FY07 FUNDING OF OSCE PROJECTS IN UZBEKISTAN

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000835 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND EUR/RPM (RICHARD PROSEN) USOSCE FOR ORM (JEFF VANDREAL) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PREL EAID ECON PHUM UZ SUBJECT: FY07 FUNDING OF OSCE PROJECTS IN UZBEKISTAN REF: STATE 41062 ¶1. Summary: Post recommends the USG contribute funding to the following projects that fulfill both U.S. and OSCE interests: completion of funding for a research grant on intellectual property rights (IPR) (EUR 176,100),and enhancing women's participation in civil society and politics (EUR 150,000). In addition, Post recommends that the OSCE fund three regional projects on good governance, trans-Asian transit and a business and investment guide. End summary. ¶2. Per reftel guidance, the Embassy worked closely with the OSCE Mission in Tashkent to identify those projects that meet U.S. and OSCE policy goals and are the most likely to be realized in the current political environment. These projects do not require a large amount of time to organize, and are not time-sensitive should the GOU try to delay their implementation. First Choice: Research Grant on Intellectual Property Rights -------------- -------------- ¶3. IPR is a huge problem in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is currently on the Special 301 Watch List, and Post saw minimal progress on legislative changes in 2006. The GOU has delayed reforming the civil, criminal and administrative codes. However, the GOU is interested in joining the WTO and has been open to projects, such as those from USAID and training provided for experts by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, to improve the IPR climate. The USG partially funded this project last year, and we suggest the USG complete its funding by allocating the remaining 176,100 euros. Project number 5400054. Second Choice: Women's Empowerment in Civil Society and Politics -------------- -------------- ¶4. The project's aim is to enhance the capability of women in Uzbekistan to participate in public and political life and to foster women's cooperation and coalition building, lobbying and organizational activities. Empowering women will encourage a broader spectrum of actors in arenas critical to social and political development. Post recommends providing USD 150,000 for OSCE in 2007. Project number 5400025. Project Proposals of the Economic and Environmental Committee -------------- -------------- ¶5. In addition to the extra budgetary projects mentioned above, Post supports the OSCE funding three projects in Central Asia. The projects, listed in order of priority from highest to lowest, are: ¶A. Seminar on the Promotion of Good Governance (no project number available). ¶B. OSCE Conference on Prospects for Trans-Asian and Eurasian Transit through Central Asia (no project number available). ¶C. Business and Investment Guide*Regional Workshop, project number 1100605. PURNELL