Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1665
2007-09-19 11:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

GOU SETS ELECTION, CAMPAIGN DATES

Tags:  PGOV UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3277
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9460
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3891
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3756
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RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2043
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RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001665 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: GOU SETS ELECTION, CAMPAIGN DATES

Classified By: POLOFF STEVEN PROHASKA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001665

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/19/2017
TAGS: PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: GOU SETS ELECTION, CAMPAIGN DATES

Classified By: POLOFF STEVEN PROHASKA FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)


1. (C) Summary: The Central Election Commission (CEC)
announced on September 18 that Uzbekistan will hold a
presidential election on December 23 and the campaigning will
begin on September 21. The GOU intends to invite observers
from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Most observers speculate that one or more strawmen will be
put forward to run from one of the officially registered
parties. The National Press Center will host a session for
diplomats on September 21 on matters related to the election.
We are skeptical of CEC claims of the GOU's commitment to an
open and democratic election, given that international
observers have not judged Uzbekistan's previous elections
free or fair. Nevertheless, we would recommend serious
consideration of any GOU invitation to participate in an
internationally credible election observation mission. End
Summary.



2. (SBU) On September 18 at a session reserved for an
audience of domestic, accredited journalists, Chairman of the
Central Election Commission Mirzo-Ulugbek Abdusalomov
announced that Uzbekistan will hold a presidential election
on December 23. The presidential election campaign will
begin on September 21, and registration of candidates will
take place from November 18-23. Abdusalomov stated that any
political party or initiative group can put forward nominees,
but each must gather at least 300,000 signatures to
officially register. (Note: An initiative group must consist
of a minimum of 300 people. End note.) The Central Election
Commission will start registering journalists to cover the
election campaign and to participate in the commission's
briefings. Abdusalamov also stated that they would invite
observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe to ensure an open and democratic election.


3. (SBU) The election commission's press secretary, Beruny
Alimov, has indicated that no candidates have announced plans
to run yet. Most observers speculate that one or more
strawmen will be put forward to run from one of the
officially registered parties, against expected candidate
President Karimov.


4. (C) The opposition party Birlik has already announced that

it intends to participate in the upcoming presidential
election, according to harakat.net. The leaders of Birlik's
Initiative Group of Candidates for Presidential Elections
told the Deputy Chairman of the Central Election Commission
that they have submitted registration documents for the party
to the Ministry of Justice. Birlik and the Central Election
Committee have agreed to hold discussions on the issue after
the Uzbek Senate adopts a resolution on the election,
according to the website. Although Birlik enjoyed a fair
amount of support in the early 1990s, it is a shadow of its
past self and does not, in our opinion, represent any serious
electoral threat to Karimov.


5. (U) The election commission also approved a plan of events
for preparing and holding the elections, according to
official Uzbekistani press reporting. The GOU will publish
lists of election districts including the number of voters
and addresses of the district election commissions before
October 9. It will also form district election commissions
before October 14 and divisional election commissions by
November 13.


6. (U) Political parties can nominate candidates only if the
Ministry of Justice registered the party at least six months
before the announcement of the election campaign. According
to the law on election of the President of Uzbekistan,
nominations may start 65 days before the election and end 45
days prior to the elections.

COMMENT
--------------


7. (C) An Embassy contact has also indicated that a similar,
separate session with the Central Election Commission for

TASHKENT 00001665 002 OF 002


diplomats will be held at the National Press Center on
September 21, the same day as the beginning of the campaign.
We intend to monitor what is said there. The CEC Chairman's
statement that each nominee must gather at least 300,000
signatures to officially register is interesting in light of
other previous reporting that between 600,000 and 700,000
signatures are necessary. This suggests a possible change in
this aspect of the law on elections that would ease the
burdensome registration procedures, if the GOU follows
through on its rhetoric. 300,000 signatures, however, is
still an almost impossible hurdle for any initiative group.


8. (C) Abdusalomov's claim that the GOU is interested in a
fair vote and an open election should be considered with a
heavy dose of skepticism given that international observers
have not recognized Uzbekistan's previous elections as free
or fair. Nevertheless, we would recommend serious
consideration of any GOU invitation to participate in an
internationally credible election observation mission.


9. (C) Now, all are waiting with baited breath for President
Karimov's candidacy announcement. Some are waiting for a GOU
legal maneuver to address some Uzbek opposition concerns
about the legality of the President running for a third term
at all.
NORLAND