Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1543
2009-10-16 12:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society
how-toVZCZCXRO1935 RR RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHNT #1543 2891252 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 161252Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1430 INFO ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE CIS COLLECTIVE NATO EU COLLECTIVE RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0040 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0233 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001543
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/16
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society
Representative
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TASHKENT 001543
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/16
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society
Representative
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (SBU) Summary: On October 14, A/S Blake met with civil
society representative Sukhrobjon Ismoilov in Tashkent. Ismoilov
warned of a growing Islamist agenda amongst Uzbek exiles living in
Europe - a particularly disturbing thought. He also addressed
agricultural reform, advocating for increased autonomy and legal
support for private farmers. A/S Blake expressed the United
States' continued support for civil society in Uzbekistan. End
summary.
2. (C) Ismoilov is a member of the Rapid Response Group, a
coalition of local human rights activists that produces reports and
analysis across a broad range of human rights issues in Uzbekistan.
He recounted that at a recent conference in Almaty, he learned that
as many as 300 Uzbek exiles, most of whom sought asylum overseas
following the Andijon events in 2005, are beginning to advocate
joining with religious extremists in order to oppose the Karimov
regime. He expressed his concern that this could lead to increased
violence and instability in Uzbekistan. Exiled leader of the Erk
party, Muhammad Solih, was mentioned as the possible driving force
behind this idea. Solih is believed to still be living in exile in
Norway.
3. (SBU) Ismoilov also mentioned the necessity of
comprehensive agricultural reform, noting that most private farmers
do not defend their legal rights in court, often because they
cannot afford to hire a lawyer or because they are not fully aware
of their rights. He suggested that farmers who want to challenge
government action should be able to work collectively to hire a
lawyer, or have access to legal services for reduced fees. He also
suggested that giving more autonomy to farmers over what they can
grow and in what quantity could help to alleviate the child labor
problem.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) The idea of Uzbek exiles aligning themselves with
religious extremist groups is troubling. While Solih is not known
to have much of a following within the country at present, there
have been rumored meetings between him and members of Hizb-ut
Tahrir in the last few years. A real connection between them would
be a destabilizing force both from without and from within, as the
GOU is likely to increase the pressure on any groups or individuals
outside of the religious mainstream.
5. (SBU) The idea of establishing some sort of affordable
legal procedure for farmers to pursue their rights is something to
be explored, as A/S Blake told Ismoilov. It may fit within the
government's interest in improving the rule of law, and could be an
avenue for farmers to have an impact on issues such as the quota
system and child labor. Post will consult with USAID and the two
American-based NGOs in town to get their suggestions. End comment.
NORLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
AMEMBASSY ASTANA PASS TO USOFFICE ALMATY
AMEMBASSY HELSINKI PASS TO AMCONSUL ST PETERSBURG
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL VLADIVOSTOK
AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PASS TO AMCONSUL YEKATERINBURG
AMEMBASSY BELGRADE PASS TO AMEMBASSY PODGORICA
AMEMBASSY ATHENS PASS TO AMCONSUL THESSALONIKI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2019/10/16
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Civil Society
Representative
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer; REASON: 1.4(B),
(D)
1. (SBU) Summary: On October 14, A/S Blake met with civil
society representative Sukhrobjon Ismoilov in Tashkent. Ismoilov
warned of a growing Islamist agenda amongst Uzbek exiles living in
Europe - a particularly disturbing thought. He also addressed
agricultural reform, advocating for increased autonomy and legal
support for private farmers. A/S Blake expressed the United
States' continued support for civil society in Uzbekistan. End
summary.
2. (C) Ismoilov is a member of the Rapid Response Group, a
coalition of local human rights activists that produces reports and
analysis across a broad range of human rights issues in Uzbekistan.
He recounted that at a recent conference in Almaty, he learned that
as many as 300 Uzbek exiles, most of whom sought asylum overseas
following the Andijon events in 2005, are beginning to advocate
joining with religious extremists in order to oppose the Karimov
regime. He expressed his concern that this could lead to increased
violence and instability in Uzbekistan. Exiled leader of the Erk
party, Muhammad Solih, was mentioned as the possible driving force
behind this idea. Solih is believed to still be living in exile in
Norway.
3. (SBU) Ismoilov also mentioned the necessity of
comprehensive agricultural reform, noting that most private farmers
do not defend their legal rights in court, often because they
cannot afford to hire a lawyer or because they are not fully aware
of their rights. He suggested that farmers who want to challenge
government action should be able to work collectively to hire a
lawyer, or have access to legal services for reduced fees. He also
suggested that giving more autonomy to farmers over what they can
grow and in what quantity could help to alleviate the child labor
problem.
Comment
--------------
4. (C) The idea of Uzbek exiles aligning themselves with
religious extremist groups is troubling. While Solih is not known
to have much of a following within the country at present, there
have been rumored meetings between him and members of Hizb-ut
Tahrir in the last few years. A real connection between them would
be a destabilizing force both from without and from within, as the
GOU is likely to increase the pressure on any groups or individuals
outside of the religious mainstream.
5. (SBU) The idea of establishing some sort of affordable
legal procedure for farmers to pursue their rights is something to
be explored, as A/S Blake told Ismoilov. It may fit within the
government's interest in improving the rule of law, and could be an
avenue for farmers to have an impact on issues such as the quota
system and child labor. Post will consult with USAID and the two
American-based NGOs in town to get their suggestions. End comment.
NORLAND