TAJIKISTAN: HELSINKI COMMISSION COUNSEL'S FIRST VISIT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001174

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KIRF KISL KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN: HELSINKI COMMISSION COUNSEL'S FIRST VISIT

REF: DUSHANBE 541

DUSHANBE 00001174 001.2 OF 002



1. (U) SUMMARY: H. Knox Thames, Counsel for the U.S.
Commission for Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as
the Helsinki Commission, visited Tajikistan June 14-17 for the
first time. During his trip, he met with political party
representatives, religious leaders, government officials, and
university students. Thames urged Tajik leaders to adhere to
international standards for human rights and democracy,
particularly admonishing the fatwa banning women from attending
mosques, government crackdown on girls wearing hijabsin public
schools, Democratic Party of Tajikistan Chairman Iskandarov's
imprisonment and other intimidation targets at political party
leaders. He assured officials that U.S. Representatives and
Senators of the Helsinki Commission are closely watching
Tajikistan's presidential election and hope that it will be a
fair election. Thames encountered the typical Tajik government
talking points when meeting with officials, however, many
leaders were willing to discuss openly areas of change for
Tajikistan. END SUMMARY.


GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SKIRT THE LINE


2. (U) In Thames' meetings with government officials at the
Ministry of Justice, CCER, MFA and the State Committee on
Religious Affairs (SCRA),as expected, some officials toed the
government line, but others were willing to speak more frankly.
Deputy Minister of Justice Sharipova, told Thames and PolOff
that it was time Tajikistan has an ombudsman. She also said
that reinstating International Committee of the Red Crescent's
access to prisons in Tajikistan should be possible and blamed
the problem on low-level bureaucrats in the Ministry. She
noted that recently the Minister had ordered access for any
organization willing to provide assistance. Speaking on human
rights, Thames encouraged the Ministry of Justice to apply to
the OSCE to provide police anti-hate crimes and anti-terrorism
training.


3. (SBU) The government's close watch on human rights and
freedom of religion activists was evident in the fact that a
Ministry of Security official attended Thames' meeting with the
Head of the Regional Islamic Council in Khujand. Because of the
official's presence, the cautious Head of the Council claimed
that Muslims in the region did not have any problems with
hijjabs or mosque closures. Ismatullo Nasriddinov at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs summed up Tajikistan's reasoning
behind their deficiencies in human rights by reminding Thames
that Tajikistan is a young country and cannot complete all the
reforms and abide by all international ideals "today, right this
minute, right this second."


RECOMMENDED CHANGES: FROM NEW DRAFT LAW ON RELIGION TO
RECOGNIZING HT


4. (SBU) Thames held a roundtable meeting with six religious
leaders from various denominations, including a mufti from the
Council of Ulamo. The mufti expressed relatively liberal ideas
and condemned the fatwa that prohibited women from attending
mosque. He also openly said that the draft law on religion
needs to be revised (reftel). All representatives reiterated
discontent with the draft law, but cautioned the international
community not to condemn Tajikistan immediately. They would
like to see all religious organizations have a chance to work
with the government on the law. The Vatican's representative
questioned the Center for Strategic Research Studies and U.S.
AID assisted conference on regional Islamic affairs and
suggested that a conference including all religions be organized
in the region to discuss important issues pertaining to all,

DUSHANBE 00001174 002.2 OF 002


such as the draft law.


5. (SBU) During Thames' Khujand visit, a common message from
both the Mayor and Head of the Regional Islamic Council was the
need to curb Hizb ut Tahrir (HT) membership. High youth
unemployment and illiteracy lead many people to easily succumb
to HT influence. Not having formal education in Islamic studies
many turn to HT teachings. Faiziniso Vohidova, a Social
Democratic Party of Tajikistan activist told Thames the
government should change its policy towards HT. Although she
disagreed with HT's message and practices, she called on the
government to allow HT to operate. She hoped that Tajikistan
can fight HT ideologically and with public debate because their
underground nature is what draws members.


6. (SBU) In Thames' meeting with Qadi Akbar Turajonzoda, a
wealthy Imam in the Vahdat district 40 minutes from Dushanbe and
former deputy of parliament, Turajonzoda expressed
disappointment with the U.S.'s inability to "force" free and
fair elections. (COMMENT: If only it were that easy. END
COMMENT.) PolOff explained the U.S. Embassy and the American
government has been working with political parties, the Central
Committee on Election and Referenda, IFES and international
organizations to improve the democratic election processes.
Turajonzoda said that he would be delighted if the Americans
could do one thing: influence the Tajik government to allow
political party representatives to sit in on the district
election committees (DECs). The most important point of fraud
will occur when the government appointed DECs "validate" votes.
If political parties were involved in DECs, it would show the
Tajik people that the votes were legitimately validated.


7. (SBU) Thames informed PolOff some congress representatives
will likely write letters to President Rahmonov urging him to
reform election laws and procedures. Thames also said that he
would strongly encourage future Congressional delegations visit
Dushanbe. He hoped to return to Dushanbe in November as an OSCE
election observer.


8. (U) COMMENT: Thames left Tajikistan with a very positive
impression. He was pleasantly surprised by the green and open
environment of the city compared to other Central Asian
capitals. Even though they were not entirely forthcoming with
information, government officials were willing to meet with
Thames. Local Tajiks are eager to meet with Americans and
always ready and willing to show-off their Tajik hospitality and
some will even share their honest opinion. Post welcomes more
visitors from Congress to see for themselves Tajikistan and the
role it plays as a strategic partner in the region. END
COMMENT.



9. (U) Thames did not have the opportunity to clear this cable.
ARMBRUSTER