Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TASHKENT514
2007-03-30 08:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

UZBEKS REPORTEDLY ORDERS STCU PROJECTS COMPLETED

Tags:  PREL KNNP UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO1651
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #0514 0890840
ZNY CCCCC ZZH ZDK ZUI HCB6628
P 300840Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7308
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 2642
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 8738
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 3236
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 3109
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 0003
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000514 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND ISN/CTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKS REPORTEDLY ORDERS STCU PROJECTS COMPLETED
BY END OF 2008

REF: A. 06 TASHKENT 2343

B. 06 TASHKENT 610 (NOTAL)

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000514

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND ISN/CTR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2017
TAGS: PREL KNNP UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKS REPORTEDLY ORDERS STCU PROJECTS COMPLETED
BY END OF 2008

REF: A. 06 TASHKENT 2343

B. 06 TASHKENT 610 (NOTAL)

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


1. (C) Summary and comment: The government is preventing new
Science and Technology Center of Ukraine (STCU) projects by
refusing to provide host government concurrence to new
proposals and denying registration to projects previously
approved by the Center's Governing Board. The Academy of
Sciences informed an institute director that a project funded
by the U.S. Department of Agriculture would not be allowed to
proceed specifically because it was funded through the
Center. Meanwhile, the Academy, reportedly acting under
Cabinet of Ministers direction, has informed institute
directors that all current projects must be completed by the
end of 2008. Taken together, these actions suggest that
while the government may be willing to allow its scientists
time to complete projects already underway, it will not
permit them to engage in future work through the STCU. End
summary and comment.


2. (C) STCU local representative Regina Sattarova told poloff
March 28 that the Government of Uzbekistan is blocking new
projects. Although Uzbek banking regulations continue to
cause delays in payment (ref A),Sattarova said that ongoing
projects are being allowed to continue with relatively few
problems. However, the government continues to take no
action on new project proposals, which require host
government concurrence before being considered for funding.
There are Uzbek proposals in the Center's review pipeline;
however, Sattarova estimated that, at the current rate, the
Center would run out of proposals from Uzbekistan within the
next 12 months.


3. (C) The government has refused to register several new
projects approved by the Center's Governing Board and funding
partners. This refusal effectively prevents the projects
from starting because, absent registration, Uzbek banks will
not transfer funds from Kyiv to the project managers. The
government has not provided any explanation for the problem,
but Sattarova said that she was told by Academy of Sciences
contacts that the decision emanates from "the top."
Separately, the director of the Institute of Zoology told
poloff that he was informed by Academy officials that a
termite project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture
through STCU would not be allowed to proceed. According to
the director, the officials told him specifically that the
problem was not the project itself, but the STCU.


4. (C) The director said that the Academy of Sciences, acting
upon instructions received from the Cabinet of Ministers, has
informed its institute directors that all STCU projects must
be completed before the end of 2008. Sattarova confirmed
that she has heard the same information from a number of
other scientists.
PURNELL