FY06 FUNDING OF OSCE EXTRABUDGETARY PROJECTS IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 000756

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, USOSCE FOR GREG SLOTTA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ECON OSCE PHUM PREL UZ
SUBJECT: FY06 FUNDING OF OSCE EXTRABUDGETARY PROJECTS IN
UZBEKISTAN

REF: STATE 10552


1. (U) Summary: The OSCE website listing of extrabudgetary
projects does not reflect any activities in Uzbekistan. Post
recommends the USG contribute funding to the following
projects that fulfill both U.S. and OSCE interests: a
research grant on intellectual property rights (IPR) (USD
100,000),a summer camp on environmental education for
schoolchildren (USD 10,000),and a winter camp on
environmental education for youth (USD 10,000). In
developing these recommendations, Post considered the
possible changes to OSCE Tashkent's mandate. End summary.


2. (U) Per reftel guidance, the Embassy worked closely with
the OSCE Mission in Tashkent to identify those projects that
meet U.S. and OSCE policy goals and are the most likely to be
realized in the current political environment. According to
OSCE officials in Tashkent, many of the current
extrabudgetary programs do not need additional funding, as
the GOU has restricted its programs. Also, OSCE Tashkent
six-month mandate expires in June and it is possible the new
mandate will suggest a reduction in staff. With these
constraints in mind, we selected two ongoing and one new
project. These three projects have a high probability of
being enacted as the GOU thus far has supported the
environmental camps and IPR training. These projects do not
require a large amount of time to organize and would not
burden a reduced staff.

Research Grant on Intellectual Property Rights
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3. (U) IPR is a problem in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is
currently on the Special 301 Watch List, and post has seen
minimal progress on legislative changes in 2005. The GOU has
delayed in reforming the civil, criminal and administrative
codes. However, the GOU is interested in joining the WTO and
has been open to projects, such as those from USAID and
training provided for experts by the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office, to improve the IPR climate.


4. (U) The Antimonopoly Improvement Center (APIC) submitted a
project proposal to the OSCE Mission to develop
recommendations based on world &best practices.8 The total
estimated cost of the program is USD 330,000, of which USD
30,000 in kind is financed by the GOU for office spaces and
other services. These recommendations would be submitted to
policy-makers to improve and enhance the protection system
for intellectual property rights. The research would focus
on the issues of synchronization and simplification of
legislature; and the organizational structure of the
regulative system of IPR. APIC would include actors involved
in IPR, such as courts and entrepreneurs. We recommend USG
funding of this research program at USD 100,000. (Note: APIC
is an independent agency, established in 2003 to increase the
practical orientation of research and to improve the
development of normative-legal basis in consumer rights
protection. APIC has worked with the Asian Development Bank,
the Japanese International Cooperation Agency and the German
Technical Center on projects in Uzbekistan. End note.)

Summer Camp on Environmental Education for Youth
-------------- --------------


5. (U) Post recommends providing funding of USD 10,000 for
OSCE 2006 summer camps focused on strengthening environmental
education in schools. Sixty winners of the national school
competition on environmental issues, EKO MAKTAB, will be able
to participate in a series of ten-day camps in the mountains.
The activities include environmental discussions, preparing
an exhibition of paintings and a study trip to a nature park.


Winter Camp on Environmental Education for 15-17 year olds
-------------- --------------


6. (U) Post recommends providing funding of USD 10,000 for
the OSCE 2006 winter camp focused on strengthening
environmental education in schools. Forty-two winners of the
national school competition on environmental issues, EKO
MAKTAB, will be able to participate in a series of week-long
camps in the mountains. The activities include environmental
discussions, preparing an exhibition of paintings and a study
trip to a nature park. Such camps reach Uzbek youth at an

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impressionable age and can expose them to independence of
thought and transborder issues.
PURNELL