Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE1557
2006-08-14 12:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIK FOREIGN MINISTER DISAPPOINTED IN ISRAEL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 001557
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR IR TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK FOREIGN MINISTER DISAPPOINTED IN ISRAEL
REF: STATE 132517
CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Hushek, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy,
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 001557
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR IR TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK FOREIGN MINISTER DISAPPOINTED IN ISRAEL
REF: STATE 132517
CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Hushek, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy,
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov responded to the
points on UNSC resolution 1701 (reftel) by voicing his concern
over the situation in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories.
In a 45-minute discussion with Charge, Nazarov suggested Israel
should compensate Lebanon for the "$3 billion" in damage it has
caused. In his opinion, the military response was
disproportionate for two soldiers taken by Hezbollah,
particularly considering the number of civilian casualties.
"Lebanon has no anti-aircraft forces, no major army" to counter
an Israeli "mass attack." He criticized the high numbers of
women and children victims reported, compared to figures of just
40 Hezbollah fighters killed.
2. (C) He also accused Israel of conducting a "Blitzkrieg"
using Palestinian territory as a "firing range." He considered
it a "crime" that large-scale military operations in Gaza began
as the result of one solider being taken. Nazarov observed that
thousands of Arabs were in Israeli prisons, and Israel also
arrested parliamentarians and deputy ministers in response.
3. (C) "We have very good relations with Israel," he noted,
"But I am personally very disappointed with their actions. They
are now isolated from the rest of the world." He noted that
Germany rarely comments on Israel, positive or negative, but
now, even German public opinion is against the Israeli actions
in Lebanon. "Israel doesn't need to behave like this," he said.
"How did the Prime Minister come to this position? Previous
Prime Ministers behaved differently." He cautioned that Israel
"seriously miscalculated" its actions and as a consequence, it
neighbors would soon start arming themselves. "We used to
admire the Israeli intelligence service," for its skill and
precision, he said, "but now it seems it was all a myth. Anyone
can use brute force." He predicted that many Israeli citizens,
displeased by their government's actions, would look for
possibilities to emigrate, including back to the countries of
the former Soviet Union.
4. (C) COMMENT: Nazarov rarely comments negatively about
international events, so his sharp remarks about Israel
represent an unusual side to the foreign minister. Tajikistan
has traditionally taken a neutral approach to events in the
Middle East and has maintained cordial relations with Israel.
The disappointment Nazarov expressed suggests that Israel's
motivations are poorly understood in Dushanbe. END COMMENT.
HUSHEK
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/14/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR IR TI
SUBJECT: TAJIK FOREIGN MINISTER DISAPPOINTED IN ISRAEL
REF: STATE 132517
CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Hushek, Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy,
Dushanbe, State.
REASON: 1.4 (d)
1. (C) Tajik Foreign Minister Talbak Nazarov responded to the
points on UNSC resolution 1701 (reftel) by voicing his concern
over the situation in Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories.
In a 45-minute discussion with Charge, Nazarov suggested Israel
should compensate Lebanon for the "$3 billion" in damage it has
caused. In his opinion, the military response was
disproportionate for two soldiers taken by Hezbollah,
particularly considering the number of civilian casualties.
"Lebanon has no anti-aircraft forces, no major army" to counter
an Israeli "mass attack." He criticized the high numbers of
women and children victims reported, compared to figures of just
40 Hezbollah fighters killed.
2. (C) He also accused Israel of conducting a "Blitzkrieg"
using Palestinian territory as a "firing range." He considered
it a "crime" that large-scale military operations in Gaza began
as the result of one solider being taken. Nazarov observed that
thousands of Arabs were in Israeli prisons, and Israel also
arrested parliamentarians and deputy ministers in response.
3. (C) "We have very good relations with Israel," he noted,
"But I am personally very disappointed with their actions. They
are now isolated from the rest of the world." He noted that
Germany rarely comments on Israel, positive or negative, but
now, even German public opinion is against the Israeli actions
in Lebanon. "Israel doesn't need to behave like this," he said.
"How did the Prime Minister come to this position? Previous
Prime Ministers behaved differently." He cautioned that Israel
"seriously miscalculated" its actions and as a consequence, it
neighbors would soon start arming themselves. "We used to
admire the Israeli intelligence service," for its skill and
precision, he said, "but now it seems it was all a myth. Anyone
can use brute force." He predicted that many Israeli citizens,
displeased by their government's actions, would look for
possibilities to emigrate, including back to the countries of
the former Soviet Union.
4. (C) COMMENT: Nazarov rarely comments negatively about
international events, so his sharp remarks about Israel
represent an unusual side to the foreign minister. Tajikistan
has traditionally taken a neutral approach to events in the
Middle East and has maintained cordial relations with Israel.
The disappointment Nazarov expressed suggests that Israel's
motivations are poorly understood in Dushanbe. END COMMENT.
HUSHEK