US embassy cable - 05DUSHANBE1898

UNCLAS  DUSHANBE 001898 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, SA, S/P 
NSC FOR MERKEL 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL, PGOV, ECON, EAID, MARR, KDEM, TI, Economics and Trade, Hydropower and Energy, Border issues, Narcotics 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR SPEAKS ON CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE OF 
U.S.-TAJIKISTAN RELATIONS 
 
 
1.  At the invitation of the Central Executive Committee of the 
People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan (PDPT, ruling party), on 
November 30 in Dushanbe the ambassador spoke to an overflow 
crowd of college students, members of parliament, NGO 
representatives, PDPT activists, and journalists on "The Current 
Status and Future of U.S.-Tajikistan Relations.  Text of the 
speech follows in para two. 
 
2.  BEGIN TEXT: 
 
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with members of 
parliament, officials from the President's Administration, the 
Youth Committee of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, 
People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan activists, NGO 
representatives, and journalists.  I am very pleased that you 
asked me to discuss U.S.-Tajik relations. 
 
This is especially timely because the U.S. Government has 
recently completed a comprehensive review of its relations with 
all the countries of Central Asia.  In broadest terms, we 
reaffirmed that U.S. interests are 1) political and economic 
reform, 2) security (including against terrorism, extremism, and 
narcotics), and 3) energy and commercial.  The purpose of all 
three equally together is to promote long-term stability, good 
neighborly regional cooperation, and prosperity. 
 
ENERGY AND COMMERCE 
 
Let's look at each of these three for Tajikistan, starting with 
energy and commerce.  In recent years, President Emomali 
Rahmonov has advocated a convincing plan to develop 
hydroelectric power and to improve land transportation routes 
for the region.  We have listened to his views, and we agree 
with him. 
 
During her October visit to Central Asia, Secretary of State 
Condoleezza Rice announced the Infrastructure Integration 
Initiative for Greater Central Asia, including Afghanistan.  I 
think few in the region paid much attention to this, but it is a 
very significant development.  We want to see an improved system 
of roads and highways that will allow goods to transit the 
region efficiently and reach international markets via 
warm-water ports in the south.  To that end, we are helping to 
rebuild the highways in Afghanistan, and we are using our 
influence in International Financial Institutions to support 
road projects in Central Asia, and specifically in Tajikistan. 
 
A most recent example is U.S. support for the Asian Development 
Bank loan to rebuild the road from Dushanbe to Kyrgyzstan 
through the Rasht Valley.  If the farmers in Rasht can once 
again get their magnificent fruit and other agricultural 
products to markets far beyond their villages, prosperity will 
return to that region. 
 
And of course by now you are familiar with the U.S. gift of 
about $30 million and the technical expertise to build an 
international bridge between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, as well 
as the customs and border-control points at both ends of the 
bridge.  When we say we will do something, we do it. 
 
We also see the value of developing Tajikistan's considerable 
hydroelectric potential for use in Tajikistan and to sell more 
broadly in the region.  This will take more than finishing 
several major dams and hydroelectric stations.  Electricity 
transmission lines and complex international marketing systems 
need to be established.  Both your Ambassador Homrahon Zaripov 
in Washington and I have strongly promoted this project in 
Washington. 
 
I am very pleased that a major U.S. corporation with worldwide 
business interests is negotiating closely with Russia's RAO UES 
to help President Rahmonov's vision become reality.  Further, 
U.S. Government commercial and financial departments are 
increasingly involved and want to see this project reach 
fruition.  We understand that achieving this goal will enhance 
stability and promote long-term prosperity for the entire 
region.  Some do not want U.S. participation in this project, 
but it would be a good guarantee for Tajikistan's economic 
sovereignty in the global economy. 
 
SECURITY 
 
The U.S.-Tajikistan security relationship is consistently 
growing.  In recent months, Tajikistan has joined the nearly 90 
nations around the world that support the Proliferation Security 
Initiative to prevent the illegal trans-shipment of weapons of 
mass destruction, their components, and missile technologies. 
Also, Tajikistan is starting the process that will lead to a 
Weapons of Mass Destruction Agreement between our two countries 
and will open the door for significant new security-assistance 
programs.  These are just the latest developments. 
 
We take seriously our partnership to enhance border security and 
counter-narcotics programs in Tajikistan.  In the U.S. fiscal 
year 2005, we have allocated about $33 million dollars for these 
essential activities - a truly significant increase above 
previous years' funding. 
 
Some like to complain and blame Tajikistan for the narcotics 
transiting its territory.  We, the United States, are doing 
something about it.  It is no secret that it is largely U.S. 
funding that is responsible for Tajikistan's Drug Control Agency 
having gained international praise for its professionalism and 
effectiveness.  And, of course, it is thanks to the serious 
Tajik patriots, the men and women who work honestly every day to 
make the Drug Control Agency a success.  Our support continues, 
and soon the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency will open an office in 
Dushanbe to further enhance anti-narcotics cooperation between 
our two countries, with Afghanistan, and internationally.  We 
want to work closely with Russia on this issue. 
 
In response to Tajikistan's request, we are working closely with 
the State Committee for Border Protection and providing both 
material assistance and training, in cooperation with the 
European Commission, to increase Tajikistan's ability to protect 
its own boarders.  This is necessary not only for regional 
security, but also to promote Tajikistan's sovereignty. 
 
Finally, without going into detail, we have new 
counter-terrorism programs with Tajikistan that, in the longer 
term, will increase security and stability in the region. 
 
POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM 
 
Let's start with economic reform. 
 
As I have done before, I will again praise the Government of 
Tajikistan for the credible steps it has taken toward economic 
and financial reform.  These include banking reform, tax reform, 
simplified regulations to make it easier to register a new 
business, and positive steps to prepare to join the World Trade 
Organization. 
 
But good laws and regulations aren't very useful if they are not 
implemented fairly and honestly.  More than anything else, 
corruption and protection of special interests - which are often 
 
 
one and the same thing - will impede economic development. 
 
Do you know what especially annoys small business owners in 
Tajikistan?  The constant, irrational parade of tax inspectors, 
health inspectors, fire inspectors, and, who knows, probably 
even inspectors of inspectors - all who have their hands out and 
their pockets open.  This is more than annoying; it's 
destructive. 
 
A general manager of a successful medium-sized business in 
Dushanbe recently told me his company lost nearly 40 days last 
year to dealing with so-called inspectors.  This is 40 days of 
lost productivity.  This is 40 days of lost profit and lost 
legitimate tax base for the central government's budget. 
 
Now for political reform.  Let me see if I can find a new way to 
explain our views so that I don't sound like a "revolutionary 
Bolshevik" seeking to overthrow an old system and impose a new 
ideology - because we honestly seek democratic evolution, not 
"color revolution."  We want the current government to succeed 
according to modern international standards. 
 
Let me say plainly and clearly that we are not seeking to drag 
countries away from one sphere of influence into another one. 
That's a very old-guard way of thinking.  It is a discredited 
ideology.  In the 19th century, the world saw the Great Game 
between the British and Russian Empires in Greater Central Asia. 
 In the 20th century, the world saw the Cold War between the 
Soviet Union and the West.  This is now the 21st century, and 
times have changed.  To divide modern international relations 
into different "spheres of influence" is to live in a supposed 
"paradise lost" and is historically doomed to failure. 
 
In the contemporary world, countries should decide first and 
foremost what is in their own national interests.  What will 
make them truly stable and prosperous?  What will give their 
populations hope for the future?  And I have to say it's not 
holding Big Brother's hand every time you want to cross the 
street. 
 
I fully understand Tajikistan seeks stability above all else 
because of the traumatic memories of the civil war.  But please 
consider this stark fact - 50 percent of the population of 
Tajikistan is under 16 years of age.  What will happen in five 
years, in ten years, when those children come of age without 
personal memories of the civil war?  Isn't it better to prepare 
a future for them that will guarantee them an economic and 
political place in society so that they don't have to rebel to 
demand it?  Isn't that the essence of true, long-term stability? 
 
We firmly believe that you prepare the next generation by giving 
them the opportunities to become responsible citizens and to 
think for themselves.  Not everyone who has an opinion different 
from the official opinion is "an enemy."  Young leaders need to 
build their experience and gain confidence.  They need access to 
a broad range of ideas.  They need independent media - including 
independent television and radio stations - where they can 
debate each other and test their ideas.  I assure you, this will 
not endanger the stability of the state.  On the contrary, it 
will strengthen it.  These young people need to enter politics 
to bring fresh blood and new ideas into the system, rather than 
be "permitted" to enter politics only after they have proved 
their loyalty to the existing system. 
 
Tajikistan is strong enough that it can afford new voices with 
new ideas.  Tajikistan is strong enough that it can open its 
mass media to "the marketplace of new ideas" and new opinions. 
 
 
We recommend that Tajikistan trust the natural intelligence and 
patriotism of the Tajik people.  If this happens, Tajikistan 
will blossom as an island of stability and prosperity and stand 
as a bright beacon of hope for other less free peoples in the 
world. 
 
I wish you luck.  I wish you strength.  I wish you success. 
 
Thank you so much for listening to me.  I now would like to hear 
your views and answer your questions. 
 
END TEXT. 
HOAGLAND 
 
 
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