"FAIR AND ACCURATE" INFORMATION THE KEY TO GOOD U.S.-UZBEK

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001950

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/26/2016
TAGS: PREL ECON ETRD TI UZ
SUBJECT: "FAIR AND ACCURATE" INFORMATION THE KEY TO GOOD U.S.-UZBEK
RELATIONS, SAYS UZBEK DIPLOMAT IN DUSHANBE


CLASSIFIED BY: Tom Hushek, Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy
Dushanbe, STATE.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)




1. (C) SUMMARY: The key to improved U.S.-Uzbek relations is to
provide leadership with "true, accurate and fair information,"
according to Mirodil Abdurazzakov, the Uzbek Ambassador in
Dushanbe. In an Oct. 19 meeting with PolOff, Abdurazzakov
described Uzbek democracy as "more diplomatic" than that of the
West, and claimed the Uzbeks have a "different mentality" about
democracy. He raised the issue of the U.S. refusal to sign the
Central Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, describing
Uzbekistan as the champion of the non-proliferation movement in
Central Asia. Abdurazzakov dismissed Tajik complaints about
border problems, insisting transit and visa issues with
Uzbekistan are easily overcome through "paperwork." END SUMMARY.

"Fair and Accurate" Reporting


2. (C) Uzbekistan is ready to cooperate with the U.S., said
Abdurazzakov, but Uzbekistan has been unfairly blamed for
current poor relations between the two countries. He argued
that the United States should take more of the blame for the
downturn in relations. Uzbek democracy, he reasoned, differs
from the Western version, is more "respectful, indirect and
diplomatic." Reports from United States on last year's events
in Andijon were "not fair and accurate," according to
Abdurazzakov, who insisted that "the U.S. would do the same if
faced with the same situation." He was adamant that the Uzbek
government had taken the proper steps to deal with the uprising,
but said his country hopes to have good relations with all
countries in the world, particularly Russia, China and the U.S.
The key to this, he opined, is to provide leadership with "true,
accurate and fair information."

Suspicious of U.S. Intentions Regarding a Nuclear-free Zone


3. (C) Abdurazzakov was very interested to know why the U.S.
did not support the Central Asia Nuclear-Weapons-Free Zone
Treaty, hinting that the U.S., France and the U.K. might have
"other reasons to avoid a nuclear-free zone" (though he stopped
short at being specific on what he thought those reasons might
be). He said Uzbekistan had initiated the idea of a
nuclear-weapons-free zone in Central Asia in 1993 at the UNGA
and remarked that it was impossible to foresee what problems the
United States would have with its final form. He emphasized
that Uzbekistan would like all nuclear powers, both declared and
undeclared, to support the treaty.

"OUR BORDER IS OPEN"


4. (C) "Our border is open," insisted Abdurazzakov when asked
about problems Tajik citizens and businesses face in obtaining
visas and exporting goods through Uzbekistan. "People are not
informed of the proper legal documents needed to transit between
the two countries," he said, but the problems can easily be
resolved by addressing the authorities and filling out the
proper paperwork. Despite reports to the contrary, he insisted
that Tajiks can get a visas in one day to visit a sick or dying
loved one in Uzbekistan. Regarding the exportation of goods
across the Uzbek border, only alcohol and tobacco are
restricted, claimed Abdurazzakov.

COMMENT


5. (C) The Uzbeks are a long way from providing "fair and
accurate" information themselves, made clear by Abdurazzakov's
disingenuous remarks concerning border transit and visa issues
with Tajikistan, which we know to be troublesome and far from
simple to resolve. Abdurazzakov did acknowledge however that
improved bilateral relations would have "huge" economic
potential for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.


6. (C) Abdurazzakov's comments are nothing new as they parrot
the GOU official line, which Uzbek officials repeat incessantly,
in classic Soviet style. What we find interesting is that this
Uzbek diplomat seems to be adhering strictly to a Tashkent
script, which may have been shared widely with Uzbek diplomats
around the world in discussing Uzbekistan's relations with the
U.S.


7. (U) Post collaborated with Embassy Tashkent on this

DUSHANBE 00001950 002 OF 002


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