Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT1029
2008-09-03 12:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
UZBEKISTAN: NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE IN POSITION ON
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001029
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND EUR/RUS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: GG PBTS PREL RS UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE IN POSITION ON
SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA
REF: A. SECSTATE 93357
B. TASHKENT 1022
Classified By: Poloff Steven Prohaska for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
No Planned Change to Russia-Georgia Position During CSTO
Meeting
------------------------------------
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001029
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND EUR/RUS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: GG PBTS PREL RS UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE IN POSITION ON
SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA
REF: A. SECSTATE 93357
B. TASHKENT 1022
Classified By: Poloff Steven Prohaska for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
No Planned Change to Russia-Georgia Position During CSTO
Meeting
--------------
1. (C) On September 3, Pol-Econ Section Chief and Poloff met
with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Americas
Desk Chief Ismat Fayzullaev to discuss reftel A demarche on
the upcoming Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
meeting. Fayzullaev stated that he delivered this
information to the National Security Council and spoke with
members of MFA's Commonwealth of Independent States
Department. There is no change to Uzbekistan's policy right
now, Fayzullaev said. Fayzullaev then referred to language
from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) Dushanbe
declaration calling for the realization of the six-point
agreement and recognizing the important role of Russia in
bringing peace to the region.
Favorable View of Economic Results of Putin-Karimov Talks
--------------
2. (C) Poloff asked Fayzullaev to comment on recent Russian
press reporting indicating that South Ossetia and Abkhazia
had come up during yesterday's talks between President
Karimov and Prime Minister Putin. Fayzullaev corroborated
this, stating that Karimov and Putin had exchanged views
regarding the Russia-Georgia conflict. He said that
Uzbekistan's position on this issue is the same as that of
the SCO. When pressed further, Fayzullaev said that
Uzbekistan plans to hold to this same position during the
CSTO meeting on September 5. Referring to prepared remarks,
he noted that the main goal of Putin's visit had been to
discuss economic ties. Bilateral trade had increased by 48
percent last year, and currently stands at 4.2 billion USD,
which is "huge" for Uzbekistan, he said. Fayzullaev
discussed the intergovernmental plan on economic cooperation
between Uzbekistan and Russia over the period from 2008 until
2012, as well as their decision to pursue cooperation in the
exploration of space for peaceful purposes. Uzbekistan is
very pleased with the results of these talks in the economic
sector, he continued. Fayzullaev and a fellow member of the
Americas Department also stated that Putin's visit to
Tashkent had been planned three to six months ago.
Comment:
--------------
3. (C) Despite the significant pressure in the form of sticks
and carrots that Russia may be bringing to bear behind the
scenes on Uzbekistan, particularly in the economic sphere, we
have not yet seen any indication that Uzbekistan plans to
recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
Consistent with Uzbek interests, Tashkent appears to be
trying to maintain a nuanced position that avoids
antagonizing Russia or the West.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN AND EUR/RUS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/03/2018
TAGS: GG PBTS PREL RS UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE IN POSITION ON
SOUTH OSSETIA, ABKHAZIA
REF: A. SECSTATE 93357
B. TASHKENT 1022
Classified By: Poloff Steven Prohaska for reasons 1.4 (b, d).
No Planned Change to Russia-Georgia Position During CSTO
Meeting
--------------
1. (C) On September 3, Pol-Econ Section Chief and Poloff met
with Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Americas
Desk Chief Ismat Fayzullaev to discuss reftel A demarche on
the upcoming Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)
meeting. Fayzullaev stated that he delivered this
information to the National Security Council and spoke with
members of MFA's Commonwealth of Independent States
Department. There is no change to Uzbekistan's policy right
now, Fayzullaev said. Fayzullaev then referred to language
from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization's (SCO) Dushanbe
declaration calling for the realization of the six-point
agreement and recognizing the important role of Russia in
bringing peace to the region.
Favorable View of Economic Results of Putin-Karimov Talks
--------------
2. (C) Poloff asked Fayzullaev to comment on recent Russian
press reporting indicating that South Ossetia and Abkhazia
had come up during yesterday's talks between President
Karimov and Prime Minister Putin. Fayzullaev corroborated
this, stating that Karimov and Putin had exchanged views
regarding the Russia-Georgia conflict. He said that
Uzbekistan's position on this issue is the same as that of
the SCO. When pressed further, Fayzullaev said that
Uzbekistan plans to hold to this same position during the
CSTO meeting on September 5. Referring to prepared remarks,
he noted that the main goal of Putin's visit had been to
discuss economic ties. Bilateral trade had increased by 48
percent last year, and currently stands at 4.2 billion USD,
which is "huge" for Uzbekistan, he said. Fayzullaev
discussed the intergovernmental plan on economic cooperation
between Uzbekistan and Russia over the period from 2008 until
2012, as well as their decision to pursue cooperation in the
exploration of space for peaceful purposes. Uzbekistan is
very pleased with the results of these talks in the economic
sector, he continued. Fayzullaev and a fellow member of the
Americas Department also stated that Putin's visit to
Tashkent had been planned three to six months ago.
Comment:
--------------
3. (C) Despite the significant pressure in the form of sticks
and carrots that Russia may be bringing to bear behind the
scenes on Uzbekistan, particularly in the economic sphere, we
have not yet seen any indication that Uzbekistan plans to
recognize South Ossetia and Abkhazia as independent states.
Consistent with Uzbek interests, Tashkent appears to be
trying to maintain a nuanced position that avoids
antagonizing Russia or the West.
NORLAND