US embassy cable - 05DUSHANBE2008

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 002008 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PHUM, KDEM, TI, Internal Politics 
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN CADA DIRECTOR REMAINS IN COUNTRY FOR NOW 
 
 
1.  (SBU)  EmbOffs met with David Lovett and Paul Linge, the 
outgoing and present Country Directors of the Central Asian 
Development Agency, a non-denominational Christian-supported aid 
NGO December 9.  Lovett's visa expired in November and, after 
thirteen years in Tajikistan, the government denied his visa 
renewal application.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Consular 
Department did not explain why his visa was denied.  Concerned 
over being deported, he requested U.S. Embassy assistance in 
resolving the matter. 
 
2.  (SBU)  PolOff met with Ismatullo Nasredinov, Head of the 
Department of European and American Countries in the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs, regarding Lovett's visa status.  Nasredinov 
indicated the decision not to renew Lovett's visa was solely 
because of problems with Lovett's personal application.  The 
Ministry has received assistance from CADA in the past and 
understands the implications of deporting a high-profile person 
such as Lovett.  Nasredinov also explained that according to 
Tajik law, a court order is needed to deport someone.  A court 
order requires a long judicial process and Lovett is not 
presently in danger of being deported.  Nasredinov attempted to 
contact the Consular Department, however, no one has been able 
to authoritatively speak on this case. 
 
3.  (SBU)  Post will send a diplomatic note to the Ministry of 
Foreign Affairs requesting clarification on why the Consular 
Department denied Lovett's visa renewal and reminding the 
Ministry of Lovett's thirteen years of service to Tajikistan and 
CADA's contributions to Tajikistan. 
 
4.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  The Consular Department's refusal to give a 
straight answer leads one to believe it is not simply a 
technical matter.  Lovett's denial is another action along the 
lines of recent governmental measures restricting NGO activities 
and preventing NGO registration.  However, it should be noted 
CADA and Lovett have also encountered problems with various 
government agencies in the past and this pressure could be 
because of some personal grievance against Lovett and CADA.  END 
COMMENT. 
HOAGLAND 
 
 
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