Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DUSHANBE1598
2007-11-08 11:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

MINISTER OF EDUCATION DECLARES UNPOPULAR PUBLIC SERVICE

Tags:  PHUM KPAO TI 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1389
RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #1598 3121152
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081152Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1292
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3201
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

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