Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TASHKENT1575
2009-11-09 12:44:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tashkent
Cable title:
Sanjar Umarov Released on November 7
how-toVZCZCXRO3214 RR RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHSL DE RUEHNT #1575/01 3131244 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 091244Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1506 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 0048 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0241 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001575
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: 2019/11/09
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Sanjar Umarov Released on November 7
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer, State, Tashkent;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 TASHKENT 001575
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: 2019/11/09
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Sanjar Umarov Released on November 7
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer, State, Tashkent;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) Opposition leader Sanjar Umarov was released from
prison on November 7. The next day, he came to the Embassy for a
conversation with Ambassador Norland and Embassy staffers. Still
in disbelief over the events of the previous two days, he expressed
his gratitude for everyone's efforts in securing his release.
A Four-Year Walk
2. (C) Umarov appeared gaunt, swimming in a suit that no
doubt fit him during his days as a businessman and budding
political figure. He described how one night four years ago he
went out for a walk, was picked up by police, and never returned.
He said that for a long time he couldn't believe that he was put in
jail, but then couldn't believe that he would ever get out.
Neither guards nor prison officials had given him any indication of
his impending release, so it was quite a shock when he was given
his civilian clothes back on Saturday morning and told the news.
He described returning to his house and heading out into the
neighborhood to complete his "four-year walk," the longest of his
life ("one for the Guinness Book of Records," he joked).
Public Response
3. (C) Ambassador Norland expressed that the U.S. does not
intend to politicize Umarov's release, and that the Department
intends to take a low-key approach with the press. Ambassador
Norland emphasized that although Umarov and his family will make
their own decisions as to how to respond publicly to his release,
he hoped that they would consider the plight of other political
prisoners in Uzbekistan, and how the family's actions might impact
their situations. Umarov's release had been the product of
extended quiet diplomacy and engagement, which had secured a degree
of trust. Umarov agreed that engagement was critical.
Umarov's Next Steps
4. (SBU) In the short-term, Umarov stated that he is focused
on getting back to his family and catching up on all he has missed
in the last four years. (Note: He spoke of having a video call
with his wife on Saturday using Skype technology - something that
didn't exist in Uzbekistan (or anywhere, really) four years ago.
Quite a change for the man who was the first to bring cell phones
to Uzbekistan.)
5. (C) In the long-term, Umarov seemed to think he may still
have some role to play in Uzbekistan, or possibly with
Uzbekistan-U.S. relations. He talked about agriculture and how
there is room for cooperation with the United States to improve
agricultural efficiency. He spoke about Uzbekistan's economic
potential, as well as about how Uzbekistan needs to improve its
relations with the Islamic world.
Post's Next Steps
TASHKENT 00001575 002.2 OF 002
6. (C) Umarov had the medical check-up required for his visa
today, and tomorrow will apply for his Uzbek exit visa. (Note:
The MFA has assured Post that the exit visa will be granted
quickly.) After that, Post will finalize his visa processing, and
he will be on his way to the United States accompanied by a family
friend - hopefully later this week.
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: 2019/11/09
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV UZ
SUBJECT: Sanjar Umarov Released on November 7
CLASSIFIED BY: Holly Lindquist Thomas, P/E Officer, State, Tashkent;
REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) Opposition leader Sanjar Umarov was released from
prison on November 7. The next day, he came to the Embassy for a
conversation with Ambassador Norland and Embassy staffers. Still
in disbelief over the events of the previous two days, he expressed
his gratitude for everyone's efforts in securing his release.
A Four-Year Walk
2. (C) Umarov appeared gaunt, swimming in a suit that no
doubt fit him during his days as a businessman and budding
political figure. He described how one night four years ago he
went out for a walk, was picked up by police, and never returned.
He said that for a long time he couldn't believe that he was put in
jail, but then couldn't believe that he would ever get out.
Neither guards nor prison officials had given him any indication of
his impending release, so it was quite a shock when he was given
his civilian clothes back on Saturday morning and told the news.
He described returning to his house and heading out into the
neighborhood to complete his "four-year walk," the longest of his
life ("one for the Guinness Book of Records," he joked).
Public Response
3. (C) Ambassador Norland expressed that the U.S. does not
intend to politicize Umarov's release, and that the Department
intends to take a low-key approach with the press. Ambassador
Norland emphasized that although Umarov and his family will make
their own decisions as to how to respond publicly to his release,
he hoped that they would consider the plight of other political
prisoners in Uzbekistan, and how the family's actions might impact
their situations. Umarov's release had been the product of
extended quiet diplomacy and engagement, which had secured a degree
of trust. Umarov agreed that engagement was critical.
Umarov's Next Steps
4. (SBU) In the short-term, Umarov stated that he is focused
on getting back to his family and catching up on all he has missed
in the last four years. (Note: He spoke of having a video call
with his wife on Saturday using Skype technology - something that
didn't exist in Uzbekistan (or anywhere, really) four years ago.
Quite a change for the man who was the first to bring cell phones
to Uzbekistan.)
5. (C) In the long-term, Umarov seemed to think he may still
have some role to play in Uzbekistan, or possibly with
Uzbekistan-U.S. relations. He talked about agriculture and how
there is room for cooperation with the United States to improve
agricultural efficiency. He spoke about Uzbekistan's economic
potential, as well as about how Uzbekistan needs to improve its
relations with the Islamic world.
Post's Next Steps
TASHKENT 00001575 002.2 OF 002
6. (C) Umarov had the medical check-up required for his visa
today, and tomorrow will apply for his Uzbek exit visa. (Note:
The MFA has assured Post that the exit visa will be granted
quickly.) After that, Post will finalize his visa processing, and
he will be on his way to the United States accompanied by a family
friend - hopefully later this week.
NORLAND