DIP NOTE FROM MFA TAJIKISTAN CONCERNING PROPOSAL

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 000115 SENSITIVE SIPDIS CENTCOM FOR POLAD GFOELLER TRANSCOM FOR POLAD JOHNSON-CASARES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ELTN PREL TI SUBJECT: DIP NOTE FROM MFA TAJIKISTAN CONCERNING PROPOSAL TO CONSTRUCT SECOND PYANJ BRIDGE REF: DUSHANBE 103 ¶1. (SBU) Below is post's translation of the text of the dipnote passed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Republic of Tajikistan to the Ambassador on January 26, 2009 regarding the GOTI's proposal to construct a second bridge over the River Pyanji at Kokul on the Tajik-Afghan border. In the recent meeting with General Petraeus, President Rahmon had asked that the U.S. build a second bridge connecting Tajikistan with Afghanistan (reftel). Further matters raised by the Minister are reported Septel. BEGIN TEXT No. 16-1 (931) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United States of America in the Republic of Tajikistan and has the honor to inform of the following. The Government of the Republic of Tajikistan highly appraises the United States efforts directed at establishing stability and security in Afghanistan, as well as the country's economic reconstruction. The "Friendship" Bridge built on the River Pyanj with the generous support of the Government of the United States of America on the Tajik-Afghan border shall, undoubtedly, serve achieving these aims. In the context of the economic rehabilitation of neighboring Afghanistan, building of another bridge over the River Pyanj at Kokul settlement on the Tajik-Afghan border will be of great significance. In this connection, the Tajik side expresses hope that the American side will with due attention consider the issue of building a bridge over the River Pyanj at Kokul settlement. The investment project is enclosed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its highest consideration. Dushanbe, January 26, 2009." END TEXT ¶2. (SBU) Post will email a scanned copy of the referenced investment project proposal to SCA and CENTCOM. JACOBSON