Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DUSHANBE1878
2005-11-30 09:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

EVERYTHING'S COMING UP COTTON IN TURSONZODA, TAJIKISTAN

Tags:  PGOV ECON EAGR TI 
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UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001878 

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAGR TI
SUBJECT: EVERYTHING'S COMING UP COTTON IN TURSONZODA, TAJIKISTAN


UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001878

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV ECON EAGR TI
SUBJECT: EVERYTHING'S COMING UP COTTON IN TURSONZODA, TAJIKISTAN



1. In a series of meetings November 25, government officials,
farmers and a businessman were universally--and surprisingly--
positive about the economic and political situation in
Tursonzoda. The Dushanbe-appointed Chairman of the City
Administration Barakatullo Akhmedov emphasized there were "no
real problems" in the city or district, and demurred to discuss
all but the most benign issues.


2. Located 53 kilometers west of Dushanbe, Tursonzoda does
enjoy higher rates of employment and consistent electricity,
unlike many other Tajik cities, thanks to Central Asia's only
aluminum smelter, TadAZ. TadAZ is a cash cow that the
government makes sure has sufficient power, with a nice
spillover effect for Tursonzoda. Akhmedov told Poloff 90
percent of district homes have running water (despite Poloff
observing people carrying water buckets in the streets.)
Although nationally, Tajikistan's cotton harvest appears to be
well below anticipated yields, in Tursonzoda, Akhmedov claimed
they reached at least 90 percent of the expected harvest.
Residents from three border districts freely enter and exit
Uzbekistan with no problems. The central government provides
Tursonzoda with adequate funds for schools. "We are
normalizing," Akhmedov noted. "Tajikistan is a young democracy,
but look how fast we are catching up!" He cited the
proliferation of mobile phones and the thriving small markets as
examples of economic progress.


3. (COMMENT: Local Embassy staff noted that Tursonzoda is
actually considered a good place to live, after Dushanbe,
particularly because the television from Uzbekistan is a
higher-quality, albeit another state-supported propaganda
machine. END COMMENT.)


4. In a separate meeting, Turgunali Abdulloyev, chief of
Abdurahmonov farm, gave an upbeat assessment of Tursonzoda's
agricultural situation. Despite the presence of heavy industry,
district farmers traditionally enjoyed higher yields due to
better soil and climate. In Soviet times Tursonzoda produced
many "heroes of agriculture." Unlike in most cotton-growing
regions, Abdulloyev alleged farmers carry very little debt. The
government did not pressure farmers to grow cotton, but cotton
proved more profitable than other crops. "There is no market
for other things," he noted.


5. Abdulloyev echoed Akhmedov's claims that most of the region
had running water, electricity and paved roads. Because of the
smelter and strong agriculture base, fewer district residents
worked in Russia; in fact, workers from other parts of
Tajikistan came to Tursonzoda for temporary work. (NOTE: TadAZ
is estimated to employ 13,000 workers, in a city of around
60,000. END NOTE.)


6. Abdurakhim Rakhimov, owner of a privatized porcelain
factory, observed that while his outfit produced only for the
domestic market, few porcelain factories in the world are
profitable these days. He described the business climate in
Tursonzoda as encouraging. Cheaper, better quality porcelain
from neighboring China was beginning to push his products out of
the market, but he thought he could turn a profit by changing
production from tea sets to isolators for power stations. Trade
with Afghanistan offered possibilities, but 70-90% import taxes
prevented commerce with Uzbekistan from growing beyond the small
traders carrying things to local markets on either side of the
border.


7. Rakhimov's factory still carried debt from the privatization
processes. His single complaint focused on the high taxes in
Tajikistan and other CIS countries. "Too high for such weak
economies," he sighed. Corruption was not a problem, he
maintained. Oh really? pressed Poloff. The government had done
a lot for stability, he argued, and Tajikistan had no issues
with corruption.

PASS THE KOOLAID-WE'LL HAVE SOME, TOO


8. COMMENT: Even the most nationalistic pro-government Tajik

citizen will usually acknowledge some problems, or express
frustration with the slow economic growth. Corruption is always
a favorite topic, schools always need more funds and mentioning
Uzbekistan can usually stir some sort of response in the most
sanguine. The Stepford-like responses during all three meetings
in Tursonzoda were puzzling. Tajik officials, even in the worst
parts of the country, feel it their duty to tell EmbOffs that
all is rosy. What was unique was the same comments from
business and agriculture. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND


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