Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT1739
2007-10-05 10:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
MFA ON CANCELLED DRL/IRF VISIT
how-toVZCZCXRO7901 PP RUEHDBU DE RUEHNT #1739 2781014 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051014Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8559 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 3319 RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 9515 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3935 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3798
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001739
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KIRF UZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON CANCELLED DRL/IRF VISIT
Classified By: POLOFF R. FITZMAURICE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001739
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KIRF UZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON CANCELLED DRL/IRF VISIT
Classified By: POLOFF R. FITZMAURICE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Summary: MFA U.S. Affairs Section Chief Ismat
Faizullaev met October 4 with poloff to cover several
matters. On religious freedom, Faizullaev explained that the
decision to cancel the trip next week of DRL/IRF's Barbara
Cates was influenced in part by the GOU's frustration with
not having yet received a promised draft letter on next steps
from Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Hanford. End
summary.
2. (C) During the meeting, poloff asked for clarification on
the GOU's cancellation of DRL/IRF Barbara Cates' planned
October 13-17 visit. Faizullaev confirmed what the Uzbek
Embassy had told Cates. He stated that Ambassador Hanford
already had an opportunity to visit Uzbekistan and talk with
the country's religious leaders, and reiterated that while
proselytism is illegal and would continue to be punished, the
government does not otherwise interfere in religious life.
Officially, he could provide no further elaboration on the
government's decision, noting that it had been made "at the
top."
3. (C) Unofficially, at the end of the meeting, Faizullaev
said that the government is frustrated that Hanford's
promised letter has not yet materialized, and that rather
than now delivering a letter, DRL/IRF is instead planning
another visit to the country. Faizullaev added that he was
surprised about the decision to cancel Cates' trip, and said
that he was not informed about it until October 3. He left
the door open to another visit by Ambassador Hanford, stating
that the government would "fully consider" any such proposal.
4. (C) In a subsequent conversation with DCM October 4,
Faizullaev stated that MFA Protocol and the Presidential
Apparat had decided to deny the visa. MFA Americas desk
learned of the decision after the fact. He reiterated MFA was
surprised to receive a visit request for Barbara Cates while
still awaiting the draft letter from Ambassador Hanford's
office.
5. (C) Comment: Given what we have heard from the Uzbeks in
Washington and in Tashkent, we do not think that the
government will change its mind about letting Cates' visit go
forward. Instead, we urge the Department to finalize the
draft letter on religious freedom subjects to be delivered to
Deputy Foreign Minister Minavarov to start the discussion on
the exchange of letters.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KIRF UZ
SUBJECT: MFA ON CANCELLED DRL/IRF VISIT
Classified By: POLOFF R. FITZMAURICE FOR REASONS 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) Summary: MFA U.S. Affairs Section Chief Ismat
Faizullaev met October 4 with poloff to cover several
matters. On religious freedom, Faizullaev explained that the
decision to cancel the trip next week of DRL/IRF's Barbara
Cates was influenced in part by the GOU's frustration with
not having yet received a promised draft letter on next steps
from Ambassador at Large for Religious Freedom Hanford. End
summary.
2. (C) During the meeting, poloff asked for clarification on
the GOU's cancellation of DRL/IRF Barbara Cates' planned
October 13-17 visit. Faizullaev confirmed what the Uzbek
Embassy had told Cates. He stated that Ambassador Hanford
already had an opportunity to visit Uzbekistan and talk with
the country's religious leaders, and reiterated that while
proselytism is illegal and would continue to be punished, the
government does not otherwise interfere in religious life.
Officially, he could provide no further elaboration on the
government's decision, noting that it had been made "at the
top."
3. (C) Unofficially, at the end of the meeting, Faizullaev
said that the government is frustrated that Hanford's
promised letter has not yet materialized, and that rather
than now delivering a letter, DRL/IRF is instead planning
another visit to the country. Faizullaev added that he was
surprised about the decision to cancel Cates' trip, and said
that he was not informed about it until October 3. He left
the door open to another visit by Ambassador Hanford, stating
that the government would "fully consider" any such proposal.
4. (C) In a subsequent conversation with DCM October 4,
Faizullaev stated that MFA Protocol and the Presidential
Apparat had decided to deny the visa. MFA Americas desk
learned of the decision after the fact. He reiterated MFA was
surprised to receive a visit request for Barbara Cates while
still awaiting the draft letter from Ambassador Hanford's
office.
5. (C) Comment: Given what we have heard from the Uzbeks in
Washington and in Tashkent, we do not think that the
government will change its mind about letting Cates' visit go
forward. Instead, we urge the Department to finalize the
draft letter on religious freedom subjects to be delivered to
Deputy Foreign Minister Minavarov to start the discussion on
the exchange of letters.
NORLAND