TAJIKISTAN ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE IRAN ON NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 000039

SIPDIS


EUR/CACEN
IRAN DESK

E.O. 12958: DECL: 1/5/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MNUC TI IR
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN ATTEMPTS TO INFLUENCE IRAN ON NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES

CLASSIFIED BY: THOMAS ARMBRUSTER, CDA, FRONT OFFICE , State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov may take another run at
influencing Iran to cooperate with the EU on nuclear issues
during his upcoming summit in Tehran. Rahmonov will meet with
Afghan President Karzai and Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on
January 16. The summit is designed to elevate trilateral
relations between the three countries that share FARSI as a
common language. The UK Embassy in Dushanbe urged Tajikistan to
pressure Iran three months ago to make progress on nuclear
issues but was rebuffed. According to the MFA's North America
Chief, Ismat Nasridinov, the Iranians said, "If we want help,
we'll ask for it." Iran also reportedly said they did not want
Russia involved in the nuclear talks with the Europeans.


2. (C) President Rahmonov is a vocal supporter of regional
stability and pressuring Iran would be consistent with his past
statements to the Embassy. According to Nasredinov, there is no
schedule or agenda for the Tehran meeting. The summit is to be
followed by an official state visit by Rahmonov to Tehran in the
spring. Rahmonov will also no doubt attempt to make progress on
Iran's participation in the Sangtuda II hydropower plant, a
project the Iranians are funding to provide domestic power for
Tajikistan.


3. (C) Nasredinov met with Charge on January 4 and provided the
above information.

ARMBRUSTER


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