UZBEKISTAN: FOLLOW UP TO CAIRO SPEECH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001299 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID OEXC UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: FOLLOW UP TO CAIRO SPEECH REF: STATE 71325 ¶1. SUMMARY: Post initiated the consultative process on the Presidents strategy to engage Muslim communities by leading a discussion with foreign assistance partners. Drawing from the three areas of engagement suggested in reftel (which coincide with posts foreign assistance priorities),post launched this effort with NGO leaders who work directly with Uzbek communities, yet will soon expand the circle of discussants to various cross- sections of society, particularly Muslim youth. As a result of these talks, the United States will be able to foster relationships with Muslim communities, improve the image of Americans among Uzbeks, and enhance the impact of current and future development and diplomatic initiatives. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND: The Role of the United States in Uzbekistans Development and Stability ¶2. The political and socio-economic conditions in Uzbekistan differentiate it from its neighbors in Central Asia and make sustained dialogue and innovative approaches to development problems crucial. Over the past year, the importance of Uzbekistan to the United States efforts in Afghanistan has emerged, and the country is beginning to take steps to address long-standing problems hindering economic growth, healthcare access, human rights protections, and competitive election processes. Overall Uzbekistan remains a culture disinclined to outside influence, with traditional institutions (e.g. neighborhood councils called mahallahs),close-knit family structures, and a centrally-controlled government providing the framework through which average Uzbeks order their lives. As a result, Uzbekistan society does not have a culture of charity or volunteerism in the Western sense: mosques, churches, families and neighborhoods are expected to support individuals in need and provide guidance to young people to prevent them from engaging in harmful behaviors. ¶3. The United States involvement in Uzbekistan therefore requires a balanced, long-term approach to building the necessary relationships between stakeholders to ensure the development and stability of the country and engendering support for foreign policy priorities of the United States. The methods used to discuss President Obamas Cairo speech and putting the ideas into action reflect this long-term approach of relationship and consensus building. PROCESS: Initial Consultations with Stakeholders ¶4. The consultative process in Uzbekistan began with a meeting with USAID partners in the areas of agriculture, economic growth, democracy and governance, health, and education. The partners were asked to describe their impressions of the speech and the related policy priorities, noting where current programs could be adjusted or expanded to further the vision of the President in the Muslim world. Participants also suggested which groups should be considered for the next round of consultations. Major themes which arose of the meeting included: a) Expanding efforts in education and training, especially through international exchange programs. One Uzbek participant shared that his high school exchange program to the United States changed his views about the American people and about how he could serve his country. Despite the potential for educational and professional exchange to bolster the positive perceptions of America in Uzbekistan, these program budgets are inadequate and continue to decline. The infrastructure is already in place to support a great many additional participants with little or no increase in overhead costs; the financial backing just needs to be expanded. (For example, there are no monies in the FY10 budget allocated for Community Connections, a professional development exchange program and basic education funds for FY10 are likely to fall below $200,000). TASHKENT 00001299 002 OF 002 b) Scaling-up of democracy and rule of law activities to recognize the improved legislative framework in Uzbekistan (e.g. new Code of Criminal Procedure which brings Uzbekistans laws in line with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.) c) Microfinance remains an excellent vehicle for moving people out of poverty. In Uzbekistan, greater support for microfinance can help women develop livelihoods to improve the economic status and the wellbeing of their children. Most importantly, the participants noted, microfinance can dissuade women from joining religious extremist groups to which poorer women are susceptible in Uzbekistan. Microfinance institutions are few in number in Uzbekistan, but highly successful. Future engagement should examine how to scale-up these activities and promote community-based lending strategies. d) The private sector is important to realizing social protection and development in Uzbekistan; however, there are no laws to reward charitable gifts by companies (e.g. through tax breaks) and often donations are made after demands are placed on businesses by the government. As a result, charitable giving tends to be limited to holidays and special occasions and does not build toward a strategic outcome. Advocacy is needed to change the policy environment to promote charitable donations by the private sector. e) For science and technology, renewable energy is of great interest to the Government of Uzbekistan, businesses, and farmers. In June 2009, Uzbekistan became a signatory to the Charter of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and small-scale solar and micro-hydro projects have proven successful. f) Mainstreaming governance into development activities and outreach is important. Good governance can be applied in all areashealth, agriculture, economic growth, and educationand will lay the foundation for a democratic culture. g) Religious freedom remains a sensitive issue in Uzbekistan. The USG should support efforts to educate young people about different religions and about methods of dispute resolution in rural areas. h) Using religious leaders to promote health issues and other messages about development has proven to be highly successful. Religious leaders need to be co-opted into health, economic and governance initiatives to expand efficacy of development projects. NEXT STEPS: Further Consultations and Feedback ¶5. As part of this first dialogue on policy priority areas, stakeholders provided suggestions on follow-up meetings to more fully outline the opinions of the citizens of Uzbekistan about the policies and approaches of the United States. Groups suggested for second round discussions included: government officials, religious leaders, community-based groups (e.g. mahallahs),youth, private companies, and the national Womens Committee. These consultations will assist in the creation of linkages between activities and sectors. ¶6. In addition to such consultations in the foreign assistance sector, post plans to incorporate outreach and consultation on the Cairo speech principles into planned meetings with civil society leaders, educators, Muslim youth, and diplomatic counterparts. This would be part of the missions ongoing work in the areas of religious freedom, education, democracy, and the rule of law. Post also plans to reach out to its network of USG- program alumni and the large community of Information Resource Center and Embassy resource users for additional feedback. Over the next few weeks, post will continue these talks to further formulate methods for reaching out to the people of Uzbekistan. BUTCHER