Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DUSHANBE103
2009-01-26 10:34:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:  

CENTCOM COMMANDER VISIT WITH TAJIK PRESIDENT

Tags:  AF MAS MCAP OVIP PGOV PREL TI 
pdf how-to read a cable
P 261034Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1400
SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
INFO AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 
DIA WASHDC PRIORITY 0155
CIA WASHDC PRIORITY 0292
JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 000103 


DIA PASS TO DHO2, CENTCOM PASS TO CCJ5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2019
TAGS: AF MAS MCAP OVIP PGOV PREL TI
SUBJECT: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISIT WITH TAJIK PRESIDENT

Classified By: Tracey Jacobson, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, State.
Reason 1.4 (b),(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 000103


DIA PASS TO DHO2, CENTCOM PASS TO CCJ5

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/26/2019
TAGS: AF MAS MCAP OVIP PGOV PREL TI
SUBJECT: CENTCOM COMMANDER VISIT WITH TAJIK PRESIDENT

Classified By: Tracey Jacobson, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Dushanbe, State.
Reason 1.4 (b),(d)


1. (C) Summary. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander
David Petraeus completed his introductory visit to Tajikistan
on 17 January 2009. The meeting with President Emomali
Rahmon, Foreign Policy Advisor Rahmattuloyev, Minister of
Defense General-Colonel (U.S. 3-star equivalent) Sherali
Khairulloyev, GKNB Chairman Khayriddin Abdurahimov, National
Guard Commander General-Major (U.S. 1-star equivalent)
Rajabali Rahmonali, and Border Guard Commander General-Major
Sherali Mirzo, included discussions on the Northern
Distribution Network, cooperation and support for
Afghanistan, ongoing problems with Uzbekistan and hydropower,
and a request for logistical support.
End summary.

Building Bridges: Support for Coalition Efforts and NDN
-------------- --------------

2. (C) President Rahmon opened the meeting by noting the
longstanding, productive relationship he has had with
USCENTCOM and expressing support for future cooperation. He
thanked General Petraeus for the training, equipment, and
infrastructure provided by USCENTCOM, and said that he would
fully support USCENTCOM's efforts to develop commercial
shipping routes through Central Asia to Afghanistan.


3. (C) General Petraeus briefed Rahmon on developments in
Iraq and Afghanistan, and noted the incoming administration's
increased focus on Afghanistan. He thanked the President for
the broad blanket overflight permission for U.S. aircraft and
for support of the French detachment at the Dushanbe
airfield, remarking that everyone in the area shares a common
interest in preventing the resurgence of the Taliban in
Afghanistan.


4. (C) General Petraeus requested permission to send a team
to assess potential transit routes in support of the Northern
Distribution Network (NDN). He introduced Rear Admiral
Harnitchek from USTRANSCOM and stated that the Admiral was
empowered to finalize agreements with Tajikistan on behalf of
the United States concerning the NDN. General Petraeus noted

that Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan have expressed their
support of the NDN concept. He requested expanded hours of
operation for the bridge at Nizhniy Pyanj (currently 8 hours
per day),which would benefit both Afghanistan and Tajikistan
economically, as well as help U.S. and NATO efforts in
Afghanistan.


5. (C) Rahmon committed to 24-hour operations at the Nizhniy
Pyanj Bridge. However, he stated there are requirements for
infrastructure repair/development and additional equipment.
He specifically pointed out that the road from Qurghon Teppe
to the bridge is need of repair (the Japanese government has
agreed to fund this repair but has not yet issued a tender or
a construction contract).


6. (C) Rahmon also reiterated his request for an additional,
smaller bridge in his home district in order to increase
trade between Tajikistan and Afghanistan. The Nizhniy Pyanj
bridge and four smaller bridges in the east of the country
Qbridge and four smaller bridges in the east of the country
(built with Aga Khan Development Foundation support) have
made a real impact on the lives of Afghans living in the
border areas. Further, over 400,000 tons of cement from
Pakistan had been imported into Tajikistan via Nizhniy Pyanj
since the bridge opened -- more than twice what Tajikistan
could produce on its own. General Petraeus emphasized the
need to justify a second bridge first by maximizing use of
the existing bridge at Nizhniy Pyanj with 24-hour operations.

Need for Greater Efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan
-------------- --------------

7. (C) Rahmon emphatically stated his interest in a peaceful
Afghanistan, maintaining that it will take the cooperation of
the international community to solve the problems in
Afghanistan and stabilize the region, including Pakistan
(which he emphasized was the "homeland of terrorism").
Noting that Tajikistan shares a language and ethnicity with
Afghanistan, Rahmon expressed readiness to provide additional
support, including increased joint training with Afghan
forces. He said development of the economy of the entire
area is important. He emphasized that Afghanistan and
Central Asia should be viewed as a complex community, the
development of which should include transport,
communications, electricity, trade, and even new railroad
projects with China and Iran.


8. (C) Rahmon stated the need to strengthen the security of
Tajikistan,s borders and to cooperate internationally,
including with the OSCE, on initiatives to fight the transit
of illegal narcotics. Noting the high level of illicit trade,
Rahmon expressed his support for additional U.S. and other
international forces in Afghanistan, insisting that all
coalition members should have responsibility for
counter-narcotics efforts. Rahmon reiterated that the
security of Central Asia is directly connected with that of
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and he called for increased U.S.
efforts in Pakistan as well. General Petraeus agreed that
the commitment to Pakistan must be substantial and sustained.
The General stated that after leaving Kazakhstan on this
trip, he would visit Pakistan.

Ongoing Problems with Uzbekistan and Hydropower
-------------- --

9. (C) Rahmon said improved trade between the countries of
the region would require "normal" borders and noted that
landmines along Tajikistan's border with Uzbekistan had
killed dozens of people, including 40 children, and caused
significant economic losses. Rahmon described the Tajik
relationship with Uzbekistan as difficult. He complained
about Uzbekistan's unwillingness to allow the transit of
Turkmen electricity, and its refusal to countenance the
construction of additional hydropower capability in
Tajikistan. He claimed that despite the fact that sixty
percent of the water in Central Asia flows from Tajikistan,
the country has very little arable land; Tajikistan uses only
five percent of the water, and fifty-five percent flows to
Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Calling for more
U.S. investment in hydropower, Rahmon said increased capacity
would not only help Tajikistan with its energy needs, but
also allow export to Afghanistan, and even further to India
and Pakistan. However, Karimov is unpredictable and
unwilling to support regional integration. He wants to bring
Tajikistan "to its knees -- in fact, he is ready to swallow
us." Rahmon said he had recently received a phone call from
Afghan President Karzai, who complained that Uzbekistan was
creating problems with the import of food via the bridge at
Termez, "so I instructed our businessmen to send 5, 000 tons
of flour via Nizhniy Pyanj."

Rahmon Requests Logistical Support
--------------

10. (C) Rahmon said Tajikistan is relying on
Ukrainian-supplied military equipment and weapons to build up
its armed forces, since "the Russians took everything with
them when they left." However, Uzbekistan will not allow
land transit. Rahmon requested U.S. assistance in terms of
air transportation of this equipment (we are following up on
this request).

Comment
--------------

11. (C) President Rahmon looked visibly tired at the meeting,
which only lasted 90 minutes (in comparison to other meetings
with USCENTCOM Commanders, which have run in excess of two
hours). Nonetheless, he was well briefed, undoubtedly by his
Foreign Policy Advisor Rahmattuloyev, who had heard from the
Ambassador three days prior that Rahmon should be forthcoming
on NDN and broader cooperation with Afghanistan if he wants
to see more attention and support from USCENTCOM. We assess
that Rahmon's enthusiasm for NDN is genuine for both economic
and political reasons -- he would not want to be seen to be
left behind when his neighbors are playing a positive role.


JACOBSON