UZBEKISTAN: AMBASSADOR CONVEYS P5 PLUS 1 PACKAGE

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000721 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN, ISN/RA FOR RICHARD NEPHEW, NEA/IR FOR ROLAND MCKAY E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/24/2018 TAGS: PGOV KNNP MNUC PARM IR ASEC PREL PINS UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: AMBASSADOR CONVEYS P5 PLUS 1 PACKAGE REF: SECSTATE 64530 Classified By: Poloff Steven Prohaska for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (C) On June 20, Ambassador met with officials from Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) - including Oybek Eshonov, Chief of the Department for Middle East and Near East Affairs; Nosir Giyosov, First Secretary of the Department for Middle and Near East Affairs; and Ismat Fayzullaev, Chief of the America's Desk - to convey to them the contents of the updated P5 plus 1 package of incentives regarding Iran's nuclear program (reftel). Oybek Eshonov replied that the Government of Uzbekistan (GOU) understands the seriousness of the "Iranian problem" and promised that the GOU will carefully study the updated package. Eshonov further noted that Uzbekistan's proximity and close economic ties to Iran mean that Uzbekistan remains particularly concerned about the issue. He appreciated receiving the package, which he had not seen elsewhere. ¶2. (C) Eshonov acknowledged that a nuclear-armed Iran would destabilize regional security and while he noted that the GOU considers Iran's behavior "counterproductive," he also warned of the negative impact on regional and global security the use of force against Iran could cause, emphasizing that the consequences of such action would be "much worse than in Iraq or Afghanistan." He noted as a positive sign the Iranian Foreign Minister's recent statement at the June 18-20 Organization of the Islamic Conference summit in Uganda that Iran will consider very carefully the updated P5 plus 1 package of incentives. ¶3. (C) Citing information provided by the Uzbek Embassy in Tehran, Eshonov also informed the Ambassador of the Iranian population's growing dissatisfaction with socio-economic conditions in the country, noting that U.S. economic sanctions and Iran's increasing isolation have hurt foreign investment and brought significant economic pain. Eshonov said that Iran's isolation has fueled Iran's political opposition, citing in particular the speaker of Iran's parliament, Ali Larijani. He also cited information suggesting the possibility that President Ahmadinejad would not be re-elected in 2009. NORLAND