Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06TASHKENT710
2006-04-12 11:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
GOU PUTS THE SQUEEZE ON STUDENTS AT EU MEETING
how-toVZCZCXRO0720 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHNT #0710 1021104 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 121104Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5523 INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ALMATY 7792 RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 1883 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 2409 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 2308 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1401 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0197
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000710
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL UZ ZK
SUBJECT: GOU PUTS THE SQUEEZE ON STUDENTS AT EU MEETING
REF: TASHKENT 440
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
.
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000710
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL UZ ZK
SUBJECT: GOU PUTS THE SQUEEZE ON STUDENTS AT EU MEETING
REF: TASHKENT 440
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
.
1. (C) Several universities in Tashkent reportedly threatened
to expel students if they attended EU informational meetings
sponsored by the French Embassy. An Embassy contact told
poloff numerous students missed the latest meeting out of
fear that the universities would make good on the threat,
which likely emanated directly from the GOU. Approximately
one-third, or 20, fewer students attended than last month.
2. (C) After the first meeting in February (reftel),the
French Embassy refused to fulfill the MFA,s request to
submit the list of participants. The MFA continues to ask
for a list, according to our contact, and offered to supply
an attendee list of approved students, which the French
Embassy rejected.
3. (C) The GOU has also begun to restrict university teaching
opportunities for foreigners. The French DCM told the DCM a
French diplomat's spouse had a job offer to teach at a
Tashkent university, but the offer was unexpectedly canceled
at the last minute. A French Cultural Attache is currently
teaching at two international universities in Tashkent. Both
universities have closely scrutinized her course curriculum.
4. (C) Comment: These incidents illustrate new GOU tactics
in trying to isolate Uzbek students from the West, as well as
interfering in their academic advancement. While the GOU
cannot prevent Embassies from holding educational round
tables, it does threaten students to prevent them from
attending.
PURNELL
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL UZ ZK
SUBJECT: GOU PUTS THE SQUEEZE ON STUDENTS AT EU MEETING
REF: TASHKENT 440
Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
.
1. (C) Several universities in Tashkent reportedly threatened
to expel students if they attended EU informational meetings
sponsored by the French Embassy. An Embassy contact told
poloff numerous students missed the latest meeting out of
fear that the universities would make good on the threat,
which likely emanated directly from the GOU. Approximately
one-third, or 20, fewer students attended than last month.
2. (C) After the first meeting in February (reftel),the
French Embassy refused to fulfill the MFA,s request to
submit the list of participants. The MFA continues to ask
for a list, according to our contact, and offered to supply
an attendee list of approved students, which the French
Embassy rejected.
3. (C) The GOU has also begun to restrict university teaching
opportunities for foreigners. The French DCM told the DCM a
French diplomat's spouse had a job offer to teach at a
Tashkent university, but the offer was unexpectedly canceled
at the last minute. A French Cultural Attache is currently
teaching at two international universities in Tashkent. Both
universities have closely scrutinized her course curriculum.
4. (C) Comment: These incidents illustrate new GOU tactics
in trying to isolate Uzbek students from the West, as well as
interfering in their academic advancement. While the GOU
cannot prevent Embassies from holding educational round
tables, it does threaten students to prevent them from
attending.
PURNELL