(C) UZBEK FM MISSES OPPORTUNITY IN MEETING WTIH

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 04 TASHKENT 000355

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN, EEB AND INR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON EU AF UZ
SUBJECT: (C) UZBEK FM MISSES OPPORTUNITY IN MEETING WTIH
DAS FEIGENBAUM

REF: 06 TASHKENT 881 (NOTAL)

Classified By: Amb. Jon R. Purnell, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: SCA DAS Evan Feigenbaum's March 2 meeting
with Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov did not live up to
expectations. Over three days of meetings with senior Uzbek
officials, Feigenbaum had proposed that the Government take
concrete steps to improve relations and offered specific
suggestions for cooperation in each "basket" of the
relationship. Norov, no doubt either following orders from
President Karimov or not having guidance to the contrary from
President Karimov, failed to offer any commitments, and
missed an opportunity to turn a page in relations. The
overall tone of the meeting was cordial, with Norov calling
for a relationship between equal partners, built on mutually
beneficial dialogue and cooperation. Norov ruled out a
resumption of high school academic exchanges, but left the
door open for university-level exchange programs, and
suggested that an American university be established in
Tashkent. Norov also informed Feigenbaum that the GOU now
accepted a second EU delegation to continue discussions on
the May 2005 events in Andijon. Following the meeting, Norov
handed Feigenbaum an English translation of its
point-by-point rebuttal of the Department's Religious Freedom
Report. End summary.

"OPEN AND CONSTRUCTIVE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL RELATIONS"
--------------


2. (C) The overall tone of DAS Evan Feigenbaum's March 2
meeting with Foreign Minister Vladimir Norov was cordial,
with Norov calling for a relationship of equal partners based
on open and constructive mutually beneficial cooperation.
Gone were the accusations against the U.S. for the state of
the poor bilateral relationship. However, he added that
interference in another's internal affairs was unacceptable.
The meeting was the last in a three-day series with senior
government officials. Norov commented that Feigenbaum was
granted all meetings he had requested. The Uzbek side failed
to offer any new or concrete commitments, however.
Tashkent's professed desire for improving relations remains
on a declaratory level. Feigenbaum urged the Uzbek
government to move from declarations of willingness to
cooperate to actions removing obstacles to cooperation in all
"baskets" envisioned in the five-year old strategic framework.


3. (C) Feigenbaum stated that he had agreed to visit Tashkent
following the agreement on Embassy staffing levels, which had
opened up the possibility of dialogue on substantive issues.
Acknowledging that differences remained on human rights,
Feigenbaum urged the Uzbek government to intensify its
cooperation in other areas. Recalling a track record of
successful partnership on Afghanistan (in the past),
counter-proliferation, and health, Feigenbaum encouraged
Norov to build on this record. He suggested the GOU increase
Uzbek engagement in areas that had not lived up to their full
potential, such as education and trade. Feigenbaum asked
Norov to come up with one or two items or activities in these
two fields in which to take concrete steps, adding that
regional security, counter-narcotics, trafficking in persons,
and religious freedom were also possible areas for progress.

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ANDIJON
--------------


4. (C) Norov stated that dialogue should not consist of one
side as judge and the other as defendant. Norov asked why
Uzbekistan was the only Central Asian state taken before the
United Nations Third Committee. He stated that the May 2005
Andijon unrest had been a tragedy, blaming externally-based
terrorists. Contrary to the media reports alleging that
Uzbekistan had refused to accept a follow-up visit by the
European Union's Andijon commission, Norov stated that he had

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called German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on
March 1 to invite the delegation to return, if they still had
questions. Norov added that he had not yet received a
response from the Europeans. Norov also noted that he had
read an article published March 1 by prominent human rights
activist Surat Ikramov asserting that torture was no longer
prevalent in Uzbek prisons. Norov reiterated the
Government's commitment to eliminating the death penalty in
January 2008. Norov also stated that Uzbek judges are
interested in more habeas corpus training, noting that there
are only 1,300 Uzbek judges in a country of 26 million.


5. (C) Feigenbaum stated that Washington was perplexed at the
Uzbek Government's closure of NGOs working in such areas as
agriculture and health and noted that the U.S. could not run
programs without implementing partners. Referring to his
study of U.S. law, Norov asserted that the U.S. had also
prohibited certain types of organizations in the past,
specifically communist political groups. He added that NGOs
should implement activities in line with their stated goals.
He added that "Singapore has no NGOs."

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
--------------


6. (C) Norov highlighted Uzbekistan's commitment to religious
freedom. He also reiterated the government's opposition to
proselytism, which he said was inappropriate in light of
Uzbekistan's long-standing Muslim culture, tradition and
civilization. He added that proselytizing generates social
tension. Following the meeting, Norov handed Feigenbaum a
packet of documents which included a fifty page
point-by-point rebuttal to the Department's Religious Freedom
Report. (Note: The packet was delivered earlier in Russian;
Norov handed Feigenbaum an English translation. End note.)
Norov also presented an 83 page government-published book
filled with essays criticizing the Country of Particular
Concern designation. (Note: The publication featured the
MFA's November 2006 statement that the Report's conclusions
were an unfounded interference in the country's internal
affairs. It also included extensive quotes of foreign
diplomats, academics and religious figures denouncing the
report's assessment. End note.)

EXTERNAL POLITICAL RELATIONS
--------------


7. (C) Norov criticized an interview Assistant Secretary
Richard Boucher reportedly gave in Kazakhstan in which he
allegedly said that Uzbekistan has troubled relations with
its neighbors. Norov claimed that Uzbekistan's relations
with all its neighbors are excellent, including with
Tajikistan, with whom the borders had been mined to "prevent
infiltration by extremists." He justified this by claiming
that the United States had mined (sic) the U.S.-Mexican
border. Norov dismissed attempts to portray any one country
(i.e., Kazakhstan) as a regional leader or "locomotive." He
asserted that a monthly pension in Kazakhstan was not worth
more than five kilograms of potatoes, and that Kazakh
economic growth was entirely driven by oil revenues. Norov
praised the "Japan Plus Central Asia" framework as having
delivered real benefits to Uzbekistan and the region.
Feigenbaum responded that the U.S. spoke of countries showing
leadership on various issues in the region but had never
anointed one country as the regional "leader."

REGIONAL COOPERATION AND AFGHANISTAN
--------------


8. (C) The DAS added the U.S. was trying to develop
multifaceted relations with each Central Asian country and
taking each relationship on its merits. Feigenbaum then
referred to the big, beautiful, new Embassy in Tashkent as
once intended as a hub for U.S. regional activities, but that

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it would not be used for that now as a result of our
agreement on staffing numbers at Embassy Tashkent.


9. (C) On regional cooperation, Feigenbaum, as he had done
with National Security Advisor Ataev and Defense Minister
Mirzaev the day before (septel),suggested Uzbekistan could
do more to contribute to Afghanistan's stabilization and
reconstruction. For a start, Uzbekistan could participate
more frequently, at a higher level, and more substantively in
regional meetings, such as the recent one in New Delhi, on
these subjects. The DAS also referred to the U.S. bilateral
trade and investment framework agreement with Central Asian
states as an area in which increased Uzbek engagement would
meet a positive U.S. response.

TRADE AND INVESTMENT
--------------


10. (C) Norov called for greater American investment in
Uzbekistan. Feigenbaum responded that American investors
speak to one another, and have choices in the global economy.
Obstacles to investment must be removed, Feigenbaum
emphasized. Norov stated that Newmont Mining "had made good
money" in Uzbekistan, and that the time had come to establish
the "same rules for everyone." The FM suggested foreign
companies should look for investment opportunities in
Uzbekistan beyond the oil, gas, and telecommunications
sectors.

EDUCATION - NO HIGH SCHOOL EXCHANGES
--------------


11. (C) Norov delivered a mixed message on education.
Referring to a Chinese loan to equip Uzbek high schools with
computers, Norov stated that Uzbekistan was eager for
assistance in improving the infrastructure and information
technology capabilities of its 9,800 high schools and
lyceums. Exchange programs remain a sensitive topic. Norov
ruled out any resumption of U.S. high school exchange
programs, arguing that Uzbek youth were vulnerable and
unprepared psychologically for study abroad. Brushing aside
the argument that high school students from all around the
world participate in U.S. academic exchanges, Norov stated
that Uzbek students should stay at home with their families
until reaching eighteen years of age. (Note: Norov did not
mention that his own daughter is a FLEX program alumna. End
note.) Norov did, however, endorse a resumption of
university-level exchange programs, asserting that older
students are "better able to protect themselves."


12. (C) Rather than send students abroad, Norov stated the
Government's preference for bringing American teachers and
institutions to Uzbekistan. Norov suggested opening an
American university in Tashkent, along the lines of Britain's
Westminster International University in Tashkent (reftel).
Citing Uzbekistan's great scientific and academic heritage,
and efforts to rebuild an ancient academy near Khorezm, Norov
argued that Uzbekistan would be a natural location for
American researchers seeking to deepen their understanding of
Islam and terrorism, "for which there is no military
solution." (Note: The Uzbek government refuses to recognize
diplomas issued by the Bishkek-based American University of
Central Asia or any universities in Kyrgyzstan. End note.)
Norov also asked if the U.S. would consider opening something
akin to the British Council (reftel). Norov, however, did
not mention the possibility of reopening the American
Corners, which were shut down following the May 2005 Andijon
unrest, and which Feigenbaum discussed in other meetings.
Feigenbaum asked Norov to rethink the GOU position opposing
high school exchange programs. He also suggested
facilitation of English language teaching in Uzbekistan as a
prime area for increased cooperation in the educational
arena.


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FM'S MESSAGE FOR SECSTATE
--------------


13. (C) In closing the DAS, noting he had not heard a lot new
during his meetings with senior GOU officials but was
encouraged by the atmosphere and was very hopeful the two
sides could improve relations, then asked the FM what message
he wished Feigenbaum to report back to Dr. Rice. Norov
thought a moment and stated, "Uzbekistan is open to
constructive cooperation of mutual benefit to both sides as
equal partners." At a subsequent reception at the
Ambassador's residence, MFA Acting Chief of the Americas
Department Tahir Mamadjanov (who also attended the Norov
meeting with Feigenbaum) told Feigenbaum the Foreign Minister
needed a few more minutes to respond to this question,
implying perhaps that the FM was not satisfied with the
answer he gave the DAS at the meeting.


14. (C) Norov told Feigenbaum the GOU would welcome any ideas
and suggestions for cooperation. Pointing to MFA America's
Department North America Section Chief Ismat Faizullaev,
Feigenbaum noted that Faizullaev had taken notes at all eight
of his senior-level GOU meetings and, thus, should have a
long list of the specific proposals he had offered to advance
the relationship in each "basket." Feigenbaum then quickly
ticked through the major areas for cooperation and asked
Norov and the GOU to reflect on these specific ideas and to
offer their own.

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


15. (C) The Norov meeting was the last of eight during
Feigenbaum's visit. The Uzbeks facilitated all meeting
requests and the atmosphere for the visit was positive
throughout. But while the Uzbeks seem keen to improve
bilateral relations, they offered no substantive proposals
and agreed solely to energize university exchanges. It may
be that President Karimov and the Uzbek bureaucracy require
more time to weigh the opportunity to turn a page in
relations offered by the DAS visit. We should not expect any
sudden or drastic policy changes. President Karimov is
maneuvering with caution, and change will likely be
incremental.


16. (U) DAS Feigenbaum has cleared this cable.

PURNELL