Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TASHKENT535
2006-03-23 13:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

FREEDOM HOUSE'S DIRECTOR DEPARTS UZBEKISTAN

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO9297
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #0535 0821350
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231350Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5380
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY PRIORITY 7717
RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 1822
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 2345
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 2241
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 6584
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1705
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000535 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UZ
SUBJECT: FREEDOM HOUSE'S DIRECTOR DEPARTS UZBEKISTAN


Classified By: Amb. Jon R. Purnell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000535

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/23/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UZ
SUBJECT: FREEDOM HOUSE'S DIRECTOR DEPARTS UZBEKISTAN


Classified By: Amb. Jon R. Purnell for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Freedom House's Uzbekistan country director, Branka
Sesto, has left Uzbekistan following the organization's
decision not to appeal the March 6 Tashkent City Civil Court
liquidation order. Prior to her departure, Sesto told
Emboffs that the liquidation of Freedom House's Tashkent
office was progressing, and that Senior Program Manager Zarko
Petrovic would return to Uzbekistan as needed to complete the
process. Sesto intends to move to Shymkent, Kazakhstan,
where Freedom House would like to open a resource center and
continue its Uzbekistan programs.


2. (C) Comment: Under Uzbek law the liquidation of an
organization is a complicated process requiring several
months to complete. In typical fashion, however, the
Ministry of Justice has insisted Freedom House should be able
to liquidate in a matter of weeks, and refused to extend
Shesto's visa beyond March 20. Post is waiting for Freedom
House to provide more details on its plans to operate
offshore in Kazakhstan or possibly Kyrgyzstan. Continuing
these activities offshore, however, will present a number of
challenges, including the need to ensure that Freedom House
activities offshore do not run afoul of local law.
Additionally, Freedom House staff and/or participants would
have to cross the border on a regular basis, potentially
leaving them vulnerable to Uzbek authorities. End comment.
PURNELL