Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08DUSHANBE527
2008-04-16 09:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIK OFFICIAL SEES NO CALL FOR ALARM IN
how-toVZCZCXRO9374 RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #0527 1070950 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 160950Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0413 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0075 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0110 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0137 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0083
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000527
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TI KG
SUBJECT: TAJIK OFFICIAL SEES NO CALL FOR ALARM IN
KYRGYZ-TAJIK WATER DISPUTES
REF: A. (A) BISHKEK 359
B. (B) 07 BISHKEK 833
UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000527
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TI KG
SUBJECT: TAJIK OFFICIAL SEES NO CALL FOR ALARM IN
KYRGYZ-TAJIK WATER DISPUTES
REF: A. (A) BISHKEK 359
B. (B) 07 BISHKEK 833
1. (SBU) Summary: On April 15, POLOFF met with Mirzosharif
Islomodinov, Isfara's parliamentary representative, to
discuss border issues raised in reftels. Islomodinov did not
think that the conflicts over water would amount to serious
tension between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and he was
confident that local authorities could resolve their issues
peacefully. End summary.
2. (SBU) Islomodinov is originally from Vorukh. He was the
Chairman of Isfara District for 14 years, and he has also
served as the Deputy Governor of Sughd and as Deputy Prime
Minister. He is currently a Deputy in the lower house of
parliament, and he is the Chairman of the Committee of
Energy, Industry, Building and Communications. He is very
familiar with the issues raised in reftel.
3. (SBU) Islomodinov described Tajikistan's relationship with
Kyrgyzstan as being friendly. He pointed out that there were
only two border posts in Isfara District, explaining that it
would be a waste to have any more (the two posts exist
primarily to collect customs duties from trucks hauling
commercial goods from China; security is not an issue).
Islomodinov acknowledged that Soviet era maps have created
questions about territory, but that neither Bishkek nor
Dushanbe considered these questions to be particularly
significant, saying that "this is not a matter of dispute
between two friendly countries." He added that local
officials managed to resolve the most recent flare up, and he
speculated that media reports may have overblown the issue.
4. (SBU) Comment: While Islomodinov is a member of
parliament, his comments likely mirror the Tajik government's
position on its border with Kyrgyzstan. The Tajiks do not
see a major role for either central government in this
dispute. While it is likely that there will be additional
incidents in the future, the Tajiks do not perceive this
situation as generating a significant degree of tension or
animosity between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Based on our
discussions, we do not think the Tajik authorities view water
issues with Kyrgyzstan with the same degree of concern that
they have for water conflicts with Uzbekistan. End comment.
HUSHEK
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV TI KG
SUBJECT: TAJIK OFFICIAL SEES NO CALL FOR ALARM IN
KYRGYZ-TAJIK WATER DISPUTES
REF: A. (A) BISHKEK 359
B. (B) 07 BISHKEK 833
1. (SBU) Summary: On April 15, POLOFF met with Mirzosharif
Islomodinov, Isfara's parliamentary representative, to
discuss border issues raised in reftels. Islomodinov did not
think that the conflicts over water would amount to serious
tension between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, and he was
confident that local authorities could resolve their issues
peacefully. End summary.
2. (SBU) Islomodinov is originally from Vorukh. He was the
Chairman of Isfara District for 14 years, and he has also
served as the Deputy Governor of Sughd and as Deputy Prime
Minister. He is currently a Deputy in the lower house of
parliament, and he is the Chairman of the Committee of
Energy, Industry, Building and Communications. He is very
familiar with the issues raised in reftel.
3. (SBU) Islomodinov described Tajikistan's relationship with
Kyrgyzstan as being friendly. He pointed out that there were
only two border posts in Isfara District, explaining that it
would be a waste to have any more (the two posts exist
primarily to collect customs duties from trucks hauling
commercial goods from China; security is not an issue).
Islomodinov acknowledged that Soviet era maps have created
questions about territory, but that neither Bishkek nor
Dushanbe considered these questions to be particularly
significant, saying that "this is not a matter of dispute
between two friendly countries." He added that local
officials managed to resolve the most recent flare up, and he
speculated that media reports may have overblown the issue.
4. (SBU) Comment: While Islomodinov is a member of
parliament, his comments likely mirror the Tajik government's
position on its border with Kyrgyzstan. The Tajiks do not
see a major role for either central government in this
dispute. While it is likely that there will be additional
incidents in the future, the Tajiks do not perceive this
situation as generating a significant degree of tension or
animosity between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Based on our
discussions, we do not think the Tajik authorities view water
issues with Kyrgyzstan with the same degree of concern that
they have for water conflicts with Uzbekistan. End comment.
HUSHEK