Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1503
2009-09-18 09:24:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:  

UNGA DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UZBEKISTAN WANTS TO COOPERATE IN

Tags:  PREL UNGA XG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNT #1503 2610924
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 180924Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1338
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)

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

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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

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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