MFA DISCUSSES OIC, KOREA AND INDIA

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000584 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL UZ ZK SUBJECT: MFA DISCUSSES OIC, KOREA AND INDIA REF: A. A. STATE 39165 ¶B. B. TASHKENT 426 Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D). ¶1. (C) Summary: The Asia and Africa Department of the MFA surprisingly agreed to see us regarding the upcoming meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) and the Arab League Boycott (ref A). The MFA official gladly discussed South Korea and India, and welcomed future meetings. End summary. ¶2. (C) Poloff met with Chief of the Middle East and North Africa Division of the Asia and Africa Department of the MFA, Fatkhiddin Samariddinov, and his assistant on March 23. Samariddinov said he was unaware of and surprised to hear that the OIC was proposing a meeting in Jeddah to discuss the Arab League Boycott against Israel. He told poloff the GOU regularly participates in OIC meetings. Samariddinov said he believes the majority of Arab countries are &realistic8 in their foreign policies and do not want to take strong action against Israel. Samariddinov said Uzbek-Israeli relations are very good. ¶3. (C) Samariddinov confirmed that President Karimov will visit South Korea on March 28-30, where his meetings will focus on trade relations (ref B). Samariddinov also stressed the strong cultural relations between Uzbekistan and India, especially the prospects for &big8 investment and trade. ¶4. (C) Comment: Unlike Post interactions with the America,s Desk at the MFA, the meeting with Samariddinov was cordial, welcoming and even informative. Though he stayed away from addressing specifics, Samariddinov was happy to discuss issues in his portfolio and even offered to speak to Poloff again if she had additional questions. PURNELL