VZCZCXRO3811
RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #1361/01 2001333
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 191333Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8098
INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 1638
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1683
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1609
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 1670
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1711
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1605
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 1478
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1699
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1426
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1220
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0999
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 9405

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001361 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL, S/P 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PINR KDEM KPAO TI
SUBJECT: TIT-FOR-TAT OP-ED SLAMS AMBASSADOR'S SUPPORTING TAJIK 
SOVEREIGNTY 
 
REF: DUSHANBE 1185 
 
DUSHANBE 00001361  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  The steady stream of (probably) 
Russian-influenced black propaganda 
against the United States continues in the Tajik press.  A 
recent article alleges U.S. NGOs 
foment "color revolutions," the United States has done nothing 
for Tajikistan's economic 
development, the purpose of the U.S. - built Pyanzh River Bridge 
is to harm Russian interests, 
and U.S. foreign policy is founded on global control of energy 
resources.  Foreign Minister 
Nazarov described the article to the Ambassador as disgusting. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) On July 13, "Biznis i politika" published a front-page 
reaction to the Ambassador's 
June 22 op-ed, "Sovereign States Make Their Own Decisions," 
entitled "Some Reflections at the 
Main Entrance to the New Building of the U.S. Embassy." 
 
¶3. (U) The article opens sarcastically that the Ambassador 
Hoagland "once again declares that the 
United States is a noble knight of democracy and progress who 
cares about the well being of 
others, in this case Central Asian countries, without any 
efforts to pursue its own interests." 
It then analyzes the goals and methods the United States uses to 
gain political influence in 
Central Asia and Tajikistan in particular. 
 
¶4. (U) It notes that "the entire Tajik society," including mass 
media, the political elite, the 
financial and banking sectors, as well as students and young 
people are targets of U.S. 
political influence in Tajikistan, through which Washington 
promotes its "democratic and political 
reforms."  The article alleges the U.S. Embassy uses the NGO 
sector to foment and support 
"color revolutions" in post-Soviet countries. 
 
¶5. The articles alleges the United States has made no real 
contributions to the economic 
development of Tajikistan.  As an example of meaningless 
assistance, it says the U.S. sent 
shipping containers left over from its construction to a border 
post to be used for totally 
inappropriate living quarters for the border guards and customs 
officials. 
 
¶6. (U) The articles raises suspicion over the rushed 
construction of the U.S.-funded bridge 
across the Pyanzh River to Afghanistan, asking why the bridge is 
important given the 
continuing instability in Afghanistan and the increase in drug 
trafficking across the 
Tajik-Afghan border.  The author asserts that the reason behind 
the bridge is to gradually 
decrease Russian influence in the region and establish control 
over the uranium resources 
of the Tian Shan Mountains, and potential gas and oil supply 
routes.  The article presumes 
that the real reason behind U.S. efforts to export freedom 
around the world is to gain control 
over the world's energy and oil resources. 
 
¶7. (U) The article concludes archly that "the United States has 
clearly identified its 
geo-strategic interests in Central Asia."  The author suggests 
that Ambassador Hoagland's 
assertion the "our goal is to support the independence and 
sovereignty of the states of 
Central Asia" is disingenuous and is merely a smokescreen hiding 
 
DUSHANBE 00001361  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
the United States' real 
intentions. 
 
¶8. (U) COMMENT.  FM Nazarov first brought this article to our 
attention on July 17.  When 
it appeared, Tajik authorities tried to track down the by-line 
author, "but no such journalist 
exists."  Calling the article disgusting, Nazarov said it's 
clearly from "certain sources" 
who want to harm the U.S.-Tajikistan relationship.  We seldom 
respond to the endless 
flow of "black propaganda" in the Tajik media.  However, we note 
as soon as we place an 
Ambassador's op-ed or interview, we're sure to see a rejoinder. 
As junk articles go, this 
one was not especially damaging because it contained almost 
nothing new, except the 
allegation that the United States intends to monopolize 
Tajikistan's uranium deposits. 
END COMMENT. 
HOAGLAND