TURKMENISTAN: UN PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY CENTER HEAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001424 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/25/2018 TAGS: PREL TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: UN PREVENTIVE DIPLOMACY CENTER HEAD ON WATER AND OTHER ISSUES REF: A. ASHGABAT 1374 ¶B. ASHGABAT 1287 ¶C. ASHGABAT 1250 Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) UN Preventive Diplomacy Center head Miroslav Jenca briefed us on his most recent consultations in the region, including his trips to Tashkent and Dushanbe. He said the Uzbeks raised their 6 plus 3 proposal on Afghanistan with him. The Uzbeks strongly advocated for the involvement of the UN and the Regional Preventive Diplomacy Center. His response to the Uzbeks was that they should discuss the issue with Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Afghanistan Kai Eide and that any initiative on Afghanistan should include the participation of the elected government of Afghanistan. Jenca said Kai Eide plans to visit Central Asia by the end of the year. Kai Eide's visit provide a perfect opportunity for Uzbek officials to raise this proposal with him. WATER ¶2. (C) Jenca said the Center hoped to provide the Central Asian states with a more durable framework to deal with water issues. Nevertheless, he doubted that the countries would be able to reach a written agreement. It was clear from his meetings with President Rahmon and with the various leaders during the CIS summit in Bishkek that the countries need a political push to reach an understanding. And Jenca believed they can reach an understanding that the rivers are transboundary without signing an agreement. ¶3. (C) In the meantime, downstream and upstream countries continue to have serious differences. Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Norov told Jenca that the Convention on Transboundary Water is the only basis for further progress on this issue. Therefore, in order to move forward, the upstream countries need to sign the convention. During a subsequent meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan Foreign Minister Hamrokhon Zarifi asserted the Convention favors downstream countries. He said Tajikistan would sign only when a majority of UN members had signed and ratified it. To date, only 17 countries have signed it. FOSTERING GOOD WILL ¶4. (C) Jenca said he believed his presence was critical to creating an atmosphere conducive for reaching agreement in the meeting he attended with the Central Asian leaders in Bishkek. The UN was not an "active presence," but this helped to foster good will. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: Jenca is a dedicated and experienced diplomat, who appears committed to making sure that the Preventive Diplomacy Center plays a constructive role. It will require patience and persistence to move forward delicate issues, such as water. END COMMENT. CURRAN