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DE RUEHDBU #0246/01 0371236
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FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6629
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RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 1358
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1392
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN PRIORITY 1395
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 1330
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 1272
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1360
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1304
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1262
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1158
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0017
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 0734
RUMICEA/USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1449
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0934
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 7730

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000246 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EUR/CACEN, EUR/PPD, DRL, SA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PTER PINR PROP KDEM KPAO TI
SUBJECT: ROUNDTABLE WITH U.S. AMBASSADOR AND LOCAL MEDIA 
 
DUSHANBE 00000246  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  The Ambassador and PAO met on February 3 with 15 local 
editors and other prominent journalists for a 90-minute informal 
but on-the-record roundtable. 
 
------------ 
U.S. PATRIOT ACT 
------------ 
 
¶2.  The journalists covered a variety of topics, starting with 
the State of the Union address and the President's comments on 
the Patriot Act.  The Ambassador explained that the Act was a 
response to the events of September 11, 2001, and gave 
law-enforcement agencies in the U.S. more leeway to track down 
terrorists.  He added that historically during wartime, the U.S. 
has experienced some abridgement of civil liberties, but the 
issue has always been vigorously debated in our democratic 
society. 
 
-------- 
U.S. NGOS 
-------- 
 
¶3.  The journalists asked about the status of foreign NGOs 
working in the United States.  The Ambassador pointed out that 
although there is certainly no restriction on foreign NGOs in 
the United States (with the exception of the limits on providing 
money to political parties), most international NGOs work in 
developing countries.  The Ambassador stated that media reports 
of U.S. NGOs being linked to intelligence agencies with the goal 
of overthrowing governments in the region is nothing more than 
intentionally harmful "black propaganda." 
 
------------------------- 
EXTREMISM VS. TERRORISM:  THE HT EXAMPLE 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4.  The journalists were very interested in the definition of a 
terrorist versus extremist organization, and wondered why 
extremists like Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HT) are allowed to operate in 
the United States.  The Ambassador explained that unless the 
group is violent or espouses violence, its members are entitled 
to their rights under the U.S. Constitution, including the 
freedom of speech and of assembly.  There is never, however, the 
right to hurt other people or destroy property.  The Ambassador 
acknowledged that HT is an extremist organization that bears 
close observation, but it is not a terrorist organization 
because there is no proof that it has ever employed violence. 
 
----------------------- 
THE DANISH CARTOON CONTROVERSY 
---------------------- 
 
¶5.  The journalists asked about the "Danish cartoons," noting 
their lack of sensitivity to Islam.  A lively discussion ensued 
as to when it becomes like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater 
and goes beyond freedom of speech.  The journalists bemoaned the 
lack of sensitivity to Islam in Western culture. 
 
¶6.  After these more philosophical topics, the journalists moved 
to the tougher questions:  U.S. policy on Iran and Hamas.  The 
Ambassador hewed closely to the Department's Echo Chamber 
talking points. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
DNI SAYS CENTRAL ASIA TO COLLAPSE INTO CHAOS? 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  A journalist asked the Ambassador to comment on DNI 
Negroponte's statement that Central Asia is in danger of 
collapsing into chaos.  The Ambassador said he could not comment 
 
DUSHANBE 00000246  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
because he had not yet seen the original statement and did not 
know if the DNI had been correctly quoted.  (COMMENT:  We have 
now seen the statement and expect it will elicit much media 
discussion in coming days.  END COMMENT.) 
 
¶8.  The journalists unanimously concurred that an informal 
roundtable at the Ambassador's residence was better than a 
formal press conference, and that it should occur on an 
occasional basis.  Post fully concurs and will make this a 
regular part of our public diplomacy outreach. 
HOAGLAND