Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT1312
2006-12-27 13:13:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

A/S BOUCHER'S MEETING WITH TAJIKISTAN'S PRESIDENT

Tags:  PREL PGOV TX TI UZ US 
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 001312 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, NSC FOR DAVID MERKEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV TX TI UZ US
SUBJECT: A/S BOUCHER'S MEETING WITH TAJIKISTAN'S PRESIDENT
RAHMONOV: TAJIK REFORM AND UZBEKISTAN


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 001312

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, NSC FOR DAVID MERKEL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/26/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV TX TI UZ US
SUBJECT: A/S BOUCHER'S MEETING WITH TAJIKISTAN'S PRESIDENT
RAHMONOV: TAJIK REFORM AND UZBEKISTAN


Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1.4 (B)
and (D).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Taking the opportunity to meet prior to the wreath
laying for Niyazov's funeral, visiting A/S Boucher and Charge
met with President of Tajikistan, Imomali Rahmonov, and
discussed Rahmonov's views on Turkmenistan's future, U.S.
relations with Uzbekistan, energy cooperation, and the
situation in Afghanistan. Rahmonov was not optimistic that
the change in leadership would result in new opportunities
for cooperation, and believed that the next leader of
Turkmenistan will continue Niyazov's current policies.
Rahmonov blamed President of Uzbekistan Karimov's ambitions
for the deterioration in USG-Uzbek relations, and said that
any opportunity for change and openness depended on Karimov
personally. Discussing Tajik politics, Rahmonov noted the
recent structural reforms in his government that abolished 27
agencies, and expressed pride in the new generation he has
introduced as part of the process. On Afghanistan, Rahmonov
suggested that the media has exaggerated the current
situation, but stated that engaging Pakistan and involving
them on energy deals was a key to securing peace.
Highlighting the significance of USG relations with
Uzbekistan to all Central Asian nations, Rahmonov returned to
the U.S.' vision of Uzbek relations, and suggested hopefully
that the U.S. would work with the European Union to re-engage
with Uzbekistan. End Summary.

MORE OF THE SAME - FOR NOW
--------------


2. (C) Early on the morning of December 24, A/S Boucher and
Charge met in Ashgabat at the Grand Turkmen Hotel with Tajik
President Rahmonov, who was in town for the funeral of
President Niyazov. Opening with congratulations for
Rahmonov's recent re-election, A/S Boucher noted the unusual
circumstance under which the meeting took place. While it
was too early to tell which direction Turkmenistan's new
leadership would follow, Boucher said the U.S. hoped for

increased cooperation. Rahmonov responded that his prognosis
was "ne ochen" (not very good),and that, following the
December 26 special session of the Halk Maslahaty (People's
Council),the next leader would continue Niyazov's policies.
A/S suggested that the public expected positive change from
the new leaders and hoped for a peaceful transition, but
Rahmonov stated that peace was the most important issue.

KARIMOV - PERSONALLY - TO BLAME
--------------


3. (C) In response to A/S Boucher's comment regarding the
regional importance of openness and change, Rahmonov stated
"everything depends on Uzbekistan." Noting the U.S. "had"
good relations with Uzbekistan, he said that "Karimov's
ambitions ruined everything." Rahmonov suggested that
Niyazov's policies made it easier for Karimov to behave as he
did, and that Niyazov had a more humane character than
Karimov. Rahmonov declared that Turkmenistan and Tajikistan
maintained friendly relations from the beginning, in part
because of their position in Soviet times as the most
deprived republics. Rahmonov also noted that he studied in
Ashgabat in 1971, and later worked in Mary as an assembler.
At that time, he said that Ashgabat was "just a town - not a
capital," and spoke admiringly of the new city Niyazov left
behind for the people.


4. (C) A/S Boucher expressed hope that new leadership in
Turkmenistan would improve cooperation with Afghanistan on
issues such as narcotics control, like the current USG
relationship with Tajikistan. Rahmonov concurred, and said
that this was necessary because they shared common borders.
Acknowledging Turkmenistan's currently poor bilateral
relationship with Uzbekistan, he said Turkmenistan must
cooperate with its other neighbors, specifically Afghanistan
and Iran.

ASHGABAT 00001312 002 OF 003



BIG HOPES FOR TAJIKISTAN'S FUTURE
--------------


5. (C) Responding to A/S Boucher's desire to continue USG
support for border security and police training with
Tajikistan, Rahmonov took the opportunity to highlight his
"big hopes" for the "serious reforms" instituted following
his re-election. He noted the abolishment of 27 agencies and
stated that the former 28 cabinet positions had been reduced
to 17. Rahmonov declared that these reforms had introduced a
"young generation" to government and he proudly stated 80% of
cadre among local governments has been changed. Fighting
corruption would be a priority, and Rahmonov hoped to achieve
demonstrable success after one year.


6. (C) While noting that Tajikistan has enjoyed 7-8% growth
over the last year, Rahmonov declared that this was not
enough. He stated that he hoped for continued USG support to
accomplish his goals. Rahmonov spoke of the four bridges
that have already been built between Tajikistan and
Afghanistan and announced that they will start two more next
year in Pyanj and Gorno Badakshan (in eastern Tajikistan).

REGIONAL VISION FOR ENERGY COOPERATION
--------------


7. (C) In January, Rahmonov advised that construction will
start on a $300 million power line to Kabul, and he stated
that he will travel to China on January 15 to discuss
financing for 3 new hydroelectric stations. Regarding U.S.
firm American Electric Systems (AES),Rahmonov indicated his
desire to see this project connect Kazakhstan and Tajikistan
via Kyrgyzstan - and bypass Uzbekistan. Rahmonov noted that
the recent energy conference in Dushanbe, financed by the USG
(via Trade Development Authority),was "big assistance," and
confirmed that developing its hydroelectric energy potential
is a priority for Tajikistan.

DON'T FORGET PAKISTAN
--------------


8. (C) A/S Boucher advised that the USG planned to announce a
new package of cooperation with Afghanistan in the new few
months. This funding will help to stabilize the country by
supporting the police and military forces. It will also help
the country develop its infrastructure, including roads and
energy grid, and strengthen internal efforts to fight
narcotics cultivation and trafficking. Rahmonov replied that
it was important to increase attention to these issues, and
although he believed that the media had exaggerated the
situation, he acknowledged additional help is needed.
Rahmonov shared that in a recent meeting with France's
Minister of Defense, he learned that France intended to
divide its forces in Afghanistan into two parts, one focused
on the fight against terrorism, the other for medical and
humanitarian issues.


9. (C) Rahmonov urged that the international community should
pay close attention to its relations with Pakistan. Noting
that one of the objectives in building a regional energy
market was the development of exports to Pakistan via
Afghanistan, Rahmonov reiterated that Pakistan's support was
essential. Maintaining strong support should be a priority
in ongoing discussions.

USG RELATIONS WITH UZBEKISTAN
--------------


10. (C) A/S Boucher closed by noting that, with Rahmonov's
re-election now past, Tajikistan's next major elections would
be the parliamentary elections in 2010. Between now and
then, the USG hoped to actively cooperate with the Government
of Tajikistan. Acknowledging that "some don't like this,"
Rahmonov responded that Tajikistan maintained an open door
and would work with all nations.


11. (C) Rahmonov noted that Europe was seeking a reopening

ASHGABAT 00001312 003 OF 003


with Uzbekistan, but in the meantime, Kyrgyzstan was
suffering from the lack of good relations and asked for A/S
Boucher's vision of where the relationship would go. A/S
Boucher replied that, since his meeting with President
Karimov in October, the Government of Uzbekistan had done the
opposite of everything he asked it to do. Our door remained
open to cooperation, he stated, but the USG expected real
actions from Uzbekistan. One example was a recent conference
on New Delhi, when the Uzbek delegation announced only that
it had nothing to say when called upon for comments.


12. (C) Looking for an opening, Rahmonov then suggested that
perhaps the USG could rebuild ties by working through the
European Union. A/S Boucher clarified that the USG had
encouraged the Europeans to try this approach while at the
same time maintaining their standards. He believed that the
German Government would use its Presidency of the EU to
reengage with the Government of Uzbekistan.


13. (C) Slightly exasperated, Rahmonov stated that he "didn't
believe" the personal attitude of Karimov, who "says one
thing and does another." A/S Boucher added that Karimov used
to enjoy balancing relations, but now has just one friend.
Rahmonov ended the meeting by stating enigmatically that
Russia is not Karimov's only friend.

BRUSH