Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DUSHANBE1897
2005-11-30 13:06:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE OF

Tags:  PREL PGOV ECON EAID MARR KDEM TI 
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UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001897 

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, SA, S/P
NSC FOR MERKEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EAID MARR KDEM TI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE OF
U.S.-TAJIKISTAN RELATIONS

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001897

SIPDIS


STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, SA, S/P
NSC FOR MERKEL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON EAID MARR KDEM TI
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE OF
U.S.-TAJIKISTAN RELATIONS


1. At the invitation of the Central Executive Committee of the
People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT, ruling party),on
November 30 in Dushanbe the ambassador spoke to an overflow
crowd of college students, members of parliament, NGO
representatives, PDPT activists, and journalists on "The Current
Status and Future of U.S.-Tajikistan Relations. Text of the
speech follows in para two.


2. BEGIN TEXT:

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with members of
parliament, officials from the President's Administration, the
Youth Committee of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan,
People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan activists, NGO
representatives, and journalists. I am very pleased that you
asked me to discuss U.S.-Tajik relations.

This is especially timely because the U.S. Government has
recently completed a comprehensive review of its relations with
all the countries of Central Asia. In broadest terms, we
reaffirmed that U.S. interests are 1) political and economic
reform, 2) security (including against terrorism, extremism, and
narcotics),and 3) energy and commercial. The purpose of all
three equally together is to promote long-term stability, good
neighborly regional cooperation, and prosperity.

ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Let's look at each of these three for Tajikistan, starting with
energy and commerce. In recent years, President Emomali
Rahmonov has advocated a convincing plan to develop
hydroelectric power and to improve land transportation routes
for the region. We have listened to his views, and we agree
with him.

During her October visit to Central Asia, Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice announced the Infrastructure Integration
Initiative for Greater Central Asia, including Afghanistan. I
think few in the region paid much attention to this, but it is a
very significant development. We want to see an improved system
of roads and highways that will allow goods to transit the
region efficiently and reach international markets via
warm-water ports in the south. To that end, we are helping to

rebuild the highways in Afghanistan, and we are using our
influence in International Financial Institutions to support
road projects in Central Asia, and specifically in Tajikistan.

A most recent example is U.S. support for the Asian Development
Bank loan to rebuild the road from Dushanbe to Kyrgyzstan
through the Rasht Valley. If the farmers in Rasht can once
again get their magnificent fruit and other agricultural
products to markets far beyond their villages, prosperity will
return to that region.

And of course by now you are familiar with the U.S. gift of
about $30 million and the technical expertise to build an
international bridge between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, as well
as the customs and border-control points at both ends of the
bridge. When we say we will do something, we do it.

We also see the value of developing Tajikistan's considerable
hydroelectric potential for use in Tajikistan and to sell more
broadly in the region. This will take more than finishing
several major dams and hydroelectric stations. Electricity
transmission lines and complex international marketing systems
need to be established. Both your Ambassador Homrahon Zaripov
in Washington and I have strongly promoted this project in
Washington.

I am very pleased that a major U.S. corporation with worldwide
business interests is negotiating closely with Russia's RAO UES
to help President Rahmonov's vision become reality. Further,
U.S. Government commercial and financial departments are
increasingly involved and want to see this project reach
fruition. We understand that achieving this goal will enhance
stability and promote long-term prosperity for the entire
region. Some do not want U.S. participation in this project,
but it would be a good guarantee for Tajikistan's economic
sovereignty in the global economy.

SECURITY

The U.S.-Tajikistan security relationship is consistently
growing. In recent months, Tajikistan has joined the nearly 90
nations around the world that support the Proliferation Security
Initiative to prevent the illegal trans-shipment of weapons of
mass destruction, their components, and missile technologies.
Also, Tajikistan is starting the process that will lead to a
Weapons of Mass Destruction Agreement between our two countries
and will open the door for significant new security-assistance
programs. These are just the latest developments.

We take seriously our partnership to enhance border security and
counter-narcotics programs in Tajikistan. In the U.S. fiscal
year 2005, we have allocated about $33 million dollars for these
essential activities - a truly significant increase above
previous years' funding.

Some like to complain and blame Tajikistan for the narcotics
transiting its territory. We, the United States, are doing
something about it. It is no secret that it is largely U.S.
funding that is responsible for Tajikistan's Drug Control Agency
having gained international praise for its professionalism and
effectiveness. And, of course, it is thanks to the serious
Tajik patriots, the men and women who work honestly every day to
make the Drug Control Agency a success. Our support continues,
and soon the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will open an office in
Dushanbe to further enhance anti-narcotics cooperation between
our two countries, with Afghanistan, and internationally. We
want to work closely with Russia on this issue.

In response to Tajikistan's request, we are working closely with
the State Committee for Border Protection and providing both
material assistance and training, in cooperation with the
European Commission, to increase Tajikistan's ability to protect
its own boarders. This is necessary not only for regional
security, but also to promote Tajikistan's sovereignty.

Finally, without going into detail, we have new
counter-terrorism programs with Tajikistan that, in the longer
term, will increase security and stability in the region.

POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM

Let's start with economic reform.

As I have done before, I will again praise the Government of
Tajikistan for the credible steps it has taken toward economic
and financial reform. These include banking reform, tax reform,
simplified regulations to make it easier to register a new
business, and positive steps to prepare to join the World Trade
Organization.

But good laws and regulations aren't very useful if they are not
implemented fairly and honestly. More than anything else,
corruption and protection of special interests - which are often


one and the same thing - will impede economic development.

Do you know what especially annoys small business owners in
Tajikistan? The constant, irrational parade of tax inspectors,
health inspectors, fire inspectors, and, who knows, probably
even inspectors of inspectors - all who have their hands out and
their pockets open. This is more than annoying; it's
destructive.

A general manager of a successful medium-sized business in
Dushanbe recently told me his company lost nearly 40 days last
year to dealing with so-called inspectors. This is 40 days of
lost productivity. This is 40 days of lost profit and lost
legitimate tax base for the central government's budget.

Now for political reform. Let me see if I can find a new way to
explain our views so that I don't sound like a "revolutionary
Bolshevik" seeking to overthrow an old system and impose a new
ideology - because we honestly seek democratic evolution, not
"color revolution." We want the current government to succeed
according to modern international standards.

Let me say plainly and clearly that we are not seeking to drag
countries away from one sphere of influence into another one.
That's a very old-guard way of thinking. It is a discredited
ideology. In the 19th century, the world saw the Great Game
between the British and Russian Empires in Greater Central Asia.
In the 20th century, the world saw the Cold War between the
Soviet Union and the West. This is now the 21st century, and
times have changed. To divide modern international relations
into different "spheres of influence" is to live in a supposed
"paradise lost" and is historically doomed to failure.

In the contemporary world, countries should decide first and
foremost what is in their own national interests. What will
make them truly stable and prosperous? What will give their
populations hope for the future? And I have to say it's not
holding Big Brother's hand every time you want to cross the
street.

I fully understand Tajikistan seeks stability above all else
because of the traumatic memories of the civil war. But please
consider this stark fact - 50 percent of the population of
Tajikistan is under 16 years of age. What will happen in five
years, in ten years, when those children come of age without
personal memories of the civil war? Isn't it better to prepare
a future for them that will guarantee them an economic and
political place in society so that they don't have to rebel to
demand it? Isn't that the essence of true, long-term stability?

We firmly believe that you prepare the next generation by giving
them the opportunities to become responsible citizens and to
think for themselves. Not everyone who has an opinion different
from the official opinion is "an enemy." Young leaders need to
build their experience and gain confidence. They need access to
a broad range of ideas. They need independent media - including
independent television and radio stations - where they can
debate each other and test their ideas. I assure you, this will
not endanger the stability of the state. On the contrary, it
will strengthen it. These young people need to enter politics
to bring fresh blood and new ideas into the system, rather than
be "permitted" to enter politics only after they have proved
their loyalty to the existing system.

Tajikistan is strong enough that it can afford new voices with
new ideas. Tajikistan is strong enough that it can open its
mass media to "the marketplace of new ideas" and new opinions.


We recommend that Tajikistan trust the natural intelligence and
patriotism of the Tajik people. If this happens, Tajikistan
will blossom as an island of stability and prosperity and stand
as a bright beacon of hope for other less free peoples in the
world.

I wish you luck. I wish you strength. I wish you success.

Thank you so much for listening to me. I now would like to hear
your views and answer your questions.

END TEXT.
HOAGLAND


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