Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE151
2006-01-26 09:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR KICKS OFF TAJIKISTAN'S 2006 PRESIDENTIAL
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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
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
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