OFFICIAL HINTS AT GREATER ROLE FOR WESTERN NON

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 000836 SIPDIS EUR/ACE FOR RICK STODDARD AND DEAN FISCHER INL FOR ANDREW BUHLER ASTANA FOR ALMATY/USAID E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/17/2018 TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID PINR UZ SUBJECT: OFFICIAL HINTS AT GREATER ROLE FOR WESTERN NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS REF: A. 07 TASHKENT 1927 ¶B. TASHKENT 741 Classified By: Political Officer Tim Buckley for reasons 1.4 (B,D) ¶1. (C) Summary: Furqat Sidikov, an Uzbek diplomat who previously served in Washington and now works at the government-sponsored International Center for Strategic Studies, sought out poloff at a July 15 reception to discuss the future role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Uzbekistan. He said the recently registered Institute for New Democracies (IND) "was a test case," but added that he hopes more Western NGOs will start or resume operations in Uzbekistan. Significantly, he claimed he presented this viewpoint at an "inter-agency government roundtable" he serves on along with members of the Presidential Apparat, arguing that Russia does not help in these spheres and Asia is not interested in broad-based development. Sidikov lamented that Uzbekistan has lost out on opportunities in the post-Andijon era but likewise suggested that NGO's "change their approach." He suggested that the Human Rights Watch Country Director might get accredited if he had an Uzbek partner. Sidikov also raised the American Bar Association as low-lying fruit in expanding NGO activity. Sidikov, who one contact believes is linked to the National Security Service, has passed hints before; it appears the message is that the door is open to explore gradually more engagement with Uzbekistan in the NGO sector. End summary. A Well-Placed Messenger -------------- ¶2. (C) Sidikov approached poloff at a July 15 reception to discuss the possibility for greater involvement by international -- and particularly Western -- NGOs in Uzbekistan. Sidikov previously explained that he served for five years as the Public Affairs Counselor at the Uzbek Embassy in Washington, and he is now on a leave from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs while serving at the government-run International Center for Strategic Studies. One Embassy contact told poloff he is closely linked with the National Security Service. Sidikov mentioned that he participates in an "inter-agency government roundtable," along with some members of the Presidential Apparat, to discuss various aspects of international relations. Poloff last spoke with Sidikov in November 2007, who candidly discussed the Presidential election, IND's prospects for registration, and how Uzbekistan needs international NGOs (reftel). Good Cop -------------- ¶3. (C) Sidikov, a polished English speaker from his time in the United States, spoke at length about how impressed he was by the United States and the level of access everyday citizens have to government officials. He said he also learned about how the U.S. government works, including how NGOs operate independently from the executive branch and that there are many competing policy priorities. He described himself as an enlightened official who understands how both countries work, and he has made efforts to explain to other government officials on the roundtable that NGOs are an important means of achieving democratic reforms that suit Uzbekistan's interests. As in our previous discussion, he emphasized that Uzbekistan needs the assistance of NGOs, noting that Uzbekistan missed opportunities as a result of its post-Andijon recoil. Russia and Asia Will Not Help -------------- ¶4. (C) Sidikov again said that more NGOs in Uzbekistan would contribute to balance, and said that "Russia does not help Uzbekistan implement reforms or provide any technical assistance." Some of his colleagues in the government roundtable told Sidikov that Uzbekistan should look east to Asia for more development assistance. However, Sidikov believes this is not a viable strategy since he sees Asian countries as less interested in broad-based development than the West; while China may be interested in an infrastructure project, for example, it is not concerned with facilitating qualitative improvements to Uzbek society and governance. NGOs Have a Role... -------------- ¶5. (C) He restated that Uzbekistan has a lot to learn from Western NGOs, and he expressed his understanding that they are a useful vehicle for building productive relations with Western governments. He lamented that many Uzbek officials misunderstood the aims of NGOs and suggested that organizations "change their approach" to dealing with Uzbekistan. As more time has elapsed since Andijon and positive developments in diplomatic relations have occurred, Sidikov said it is a better time to discuss building on IND's registration to increase the profile of NGOs in Uzbekistan. ...But Which NGO's? -------------- ¶6. (C) Poloff noted that the decision to deny accreditation to Igor Vorontsov, the Country Director of Human Rights Watch, did not build confidence in Uzbekistan's willingness to welcome NGOs. Sidikov responded that perhaps the outcome would be different if Vorontsov had an Uzbek partner working in the office alongside him, as Human Rights Watch did in previous years. He maintained that there are good reasons for the Government of Uzbekistan to work with Human Rights Watch, which he noted would help improve the country's international image. Sidikov mentioned that the American Bar Association (ABA) might be a good stepping stone, as it "is a nice organization that worked well here before." Comment: -------------- ¶7. (C) Sidikov, who arrived at and departed from the event with Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, seemed to be passing along a message that IND's formal registration marked an open door for additional NGO involvement. Uzbekistan does want balance in its relations, and Karimov may have decided that a more robust NGO scene could boost his credibility for seeking reforms, albeit safe ones, without exposing him too much to the risk of a colored revolution (if he chooses carefully). Poloff brought visiting ABA staff to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in June (reftel B) in the wake of promising Presidential decrees on legal reform, and it was no coincidence that Sidikov suggested ABA as a suitable entity to further test the waters. NORLAND