NDI: PROTEST SUBMITTED TO MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000817 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV EAID KDEM TI SUBJECT: NDI: PROTEST SUBMITTED TO MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS REF: A) DUSHANBE 0798 B) DUSHANBE 0804 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) Post submitted the following diplomatic note to the MFA May 3 lodging a formal protest against the treatment of NDI: BEGIN TEXT: The Embassy of the United States of America presents its compliments to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and has the honor to inform the Ministry that the Embassy protests strongly against the continued attacks by the Ministry of Security and its relevant agencies and their allies against the National Democratic Institute (NDI) office and its employees in Dushanbe. The recent use of classic intimidation and entrapment against NDI's former Acting Director is a bewildering action against a highly respected U.S. organization that works openly and honestly in over 100 countries around the world. It is especially regrettable that this action occurred during a presidential election year when official Washington is focusing close attention on Tajikistan. This kind of activity will harm the other successful aspects of our bilateral relationship and seriously tarnish Tajikistan's reputation as an emerging democracy. The Embassy of the United States of America avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan the assurances of its highest consideration. The Embassy of the United States of America Dushanbe, May 3, 2006 END TEXT. HOAGLAND