Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1545
2009-10-16 13:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Leaders of Uzbek Parliament
how-toVZCZCXRO1967 RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHNEH RUEHPOD RUEHPW RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHNT #1545 2891328 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 161327Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1431 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 0041 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0234 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS TASHKENT 001545
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV OREP UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Leaders of Uzbek Parliament
UNCLAS TASHKENT 001545
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV OREP UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Leaders of Uzbek Parliament
1. (SBU) Summary: During his three-day visit to Tashkent,
A/S Blake met with the leaders of both houses of the Uzbek
parliament: the Speaker of the Oliy Majlis (the lower house),and
the President of the Senate. Both seemed interested in developing
greater ties with their counterparts in the U.S. Congress,
including possible exchanges. A/S Blake expressed his support for
their efforts toward democratization, as well as the
Administration's desire to elevate and expand U.S.-Uzbek relations
across the full range of issues. It is high time a CoDel come back
to Uzbekistan. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Uzbekistan only adopted a bicameral system in 2005,
and the legislative chamber is still developing as the law-making
branch of the parliament. Its leader, Speaker Dilmurod
Tashmuhamedova, is a dynamic woman who touted the country's legal
reforms, its ratification of several international treaties, and
its progress in the human dimension. She talked about the upcoming
December elections, stating that she is confident that they will be
free and transparent. She also stated that enhanced cooperation
with the United States would be most welcome, as would exchange
programs at the parliamentary level. A/S Blake encouraged her to
write a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi to propose such an exchange.
3. (SBU) Senate President Ilgizar Sobirov described the
procedures in the Senate, noting that it has no role in drafting
legislation, but approves and rejects proposals from the lower
house. He also described how citizens, including the youth, can
come to the Senate every day to meet with their representatives and
air their grievances. Sobirov shared his enthusiasm for meeting
with counterparts to discuss areas for cooperation and
collaboration. A/S Blake encouraged him to write to Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid to see what kinds of collaboration might
be possible.
4. (SBU) Comment: Although the exchanges during these
meetings were not particularly policy-oriented, there was good
value in meeting with these leaders of the Oliy Majlis and the
Senate, who will have a role in any presidential succession
process. Both are looking to professionalize their institutions
and to make democratic reforms in the country. Some sort of
exchange of expertise could serve both to help develop institutions
here, as well as to advance our interests in civil society and
human rights. It is high time a CoDel come back to Uzbekistan.
End comment.
NORLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM ELAB PGOV OREP UZ
SUBJECT: Uzbekistan: A/S Blake Meets with Leaders of Uzbek Parliament
1. (SBU) Summary: During his three-day visit to Tashkent,
A/S Blake met with the leaders of both houses of the Uzbek
parliament: the Speaker of the Oliy Majlis (the lower house),and
the President of the Senate. Both seemed interested in developing
greater ties with their counterparts in the U.S. Congress,
including possible exchanges. A/S Blake expressed his support for
their efforts toward democratization, as well as the
Administration's desire to elevate and expand U.S.-Uzbek relations
across the full range of issues. It is high time a CoDel come back
to Uzbekistan. End Summary.
2. (SBU) Uzbekistan only adopted a bicameral system in 2005,
and the legislative chamber is still developing as the law-making
branch of the parliament. Its leader, Speaker Dilmurod
Tashmuhamedova, is a dynamic woman who touted the country's legal
reforms, its ratification of several international treaties, and
its progress in the human dimension. She talked about the upcoming
December elections, stating that she is confident that they will be
free and transparent. She also stated that enhanced cooperation
with the United States would be most welcome, as would exchange
programs at the parliamentary level. A/S Blake encouraged her to
write a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi to propose such an exchange.
3. (SBU) Senate President Ilgizar Sobirov described the
procedures in the Senate, noting that it has no role in drafting
legislation, but approves and rejects proposals from the lower
house. He also described how citizens, including the youth, can
come to the Senate every day to meet with their representatives and
air their grievances. Sobirov shared his enthusiasm for meeting
with counterparts to discuss areas for cooperation and
collaboration. A/S Blake encouraged him to write to Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid to see what kinds of collaboration might
be possible.
4. (SBU) Comment: Although the exchanges during these
meetings were not particularly policy-oriented, there was good
value in meeting with these leaders of the Oliy Majlis and the
Senate, who will have a role in any presidential succession
process. Both are looking to professionalize their institutions
and to make democratic reforms in the country. Some sort of
exchange of expertise could serve both to help develop institutions
here, as well as to advance our interests in civil society and
human rights. It is high time a CoDel come back to Uzbekistan.
End comment.
NORLAND