UNGA DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UZBEKISTAN WANTS TO COOPERATE IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001503 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/09/18 TAGS: PREL UNGA XG SUBJECT: UNGA DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UZBEKISTAN WANTS TO COOPERATE IN AREAS OF MUTUAL INTEREST REF: 09 STATE 90254 CLASSIFIED BY: Katrisa Peffley, Pol/Econ Officer, DOS, Pol/Econ; REASON: 1.4(B),(D) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: The Uzbek government wants to work together with the USG in areas of mutual interest, and is watching carefully for signals about the US perspective on the status of our bilateral relationship. Post delivered reftel points to Durbek Amanov, Director for UN and International Organizations at the MFA, in a September 16 meeting. Dr. Amanov expressed his hope that the USG and the GOU would be able to cooperate effectively, and gave the GOU perspective on the role of the UN, the stabilization of neighboring Afghanistan, nonproliferation, the environment, human rights, and the Middle East. He also reiterated that FM Norov is eager to meet with Secretary Clinton, and stressed that Norov would be ready to discuss Iran and Afghanistan with State Department leadership. END SUMMARY. AFGHANISTAN, NONPROLIFERATION, MIDDLE EAST -------------- -------------- - ¶2. (C) During a September 16 meeting, Amanov told Pol/Econ Chief that he believes there has recently been a positive dynamic in USG-GOU relations, and that he hopes our countries will be able to work together to our mutual benefit. He declared that the GOU is a firm supporter of nonproliferation, while hinting that Uzbekistan has a better record in this area than the United States. The stabilization of Afghanistan is also of great interest to both the US and Uzbekistan. Amanov reaffirmed the GOU's support for Afghanistan on many different levels, but noted that Uzbekistan favors the 6+3 framework for addressing Afghan issues. The GOU supports a diplomatic resolution with Iran, and supports a Palestinian state. ROLE OF THE UN, ENVIRONMENT, HUMAN RIGHTS -------------- -------------- - ¶3. (C) According to Amanov, the GOU believes that the UN should play a more active role in the world. The GOU would support reforms that would increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the UN, including reforms of the Security Council. Environmental issues are very close to home for Uzbekistan, given the Aral Sea situation and the scarcity of certain resources--particularly water--in Central Asia. The GOU would welcome the help of international experts under UN auspices in dealing with environmental issues. Amanov himself brought up the topic of human rights, saying that Uzbekistan has a national plan of action on human rights and wants to work constructively with the UN in this area. However, he said that the GOU is opposed to human rights "double standards"-echoing statements which FM Norov made to the EU this week. The GOU takes the position that human rights are universal, indivisible, and interrelated, but that civil and political rights should be examined within their cultural context. ¶4. (C) COMMENT: Despite a bit of sensitivity on certain topics, Amanov kept coming back to the message that the GOU is ready and willing to work with the United States. Uzbekistan guards its interests carefully in the international arena, at least partly because it wants to be treated as a partner, not a sidekick. Rapprochement with Uzbekistan presents an opportunity for closer cooperation in the UN and on multilateral issues more generally that we should be prepared to explore more fully. END COMMENT. NORLAND