Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK914
2008-09-11 07:54:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:
UZBEK AMBASSADOR ON TERRORISM AND U.S. SUPPORT IN
how-toVZCZCXRO0370 OO RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHEK #0914 2550754 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 110754Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1336 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2643 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1021 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3034 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 2419 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO BRUSSELS BE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000914
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KG
SUBJECT: UZBEK AMBASSADOR ON TERRORISM AND U.S. SUPPORT IN
CENTRAL ASIA
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L BISHKEK 000914
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KG
SUBJECT: UZBEK AMBASSADOR ON TERRORISM AND U.S. SUPPORT IN
CENTRAL ASIA
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a courtesy call on September 8 with Ziyadulla
Pulathojaev, Uzbek Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador and
her counterpart discussed the Uzbek influence in southern
Kyrgyzstan and the importance of ensuring stability
throughout Central Asia. Pulathojaev explained that the
Ferghana Valley, although divided between three nations, is
predominantly ethnic Uzbek, which translates to a population
steeped in tradition and more committed to their Islamic
faith. He admitted that the difficult economic situation had
driven many inhabitants of the valley to seek work in other
countries. Those who stayed behind, he claimed, may become
more susceptible to the overtures of Islamic extremist
groups, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT).
2. (C) Pulathojaev waxed very eloquent about the vital role
of the West in preserving stability in the region and
suppressing terrorist activity. Pulathojaev praised the
sacrifice and commitment of U.S. and NATO troops in
Afghanistan, noting that instability across Central Asia's
southern borders creates instability in all Central Asian
countries. (Comment: Pulathojaev's emphatic comments may have
been subliminal criticism of the fact that the U.S. military
was asked to leave the Karshi-Khanabad Airbase by Uzbek
authorities. End comment.) Pulathojaev welcomed additional
U.S.-Uzbek collaboration, particularly in the realm of
counter-narcotics programs.
3. (C) The Uzbek Ambassador emphasized the importance of
blocking terrorist routes winding from Tajikistan through
Kyrgyzstan. When asked if HT were a true terrorist
organization, Pulathojaev said that the extremist
organization operated as a launching pad, preparing its
members for more serious terrorist groups. He believed that
HT, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Islamic Jihad
of Uzbekistan were focusing their efforts on Uzbekistan, as
it would be the center of the caliphate. Pulathojaev
acknowledged that, while these organizations were becoming
more active in Kyrgyzstan, they were merely using it as a
base to continue targeting the Karimov regime.
4. (C) Regarding many outsiders' questions about Uzbekistan's
approach to Islam, Pulathojaev opined that Islam should be a
large part of an individual's life but also an individual's
choice. He added with some annoyance that he is often asked
"when Uzbekistan will rejoin the Islamic world." In such
cases he answers that Uzbekistan has always been an Islamic
nation with progressive ideals, such as separation of mosque
and state, and the entire Muslim world should eventually
embrace this philosophy.
GFOELLER
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR KG
SUBJECT: UZBEK AMBASSADOR ON TERRORISM AND U.S. SUPPORT IN
CENTRAL ASIA
Classified By: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a courtesy call on September 8 with Ziyadulla
Pulathojaev, Uzbek Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Ambassador and
her counterpart discussed the Uzbek influence in southern
Kyrgyzstan and the importance of ensuring stability
throughout Central Asia. Pulathojaev explained that the
Ferghana Valley, although divided between three nations, is
predominantly ethnic Uzbek, which translates to a population
steeped in tradition and more committed to their Islamic
faith. He admitted that the difficult economic situation had
driven many inhabitants of the valley to seek work in other
countries. Those who stayed behind, he claimed, may become
more susceptible to the overtures of Islamic extremist
groups, such as Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT).
2. (C) Pulathojaev waxed very eloquent about the vital role
of the West in preserving stability in the region and
suppressing terrorist activity. Pulathojaev praised the
sacrifice and commitment of U.S. and NATO troops in
Afghanistan, noting that instability across Central Asia's
southern borders creates instability in all Central Asian
countries. (Comment: Pulathojaev's emphatic comments may have
been subliminal criticism of the fact that the U.S. military
was asked to leave the Karshi-Khanabad Airbase by Uzbek
authorities. End comment.) Pulathojaev welcomed additional
U.S.-Uzbek collaboration, particularly in the realm of
counter-narcotics programs.
3. (C) The Uzbek Ambassador emphasized the importance of
blocking terrorist routes winding from Tajikistan through
Kyrgyzstan. When asked if HT were a true terrorist
organization, Pulathojaev said that the extremist
organization operated as a launching pad, preparing its
members for more serious terrorist groups. He believed that
HT, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Islamic Jihad
of Uzbekistan were focusing their efforts on Uzbekistan, as
it would be the center of the caliphate. Pulathojaev
acknowledged that, while these organizations were becoming
more active in Kyrgyzstan, they were merely using it as a
base to continue targeting the Karimov regime.
4. (C) Regarding many outsiders' questions about Uzbekistan's
approach to Islam, Pulathojaev opined that Islam should be a
large part of an individual's life but also an individual's
choice. He added with some annoyance that he is often asked
"when Uzbekistan will rejoin the Islamic world." In such
cases he answers that Uzbekistan has always been an Islamic
nation with progressive ideals, such as separation of mosque
and state, and the entire Muslim world should eventually
embrace this philosophy.
GFOELLER