FORMER SECURITY OFFICIAL TAKES ON DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 002037 SIPDIS EUR/CACEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/14/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL TI SUBJECT: FORMER SECURITY OFFICIAL TAKES ON DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER ROLE CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Hoagland, Ambassador, EXEC, State. REASON: 1.4 (b),(d) ¶1. (C) Newly installed Deputy Foreign Minister Saimumil Yatimov met with Charge today for their first substantive meeting. Yatimov is well known as a former Ministry of Security official who dealt with international affairs, but his appointment to a high post in the Foreign Ministry was interpreted as a possible signal that the Government intended to take a harder line with respect to U.S.-Tajik relations and the activity of American NGOs. Today's meeting did not confirm that speculation. On the contrary, Yatimov was open and encouraged deeper U.S.-Tajik ties in all spheres: economic, social, political, and security. Yatimov agreed with Charge's observation that Tajikistan is carefully balancing its relations with the big powers, but he said Tajikistan must keep its compass pointed West as its general orientation. ¶2. (C) Charge asked for the meeting to press for movement on long-stalled NGO issues involving visas and registration. However, Yatimov opened the meeting by praising Ambassador Hoagland's well reported speech in Budapest on security matters and he thanked the Ambassador for his evaluation of Tajikistan's role in global security. The Ambassador especially praised Tajikistan for its commitment to counternarcotics and counterterrorism on the border with Afghanistan. Yatimov thanked the United States for construction of the Tajik-Afghan bridge. ¶3. (C) Yatimov also sees a key role for the United States in the possible upcoming hydropower projects. He said U.S. participation is especially important for geopolitical reasons. Charge expected Yatimov would explain that an American business would help counter a possible overwhelming Russian presence in Tajik power, but instead he said the American presence would help improve Tajikistan's position vis-a-vis Uzbekistan. The Uzbeks would be less likely to meddle in Tajikistan's plans if the U.S. is involved. ¶4. (C) Charge delivered a non-paper outlining NGO problems and appealed to Yatimov to work closely with the United States if problems arise. Yatimov said he could foresee "no problems" if NGOs abide by the law. The non-paper made the following points: -- On December 2, the U.S. Embassy organized an NGO Roundtable. We were pleased Deputy Minister of Justice Mengliev attended, along with representatives from the MFA, Customs, and President's Aid Coordination Unit. -- NGOs raised several problems that blocked them from administering social and economic aid to Tajikistan including the Tajik media publishing anti-Western NGO articles, visa and registration difficulties, and requests for bribes to allow assistance to continue. -- NGOs improve civil society and their robust presence is an indicator of a stable society that helps attracts investors. -- We hope the Working Group consisting of the NGO Forum and the government will meet soon and review these issues. ¶5. (C) The non-paper went into more detail on specific cases involving CARE, the American Bar Association, Internews, Habitat for Humanity, NDI, and Freedom House. Charge said these are all respected organizations run by good people who are looking to improve life for the average Tajik. Yatimov agreed to look at the paper in detail and meet again. ¶6. (C) COMMENT: Yatimov is hard to read but talks a very good game about the importance of improving and accelerating the bilateral relationship. We will see how serious he is about that in the coming weeks. His response on some of the hard questions involving NGOs should also be indicative of his willingness to really move the relationship forward. Yatimov's deputies say he is ambitious, hard-working and aggressive. If he is an ally, he will be a key player for the United States. He has the President's ear and has the contacts in the other Ministries to clear up longstanding obstacles. Rather than being a step backwards, his appointment could signal a fresh start on some very old issues like visas and registration for NGOs. ARMBRUSTER NNNN