TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000390 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 2/14/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL SNAR RS TI SUBJECT: TAJIKS SHOW STRONG ALLEGIANCE TOWARDS U.S. DURING BORDER CHIEF RECEPTION CLASSIFIED BY: Richard Hoagland, Ambassador, US Embassy Dushanbe, State. REASON: 1.4 (b) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: General Saidamir Zuhurov, Chairman of the State Border Protection Committee, highlighted the United States' close relationship with Tajikistan and Russia's waning influence with the Border Guards at a reception in his honor. The dynamics of the private reception indicated that for all the press attention on Russian assistance and cooperation, the Border guards consider the United States a true ally. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) Senior Law Enforcement Agent (SLEA) and EmbOff attended a private reception in General Zuhurov's honor February 20, along with the Russian Border Forces, the Russian 201st Division, members of President Rahmonov's staff, senior representatives from various ministries, BOMCA Director Peter Isaacs and a host of military officers from the Border Guards. Zuhurov's aide invited EmbOffs to an exclusive suite within the restaurant, where the president's staff and senior ministry representatives were holding court with Zuhurov. As EmbOffs entered the back room, Russian Border Forces also barged into the VIP room, to the evident annoyance of Zuhurov's aides. When EmbOffs entered, Zuhurov interrupted a toast in progress to give a long introduction of SLEA. ¶3. (C) When the Russian Border Forces Commander General-Lieutenant Nikolai Kosharin attempted to give a toast, Tajik Border Guards' Chief of Staff sidelined him, saying, "We will all say a few words in [Zuhurov's] honor and we will drink together." Kosharin insisted on giving a separate toast, and several other people who did not want to participate in a collective toast took offense. The Russian general was then permitted to give his speech, but from the room's palpable tension, the Tajiks appeared uncomfortable with his demand for the spotlight. During the speech, Kosharin was interrupted several times, once by the Chief of Staff who suggested Kosharin should not comment on Tajikistan's affairs because he was not Tajik. In the background, many commented in Tajiki during and about the Russian general's toast. ¶4. (C) At the end of the reception, Zuhurov delivered a long speech in which he profusely thanked the United States and the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe for the assistance to the Border Guards and Tajikistan. He noted the close working relationship between the two countries, specifically pointing out Embassy staff and frequently referred to SLEA as a "good friend." EmbOffs tried to excuse themselves from the reception on multiple occasions, but Tajik persistence and hospitality coerced them back to the party. In one instance, EmbOffs were in their vehicle driving away when they were stopped and persuaded back in. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: In front of the Russian guests, senior Tajik officials openly displayed their close private relationship with U.S. officials, and at times, their contempt for the Russian general's presence. Although the Russian-biased Tajik media may report on Russia's dominance in the region, in reality at least some senior officials place higher regard on fostering Tajik-U.S. relations. END COMMENT. ¶6. (C) BIO NOTE: During the reception, the Russian Border Forces Commander Kosharin introduced EmbOffs to Saidsho Shamolov, Tajikistan's recently appointed Military Attachi to the People's Republic of China. He expressed his gratitude for the position by remarking, "What kind of fucking country is China? [Rahmonov] should have sent me to Russia or Germany or the U.S.!" EmbOff gave Shamolov his U.S. flag lapel pin, which Shamolov proudly displayed. Shamolov is rumored to be among President Rahmonov's closest friends and advisors. He served as a soldier who supported Rahmonov prior to his election to the presidency. The Russian General and other Tajik generals have DUSHANBE 00000390 002 OF 002 told SLEA that Shamolov headed the President's Personal Protection Team during and after the Tajik Civil War. He was responsible for eradicating opposition fighters during the civil war, and may have led the massacres of other Tajiks. The Tajik generals noted that Shamolov was assigned as Military Attachi to China because he was "too tough" for a political appointment. END BIO NOTE. HOAGLAND