id: 83709
date: 10/31/2006 12:41
refid: 06DUSHANBE1998
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination: 06DUSHANBE1773|06DUSHANBE1848|06DUSHANBE1863|06DUSHANBE1931|06DUSHANBE1935|06DUSHANBE1998
header:
VZCZCXRO5085
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHDBU #1998/01 3041241
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 311241Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8965
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1886
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1879
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1843
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1357
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1830
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1849
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1737
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1547
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1786
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1859
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1559
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1113
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0440
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001998
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/31/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, TI
SUBJECT: ONE WEEK OUT: RAHMONOV’S PR CAMPAIGN STRENGTHENS, DPT DRAMA
ESCALATES
REF: A) DUSHANBE 1773 B) DUSHANBE 1848 C) DUSHANBE 1863 D) DUSHANBE 1931
E) DUSHANBE 1935
CLASSIFIED BY: TJACOBSON, AMBASSADOR, STATE, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: With six days to go before the election, the
pocket party candidates have hit the campaign trail and look
more like public relations agents campaigning for Rahmonov than
candidates in their own right.
The Democratic Party of
Tajikistan’s (DPT) drama continues with the remnant DPT trying
to ratchet up their profile by appealing to the OSCE and
international community to intervene in the party’s split; while
the Vatan faction faces internal rifts of its own. The
Commonwealth of Independent States mission has already hit the
press and declared no serious violations have been committed so
far. END SUMMARY.
CANDIDATES HIT THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL TOGETHER
2. (SBU) The four candidates
running against incumbent
President Rahmonov are traveling throughout Tajikistan together
to deliver their stump speeches and spread their platform
messages. However, thus far, it
appears as if their campaign
trail is actually helping Rahmonov.
Media reports have quoted
candidates plugging Rahmonov, unwilling to publicly criticize
him and unable to promote themselves as better leaders. A
presidential representative traveled with the candidates.
3. (U) Socialist Party of
Tajikistan (SPT) candidate Abdulahim
Ghafforov admitted that it is not easy for him to be «a great
person of the nation, as is Rahmonov.» The Communist Party of
Tajikistan’s candidate, Ismoil Talbakov said, «Emomali Rahmonov
has done much for the people and he has his place in our
history.»
4. (SBU) The weak campaign messages of the Party of
Economic
Reforms of Tajikistan, Agrarian Party of Tajikistan, Socialist
Party of Tajikistan and the Communist Party and their
candidates’ inability to distinguish themselves and criticize
Rahmonov’s actions and policies actually help make Rahmonov look
like the best candidate.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY BATTLE- NO ONE WINS
5. (C) . With the government’s
support, the Ministry of Justice
and the Central Commission on Elections and Referenda have now
recognized the breakaway Vatan faction as the official
Democratic Party of Tajikistan (see Ref C and previous). The
Ministry of Justice now considers the case closed and has left
it to the Supreme Court to decide any appeals from the original
DPT.
6. (C) OSCE Political Officer
informed PolOff the original DPT
faction, headed by imprisoned chairman Mahmmadruzzi Iskandarov,
wrote a letter to the OSCE mission desperately requesting the
OSCE «not to stay
impartial» in the DPT rift. The
party
reminded the OSCE that the organization’s position in the
conflict between Russia and Georgia «added value to the OSCE
prestige in the international scene.» The organization is
deliberating on its response.
Although the court case is
ongoing, the DPT is impatient and does not have confidence the
heavily politicized Tajik courts will rule in Iskandarov’s
supporters’ favor. By seeking
OSCE support, the party is
attempting to raise its profile to the international arena. The
local OSCE mission’s political officer has advised headquarters
that this is an internal manner that has not been fully
exhausted legally and to refrain from becoming involved at the
present.
7. (C) To complicate things even more, Masud Sobirov, Chairman
of the breakaway Vatan faction of the DPT, admitted to Embassy
DUSHANBE 00001998 002 OF 002
sources that the faction itself is facing an internal rift.
Sobirov and Vatan’s First Deputy Chairman, S. Ismonov, who
supported the party financially, are now vying for power. In a
bizarre twist, Sobirov sabotaged his own party’s chances of
running a candidate during the presidential election. He
alleged the government helped gather the required 165,000
signatures so that the party could run Tabarali Ziyoev as its
presidential candidate. Upon
receiving the petitions, he burned
them. He explained that he did
this because he did not deem
Ziyoev a worthy candidate for president.
CIS OBSERVATION MISSION GETS A HEAD START
8. (U) The 200-plus strong Commonwealth of
Independent States
election observation mission has already made press statements
declaring that it has seen no serious violations in election
procedure thus far. The
OSCE/ODIHR has made some preliminary
remarks to the press, but has refrained from drawing
conclusions. They will issue an
interim report immediately
following the election.
OSCE/ODIHR will conduct observer
training November 3 for all observers, including 23 embassy
observers. Post will deploy
embassy observers throughout the
country November 4-7 to observe and report on voting practices.
9. (C) COMMENT:
Although the election results are a foregone
conclusion, the process still needs to be monitored. The
Democratic Party of Tajikistan’s drama will last through the
election and the court’s decision post-election will be
indicative of how tightly Rahmonov will hold onto power in his
third term. Another sign will be
how the administration reacts
to the international observers’ reports.
Judging from its
pre-election myopia, the CIS report will be much more favorable
than the ODIHR mission’s report.
END COMMENT.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 83714
date: 10/31/2006 12:59
refid: 06DUSHANBE2000
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO5115
PP RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #2000 3041259
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 311259Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8970
INFO RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 1115
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 0445
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC PRIORITY 0104
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002000
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
DOC FOR BISNIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON, ECIN, EIND, EFIN, EAID, PREL, TBIO, ETRD, PGOV, TI
SUBJECT: «PLEASE TRAIN OUR WORKERS» — TAJIK BUSINESS
ROUNDTABLE
1. (U) Summary. While the upper echelons of the Tajik
government focus on immense energy projects, a frank and lively
discussion by local businesspeople offered fresh examples of
corruption and decay in the small and medium enterprise sector,
especially related to customs, standards, and the lack of
business associations. At an
Embassy-hosted round-table, five
business representatives asked for U.S. assistance for
vocational training opportunities for Tajik workers, bemoaning
their lack of readiness for the modern, post-Soviet world. End
Summary.
2. (U) The Embassy hosted a
roundtable October 25 with
representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
to discuss difficulties in the Tajik business operating
environment. Tajik participants
included Maruf Orifov and
Gulnora Mahmudova from the Orima supermarket chain; Matluba
Uljabaeva of the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises;
Khalilov Jalil, a customs broker; and Tamara Khalikova of the
Association of Construction Enterprises.
3. (U) Uljabaeva lamented the
lack of effective business
associations in Tajikistan, laying blame squarely on the Tajiks
who are afraid of speaking out for themselves. She lambasted
the Special Commission on Business Promotion under the Ministry
of Economy and Trade as utterly ineffective and described how
ongoing complications with inspections and licensing,
standardization, and taxes all hinder small business growth.
She spoke in favor of a U.S.-Tajik Chamber of Commerce in
Tajikistan and endorsed the EBRD’s plans for a Tajik business
council.
4. (U) Khalilov Jalil, a local
customs broker, enumerated
concrete examples of problems with customs and standards.
Gosstandart, the State Agency for Industrial Standards, charges
a heavy 0.3 to 1.5% for standardization services on imported
goods to Tajikistan, and does not publish a specific list of
goods that need to be certified.
They try to license all goods
that enter Tajikistan, with sometimes humorous results. For
example, when a Tajik company attempted to import a plane,
Gosstandart required the company to receive a government
license, but Gosstandart did not have the equipment to check the
plane. He described the
difficulties Russian Hotels is having
with customs clearance to build the Hyatt in Dushanbe. The lack
of clear mechanisms for regulating customs allows massive fraud,
waste, and mismanagement to occur.
In another example,
Gosstandart certifies food products for three months regardless
of whether they last three months or three years. For the Orima
Supermarket chain that imports 13,000 different goods, this
presents a serious obstacle for business. They noted that the
market reports produced by the U.S. Department of Commerce
BISNIS program provide some of the best information on Tajik
customs and regulatory processes not only for foreign investors,
but for domestic companies.
5. (U) Representatives marveled
at certain government
peculiarities. For instance, the
government places high
protective import tariffs on goods even when there is no
domestic production to protect.
Business visas to Tajikistan
cost different amounts depending on the country of origin, and
remain onerous to obtain.
6. (U) Participants all
complained about the Tajik workforce’s
inexperience. Orima has opened up
its own training center for
its employees to teach them basic accounting, management, and
customer service. U.S. exchanges
and technical assistance could
provide needed support in this area.
7. (U) Comment: The small businesses’ complaints about
customs
and inspections are familiar, but their recognition of the
severe shortcomings in human capacity is new. The government
frequently touts its low-cost workforce as an incentive for
foreign investors to come to Tajikistan, but employers often get
what they pay for. A workforce
short on education and
competency is not necessarily an advantage even at cut-rate
wages. Until human capital
improves, foreign investors in
Tajikistan could end up being as frustrated as Tajik businessmen
themselves. End Comment.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 84110
date: 11/2/2006 17:03
refid: 06DUSHANBE2017
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO7904
PP RUEHAT
DE RUEWMFS #2017 3061703
ZNR UUUUU
P 021703Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO AMCONSUL AMSTERDAM
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002017
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON, EAGR, EINV, EIND,
ETRD, PGOV, TI
SUBJECT: SUPERMARKET SWEEP — THE NEW LOOK OF GROCERIES IN TAJIKISTAN
1. (U) SUMMARY: A TAJIK-DUTCH
JOINT VENTURE HAS CREATED THE
FIRST WESTERN-STYLE SUPERMARKET CHAIN IN TAJIKISTAN, «ORIMA,»
FEATURING HUNDREDS OF IMPORTED PRODUCTS AIMED AT THE LOCAL
MARKET. UTILIZING A SERIES OF
EXCLUSIVE PRODUCT DISTRIBUTION
PAGE 2 RUEWMFS2017 UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002017
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA
AGREEMENTS, ORIMA IS QUICKLY EXPANDING WITH PLANS TO OPEN A
TOTAL OF 15 STORES AROUND THE COUNTRY IN THE NEXT YEAR. ORIMA
FACES THE USUAL DIFFICULTIES WITH CUSTOMS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
INTERFERENCE, BUT HAS ACHIEVED OVER $20 MILLION IN ANNUAL SALES,
WITH ROOM TO GROW. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) AN EXPERIENCED AND
INFLUENTIAL JOINT-VENTURE GROUP
INTRODUCED THE ORIMA BRAND IN TAJIKISTAN. THE DUTCH M&P CO.
GROCERY CHAIN CREATED ITS FIRST JOINT VENTURE IN TAJIKISTAN IN
1996, OPENING AN «M&P» STORE IN DUSHANBE. THE M&P JOINT VENTURE
OPENED UP THE NEW «ORIMA» BRAND, WHICH STANDS FOR THE FIRST
LETTERS OF THE GENERAL DIRECTOR’S NAME, ORIFOV MARUF. ORIFOV
HOLDS SHARES IN TOJIKSODIROTBANK, WHICH IS CONNECTED WITH
IZATULLO HAYOEV, FORMER PRIME MINISTER OF SOVIET TAJIKISTAN IN
THE LATE 1980S AND EARLY 1990S, FROM THE POLITICALLY-POWERFUL
KULOB REGION.
3. (U) ORIMA (HTTP://ORIMA.TJ/ENG/INDEX(ENG).HTM)
IS QUICKLY
REVOLUTIONIZING GROCERY SHOPPING IN TAJIKISTAN. TAJIK CONSUMERS
CAN NOW FIND PREVIOUSLY UNHEARD OF ITEMS ON ORIMA’S SHELVES:
BARILLA PASTA, TORTILLA CHIPS, BRAZILIAN FROZEN CHICKENS,
SPANISH OLIVE OIL, DANISH COOKIES, SRI LANKAN TEA, JUICES FROM
PAGE 3 RUEWMFS2017 UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002017
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA
RUSSIA, FROZEN SEAFOOD, AND MUCH MORE.
ORIMA CONTROLS ALL ITS
OWN TRANSPORTATION, AND SHIPMENTS COME MAINLY THROUGH THE
SEAPORTS POTI (GEORGIA), NOVOROSSIYSK (RUSSIA), KLAIPEDA AND
RIGA (LATVIA), THEN BY RAIL OR BY ROAD TO TAJIKISTAN. ORIMA
PLANS TO FURTHER MODERNIZE THE TAJIK FOOD DISTRIBUTION MARKET BY
BUILDING TAJIKISTAN’S FIRST REFRIGERATED WAREHOUSE. THE
SUPERMARKET TARGETS NOT ONLY THE WEALTHY; MIDDLE AND LOWER-CLASS
CONSUMERS ALSO CROWD INTO THE BRIGHTLY-LIT STORES. CONSUMERS
RECEIVE A MAGNETIZED STRIP SHOPPER’S DISCOUNT CARD FOR 5% OFF
EACH PURCHASE, AND THE STORES FEATURE CREDIT CARD POINT-OF-SALE
TERMINALS. (COMMENT: THE CREDIT
CARD TERMINALS HAVE NOT YET
WORKED FOR EMBOFFS. END COMMENT).
4. (U) DESPITE ITS POLITICAL
CONNECTIONS, M&P FACES HEADACHES
WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.
ORIFOV EXPRESSED
FRUSTRATION DURING A MEETING WITH EMBOFFS ABOUT THE DUSHANBE
MAYOR’S OFFICE, AND ITS KNACK FOR DELAYING THE OPENING OF NEW
BUSINESSES IN DUSHANBE.
BUREAUCRATS SIT ON DOCUMENTS FOR MONTHS
UNTIL THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY PERSONALLY BEGS THE OFFICIAL
TO MOVE FORWARD, AND THEN ONLY STARTS WORKING WHEN SOMETHING IS
IN HIS POCKET, ACCORDING TO ORIFOV.
HE ALSO NOTED THE
PAGE 4 RUEWMFS2017 UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002017
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA
INEFFECTIVENESS OF NEW TAJIK VISA REGULATIONS, WHICH IN THEORY
ALLOW NON-TAJIKS TO OBTAIN A VISA AT THE AIRPORT, WHILE
REGISTERING THE VISITOR’S VISA AFTER ARRIVAL CAN TAKE TWO WEEKS.
5. (U) ORIMA FACES A CHRONIC
SHORTAGE OF LOCAL DAIRY PRODUCTS
IN DUSHANBE, WHICH ARE PRODUCED BY A MONOPOLY DAIRY FACTORY IN
THE CAPITAL. ACCORDING TO ORIFOV,
SEVERAL LOCAL BUSINESSPEOPLE
AND ALSO FOREIGN INVESTORS HAVE ATTEMPTED TO INVEST IN THE
INDUSTRY BUT WERE TURNED AWAY BY LOCAL OFFICIALS. NEITHER RICE
NOR SOY MILK ARE AVAILABLE HERE AS SUBSTITUTES, BUT ORIMA
MANAGES TO IMPORT MILK FROM RUSSIA TO FILL THE NEED.
6. (U) IN A PARTICULARLY EXCITING
DEVELOPMENT, M&P IS OPENING
UP A SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN FAST FOOD FRANCHISE IN DOWNTOWN
DUSHANBE LATER THIS WEEK. THANKS
TO A FRANCHISING AGREEMENT
WITH THIS BRITISH FAST FOOD CHAIN, TAJIKS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY
CRISPY (OR SPICY) SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN, CORN ON THE COB,
COLESLAW AND BISCUITS, IN A KFC-MEETS-LONG JOHN SILVER’S
ENVIRONMENT, OR IN HANDY TO-GO BOXES.
EMBOFFS ATTENDING THE
PRE-OPENING EVENT WERE GREETED BY SMILING EMPLOYEES AND FINGER
LICKIN’ GOOD CHICKEN. MANAGED BY
ALISHER ORIFOV, MARUF’S SON,
THIS OPENING REPRESENTS SEVERAL STEPS UP IN THE QUALITY OF
PAGE 5 RUEWMFS2017 UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002017
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA
RESTAURANT LIFE IN DUSHANBE.
7. (U) COMMENT: MARUF ORIFOV IS A
FORWARD THINKER, WITH A COPY
OF WAL-MART FOUNDER SAM WALTON’S BOOK ON HIS DESK. M&P HAS
OPENED ITS OWN TRAINING CENTER FOR ALL ITS EMPLOYEES, WITH
VISITING TRAINERS FROM MOSCOW, KAZAKHSTAN, CANADA, BELGIUM AND
GREAT BRITAIN. IN ORIFOVS
OPINION, TAJIKISTAN LACKS MANAGERS
WHO CAN OPERATE A BUSINESS, AND NEW GRADUATES FROM TAJIK
UNIVERSITIES KNOW LITTLE ABOUT ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT, LET ALONE CUSTOMER SERVICE.
WITH 300 EMPLOYEES,
ORIMA AND M&P MAY HELP PROVIDE SOME BASIC DISCIPLINE FOR
TAJIKISTAN’S WORKFORCE TO SUCCEED IN FUTURE JOBS, MUCH LIKE
MCDONALDS IN THE UNITED STATES.
END COMMENT.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 84162
date: 11/3/2006 7:07
refid: 06DUSHANBE2019
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
VZCZCXRO8365
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHDBU #2019/01 3070707
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P R 030707Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8987
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1864
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1851
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1788
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1881
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1845
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1888
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1742
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1116
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1359
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1561
RHMFISS/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1757
RUEKJCS/JCS NMCC WASHINGTON DC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1832
RUEHML/AMEMBASSY MANILA 0106
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0467
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 DUSHANBE 002019
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SCA FOR DEUTSCH; NSC FOR MERKEL; E FOR HENGEL AND DUNCAN; EMBASSY MANILA
PLEASE PASS TO ADB AMBASSADOR SPELTZ
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/3/2016
TAGS: ECIN, PGOV, PREL, ECON, ENRG, EFIN, TI, AF, KG, PK
SUBJECT: DUSHANBE ELECTRICITY CONFERENCE PRODUCES MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Hushek, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy
Dushanbe, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b), (d)
1. (SBU) INTRODUCTION:
Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and
Tajikistan moved three steps closer to establishing a regional
transmission system and electricity market at the Second Central
and South Asia regional electricity market conference. During
the October 26-28 conference in Dushanbe, the four countries:
1) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the development of a
Central Asia- South Asia Regional Electricity Market (CASAREM),
2) established an Inter-Ministerial Council and continued the
Multi-Country Working Group as part of the decision-making
framework, and 3) agreed to a roadmap that spelled out the next
steps, including two feasibility studies, a working group
meeting and a June ministerial in Kabul.
The steps represent
real progress, but only the studies will show whether the good
will translates into a commercially viable electricity
transmission network. The
political and security issues that
went unmentioned during the conference will have to be addressed
to attract investors. END
INTRODUCTION.
2. (SBU) The signing of the memorandum
of understanding allows
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank to launch
tenders for two studies to determine the viability of bringing
1,000 megawatts of electricity from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan
through Afghanistan to Pakistan and to recommend structures for
organizing the system, financing and mitigating risks. The ADB
will fund a techno-economic assessment examining the
availability and cost of power year round, Pakistan’s power
requirements, and transmission options, routes, and costs. The
World Bank will support a commercial study that looks at the
institutional, financial, risk mitigation and legal frameworks
necessary for the electricity transmission network. The studies
will also present the results of engagement with the private
sector on their interest in the project.
The consultants will
have 100 days to complete the first phase of each study,
estimated to conclude in late spring.
At the Kabul meeting, the
four ministers will decide whether to go forward with the
project, based on the two studies, and start in-depth
negotiations on the structure, financing, and private sector
participation. If the project is
a «go,» the fourth meeting
would be held in Bishkek in 2007, with an eye towards
transmitting electricity by 2010.
PRESENTATIONS AND POSTURING
3. (C) The major international
financial institutions all
attended, as did a smattering of private companies trying to
stake their claim in the project.
Russian electricity giant RAO
UES and the U.S. energy company AES gave presentations on their
SIPDIS
activities in the region. RAO
focused on construction of
Sangtuda I and AES presented its view of a transmission project,
including thermal-generated power from Kazakhstan. Coffee break
conversations included the issue of the possibility of an
international financial institution stake in RAO’s Sangtuda-I
hydropower station. The European
Bank for Reconstruction and
Development and World Bank are discussing a 25% equity share in
Sangtuda, subject to proving an export market for the power.
Pamir Energy presented an overview of its Pamir I project in
southern Tajikistan, but glossed over most of the cost recovery
and political issues they privately admitted to us over lunch.
4. (C) The Chinese firm TBEA gave
a video presentation
detailing its general experience in the power sector, but its
representatives told PolOff they did not yet have a firm project
in Tajikistan. (NOTE: Deputy Ministry of Energy Mavjuda
DUSHANBE 00002019 002 OF 004
Keldiyerova confirmed that the Chinese had signed an agreement
to build Yavan power station, a 120 MW project on the Zarafshan
river in northern Tajikistan, but nothing had been made public.
END NOTE.)
5. (C) Despite the four countries
initially agreeing to
language in the MOU that clearly acknowledged the U.S. Trade and
Development Agency’s support of regional energy markets and its
June meeting in Istanbul, Tajik Deputy Prime Minister Ghulomov
launched a debate, echoed by Afghan Minister for Power and Water
Ismael Khan, on the relative (and bilateral) contributions of
China, Russia, and Iran, and whether they should be mentioned in
the memorandum as well. In the
end, the parties agreed to a
vague reference to outside assistance and anticipation of future
support for the project. Minister
Yerov later joked to PolOff,
«We had all decided to recognize the U.S. conference, and
Ghulomov went and spoiled it!»
6. (SBU) Debate over the route of
the transmission lines, and
Pakistani concern about the security of a line through Kabul,
instead of the Wakhan corridor, also led the parties to include
more general language that promised to explore other routes.
The Pakistani delegation also expressed concern about the
economic study of options for supplying electricity, complaining
that if competitors knew how much Pakistan was willing to pay,
they would not have a competitive advantage. They eventually
agreed this was an important part of the economic viability
question.
AROUND THE TABLE
7. (SBU) In addition to the four principle
signatories, other
diplomatic missions sent representatives to the President’s
opening remarks: China, India, Iran, France, UK, Kazakhstan,
Turkey, and Uzbekistan (many of whom arrived late when Rahmonov
started his remarks 15 minutes early.)
The nine-member U.S.
delegation, led by Senior Advisor Robert Deutsch, was the
largest, and comprised USAID, State and Treasury officials.
8. (C) Conspicuously absent were the Russian Embassy
and
RusAl. During President
Rahmonov’s opening remarks, the only
empty seats at the 100-person table were behind the Russian
flag. (COMMENT: Given the Russian
DCM’s presence at all
diplomatic and government functions, this seemed deliberate. END
COMMENT.) Rahmonov announced in
his speech and to the press
that the Tajik government would develop Rogun hydropower
station, «on its own,» signaling his impatience with RusAl and
adding more fuel to the debate surrounding the 3,600 megawatt
project. Energy Minister Yerov
later clarified to PolOff that
Tajikistan intended to develop Rogun with a `consortium» and
that RusAl may have ten percent of the project, or more. (NOTE:
Subsequent press reports from RusAl in response to Rahmonov’s
remarks have stated the Russian-Tajik joint economic commission
would make the final decision on the development of Rogun. END
NOTE.) In his comments, Rahmonov
also blasted those who contend
that generation building takes a back seat to water rights
(clearly Uzbekistan).
PLOV AND MORE PLOV
7. (C) Tajik hospitality
overwhelmed the participants, with
multi-course meat feasts at lunch and dinner, always culminating
in a generous serving of the national dish, plov. At the
dinner-concert Friday night, Tajik officials commended
Ambassador Jacobson for the U.S. delegates’ enthusiasm on the
dance floor and at the conference, underscoring the noted
absence of any Russian diplomat. «We appreciate your support.»
DHASTI-JHUM, ANYONE? (MEANING THE UNITED STATES)
DUSHANBE 00002019 003 OF 004
8. (C) No meeting between U.S. and Tajik energy officials would
be complete without the Tajiks raising the question of the 3,600
megawatt hydropower station Dhasti-Jhum.
Although the
conference was focused specifically on developing a 1,000 MW
electricity trade project between Central and South Asia, the
Tajiks raised the issue of power generation repeatedly, at one
point trying to work it into the terms of reference for both
feasibility studies. Several
officials hopefully mentioned
Dhasti-jhum to Deutsch, in an effort to gauge U.S. interest and
commitment. Deutsch politely
noted that Tajikistan needed to
take many steps in order to create an environment where private
investors would consider such a mammoth project. Nonetheless,
AES reps indicated privately that they are engaged in
discussions on developing the Shurob site (400-500 MW) which may
have been reflected in Minister Yerov’s comment that we should
encourage AES to meet its MOU commitment to build 1,000 MW.
TAJIK- AFGHAN BILATERAL ELECTRICITY TRADE
9. (C) On the margins of the conference, the Asian
Development
Bank and the Afghan delegation were attempting to obtain
Tajikistan’s signature on an MOU underlying bilateral
electricity trade. The MOU would
allow the Bank to commit
funding to build the 220 KV interconnection from Tajikistan to
the Afghan North-East Power Systems (NEPS). Although President
Rahmonov, as he was leaving the delegation photo shoot, told his
officials to «get the MOU signed,» Barqi Tojik (the Tajik
transmission company) was apparently dragging its heels to
obtain more equipment in the financial package. In the end,
Afghan Minister Khan left the signed MOU in Dushanbe awaiting
Tajik signature. Post will
continue to monitor completion of
this MOU.
WHAT NEXT?
10. (C) Under the road map developed by the World Bank, the
ministers will meet in Kabul in June, or possibly July,
depending on when the consultants finished their studies. The
Islamic Development Bank tentatively offered to host the next
working group meeting probably in February, when initial work is
begun. In Kabul, the parties will
have to decide whether to go
forward or not, based on the recommendations and findings in the
studies.
11. (C) COMMENT: The conference
represented progress in
bringing all four countries together to sign an agreement, but
also underscored that the Tajiks in particular still do not
understand the specific scope of this regional project. The
push for developing generation projects before building
transmission networks and identifying customers demonstrates a
neo-Soviet mindset on big investment projects. The Chinese
plans to develop a hydropower station and, seeming willingness
to spread cheap loans to support infrastructure development,
further distract from the efforts of the IFIs and United States
to emphasize the importance or proper legal and financial
frameworks.
12. (C) Although there will be an official «go or no go»
decision, most parties seemed to feel this project is
inevitable. It will be important
for all parties to digest the
consultants work on the real costs, organizational requirements,
security mitigation needs, and real export commitments required
for this project to work. The
parties agreed that each country
will need a team of advisors to help them assess the feasibility
work by the consultants. They
will all be looking to the donor
communities to finance and help engage such advisors. This may
be an area where the U.S. should consider assisting as part of
our continued support for regional integration. END COMMENT.
DUSHANBE 00002019 004 OF 004
13. (U) This cable has been cleared by Senior Advisor Bob
Deutsch.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 84163
date: 11/3/2006 7:08
refid: 06DUSHANBE2020
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: CONFIDENTIAL
destination:
header:
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PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHDBU #2020/01 3070708
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RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0471
—————— header ends —————-
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 002020
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/2/2016
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK POLITICAL PARTIES FEAR SITUATION WILL DETERIORATE
AFTER ELECTION
REF: DUSHANBE 1998 AND PREVIOUS
CLASSIFIED BY: Tracey Ann Jacobson, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy
Dushanbe, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
1. (C) SUMMARY:
With the Tajik presidential election a
foregone conclusion, Tajik political parties try to plan for
after the election, but from their perspective, the future looks
bleak. Political party leaders
predict that the government will
clamp down on political activity.
Some are running out of fresh
ideas to challenge the government and have become desperate for
a change in power. President
Rahmonov’s camp continues to get
support from pocket parties and anticipates receiving a
favorable report from the Commonwealth of Independent States
observation mission. END SUMMARY.
POST-ELECTION FEARS
2. (SBU) All political parties will observe the
November 6
presidential election, in an official or unofficial capacity.
Although the Socialist Party of Tajikistan, the Democratic Party
and the Social Democratic Party have boycotted the election,
party members will observe within the vicinity of polling
stations to note the number of voters and any egregious
violations. None of the parties
feared harassment by local
security forces the day of the election.
All parties will issue
statements or hold press conferences after the election to
publicize their grievances shortly after the election.
3. (C) In conversations with PolOff November 1-2,
Islamic
Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, Socialist Party of Tajikistan,
Democratic Party of Tajikistan and Social Democratic Party
(SDPT) of Tajikistan leaders all told PolOff that relations
between the government and political parties perceived as
«opposition» will deteriorate.
Narziev, chairman of the
unregistered Socialist Party said the government will take
«revenge» on all political parties and even imprison some
leaders.
4. (C) The SDPT fears that the government will try
to
instigate a split in the party like they have with the SPT and
DPT. The party has already
instructed its members who work for
local governments to disassociate themselves with the SDPT, out
of fear that they may lose their jobs for being an SDPT member.
5. (C) Islamic Renaissance Party worries primarily
about the
draft Law on Religion that circulated in June to criticism from
religious communities of all faiths.
If the government passes
this law without revising it to meet international standards, it
would greatly restrict freedom of religion in Tajikistan and
essentially render the IRPT illegal.
The IRPT’s Head of
Administration, Qosiddinov said the party cannot be silent if
the law is passed, but he did not elaborate on what action the
IRPT would hypothetically take.
6. (C) The president’s party, the People’s
Democratic Party of
Tajikistan (PDPT) expects 2.5 million voters, include labor
migrants abroad, to turn out to vote.
The head of the PDPT’s
Administration predicts Rahmonov will win by no less than 80%.
He acknowledged that other candidates will pick up some votes,
but criticized their platforms as fantastical and unrealistic,
whereas Rahmonov’s platform is chock-full of real promises that
can be fulfilled in the next ten years, such developing
hydropower stations.
THE FLOWER REVOLUTION?
7. (C) In a meeting with the unregistered Socialist
Party of
DUSHANBE 00002020 002 OF 002
Tajikistan, chairman Mirhuseyn Narziev discretely told PolOff he
has the means to foment a revolution in Tajikistan to overthrow
the president, similar to color revolutions in other
former-Soviet Union countries. He
would call his revolution
something along the lines of the «Flower Revolution.» He
whispered, fearful of Ministry of Security microphones, that he
has been discussing plans to start a revolution with members of
the Popular Front and former communist party members. He
lamented that the group has no financial support. (Comment:
Although Narziev may actually have had discussions with others
opposed to the government on how to usurp power, it is highly
unlikely he has any actual resources, concrete plans, or popular
support to start a revolution.
End Comment.)
8. (SBU) Narziev has been battling the Tajik court
system,
trying to disqualify the registered Socialist Party’s candidate
for president by declaring the nomination was illegal. The
Supreme Court rejected Narziev’s appeal.
He will try to appeal
again, but plans on asking international organizations to step
in the dispute.
ON A «POSITIVE» NOTE…
9. (SBU) But all is not dim if you are a
government-backed
pocket party. The registered wing
of the Socialist Party of
Tajikistan’s chairman said that he has already seen improvements
in this year’s election from previous years. As a candidate on
the campaign trail, he noticed that all candidates were afforded
equal time to meet constituents.
He also pointed out that
President Rahmonov has told local officials not to interfere in
the election process and he believes officials will follow such
orders.
10. (U) Deputy Head of the Commonwealth of Independent
States
observation mission, Evgeny Sloboda confirmed to PolOff media
reports citing that the CIS mission has not found significant
election violations thus far but noted there are some minor
technical issues. For example,
some signatures which
presidential nominees collected did not list the birthdate of
the person; and candidates’ campaign posters were not placed in
alphabetical order.
11. (SBU) When asked about the differing reports from
the CIS
and OSCE/ODIHR missions Sloboda
commented that he respects the
OSCE/ODIHR mission and has even incorporated some of their
methodology into the CIS observation mission. He said the CIS
mission once suggested to the OSCE/ODIHR that the two sides
combine forces and issue one report, but the OSCE/ODIHR refused
the idea. Under a gentlemen’s
agreement, the CIS and OSCE/ODIHR
would never publicly criticize each other’s reports. However,
in private Sloboda criticized the OSCE’s report repeatedly
saying that the CIS report does not «dramatize» the situation.
He is certain that this election will be an improvement over
past elections.
11. (C) COMMENT: Many among the
opposition believe Rahmonov
will use «election mandate» to continue to eradicate political
parties that have been a thorn in his side. With a new term and
no election in sight for another seven years, there is nothing
to stop him from passing controversial laws that restrict civil
rights and basic freedoms. END
COMMENT.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 84495
date: 11/6/2006 14:02
refid: 06DUSHANBE2033
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
destination: 06DUSHANBE2033
header:
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RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0484
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DUSHANBE 002033
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION REPORT #1
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:
The polls have yet to close, but
Tajikistan’s presidential election seems to suffer from many of
the same problems as the 2005 parliamentary election. The
pre-election period did witness positive cooperation between
international organizations (especially the United Nations and
IFES) and the Central Election Commission, with some
improvements to procedures and wide-spread poll worker training
and voter awareness programs.
However, the resulting high
turnout, and commitment on the part of some election officials
to implement proper procedures, has been marred by pervasive
evidence of family and proxy voting and lack of participation
from true opposition political parties, and also some instances
of ballot box stuffing and political coercion. Two days prior
to the election, three Democratic Party of Tajikistan officials
were imprisoned for staging a demonstration in front of the
Ministry of Justice protesting the ministry’s decision to
recognize a rival faction of the party.
Embassy observers, who
are also registered as OSCE observers, were deployed to the
Qurgon-Teppa, Kulyob, Istaravshan, Garm and Vahdat regions.
Embassy staff also visited Dushanbe polling stations where the
mood was festive. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) In almost all polling stations in Dushanbe,
loud
festive music blared from stereos, some featured live musicians.
At some stations, dancing girls
in traditional costume even
performed. In Vaksh district,
PolOff reported loud music woke
residents up in the early hours summoning them to the polling
stations. Flowers were handed out
to first time voters and
gifts were granted to senior citizen voters. Overall, the mood
and atmosphere were festive.
Embassy observers have not
reported any incidents of violence.
3. (U) Typical voting patterns saw most Tajiks
casting their
ballots during the first half of the day. Voters ranged from
the young, minimum 18 years of age, to senior citizens. Women
were also well represented. Some
students at the Pedagogical
Institute in Dushanbe waited for up to 3 hours to vote. By 2:00
pm local time November 6, the Central Commission on Elections
and Referenda reported that 76% of registered voters have
already cast their ballot.
According to Tajik law, a minimum of
50% voter turn-out assures the legitimacy of the election.
VOTING PROBLEMS- A REPEAT OF PREVIOUS ELECTIONS
4. (SBU) Generally, EmbOffs had access to all polling
stations
and were welcomed with the usual gracious Tajik hospitality and
had their fair share of tea and plov.
Polling stations appeared
organized and well-managed. Most
officials were open, answered
questions and were eager to demonstrate to observers the «free
and fair» election process.
EmbOffs report that some OSCE
observers were denied access to military polling stations.
5. (SBU) The main problem that reoccurs in every Tajik
election is family voting and proxy voting. Although illegal,
the pervasive cultural mentality that heads of households can
vote for other members makes family voting prevalent in
Tajikistan. An Embassy source
commented, «It is impossible to
think that a Tajik wife would vote differently than her
husband.» At nearly all polling
stations, EmbOffs witnessed
evidence of family voting and proxy voting. Between 10 percent
to well over 50 percent of votes cast were by family voting or
proxy voting. Polling officials
told PolOff that they know this
is wrong, but are reluctant to do anything about it because they
understand if a family member cannot come to vote. It is not
only men who cast votes for the family; observers saw many
instances of women casting multiple ballots, perhaps in some
cases on behalf of male family members working abroad. In some
cases, election officials did strictly prohibit this practice.
DUSHANBE 00002033 002 OF 003
6. (SBU) EmbOffs witnessed three blatant acts of
ballot
stuffing and indications that a number of other boxes may have
been stuffed. Ballot boxes are
weakly secured and can be easily
tampered with. Tajik rules allow
registration at the polling
place upon proof of residency, but not all officials were
vigilant about checking identification and allowed some people
to vote even though their names were not on the official
register. In one extreme case,
EmbOffs walked into a polling
station at 5:00pm, three hours before polls closed to find
officials stuffing open ballot boxes and falsifying signatures
on the registrar’s list. The
official tried to justify his
action by explaining that Tajikistan is a young democracy with a
lot to learn. He was irate and
chased EmbOffs out of the
station. This is a clear
indication of where Rahmonov’s message
to conduct free and fair election was defied by at least one
eager-to-please local official.
7. (SBU) Embassy Officers observing in southern
Tajikistan
reported that in one town, prior to election day, election
officials campaigned and urged voters to vote for Rahmonov, then
on election day, voters were bused into the polling stations to
vote. Although campaign posters
are prohibited in polling
stations the day of the election, EmbOffs in the same region
noticed large campaign posters for Rahmonov.
8. (SBU) Noticeably, most signs in polling stations
were in
Tajik, not Russian. In northern
regions, some signs were also
in Kyrgyz. No provisions were
made for people with poor
eyesight or illiterate voters.
Instructions on how to vote were
not clearly displayed and PolOff witnessed voters query on how
to mark the ballot. In Tajikistan
negative voting is employed,
where voters cross off the names of candidates they do not want
to be president.
9. (U) Some Embassy observers who
also participated in the
Parliamentary 2005 elections noted that there are more women
voters this year. This could be
indicative of a higher turnout
by women or by the fact that more men are abroad as labor
migrants.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADERS IMPRISONED DAYS BEFORE ELECTION
10. (U) Plain clothes law enforcement authorities
broke up a
protest orchestrated by the Democratic Party of Tajikistan
November 4 in front of the Ministry of Justice. Police arrested
Rajabi Mirzo, head of the DPT’s Dushanbe chapter and also editor
of the party’s newspaper, Adolat.
They also arrested Timur
Iskandarov, the younger brother of the party’s imprisoned
chairman, Mahmadruzi Iskandarov, and Khairiddin Gulyaev, the
Deputy Head of the DPT’s Dushanbe chapter. Media reports say
the Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan (SDPT) and the
unregistered faction of the Socialist Party of Tajikistan (SPT)
also helped to organize the protest.
11. (U) Media reports say that
five people held banners
protesting the Ministry’s decision to recognize the new faction
of the DPT headed by Masud Sobirov.
Twenty people gathered in a
show of support at the side of the building. Mirzo alleged that
the party’s phones were tapped as only a tight circle of people
knew about the planned protest and informed the media only 30
minutes before the action.
12. (U) The protest which only lasted a few minutes before
police broke it up had been peaceful. According to Tajik law
though, it is illegal to organize a demonstration unless a group
has received permission from the government. The three men have
been detained and sent to a city prison.
They will be held for
up to fifteen days.
DUSHANBE 00002033 003 OF 003
POLITICAL PARTIES ABSENT FROM OBSERVATION
13. (U) OSCE/ODIHR and CIS observers were frequently
seen
around Dushanbe and out in the regions.
Notably, some CIS
observers are able to travel around town using official
government plated vehicles.
Several bilateral missions also
have observers including the Chinese and Kazakh Embassies.
14. (SBU) Embassy observers have seen members of the
president’s People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT) at
several polling station as well as members of the Communist
Party of Tajikistan and the Party of Economic Reform of
Tajikistan. PolOff noted that in
Qurgon-Teppa, prior to
election day, a People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan member
confessed that he was told by the government that he was
accredited to observe as a Communist Party member and not as a
PDPT member.
15. (SBU) «Opposition» political parties have
been
conspicuously absent from polling stations. Media sources say
the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan has only sent
observers to one or two polling stations, near former chairman
Nuri’s home in Dushanbe. Muhiddin
Kabiri, the party’s current
chairman, has been out of the country during the important
election day and several days leading up to the election.
Embassy observers encountered one Social Democratic Party of
Tajikistan observer, but none from other parties.
16. (U) Polls will officially close at 8:00pm local
time, at
which point ballot boxes will be opened, votes counted and the
results sent to the district election commissions and back to
Dushanbe. Both the Commonwealth
of Independent States and
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe missions
will give statements at 11:00am and 2:30pm respectively,
November 7 on preliminary findings.
JACOBSON
=======================CABLE ENDS============================
id: 84661
date: 11/7/2006 12:26
refid: 06DUSHANBE2038
origin: Embassy Dushanbe
classification: UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
destination: 06DUSHANBE2033|06DUSHANBE2038
header:
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
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RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1369
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1841
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1125
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0497
—————— header ends —————-
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 DUSHANBE 002038
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PHUM, KDEM, TI
SUBJECT: RAHMONOV WINS TAJIK PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WITH 79.3 PERCENT
REF: DUSHANBE 2033
1. (U) SUMMARY: President Rahmonov won a third term with 79.3
percent of the vote, according to preliminary results. Embassy
observers deployed throughout Tajikistan witnessed the gamut of
election practices from completely transparent tabulation
processes to blatant ballot stuffing by commission officials.
The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have presented
differing preliminary statements and will issue full-length
reports in the coming weeks.
Those official reports should
serve as reminders that work towards democratic institution
building must continue immediately, rather than waiting for the
next election. END SUMMARY.
2. (U) President Rahmonov won the Tajik presidential
election
November 6 with 79.3 percent of the vote, according to the
Central Commission for Elections and Referenda (CCER). Although
79.3 percent is an overwhelming majority, this represents a
drastic decrease from his 96 percent landslide in 1999. Olimjon
Boboyev, Party of Economic Reforms, received 6.2 percent of the
vote, Amir Qaraqulov, Agrarian
Party of Tajikistan, 5.3
percent, Ismoil Talbakov, Communist Party, 5.1 percent and
Abduhalim Ghafforov, Socialist Party, 2.8 percent. Some
speculate the government distorted the results to give the
appearance of pluralism and democracy.
3. (U) The CCER reported a 91 percent voter turnout
with over
three million eligible people voting.
Embassy observers
remarked that many voters appeared proud and enthusiastic to
exercise their right to vote.
Some precincts even genuinely had
100% voter turnout. Voting in
Tajikistan can be a community
event, also evident by the festive atmosphere of music, dancing
and food at some polling stations.
EMBASSY STAFF OBSERVE VARYING POLLING PRACTICES
4. (U) Embassy observers deployed throughout
Tajikistan, in
coordination with the OSCE observers. In addition to embassy
staff’s observations reported in reftel, EmbOffs experiences
varied widely. Despite remaining problems, both embassy and
other international observers agreed that overall, the
technical, organizational and procedural aspects of the election
improved on past elections.
Voters commented to Embassy
observers that U.S.-funded IFES television and radio spots
taught them how to vote correctly.
At some precinct and
district election commissions, the voting was completely
transparent and observers were allowed to closely watch the
entire process. These same
precincts also followed rules and
regulations explicitly during tabulation. More women were seen
voting in certain regions in this year’s presidential election
than last year’s parliamentary election.
This may have been a
sign of women feeling more empowered, or possibly because many
men were abroad working as labor migrants, so the ratio was
skewed. Across the board, women
voters were out in large
numbers and a range of age groups also turned out to vote.
5. (SBU) Soviet mentality and cultural nuances still
impeded
the election. Observers saw many
examp
