Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DUSHANBE1454
2008-12-01 13:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
UNEXPECTED CLOSURE OF TAJIK BORDER BY UZBEKISTAN
how-toVZCZCXRO2973 RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #1454 3361322 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 011322Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1218 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0346 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0253 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC 0242 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001454
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UZ TI
SUBJECT: UNEXPECTED CLOSURE OF TAJIK BORDER BY UZBEKISTAN
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001454
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UZ TI
SUBJECT: UNEXPECTED CLOSURE OF TAJIK BORDER BY UZBEKISTAN
1. (SBU) According to news reports, Uzbek authorities unilaterally
closed their border with Tajikistan beginning on November 27. The
Tajik State Committee for National Security said it had no warning
of this move from the Uzbeks. The Uzbek Embassy in Dushanbe also
seemed not to know the reasons for the closure, and announced that
it was working with the Tajik MFA to resolve the problem. Post has
heard an uncorroborated rumor of a large drug seizure on the Uzbek
side of the border near Tursunzade around November 26, involving a
drug shipment which had just exited Tajikistan, but has no
information that this is the reason behind the closure.
2. (SBU) According to press reports, only diplomatic passport
holders, Russian citizens, and Tajik citizens crossing back into
Tajikistan are allowed through Uzbek border crossings. Emboffs
traveling November 27-30 between Tashkent and Khujand encountered no
delays in either direction. Embassy FSN staff and American Foreign
Service staff crossing into Uzbekistan on November 27 for tourism
were briefly delayed when Uzbek border guards refused to let the
Tajik members of the party enter Uzbekistan. However, the border
guards relented after some discussion with the American member of
the party and intervention by the party's Uzbek tour operator. The
party encountered no delays when it returned to Tajikistan on
November 30.
3. (SBU) Tajik media speculated that the restrictions on border
crossing were linked to preparations for celebrations to mark
Uzbekistan's December 8 Constitution Day. A source at the Tajik
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the closure was "a big mystery to
us," and that the Uzbeks had made no explanation to the Tajik
government. The source noted that this was the first time
Uzbekistan had closed the border for Constitution Day.
4. (SBU) Comment: Regional governments commonly close borders in
advance of major public events such as summit meetings or holidays.
Post has no solid information to explain this latest border closure,
which has disrupted commerce and the personal travel of many Tajiks.
End Comment.
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UZ TI
SUBJECT: UNEXPECTED CLOSURE OF TAJIK BORDER BY UZBEKISTAN
1. (SBU) According to news reports, Uzbek authorities unilaterally
closed their border with Tajikistan beginning on November 27. The
Tajik State Committee for National Security said it had no warning
of this move from the Uzbeks. The Uzbek Embassy in Dushanbe also
seemed not to know the reasons for the closure, and announced that
it was working with the Tajik MFA to resolve the problem. Post has
heard an uncorroborated rumor of a large drug seizure on the Uzbek
side of the border near Tursunzade around November 26, involving a
drug shipment which had just exited Tajikistan, but has no
information that this is the reason behind the closure.
2. (SBU) According to press reports, only diplomatic passport
holders, Russian citizens, and Tajik citizens crossing back into
Tajikistan are allowed through Uzbek border crossings. Emboffs
traveling November 27-30 between Tashkent and Khujand encountered no
delays in either direction. Embassy FSN staff and American Foreign
Service staff crossing into Uzbekistan on November 27 for tourism
were briefly delayed when Uzbek border guards refused to let the
Tajik members of the party enter Uzbekistan. However, the border
guards relented after some discussion with the American member of
the party and intervention by the party's Uzbek tour operator. The
party encountered no delays when it returned to Tajikistan on
November 30.
3. (SBU) Tajik media speculated that the restrictions on border
crossing were linked to preparations for celebrations to mark
Uzbekistan's December 8 Constitution Day. A source at the Tajik
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the closure was "a big mystery to
us," and that the Uzbeks had made no explanation to the Tajik
government. The source noted that this was the first time
Uzbekistan had closed the border for Constitution Day.
4. (SBU) Comment: Regional governments commonly close borders in
advance of major public events such as summit meetings or holidays.
Post has no solid information to explain this latest border closure,
which has disrupted commerce and the personal travel of many Tajiks.
End Comment.