MINISTER OF EDUCATION DECLARES UNPOPULAR PUBLIC SERVICE

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001598 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KPAO TI SUBJECT: MINISTER OF EDUCATION DECLARES UNPOPULAR PUBLIC SERVICE REQUIREMENT FOR U.S. EXCHANGE PROGRAM ALUMNI ¶1. Summary: PAO and CAO met with Minister of Education Abdujabbor Rahmonov November 5 to coordinate cooperation between the Embassy and the Ministry. Rahmonov was extremely defensive regarding the headscarf ban in schools and demanded at length that the United States open a university in Tajikistan. He also maintained his earlier pronouncement that participants in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs will be required to work five to ten years in the public sector following their return to Tajikistan. End summary. ¶2. The meeting followed an Embassy-sponsored English teachers' conference on November 1 at the Ministry of Education, where the minister announced the ten-year requirement and made a public request for establishing an American University. His comments were widely reported in the press. The announcement seemed prompted by complaints from English teachers that the country's strongest English-speakers prefer to work for international organizations or foreign embassies. In the conference's closing session, teachers openly criticized the proposal, saying it would discourage qualified applicants from exchange programs. They added that low salaries deter Tajiks from becoming English teachers. ¶3. In the November 5 meeting Rahmonov seemed open to negotiation regarding the public-service commitment, but would not agree to anything below five years. He indicated in his speech on November 1 that this requirement will extend to all foreign programs but will be in cooperation with sponsoring countries. He acknowledged our opposition to such a requirement but was not willing to retract it. Note: Although there are no laws or regulations that would allow the Ministry to enforce such a requirement, other policy edicts have been enforced as legal requirements and Tajikistan's courts tend not to challenge such policy pronouncements. End note. ¶4. The minister frequently raised his voice while asking for a U.S. university in Tajikistan. He said that ten Islamic countries and Mormon missionaries have offered to build their own institutions here. He mentioned that President Rahmon (no relation) told him that he must open U.S. affiliates in Tajikistan, and that an increasing emphasis on English teaching fuels demand for such universities. PAO pointed out that post funds scholarships for Tajiks to attend the American University of Central Asia and is working to increase the number of exchange participants. ¶5. Regarding the headscarf ban, Rahmonov said that Tajikistan is a democratic state, and that every state has its laws. He suggested we take up the issue with France. ¶6. Comment: Interestingly, PAO did not raise the headscarf issue specifically, but merely informed the minister that the embassy was seeking opportunities to discuss religious freedom in university settings. Rahmonov seemed extremely defensive on this issue. He did not recognize the disconnect between requesting the USG to fund a university and enforcing restrictions on clothing which he knows are contrary to U.S. stance on religious freedom. Similarly, he appreciated opportunities for students to practice English language with Embassy speakers, but repeatedly warned us not to speak on "political issues" at educational events. Post is concerned that a public-service requirement for exchange participants will limit our ability to recruit the strongest applicants for these programs. End comment. JACOBSON