Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1135
2009-07-02 12:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
Security Forces Disrupt American University Event
how-toVZCZCXRO4937 RR RUEHDBU DE RUEHNT #1135 1831212 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 021214Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1093 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0114 INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0095 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0054 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0097
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001135
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/07/02
TAGS: PREL KPAO OEXC SCUL UZ
SUBJECT: Security Forces Disrupt American University Event
CLASSIFIED BY: Carol M. Fajardo, Public Affairs Officer, State,
Public Affairs; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
"Unsanctioned" Entrance Exams Shut Down
--------------------------------------------- --------
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001135
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/07/02
TAGS: PREL KPAO OEXC SCUL UZ
SUBJECT: Security Forces Disrupt American University Event
CLASSIFIED BY: Carol M. Fajardo, Public Affairs Officer, State,
Public Affairs; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
"Unsanctioned" Entrance Exams Shut Down
-------------- --------------
1. (C) The Uzbek National Security Service (NSS) interrupted the
American University of Central Asia's (AUCA) entrance exams in
Tashkent on June 27, confiscating all exam materials and
interrogating students and administrators. According to personnel
at the International Business School, where the exams were supposed
to be held, five NSS officials first entered the school building as
if they were students, and asked to take the exams. They then
wanted copies of the exam papers. When the school administrator
asked to see their identification, the NSS officials replied that
the entrance exams were an "unsanctioned activity" and the business
school did not have permission from the government to hold these
exams. The officials then prohibited the school from holding the
exams and confiscated all the test materials from the AUCA
representatives.
2. (C) In addition to stopping the exams, for several hours the
NSS officials interrogated the AUCA personnel, the International
Business School administrators, and the approximately 30 students
who came for the exam. The Embassy's Educational Advisor, who had
stopped by the business school to meet the AUCA representatives,
also observed the NSS officials videotaping the assembled students
and noting their identification information plus details of their
educational background.
3. (C) The Director of International Recruitment for the
Bishkek-based AUCA told Emboffs that the AUCA staff thought their
movements had been tracked by NSS officials since their arrival in
Tashkent. He added that the NSS had copies of the email announcing
the AUCA entrance exams. (Note: The Embassy had posted an
announcement about the exam on its educational advising listserv.)
AUCA has not experienced similar incidents before, and he suggested
that the crackdown in Tashkent stemmed from recent border tensions
between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) This incident was unexpected and may show a change in NSS
actions toward USG and U.S.-related activities. The Embassy has
organized or participated in numerous educational events in recent
months without disruption and this is the first time the NSS has
blatantly disrupted a U.S.-related event.
NORLAND
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/07/02
TAGS: PREL KPAO OEXC SCUL UZ
SUBJECT: Security Forces Disrupt American University Event
CLASSIFIED BY: Carol M. Fajardo, Public Affairs Officer, State,
Public Affairs; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
"Unsanctioned" Entrance Exams Shut Down
-------------- --------------
1. (C) The Uzbek National Security Service (NSS) interrupted the
American University of Central Asia's (AUCA) entrance exams in
Tashkent on June 27, confiscating all exam materials and
interrogating students and administrators. According to personnel
at the International Business School, where the exams were supposed
to be held, five NSS officials first entered the school building as
if they were students, and asked to take the exams. They then
wanted copies of the exam papers. When the school administrator
asked to see their identification, the NSS officials replied that
the entrance exams were an "unsanctioned activity" and the business
school did not have permission from the government to hold these
exams. The officials then prohibited the school from holding the
exams and confiscated all the test materials from the AUCA
representatives.
2. (C) In addition to stopping the exams, for several hours the
NSS officials interrogated the AUCA personnel, the International
Business School administrators, and the approximately 30 students
who came for the exam. The Embassy's Educational Advisor, who had
stopped by the business school to meet the AUCA representatives,
also observed the NSS officials videotaping the assembled students
and noting their identification information plus details of their
educational background.
3. (C) The Director of International Recruitment for the
Bishkek-based AUCA told Emboffs that the AUCA staff thought their
movements had been tracked by NSS officials since their arrival in
Tashkent. He added that the NSS had copies of the email announcing
the AUCA entrance exams. (Note: The Embassy had posted an
announcement about the exam on its educational advising listserv.)
AUCA has not experienced similar incidents before, and he suggested
that the crackdown in Tashkent stemmed from recent border tensions
between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) This incident was unexpected and may show a change in NSS
actions toward USG and U.S.-related activities. The Embassy has
organized or participated in numerous educational events in recent
months without disruption and this is the first time the NSS has
blatantly disrupted a U.S.-related event.
NORLAND