Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08TASHKENT1253
2008-10-29 10:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

UZBEKISTAN: INTER-MINISTERIAL RIVALRIES SEEN AS

Tags:  PGOV PREL PINR PHUM EAID UZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
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FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
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INFO RUEHZG/NATO EU COLLECTIVE
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RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0663
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 5064
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RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0943
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 4665
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 2952
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0963
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RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1611
RUEAWJC/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEABNE/DEA HQS WASHDC
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RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC 0509
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC 0362
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001253 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM EAID UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: INTER-MINISTERIAL RIVALRIES SEEN AS
SOURCE OF ONGOING DIFFICULTIES IN U.S.-UZBEK RELATIONS

REF: TASHKENT 1247

Classified By: Ambassador Richard B. Norland, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001253

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PINR PHUM EAID UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: INTER-MINISTERIAL RIVALRIES SEEN AS
SOURCE OF ONGOING DIFFICULTIES IN U.S.-UZBEK RELATIONS

REF: TASHKENT 1247

Classified By: Ambassador Richard B. Norland, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)


1. (C) Reftel pointed to puzzling instances of rejection by
Uzbek authorities of certain U.S. programs in such areas as
rule of law, health and education -- puzzling because the
proposed programs on the face of it do not appear threatening
and because the general tenor of U.S.-Uzbek relations has
improved significantly over the past year. Former First
Deputy Foreign Minister (and former Uzbek Ambassador to the
U.S.) Shavkat Khamrakulov offered some insights on this
phenomenon to Ambassador in a conversation on October 28
(protect). His view tends to support the theory that certain
elements within the GOU simply do not want relations with the
U.S. to improve.


2. (C) Khamrakulov told the Ambassador that in his experience
as a Deputy Foreign Minister (from June 1995 to March 1998)
and then First Deputy Foreign Minister (from March 1998 until
July 1998) -- and he is convinced such practices continue to
this day -- there were several occasions when other
ministries deliberately attempted to sabotage efforts to
increase U.S.-Uzbek engagement. The most obvious examples
had to do with human rights. Khamrakulov suggested that
incidents such as the recent detention and prosecution of
journalist Salidjahon Abdulrakhmanov in Karakalpakstan were
knowingly contrived, with the aim of provoking the U.S. into
a negative response which would in turn prompt President
Karimov to tilt away from the U.S.


3. (C) Khamrakulov recalled that on the eve of President
Karimov,s first visit to the U.S., in the summer of 1996,
the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) threatened to arrest a
prominent human rights defender. Frantic efforts by
then-Foreign Minister (and now Uzbekistan,s Ambassador to
Washington) Abdulaziz Kamilov were required to halt the MVD
from carrying out its threat during the visit, and no sooner
had Karimov,s plane left the U.S. to return to Uzbekistan
than MVD went ahead and arrested the activist. Khamrakulov
believes part of the motivation behind these efforts is to
retain Russian influence in Uzbekistan -- in the zero-sum
mentality prevalent in this region, any gain by the U.S. is
seen as a loss for Russia. Some Uzbek officials do not want
to see that happen, while others see a chance to throw a
wrench in the spokes of any U.S.-Uzbek initiative as a way to
simply advance whatever program they happen to be engaged in.


4. (C) Khamrakulov observed that rejection of seemingly
harmless programs, such as cultural exchanges, health care
reform and educational development, in certain cases almost
certainly stemmed from such self-interested motivations. He
speculated that President Karimov may not even be aware of
the games being played by some of his ministers in this
respect.

NORLAND