GOU RESPONSE TO SAIPOV SLAYING

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001887 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/30/2017 TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL KG UZ SUBJECT: GOU RESPONSE TO SAIPOV SLAYING REF: BISHKEK 1320 Classified By: P/E Chief Ted Burkhalter; reasons 1.4 (b and d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Uzbekistan (belatedly) condemns the murder of VOA stringer Alisher Saipov, and claims the Kyrgyz government has not yet asked for Uzbek assistance in the investigation. End summary. ¶2. (C) Ambassador met October 30 with MFA First Deputy Foreign Minister Nematov, who delivered the following prepared text on ethnic Uzbek journalist Saipov's October 24 slaying in Kyrgyzstan. Nematov was responding to Ambassador's request last week for reactions to the murder. ¶3. (C) Unofficial translation. Begin text: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States and has the honor to respond to the Embassy's request as follows. According to our sources, Mr. Alisher Saipov, correspondent of the Uzbek service of VOA radio in Kyrgyzstan, is in fact an ethnic Uzbek. However, he was born in and permanently resided on the soil of the Kyrgyz Republic. As is known, Mr. Saipov maintained contacts with and acted upon instruction from representatives of destructive structures, who are hiding from law enforcement agencies outside the republic, and had been systematically and (inaccurately) covering the situation in Uzbekistan via VOA. The Uzbek side possesses information proving that Mr. A. Saipov has, throughout his journalistic activity, repeatedly consulted with Dr. Djavdat Saikhon, the Chief of the Uzbek service of U.S.-based VOA as well as maintained close contacts with American diplomats accredited on the territories of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Despite this, the Uzbek side did not react to A. Saipov's numerous slanderous invectives, assessing his actions (merely) as unsuccessful attempts to fulfill his patrons' orders. Uzbekistan has always counted upon a sober and pragmatic approach by foreign partners, to objectively assess current socio-political and socio-economic reforms in the republic. The Ministry draws the Embassy's attention to the fact that Uzbekistan, while following the path of development of a democratic, secular state, respecting freedom of speech and self-expression, vigorously opposes the use of forceful methods of pressuring representatives of mass media regardless of their political views, nationalities and place of residence. Respecting the principles of humanity and the human right to life, the Uzbek side condemns the murder of Mr. Saipov and is hopeful that the crime will be exposed and those who did it will be punished. Representatives of local mass media have offered their condolences to Mr. Saipov's family and friends. The Ministry notes that neither the Kyrgyz government nor Kyrgyz law enforcement agencies have requested assistance to date. However, Uzbek competent organs stand ready to render any assistance that may help. In its turn, the Ministry urges the Embassy to put into action Ambassador Norland's statement concerning the need "to dispel any possible rumors of involvement of Uzbek special services in this case." Based on the experience of past years, the Ministry deems it improper and absolutely hopeless to draw conclusions regarding Mr. Saipov's murder, based on internet articles "arranged" by mass media or on misleading articles released by unfriendly circles. In this regard, the Ministry expresses the utmost indignation at U.S. attempts to link the issue of the safety of Mr. A. Babaev, who is not accredited as a VOA journalist, to the TASHKENT 00001887 002 OF 002 bilateral relations between our two countries and (the Ministry) regards the statement as an attempt to foist upon the Government of Uzbekistan responsibility for the future (Note: meaning unclear, but appears to refer to responsibility for the future of the bilateral relationship, rather than of Babaev. End note.). The Uzbek side believes that the relations between the two countries must not become hostage to populist and irresponsible approaches adopted by individuals who, with this in mind, stand ready to use any forms and methods. The Ministry officially states that Uzbekistan is consistently pursuing a policy of ensuring freedom of mass media and does not accept forceful pressure on either local or foreign journalists. However, this does not mean that established legislative measures will not be used in relation to mass media representatives who violate the Constitution of Uzbekistan or universally adopted journalistic norms and rules. The Uzbek side shall not tolerate such statements, which may facilitate the shaping of opinions based on preconceptions (nor will it tolerate) the accusatory U.S. approach toward the Republic and the unwillingness to develop fruitful interaction on the principles of equality and mutual respect. The Ministry avails itself of the opportunity to renew to the Embassy assurances of its highest consideration. Tashkent, 30 October 2007 End text. ¶4. (SBU) Nematov gave Ambassador an article by Maria Postnikova, in the October 30 Komsomolskaya Pravda-Kyrgyzstan, which points to "religious extremists," including HT, as possible culprits. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador advised Nematov in his earlier conversation that rumors of NSS involvement in Saipov's murder could be very damaging and should be dealt with squarely. The Uzbek response will do little to dispel suspicions -- it is a week late, grudging in tone, and smacks of "protesteth too much." Still, Nematov's body language made clear the case has touched a raw nerve. We should encourage the Kyrgyz to engage the GOU jointly in the investigation if they have not done so already. If Tashkent was involved in carrying out this crime, there will need to be real evidence with which to bring pressure to bear on President Karimov to deal with the perpetrators. End Comment. NORLAND