Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SQCTION02OF02DUSHANBE143
2009-02-04 11:36:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dushanbe
Cable title:
TAJIKISTAN - FEB 11 HEARING ON RFE/RL TAX BILL
how-toVZCZCXRO2595 RR RUEHLN RUEHSK RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHDBU #0143/02 0351136 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 041136Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1449 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0418
UNCLAS SQCTION 02 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000143
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA and PA/PR/FPCW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KPAO KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN - FEB 11 HEARING ON RFE/RL TAX BILL
the tax committee had informed the station in a letter that the
August tax audit was ordered by the security services.
9. (SBU) Comment: So far, RFE/RL has not been harassed in Tajikistan
as it has been in neighboring countries, but the events related to
the station has been obscured by a lot of "smoke." At the point
when the station itself and its local Tajik bureau chief were up for
re-accreditation last summer, the Government granted it. If the
government wanted to shut the station down, that would have been the
time to do so. As for what provoked the lawsuits from former
employees last summer, a Tajik reporter points to Orion Bank
chairman Hasan Asadullozoda, who allegedly took revenge against the
station for reporting (inaccurately) he had been shot dead by the
president's son last spring.
10. (SBU) Comment continued. Regarding RFE/RL contributor Abdumumin
Sherhonov, the reporter who was beaten up in Kulyab in January, both
he and RFE/RL's Tajik bureau chief told emboff that the fight was
personal and not related to Sherhonov's reporting. (Ref B) Finally,
the head of the tax committee who signed the letter threatening to
confiscate equipment retired a day or two after the letter was sent
and thus is no longer accountable for any consequences. It is
possible the threat was a clumsy, desperate attempt by unscrupulous
officials to see whether they would end up with easy cash in their
pockets. Emboff will be at the February 11 hearing, which may
reveal more of the government's motives. End Comment.
Jacobson
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR SCA and PA/PR/FPCW
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KPAO KDEM TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN - FEB 11 HEARING ON RFE/RL TAX BILL
the tax committee had informed the station in a letter that the
August tax audit was ordered by the security services.
9. (SBU) Comment: So far, RFE/RL has not been harassed in Tajikistan
as it has been in neighboring countries, but the events related to
the station has been obscured by a lot of "smoke." At the point
when the station itself and its local Tajik bureau chief were up for
re-accreditation last summer, the Government granted it. If the
government wanted to shut the station down, that would have been the
time to do so. As for what provoked the lawsuits from former
employees last summer, a Tajik reporter points to Orion Bank
chairman Hasan Asadullozoda, who allegedly took revenge against the
station for reporting (inaccurately) he had been shot dead by the
president's son last spring.
10. (SBU) Comment continued. Regarding RFE/RL contributor Abdumumin
Sherhonov, the reporter who was beaten up in Kulyab in January, both
he and RFE/RL's Tajik bureau chief told emboff that the fight was
personal and not related to Sherhonov's reporting. (Ref B) Finally,
the head of the tax committee who signed the letter threatening to
confiscate equipment retired a day or two after the letter was sent
and thus is no longer accountable for any consequences. It is
possible the threat was a clumsy, desperate attempt by unscrupulous
officials to see whether they would end up with easy cash in their
pockets. Emboff will be at the February 11 hearing, which may
reveal more of the government's motives. End Comment.
Jacobson