UZBEKISTAN WILL PARTICIPATE IN ILO CONFERENCE IN GENEVA

UNCLAS TASHKENT 000913 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DRL TRACY HAILEY AND RACHEL WALDSTEIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ILO UN ELAB KOCI UZ SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN WILL PARTICIPATE IN ILO CONFERENCE IN GENEVA REF: TASHKENT 831 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED - PLEASE PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (U) Per reftel, UNICEF Representative in Tashkent Mahboob Shareef previously told emboffs that Uzbekistan had agreed to participate in the upcoming International Labor Organization (ILO) conference, which is set to begin on June 8 in Geneva. On June 5, we learned that Uzbekistan had not registered for the conference, which may have implications for whether Uzbekistan issues can be discussed during the event. Poloff spoke on June 5 with Durbek Amanov of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs UN and International Organizations Department, who confirmed that Uzbekistan will be represented by Akmal Saidov, Director of the National Center for Human Rights, and Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Alim Mukhamedov. Amanov noted that the decision was just finalized by the Ministry in Tashkent and official instructions were sent to the Uzbek Mission in Geneva on the morning of June 5. Amanov added that "we are ready to enter into discussions with the ILO on these issues." As for any status on inviting the ILO back to Uzbekistan, Amanov commented "that would be a next step," but for now the focus will be on discussions. Comment: -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Uzbekistan is routinely late in submitting notifications and naming participants for all events, which often is due to a sclerotic bureaucracy that affects all decisions. On the other hand, Uzbekistan may be hoping to avoid discussing its child labor issues during the ILO event as a result of a calculated late notification that restricts the agenda but still enables its delegation to demonstrate engagement. Shareef tells us he believes Uzbek officials recognize the need to be seen as addressing international concerns on this issue. Post recommends encouraging the ILO conference organizers to accept the anticipated late registration of the Uzbek delegation on June 5 and incorporate any planned discussion about child labor issues in Uzbekistan into the agenda as originally proposed. NORLAND