Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06DUSHANBE1848
2006-10-10 09:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

ONE MONTH OUT: TAJIK GOVT SHUTS DOWN WEBSITES AHEAD OF THE

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TI 
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UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001848 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TI
SUBJECT: ONE MONTH OUT: TAJIK GOVT SHUTS DOWN WEBSITES AHEAD OF THE
ELECTION

REF: Dushanbe 468

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001848

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TI
SUBJECT: ONE MONTH OUT: TAJIK GOVT SHUTS DOWN WEBSITES AHEAD OF THE
ELECTION

REF: Dushanbe 468


1. (U) Tajikistan's internet service providers blocked access
to several websites deemed "opposition" sites one month ahead of
the November 6 presidential election. Sites include popular
news information agencies such as Ferghana.ru and
Centralasia.ru. The Ministry of Communications' Agency on
Regulation of Communication issued a letter dated September 7 to
internet service providers ordering them to block access to
websites that "aim to undermine the state's policies in the
sphere of information." The Ministry's rationale is that these
sites may inflame oppositionists who want to destabilize the
government and security situation in Tajikistan.


2. (SBU) Recognizing the ramifications of internet censorship,
some internet service providers initially did not respond to the
Agency's request and pointed out that it is not the provider's
obligation to filter information. They said the Agency on
Regulation of Communications is not a censoring body, nor should
it engage in investigating websites and providers. One internet
service provider's executive director pointed out the Ministry's
action undermines President Rahmonov's efforts to attract
investments in Tajikistan.


3. (SBU) Communications companies in Tajikistan believe the
censorship order is not only to block opposition opinion, but
also the latest effort by the Ministry of Communications and the
Anti-Monopoly Agency to control more tightly the communications
industry. According to Embassy sources, these two government
departments aim to control communication industry tariffs. The
Ministry of Communications still has not given up the idea of
establishing a single gateway for Tajikistan, forcing all
telecommunications and internet service providers to lay out
their cables through that gateway in order to gain access to
major international telecommunications hubs (reftel). A single
gateway would essentially create a monopoly to enable the
Ministry to monitor information content, and collect tariffs
without competition. The Ministry of Communications continues
to try to push approval for a single gateway through parliament,
but thus far has not been successful, due to unusually vocal
opposition from telecom and internet operators.


4. (SBU) COMMENT: It is unclear who is behind this latest
effort to shut down the opposition and control internet media.
Rahmonov knows he will win the election and censorship is hardly
necessary at this point because no true opposition candidates
are running. Tajikistan has not seen a strong movement on the
internet to foment opposition or undermine the government, as
only three percent of the population has access to the internet.
This censorship signals that the Tajik government is confident
of its strength and may move to tighten the reins on media
freedom even after the election. END COMMENT.

HUSHEK