VZCZCXRO9792
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHDBU #2228/01 3541107
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 201107Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9251
INFO RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1951
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 1942
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1866
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1392
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 1143
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0768

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 002228 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, ECA/PE/V/N/E 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPOA KDEM TI
SUBJECT: HOW WE CAN HELP THE TAJIK ELECTION COMMISSION PREPARE FOR 
2010 
 
 
¶1.  (U) This is an Action cable. See Paragraphs 5 and 9. 
 
¶2.  (U)  Without the pressure of an upcoming election and with 
the international spotlight shining elsewhere, we have an 
unusual opportunity to engage Tajikistan's Central Commission 
for Elections and Referenda.  The CCER would like to maintain 
the momentum of the technical assistance, poll worker and voter 
education they received prior to the November 6 presidential 
election, but will need help doing so.  The United States could 
further our democracy goals by arranging an International 
Visitor exchange program for commission members, giving them 
long-term experience and exposure to western election procedures 
and encouraging them to continue their reforms.  We can also 
send high-level visitors, for example to an upcoming March 
conference, to convey the message that democracy is about more 
than elections. 
 
¶3.  (U)  A little over one month after the presidential 
election, the CCER is already planning for future elections. 
Although the next nation-wide elections will be for parliament 
in 2010, two districts in Tajikistan will hold local elections 
for chairmen in February 2007.  Deputy Commisstion Chairman 
Muhibulloh Dodojonov thanked Poloff December 11 for Embassy and 
U.S. government support leading up to the presidential election 
and discussed the CCER's future strategies. 
 
¶4.  (U)  Dodojonov admitted that he was not completely satisfied 
with the recent election process; however, noted that 
procedurally the election was an improvement from the 2005 
parliamentary election.  He pointed out the OSCE preliminary 
election report's main concerns were political issues, not 
technical problems.  However, Dodojonov also understood that the 
CCER is in the position to change some elections regulations 
that will also resolve certain political problems, for example, 
by giving candidates more media access.  He hoped there will be 
some legislative changes to the Tajik constitution before the 
next election.  International organizations criticized the 
constitutional requirement that all presidential candidates 
acquire signatures from five percent of the electorate in order 
to formally run, a requirement considered too high.  The CCER is 
noting all criticisms and will attempt to address them. 
 
¶5.  (U) In March 2007, the CCER in conjunction with the Center 
for Strategic Studies, Tajikistan's premier think-tank, will 
host an international conference to discuss the presidential 
election results.   The organizers will invite international 
experts to comment.  Dodojonov invited the United States to 
suggest and send speakers to the conference.  ACTION REQUEST: 
This presents another unique opportunity for the Department to 
send Tajikistan a strong message emphasizing our support for 
their democratic reforms by sending an official visitor, perhaps 
a Deputy Assistant Secretary from SCA or DRL, to speak at the 
conference.  Alternately, the Department could propose or fund 
an outside speaker for this conference. 
 
¶6.  (U) In addition, by March, the CCER will have drafted a 
comprehensive plan proposing legislative changes and practical 
reforms needed prior to the next election.  The commission aims 
to use the plan in order to solicit donor support. 
Concurrently, the CCER is working with the local NGO "Bureau on 
Human Rights and Rule of Law" to draft requests for funding on 
election reform projects.  The CCER also aims to compile a 
textbook that will serve as an election go-to guide. 
 
¶7.  (U) Dodojonov recognized that Tajik election officials need 
to be better trained on how to conduct democratically sound and 
transparent elections.  He requested the United States send CCER 
officials to the United States, Canada or Europe to observe 
elections within the next year so that upon returning to 
Tajikistan, they have time to prepare and implement changes for 
the 2010 parliamentary election. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) COMMENT:  Dodojonov is the behind-the-scenes brains of 
the CCER.  The commission's chairman Mirzoali Boltuyev is 
increasingly serving as a figurehead.  Undoubtedly, Dodojonov's 
good working relationships with international organizations and 
NGOs has taught him that in order to make real democratic and 
election reforms in Tajikistan, the CCER needs to start early. 
END COMMENT. 
 
¶9.  (U)  ACTION REQUEST:   To take advantage of this unique 
 
DUSHANBE 00002228  002 OF 002 
 
 
opportunity to strengthen democratic process without the 
pressure of an election looming, post requests funding for five 
additional slots for FY 2007 International Visitor programs, as 
a single country or regional program, to continue training 
election officials.  This could be an opportunity for Tajik and 
Afghan officials to participate in a Farsi-language exchange 
together.  END COMMENT. 
JACOBSON