBORAH HOOKER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: MARR, PGOV, PREL, TI, Border issues, MIlitary assistance
SUBJECT: EMERGENCY SUPPLIES FOR TAJIKISTAN BORDER GUARDS
The following is a letter to Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld from Charge d’Affaires Thomas H. Armbruster, U.S.
Embassy, Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Hard copy follows by pouch:
BEGIN TEXT:
Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:
There are few sights more heartening for Embassy officers than
seeing a U.S. Air Force C-130 landing.
On January 2, the first
C-130 landed in the snow in Dushanbe, bringing emergency support
to Tajikistan’s Border Guards.
I want to thank you for the airlift that Gen. Abizaid and his
command executed over the New Year’s holidays. Helping the
Tajik Border Guards establish and operate a base of operations
on the Afghan border, in spite of severe winter conditions, is
an important contribution to regional security, and advances
U.S. national interests by limiting the flow of illicit weapons,
narcotics, and terrorists.
Tajikistan continues to be a world leader in narcotics
interdictions, but border forces are not adequately resourced.
Had the Tajik Border Guards curtailed their operations for lack
of supplies, some in Russia could have pressured Tajikistan to
accept the return of Russian border guards. In his New Year’s
address, President Rahmonov noted, «The full takeover by Tajik
border guards of the protection of the state border between
Tajikistan and Afghanistan, as a symbol of our sovereign state,
was an important achievement.» The airlift helps Tajikistan
maintain its sovereign right to protect its own borders, and it
shows American commitment to regional stability.
CENTCOM’s efforts, in close cooperation with the Department of
State and Embassy Dushanbe’s Country Team, are having a
tremendous impact on the morale of the border guards. General
Zukhurov, Head of the Border Guards, sends his heartfelt thanks
and appreciation to all in the name of his personnel who now
have adequate food and clothing for the winter.
The use of your counternarcotics «train and equip» authority
to
support national security objectives in the region shows great
foresight, and Gen. Abizaid and his command are to be commended.
We welcome your return to
Tajikistan anytime and once again
thank everyone involved, from pilots to loadmasters, for making
a real difference on the Tajik-Afghan border.
Sincerely,
Thomas H. Armbruster
Chargi d’Affaires
END TEXT.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49124
date: 1/4/2006 18:22
refid: 06DUSHANBE33
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000033
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION.
STATE FOR ECA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK MFA SUDDENLY YANKS IVLP PARTICIPANTS
1. The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs sent a diplomatic note
informing the Embassy that two participants selected for the
International Visitor’s Leadership Program «The Government of
the States and the Local Government» will no longer be able to
participate due to a «great workload.» The sudden decision, two
weeks prior to the program start date, surprised Post. The
Embassy had previously received confirmation from all four IVLP
participants, including the two who have now suddenly rescinded:
M. Nasrulloev, Chairman of the city of Kurgan-Tyube and K.
Mirzobekov, Chairman of the Yavan District.
2. Chargi d’Affaires and PolOff
asked Deputy Foreign Minister
Yatimov about the decision reversal in a meeting January 4,
explaining the IVLP exchanges are in the best interests of
Tajikistan and the United States and much effort has been
devoted to arranging the trip.
EmbOffs requested MFA assistance
in encouraging the participants to reconsider their
participation. Yatimov
acknowledged the importance of IVLP
exchanges, but made no commitments.
3. The President’s Administration
Office had previously
confirmed the Chairmen selected could and would participate.
Post is attempting to follow up with the President’s
Administration to seek their clarification and help in reversing
the MFA’s decision.
4. COMMENT: We are left trying to read into this decision
since the participants themselves have not been forthcoming. It
seems unlikely the Chairmen themselves decided to withdraw from
the IVLP, but rather a decision from an official higher up.
This is not the first time Tajik government officials have
withdrawn from exchanges or trainings at the last minute, the
most recent being two Deputy Minister-level participants to a
November OSCE terrorist finance conference. We have also heard
rumors some Tajik officials are reluctant to leave their posts
for an extended period, for fear their absence provides an
opportunity to place blame on them or replace them. We have
made the case that exchanges and visits are in the best
interests of the Tajik government, but apparently we have more
convincing to do. END COMMENT.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49150
date: 1/5/2006 9:52
refid: 06DUSHANBE39
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 000039
SIPDIS
EUR/CACEN
IRAN DESK
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/5/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, MNUC, TI, IR
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE IRAN ON NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES
CLASSIFIED BY: THOMAS ARMBRUSTER, CDA, FRONT OFFICE , State.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)
1. (C) Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov may take another run at
influencing Iran to cooperate with the EU on nuclear issues
during his upcoming summit in Tehran.
Rahmonov will meet with
Afghan President Karzai and Iran’s Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on
January 16. The summit is
designed to elevate trilateral
relations between the three countries that share Farsi as a
common language. The UK Embassy
in Dushanbe urged Tajikistan to
pressure Iran three months ago to make progress on nuclear
issues but was rebuffed.
According to the MFA’s North America
Chief, Ismat Nasridinov, the Iranians said, «If we want help,
we’ll ask for it.» Iran also
reportedly said they did not want
Russia involved in the nuclear talks with the Europeans.
2. (C) President Rahmonov is a vocal supporter of regional
stability and pressuring Iran would be consistent with his past
statements to the Embassy.
According to Nasredinov, there is no
schedule or agenda for the Tehran meeting. The summit is to be
followed by an official state visit by Rahmonov to Tehran in the
spring. Rahmonov will also no
doubt attempt to make progress on
Iran’s participation in the Sangtuda II hydropower plant, a
project the Iranians are funding to provide domestic power for
Tajikistan.
3. (C) Nasredinov met with Charge on January 4 and provided the
above information.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49169
date: 1/5/2006 12:45
refid: 06DUSHANBE44
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 000044
SIPDIS
EMBASSY MANILA: PLEASE PASS TO
ADB AMBASSADOR SPELTZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/5/2016
TAGS: ENRG, ETRD, PGOV, TI, Economics and Trade, Hydropower and Energy
SUBJECT: TAJIK ENERGY MINISTRY RELUCTANT TO WORK WITH MEHRON OIL
CLASSIFIED BY: Thomas Armbruster, Charge d Affaires, US Embassy
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY:
Deputy Energy Minister Emomiddin Aslov
reported the Tajik government would only allow a $20 million oil
refinery project if the investors assume 100 percent of the risk
and make no claims on the Tajik Government, should the project
fail. The actions and background
of Mehron Oil LLC and its
founder, Michael Jay, created enough doubts that the Tajik
Government suspects fraud.
Unwilling to pull the plug entirely,
Aslov said Sofitel Capital Corporation was welcome to invest,
provided they understood the risks involved with working with
Mehron and did not hold the Tajik government responsible. END
SUMMARY
2. (C) Aslov sent the Embassy a letter December 27,
2005,
outlining his concerns about the refinery project. In an
hour-long meeting with PolOff January 5, Aslov said Jay had been
in negotiations with the Tajiks for almost two years, but always
failed to secure financing.
According to Aslov, Energy Minister
Nurmamatov himself had asked Jay «10 times» when Mehron Oil
would find the financing. «We have serious doubts,» he
underscored.
3. (C) Sofitel Capital Corporation USA, Inc, based
in
Annapolis, has emerged as a potential backer for Mehron Oil’s
refinery project. As part of its
loan commitment, Sofitel
requires Mehron Oil to provide a guaranty of the loan from the
Republic of Tajikistan (or any sub-sovereign entity) to be
further guaranteed by the Multi-Lateral Investment Guaranty
Agency. (NOTE: Ron Flax-Davidson
of Sofitel Capital Corporation
plans to visit Tajikistan January 21-25 to visit the proposed
refinery sites and has asked for Embassy assistance in
facilitating the necessary guarantees for the project. END
NOTE) While Aslov did not explicitly refuse to issue a guaranty,
he made it clear that the Government of Tajikistan would not
ensure Mehron Oil’s activities.
4. (C) Jay’s credentials are unclear. He holds an Australian
passport, but Aslov said Jay was born and raised in Russia and
may have attended university there.
Mehron Oil is a joint stock
company owned 94 percent by BA Oil Pty Ltd and six percent by
the Republic of Tajikistan. Jay
owns 100 percent of Wombat’s
Machinery Pty Ltd, which formed BA Oil as a joint venture with
the Kyrgyz Republic. When the
Tajiks inquired in Kyrgyzstan
about Jay’s activities there, Kyrgyz authorities said Jay had no
business in the Kyrgyz Republic, but was involved in several
projects in Tajikistan. According
to Aslov, Jay had not
responded to Tajik requests to provide pictures or evidence of
his successful joint ventures or refinery projects.
5. (C) Aslov emphasized that
Tajikistan welcomed foreign
investment and very much wanted the refinery project. «We have a
site, we have transportation linkages, now we just need a
state-of-the-art refinery. In three years we could be processing
oil here!» Aslov said Energy
Minister Nurmamatov was frustrated
by Jay’s empty promises and deeply concerned about the
ramifications of a failed joint venture. «Tajikistan is not a
joke,» said Aslov. «We
need real investment and cooperation.»
NO ONE WANTS ANOTHER CASE LIKE GERALD METALS, DO THEY?
——————————————— —————
—————————————
6. (C) COMMENT:
Although this is only one side of the story,
the Tajiks have never previously discouraged a $20 million
foreign investment. Given the
Tajik government’s reluctance to
support Mehron Oil’s involvement in the project, Post may find
it extremely difficult to help Sofitel Capital secure the
guarantees required. Post will
need to do more digging to get
the full picture on Mehron’s capability and reliability, but we
should consider this a serious red flag.
Gerald Metal’s
difficult history with Tajik Government guaranties also should
persuade all parties to proceed very cautiously. END COMMENT
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49341
date: 1/9/2006 4:39
refid: 06DUSHANBE50
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000050
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA, G/TIP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, SMIG, KWMN, TI, Human Rights
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN STRENGTHENS ANTI-TIP EFFORTS WITH U.S.
ASSISTANCE
1. SUMMARY: Tajikistan has made significant progress on
combating trafficking-in-persons (TIP) violations, but efforts
remain hindered by lack of extradition agreements, ineffective
coordination, and deep-rooted social issues. The government and
the International Organization for Migration (IOM) -the leading
the NGO in Tajikistan on TIP issues-drafted a national plan to
combat TIP through 2010. The
Ministry for Internal Affairs
(MOI) hopes to increase TIP staff and shift its focus to
trafficking for slavery purposes; and the IOM has plans to
create a coordination center and build a new shelter for TIP
victims, all through the help of U.S. funds. END SUMMARY.
2. According to the Ministry of
Internal Affairs (MOI), the
government of Tajikistan launched 81 TIP cases in 2005 and
convicted 58 people of trafficking-related crimes-a drastic
increase from the 29 convictions in 2004. The three government
agencies dealing with TIP: the General Prosecutor’s Office, the
Ministry of Security and MOI. All
provide differing statistics
but every agency’s numbers show investigations, criminal charges
and convictions have increased and indicate the Tajik government
is serious in combating TIP. In a
meeting with PolOff January
4, Djurakulov attributed progress against TIP to President
Rahmonov’s leadership encouraging attention to TIP.
EXPECTED CHANGES IN 2006
3. The Tajik government
understands the importance the United
States places on combating international TIP and works to
further institutional changes in 2006, which will ensure
long-term progress. One of
Djurakulov’s goals for 2006 is to
strengthen contacts and cooperation with local law enforcement
and high-level government officials in receiving countries such
as the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Iran, and Turkey.
Tajikistan is working to draft bilateral extradition agreements.
A lack of extradition agreements
has prevented the Tajik
authorities from detaining abroad known Tajik criminals and
suspects who use other countries as a safe haven.
4. A working group of senior
officials drafted the National
Government Action Plan on People Trafficking for 2006-2010 with
IOM input. A national strategy
will focus resources-presently a
special commission on TIP and three disjointed government
agencies work separately on TIP issues.
Currently under
consideration, the plan includes measures to strengthen
legislation to international standards and improves support for
victim rehabilitation. IOM
officials complained to PolOff
during a meeting December 28 the TIP legislation needs to be
more stringent. The law as it
stands has many loopholes and is
ineffective in prosecuting criminals.
Although traffickers have
been arrested and imprisoned, they are not convicted under the
Law on Combating Trafficking passed in 2004, but rather of other
crimes such as «recruitment for exploitation».
5. The MOI has requested funds to
establish special TIP
sections and increase staff in every regional and district
office. Djurakulov plans to shift
the department’s focus to TIP
for slavery purposes, including child slavery-a problem that has
gone under the radar screen. Thus
far, combating TIP efforts
have focused on women trafficked for prostitution. In
Tajikistan the huge stigma against victims force many to stay
quiet about crimes against them, and victims do not trust law
enforcement authorities to protect them.
The MOI continues to
step up its efforts to educate the public about the government’s
commitment to combating TIP and ensuring victims’ safety.
ASSISTANCE FROM THE UNITED STATES
6. The MOI relies on the United
States to fund its TIP
programs. Post’s Senior Law
Enforcement Advisor (SLEA) has
worked closely with INL to secure over $600,000 in organized
crime fighting equipment for the Tajik government, which will be
dispensed early 2006. In
addition, INL has granted over $1.3
million to IOM to build a permanent shelter in Dushanbe and
border checkpoint (location to be determined), provide legal
assistance and education. IOM is
seeking funding to build a TIP
Analysis and Coordination Center in Dushanbe to enhance
cooperation and provide legal assistance.
7. The MOI and IOM have signed a
Memorandum of Cooperation on
the Sphere of Combating Trafficking in Persons, but both sides
agree the relationship needs to improve.
Although grateful for
IOM’s assistance, in the meeting with PolOff, Djurakulov did not
appear enthusiastic about IOM’s programs and questioned the
effectiveness of IOM’s proposed center and shelters. He also
commented that the equipment IOM has given the MOI such as
radios and video cameras are not the most comprehensive tools
for combating TIP. Post’s SLEA noted
that IOM received funds to
implement the shelter one year ago, however IOM has failed to
build the shelter because of their own foot-dragging.
EASE OF TRAFFICKING IN CENTRAL ASIA CREATES DEMAND
8. The General Prosecutor of the
northern Sughd region-where
60% of TIP victims originate-linked TIP with funding
international terrorist networks.
The Tajik government has
given great credence to the MOI to fight TIP because of the
social and national security ramifications. Criminal
organizations increasingly target Central Asia for its weak
border and migration regulations and ready supply of vulnerable
people. Poverty, lack of
education and high unemployment rates
leave many young women and children susceptible to traffickers’
false promises of work and money.
In 2005, the General
Prosecutor’s office registered 230 TIP cases, but the number of
trafficked persons is much higher.
The demand from countries
such as the U.A.E. or Turkey means a trafficker can earn up to
$13,000 per person.
9. Djurakulov admitted corrupt
officials assist criminals in
human trafficking and he favors tighter travel and passport
legislation. In October 2005
officials investigated 18
employees of the Tajik Passport Department for their involvement
with TIP organized crime rings.
The most popular trafficking
route is by road to Osh, Kyrgyzstan and then onto the points
east. Because Tajiks do not need
foreign passports to travel to
Kyrgyzstan, many smugglers and victims easily slip across the
border.
10. COMMENT: The pervasiveness of TIP violations shows
that
combating efforts also need to focus on reducing the supply and
should include programs to improve education, reduce poverty,
fight corruption and advance gender equality.
11. COMMENT CONT’D: In 2004, a
special high level commission
was established to coordinate government and international NGOs’
efforts on combating TIP, but work needs to be consolidated so
it is not duplicated and scarce resources are used most
effectively. The National
Government Action Plan on Peoples
Trafficking for 2006-2010, if approved, will help to coordinate
efforts amongst all parties, raise public awareness and
strengthen legislation. Post will
also work to facilitate
improved relations and coordination between the MOI and IOM to
ensure the best use of U.S. funding.
Given the international
nature of TIP, Tajikistan is taking the right step in trying to
push for TIP related extradition agreements. More cooperation,
particularly on controlling the northern border, is needed. END
COMMENT.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49354
date: 1/9/2006 9:48
refid: 06DUSHANBE53
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000053
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KISL, KIRF, TI, Human Rights
SUBJECT: TAJIK GOVT CORRUPTS HAJJ, MAINTAINS TIGHT CONTROL OVER
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS
1. (U) SUMMARY: On December 23, the first of more than 20
planeloads of Tajik hajjis, Muslim pilgrims journeying to Mecca,
left Dushanbe for Saudi Arabia.
These hajjis are the lucky,
well-connected or wealthy few.
For the majority of Tajiks,
government restrictions, corruption and expensive bribes
prohibit them from completing this religious objective. END
SUMMARY.
COMMITTEE ON RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS CONTROLS HAJJ
2. (U) Although Tajikistan is a secular state, the
State
Committee on Religious Affairs (CRA) maintains control over the
hajj and essentially dictates who can go on the hajj. The CRA
only permitted 3,450 people to go on the 2006 hajj, even though
Tajiksitan’s self-imposed quota is 3,500 and is far below Saudi
Arabia’s 6,000 limit. In a
meeting with PolOff January 6, Tohir
Rashidov, Deputy Chairman of the CRA admitted at least an
additional one thousand people applied to go on the hajj but
were rejected for medical and «technical» reasons. In 2005,
5,000 Tajiks were permitted to go on the hajj. Recent public
editorials and embassy sources speculate the decrease in hajjis
is because the government fears extremism and wants to limit
those seeking religion abroad.
3. (U) In 2005, the CRA took over full control of
organizing
hajj trips from local tour operators, citing consideration for
the safety of hajjis. Full
control over hajj trips also brings
in greater revenue for the state.
Hajjis must travel to Mecca
by air on Tajikistan State Airlines and on government-sanctioned
trips, whereas in previous years they were able to travel by
land in their own vehicles.
Today, Tajiks who wish to make the
Hajj journey must register with the CRA by depositing $2,300 for
air tickets, visas, accommodations, guidebooks and medical
services. This is the most
expensive Hajj trip to date.
ANOTHER VENUE FOR CORRUPTION
4. (U) Quotas and imposed state restrictions create
room for
bribes and bureaucratic corruption.
The CRA’s interpretation of
Saudi Arabia’s regulations restricts the pool of hajj
applications and makes travel prohibitive for some. Hajjis must
be at least 18 years old, certify they are in good health, and
may only travel once every five years; however, medical
certificates can be bought and a hajji can travel more than once
in five years if he pays a bribe.
A recent news article reports
some hajjis, who have not been able to obtain hajj permits in
Tajikistan, travel to Kyrgyzstan and purchase Kyrgyz passports
and hajj permits. Although the
CRA claims it does not impose
quotas for each district, the public understands quotas exist.
Tajiks must register to go on the hajj at their local culture
department. It is common for
officials to tell an applicant the
quota has been filled, but after forking out an extra $100 or
so, the applicant can miraculously secure a spot.
5. (SBU) Government restrictions have turned the hajj
into a
cottage industry. Travel
companies, serving as interlocutors
and hajj organizers are all forced to participate in the
government network of bribery.
Independent journalist, Sadullo
Muso told Embassy sources that the Head of the Sughd Region
Committee on Religious Affairs, Odilkhon Aliev, fled to Russia.
One of the most corrupt Sughd region officials, Aliev allegedly
bribed $67,000 from hajj pilgrims and hajj tour operators. Muso
speculated that Aliev bribed other government officials to
assist in his escape to Russia.
Similarly, the Tajik newspaper,
Najot alleged Murodullo Davlatov, Chairman of the CRA of bribing
one million dollars from hajjis.
Despite calls for
investigation, the Prosecutor General’s Office has not
responded.
6. (SBU) In a meeting with PolOff January 6, Tohir
Rashidov,
Deputy Chairman of the CRA, admitted some corruption allegations
are true, but «the government cannot completely monitor all
bureaucrats’ moral behavior.»
He addressed complaints hajjis
had with poor accommodations and travel arrangements by excusing
the CRA’s lack of experience.
This is the first year the CRA
has control over Tajikistan’s hajj program and Rashidov is
confident that in the future, the Committee will be able to make
future hajj journeys smoother.
7. (U) Although 97% of the population is nominally
Muslim,
given its Soviet past, most Tajiks are not devout. However,
Rashidov predicts that the number of Tajiks who wish to go on
the hajj will increase over the next few years.
8. (SBU) COMMENT:
Corruption, bribery and government
restrictions sour the hajj experience for Tajik devout Muslims.
The government’s complacency towards corruption and self-imposed
restrictions by the Tajik government, not Saudi Arabia, show the
government is purposefully limiting the people’s religious
freedom. During PolOff’s meeting
with Rashidov, he chided
poverty- stricken Tajiks for wasting their money on religious
ceremonies and donations. If
Rashidov’s comments reflect the
government’s attitude towards religion,
the CRA will likely
continue to control religious activities in an attempt to
prevent extremism. Ironically,
government attempts to
marginalize Islam in Tajikistan may end with the opposite
effect. END COMMENT.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 49392
date: 1/9/2006 14:28
refid: 06DUSHANBE55
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of
the original cable is not available.
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000055
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, TI, Human Rights
SUBJECT: FIRE IN TAJIK ORPHANAGE RAISES QUESTIONS
1. (U) At least 13 disabled children died when a
fire
destroyed Chorbogh orphanage early January 8. Neighbors pulled
children out of the burning Dushanbe facility, home to almost
100 mentally and physically disabled children. Many victims
were bedridden and unable to escape.
Metal bars on the windows
may have prevented the children from exiting the building.
Tajik authorities are investigating the cause, thought initially
to stem from electrical wiring overloaded by heaters during a
cold snap. The evacuated children
are now residing in a
Dushanbe school.
2. (SBU) Media reported the fire
department was extremely slow
to respond and residents of nearby homes performed most of the
rescue operations. Embassy staff
heard rumors the fire and
rescue squads needed more than 40 minutes to travel two miles,
and then arrived without water in the truck tanks. More
sinister but unsubstantiated rumors suggest the fire was
intentional, to vacate the state-owned children’s home and free
up valuable property close to the city center.
3. (SBU) PolOff visited the home
December 26 and found the
facility to be shabby but clean, similar to other Tajik
educational facilities. During
the surprise visit, children
were grouped in dorm rooms by age, bathed and dressed, but not
involved in any educational activities or therapy. Another
EmbOff familiar with Tajik orphanages called Chorbogh one of the
worst, in terms of staff negligence and quality of care.
4. (U) COMMENT: Home fires in Tajikistan are fairly common,
particularly in the winter when gas and electric heaters
provided only limited warmth in buildings with outdated wiring
and decaying wood. Post sincerely
hopes this tragedy resulted
from negligence, and not something more disturbing. Post is
organizing donations from Embassy personnel to help surviving
orphans.
ARMBRUSTER
NNNN
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 50737
date: 1/26/2006 9:49
refid: 06DUSHANBE151
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO2681
PP RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #0151 0260949
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 260949Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6514
INFO RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1339
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1373
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1378
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1308
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1249
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1340
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1282
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1245
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1141
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1395
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1428
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0914
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 7596
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000151
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA, DRL, SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL, PROP, KDEM, RS, TI
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR KICKS OFF TAJIKISTAN’S 2006 PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
1. Although President Emomali
Rahmonov has not officially
announced that he will be a candidate for the late 2006
presidential election in Tajikistan, Russian Ambassador Ramazan
Abdulatipov more than endorsed him at a press conference on
January 24. According to multiple
press reports, he said, «We
openly affirm that no one but Rahmonov will be able to work in
this position.»
2. At a Tajik Border Guard event
on January 27, an Interfax
reporter asked the U.S. Ambassador, «Ambassador Abdulatipov
supports President Rahmonov for the next election. Do you?»
The Ambassador replied that the United States supports the
democratic political process, not personalities, and hopes that
the forthcoming election will meet international standards. The
reporter rejoined, «So you don’t support President Rahmonov?»
3. COMMENT: So much for the quaint diplomatic tradition
of not
overtly interfering in the internal electoral affairs of a host
country. In fact, Rahmonov is
still generally popular in
Tajikistan, and there appears to be no other viable candidate at
this time. However, Russia’s
ham-fisted support for Rahmonov,
especially this early before the election, could come back to
haunt Moscow. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 50869
date: 1/27/2006 9:20
refid: 06DUSHANBE175
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO3983
PP RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #0175/01 0270920
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270920Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6542
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1340
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1374
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1379
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1309
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1250
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1341
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1283
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1246
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1142
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
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RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1429
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0720
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 7626
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000175
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, ECON, KDEM, TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN’S SOUTH SHOWS LITTLE SIGN OF DEVELOPMENT
DUSHANBE 00000175 001.2 OF 002
1. SUMMARY: Kulob, the President’s home region and nearby
Qurghon-Teppa face the same corruption, high unemployment, and
political and free press restrictions that plague the rest of
the country. In meetings with
PolOff January 23-24,
journalists, NGOs and community leaders from Kulob,
Qurghon-Teppa and Shahritus revealed that apathy and
self-censorship threaten to stagnate development in Tajikistan’s
south. However, NGOs serve their
communities well and can be a
catalyst for change. END SUMMARY.
2. Although President Rahmonov
and many of his inner circle are
Kulobis, Kulob as a whole has not benefited from pork-barrel
funding. The head of Kulob’s
Islamic Revival Party of
Tajikistan (IRPT) criticized that funds invested in the city are
not going towards businesses or institutions that could help
Kulob grow long-term.
Unemployment remains high and cotton
production has declined. As Kulob
prepares to celebrate its
2700th anniversary this year, the national government and cities
across Tajikistan (on the government orders) have poured
millions into Kulob to build monuments and finance festivities,
but little has gone towards economic development or social
services.
RESIGNED TO A CORRUPT GOVERNMENT
3. Besides pressure from the
government, media organizations
and political associations also have to contend with apathy and
poverty. Suhrobsho Farrukshoev,
chairman of the Khatlon press,
notes that people worry too much about where their next meal
will come from to care about politics—a common refrain in
Tajikistan. The People’s
Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT)
is the ruling party in Kulob, but the Communist Party of
Tajikistan is the most popular, according to Farrukshoev. He
explained people believe quality of life was better under the
Soviet system and long for the Soviet days. With 180 local
members, the IRPT remains weak, despite tripling its membership
in three years. Other political
parties, too, have a minimal
presence and little to no power.
The Khatlon press serves as an
information center for Kulob, where people come to read
newspapers because newspapers from Dushanbe are too expensive
for the majority of the population.
Kulob has only one,
state-owned television broadcast station.
4. Even the wealthiest and most
influential businessman in the
region (at Vosse near Kulob) avoids politics. A former deputy
in parliament, Samariddin Fazliddinov did not run in the 2005
parliamentary elections because he knew the elections would not
be fair and his past criticisms of the government would prevent
him from even appearing on the ballot.
He turned his energy
towards developing his businesses, including a textiles factory,
several hectares of farms, and an independent television
station. Even after leaving
government, Fazliddinov still
confronts corruption. Each year
Fazliddinov pays $150,000 in
illegal bribes to local and national government officials to
ensure that business can get done.
Fazliddinov estimates that
illegal taxes account for 40 percent of his business expenses.
Corruption is so endemic that businesses see bribes and
kickbacks as standard operating procedure.
5. Because Fazliddinov is
wealthy, has government connections,
and comes from a well-established family, his influence in the
region allows his independent television station to operate
freely without government interference.
The station cooperates
with Internews and regional stations.
Contrary to Fazliddinov’s
ease, a journalist for the independent newspaper «Bomdod» in
Qurghon-Teppa, Mohsharif Qurbonova, said her newspaper avoids
government hassle by self-censorship. «Bomdod»‘s editors often
tidy up reporters’ critical articles.
However, after receiving
training from the National Association for Independent Mass
Media in Tajikistan, Qurbonova and «Bomdod»‘s editors are
ready
DUSHANBE 00000175 002.2 OF 002
to be bolder.
THE RISE OF NGOs
6. The Civil Support Center in
Qurghon-Teppa has seen NGO
membership increase to more than 300 since it opened in 1992.
Increasingly, the town relies on NGOs to provide social
services, and the Civil Support Center calls on more NGOs to
assist in economic development. The Civil Support Center said
the most successful NGOs in the region deal with women’s or
children’s issues. A lack of
qualified personnel and fear of
government harassment have limited the number of political and
human rights NGOs. Qurghon-Teppa
and the surrounding area saw
much violence during the civil war.
Although the people are
tired of Rahmonov, they fear political activity that could
incite violence again even more.
7. In Shahritus, a town not far
from the Afghan border, women
have emerged to become the entrepreneurs and leaders of their
community. As is common
throughout Tajikistan, unemployment has
sent Shahritus’ men to Russia as labor migrants, leaving the
women at home to be breadwinners.
Several micro-finance
institutions readily lend to women, who are now the majority of
market vendors and owners of small enterprises. The chairwomen
of two local NGOs, supported by Embassy grants, report that they
enjoy great success in town and have a good relationship with
the local government, but worry a change in the local leadership
may have a negative effect on their activities.
8. COMMENT: The story in Tajikistan’s south is not
encouraging: a government stranglehold on power and remnants of
civil war memories prevent political activities; corruption has
become the norm; and people rely on NGOs for support rather than
the government. Unlike the north,
where there is an active
civil society focused on supporting political and human rights,
the southern region lacks the energy and resources to contest
the establishment. END COMMENT
HOAGLAND
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 50874
date: 1/27/2006 10:25
refid: 06DUSHANBE178
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO4047
OO RUEHDBU
DE RUEHDBU #0178/01 0271025
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 271025Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6544
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1342
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RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1285
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1248
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1144
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOCOM FP MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 1398
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0917
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1431
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 7629
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000178
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/RUS, DRL
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/27/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PINR, PROP, KDEM, RS, TI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PROTESTS SECURITY MINISTRY CRACK-DOWN ON NDI
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard E. Hoagland, Ambassador, EXEC, Embassy
Dushanbe.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: On January 27, the Ambassador forcefully
protested to Foreign Minister Nazarov the Security Ministry’s
recent crackdown on the National Democratic Insitute in
Dushanbe. Nazarov agreed to
intervene with the Minister of
Security and to bring the problem to President Rahmonov’s
attention. We will follow this
closely until the issues are
resolved. END SUMMARY.
BACKGROUND
2. (C) In the wake of the
«color revolutions» and propaganda
from Moscow that U.S. democracy NGOs in cahoots with
intelligence agencies fomented them, the Government of
Tajikistan reined in National Democratic Institute (NDI). The
Ministry of Justice, reportedly on instructions from the
Ministry of Security, has consistently refused to register NDI,
and AmCit directors have been unable to obtain visas, except for
brief visits for internal management reviews. Nevertheless, NDI
continued to work in Tajikistan with CIS-citizen directors and
worked openly with all legal political parties, including
President Rahmonov’s Peoples Democratic Party. Current NDI
Director Gegham Sargsyan, an Amenian citizen, regularly renewed
his accreditation with the Ministry of Interior’s Office of Visa
and Foreign Registration (OVIR) to live and work in Tajikistan.
3. (C) When Sargsyan’s residency
registration was due to expire
in January, OVIR refused to renew it because he worked for an
international NGO. They advised
him to go to the Foreign
Ministry. The Foreign Ministry’s
Consular Section declined to
register him as well, because the Ministry of Justice has not
registered NDI. On January 23,
the Ambassador raised this issue
with Foreign Minister Nazarov, who said he would look into it.
On January 24, the Ambassador again raised the problem with
First Deputy Foreign Minister Yatimov, who suggested that NDI
needs to be legally registered but agreed to consult with
Foreign Minister Nazarov.
4. (C) On January 26, Sargsyan
asked to see the Ambassador
urgently. With an expired
residency registration, he is now
technically in Tajikistan illegally.
He had gone to the Foreign
Ministry three times, to no avail, and he feared he could be
arrested if he stayed much longer.
Further, he reported that
Ministry of Security officers have been severely harassing his
local staff, both program and technical support workers like
drivers, calling them to rooms in the Hotel Tajikistan and
intensively interrogating them to «reveal NDI’s secrets.»
Security Ministry officials have also been calling family
members of NDI employees and their professors, if they are
students, threatening «consequences» if the employees do not
cooperate.
THIS MUST STOP
5. (C) The Ambassador asked
urgently to see Foreign Minister
Nazarov at OOB on January 27. He
noted that he had reluctantly
accepted the previous «compromise» allowing NDI to remain
unregistered and without AmCit directors but continuing to work.
However, it appears that
compromise has now broken down.
Further, it is outrageous and unacceptable that the Ministry of
Security is pressuring the Tajik citizens who work at NDI. This
is reminiscent of the KGB excesses of the Soviet Period. While
this is now unfortunately the norm in Uzbekistan, it is unworthy
for Tajikistan to behave like this.
The Ambassador reminded the
Foreign Minister that NDI has a powerful constituency in
Washington, and Tajikistan’s actions against this organization
DUSHANBE 00000178 002 OF 002
risk harming the generally positive U.S.-Tajikistan relationship.
6. (C) The Ambassador added he is
aware that Moscow is leading
the charge against Western democracy and human rights
organizations and, further, seeks to limit the U.S. presence in
Tajikistan. Dushanbe should not
fall into this trap. We know
that President Rahmonov’s foreign policy is «open-door,» but
continued harassment of NDI is slamming the door on U.S.
fingers. Tajikistan certainly
cannot want that perception. The
Ambassador appealed to Foreign Minister Nazarov to help him
solve this problem.
MAYBE ROGUES ARE OVER-FULFILLING THE PLAN?
7. (C) Nazarov responded that he
would contact Minister of
Security Abdurahimov immediately to ask what was going on. He
also said that he would bring the issue to President Rahmonov’s
attention. He was sure there
would be a solution in the coming
week. Nazarov commented that
sometimes individual officials
«over-fulfill the plan,» to try to curry favor with their
bosses. It could be that rogue
officers were behind the NDI
problems. To illustrate this, he
recounted that several years
ago, a Ministry of Security officer had invited «a young woman
from the British Embassy» to the Foreign Ministry and had
«questioned her inappropriately.» When Nazarov found out about
this, he’d raised hell with the Minister of Security and put a
stop to it. Nazarov assured the
Ambassador that harassment of
NDI is not Government of Tajikistan policy, and he stated
explicitly, «OVIR is violating the law.»
8. (C) Nazarov volunteered that
the recent problem with BBC
losing its license to broadcast from Dushanbe was a result of
unilateral — and illegal — action by the new director of radio
and television broadcasting. This
kind of freelancing causes
international problems for Tajikistan, and the President is well
aware of it.
9. (C) Three hours after the
meeting, Foreign Minister Nazarov
telephoned the Ambassador. He
said he’d spoken with Minister of
Security Abdurahimov who denied any knowledge of the NDI issue
but said he would speak with his officers to get to the bottom
of the problem. The Ambassador
thanked Nazarov for his quick
action at a very busy time, but reminded him that the problem
has to be solved, not just looked into.
10. (C) COMMENT: NDI’s problems in Dushanbe coincide more or
less with the recent «British spy scandal» in Moscow and
President Putin directly linking Western espionage to democracy
and human rights NGOs. We note
that intelligence officers from
the Russian Embassy have nearly free run at the Ministry of
Security. By making a forceful
protest to the Foreign Minister,
who will undoubtedly inform President Rahmonov, we hope that NDI
in Dushanbe can return to the status quo ante. However, we will
watch closely and not let up the pressure until Sargsyan is
legally registered and harassment against NDI’s Tajik employees
stops. END COMMENT
HOAGLAND
