RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR KICKS OFF TAJIKISTAN'S 2006 PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000151 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA, DRL, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PROP KDEM RS TI SUBJECT: RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR KICKS OFF TAJIKISTAN'S 2006 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION ¶1. Although President Emomali Rahmonov has not officially announced that he will be a candidate for the late 2006 presidential election in Tajikistan, Russian Ambassador Ramazan Abdulatipov more than endorsed him at a press conference on January 24. According to multiple press reports, he said, "We openly affirm that no one but Rahmonov will be able to work in this position." ¶2. At a Tajik Border Guard event on January 27, an Interfax reporter asked the U.S. Ambassador, "Ambassador Abdulatipov supports President Rahmonov for the next election. Do you?" The Ambassador replied that the United States supports the democratic political process, not personalities, and hopes that the forthcoming election will meet international standards. The reporter rejoined, "So you don't support President Rahmonov?" ¶3. COMMENT: So much for the quaint diplomatic tradition of not overtly interfering in the internal electoral affairs of a host country. In fact, Rahmonov is still generally popular in Tajikistan, and there appears to be no other viable candidate at this time. However, Russia's ham-fisted support for Rahmonov, especially this early before the election, could come back to haunt Moscow. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND