Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1586
2007-09-06 10:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

KARIMOV'S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECHES: PLATITUDES,

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON UZ 
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FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8423
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3244
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9412
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3858
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3722
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 7140
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001586 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON UZ
SUBJECT: KARIMOV'S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECHES: PLATITUDES,
PROMISES, AND WARNINGS

Classified By: CDA Brad Hanson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001586

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/06/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON UZ
SUBJECT: KARIMOV'S INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECHES: PLATITUDES,
PROMISES, AND WARNINGS

Classified By: CDA Brad Hanson for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Summary: During his two-hour televised speech to the
Cabinet on August 30, President Karimov touted Uzbekistan's
accomplishments since independence and pledged greater
successes in the future, but warned that "foreign centers"
were trying to undermine the country. His Independence Day
address to the people also extolled Uzbekistan's reforms and
called for the pursuit of a series of goals including
economic growth, further political and economic changes, and
vigilance against threats to the country. Karimov continues
to keep his cards close to his chest on the presidential
election, but his speeches may be intended to win public
support ahead of the election. His remarks also reflect a
continuing suspicion of foreign influence, and coverage of
Independence Day in the state-run newspaper Narodnoe Slovo
suggests that the GOU puts Russia, China, and the United
Nations ahead of the United States in its foreign policy
hierarchy. Despite Karimov's rhetoric on reform, we are
skeptical of the GOU's commitment to carry through on them.
End summary.


2. (U) Karimov's initial remarks to the Cabinet focused on
the dangers of instability the collapse of the Soviet Union
caused and that urgent measures had to be taken to protect
the country. Karimov then praised Uzbekistan's
accomplishments across a range of issues including the energy
sector, industry, infrastructure, agriculture, and military
reform. The Cabinet greeted these comments periodically with
applause.


3. (C) Switching gears, Karimov launched into a tirade
against the dangers of foreign influence. He warned that
"foreign centers" were exploiting Uzbekistan's ideological
vacuum and spending vast resources to work against the
country, and this was "disastrous." Karimov noted his shame
that certain media could be accessed, specifically citing
certain Russian channels, but noted that Uzbekistan could not
shut down the media. He stated that parliamentary elections
will be held in 2009 and that increasing political and legal
awareness of the people was important. Karimov then rattled
off economic statistics, claiming that GDP had increased by
30 percent since 1990 and that real incomes had increased by
2.5-fold between 2000 and 2006. He set a goal of increasing
salaries 2-2.5-fold every three years, and pledged that
salaries would increase 2.5 times by 2009. (Note: Karimov
raises minimum wages about every six to nine months. End
note.)


4. (U) During his Independence Day speech on August 31,
Karimov stressed that Uzbekistan had made great strides since
its independence toward democracy, prosperity, and securing
international respect. He called for the improvement of
living standards, further political and economic reforms,
vigilance against possible threats, more opportunities for
young people, and safeguarding peace.


5. (C) The state-controlled newspaper Narodnoe Slovo listed
Independence Day congratulatory letters from Russia, China,
and the United Nations before that of the United States.
(This ranking hints at Uzbekistani foreign policy priorities;
prior to 2005, when the GOU was more favorably disposed
toward the United States, statements from the President of
the United States had been listed first.)


6. (C) Comment: Karimov remains discreet about plans for a
presidential election, not mentioning this once during either
speech. Nevertheless, Karimov may intend his remarks--which
promise greater achievements and blatantly exaggerate
Uzbekistan's successes while glossing over problems--to
bolster his image ahead of the widely expected December
presidential election. Karimov's Cabinet speech also
illustrates his continuing suspicion of the West and a
growing distrust of Russia. As usual, Karimov said the right
things about political and economic liberalization, but we
are deeply skeptical of his commitment toward their
implementation.
HANSON