UZBEKISTAN: NO EVIDENCE OF CHANGE IN POSITION ON

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