EMOTIONS STIR UP ROMANIAN-UZBEK RELATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000827 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL RO UZ ZK SUBJECT: EMOTIONS STIR UP ROMANIAN-UZBEK RELATIONS Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY AMB. JON R. PURNELL FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D) . ¶1. (C) Romanian Political Officer Calin Ilie told PE Chief that the Romanian-Uzbek relationship continues to flounder. He said that his Embassy's interactions with the MFA are essentially non-existent. The last meeting the Romanian Ambassador had with Deputy FM Nematov occurred last fall when the GOU was working hard to stop the resettlement of Andijon refugees to Romania. The MFA no longer acknowledges or responds to diplomatic notes. A high-level Romanian parliamentary delegation had planned to visit in April to discuss the current state of bilateral relations and the possibility of purchasing natural gas, but did not receive visas. In February, Romanian Diplomat Cornel Burcea told Poloff that the GOU was trying to prevent Uzbeks from participating in exchange programs to Romania as well. The GOU was opposed, he said, to participation in all types of programs, from academic to orchestral, and was denying exit visas to participants. ¶2. (C) Comment: The GOU, and hence the MFA, has established a pattern of ignoring diplomatic requests from and avoiding interaction with embassies from nations it is angry with. This policy appears to be an emotional reaction, likely stemming from the President himself, to perceived slights against Uzbekistan. Whether it is speaking out against GOU actions or offering refuge to Uzbek asylum seekers, the GOU clearly holds grudges. PURNELL