VZCZCXRO6432
RR RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHDBU #0573/01 1150536
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240536Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0439
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0141
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0079
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 0114
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0087

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 000573 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV ECON TI
SUBJECT: TAJIKISTAN'S NORTH: OVEREDUCATED AND OVERLOOKED 
 
REF: DUSHANBE 512 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: During multiple trips to the northern city of 
Khujand, Emboffs have noticed an increasing sense of 
disenfranchisement among the well-educated and cosmopolitan 
population.  The near-complete absence of northerners in the 
Government, and the recent harsh winter conditions during which the 
north received little support from Dushanbe, have pushed even more 
Khujanders to seek opportunities in Russia and elsewhere.  End 
summary. 
 
From Manufacturing to Marginalization 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Khujand, with six hundred thousand residents, is 
Tajikistan's second-largest city and the administrative center of 
the Sugd region, which includes Tajikistan's chunk of the Fergana 
Valley.  During the Soviet Union when Khujand was called Leninabad, 
almost all leaders of the Tajik Soviet Socialist Republic were from 
the north.  A uranium ("Tajik Gold") processing plant in nearby 
Chakalovsk provided well-paying jobs for scientists and laborers, 
many of whom arrived from Russia, Germany and Belarus during 
Stalin's forced migrations.  The likeness of Bobojon Gafurov, a 
Khujand native and well-known Soviet-era historian, is displayed on 
posters and statues throughout the city. 
 
¶3. (SBU) During the civil war of 1993-1997, President Nabiev, a 
Khujand native, was forcibly removed from office and returned home, 
bringing his circle of advisors and loyalists with him.  Few would 
ever return to Dushanbe.  Meanwhile, the vast majority of Germans, 
Belarussians and Jews, representing the educated segment of society 
in Khujand emigrated to the West, and the uranium plant closed. 
 
¶4. (SBU) President Rahmon, a native of a small town south of 
Dushanbe, continues to pack his cabinet and senior positions 
throughout the Government with relatives and loyalists.  Many area 
natives who had been living in Dushanbe have returned and are 
underemployed, given Khujand's lack of civil service and 
international organization jobs. 
 
A Different Atmosphere 
---------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) Khujanders tend to view Dushanbe as a town of peasants 
(including the President himself).  Despite a miniscule expatriate 
presence in Khujand, foreigners receive fewer stares and find many 
English-speakers to converse with.  In Khujand, unlike Dushanbe, 
luxury imported SUVs do not terrorize pedestrians and drivers alike. 
 Additionally, there are almost none of the comically inept traffic 
policemen who incessantly demand bribes from Dushanbe motorists. 
 
¶6. (SBU) While Rahmon's government has not invested in many 
large-scale construction projects in Khujand, it has decorated the 
city with a large quantity of cult-of-personality art.  A giant 
television screen on a major intersection plays round-the-clock 
footage of the President engaged in benevolent acts, while banners 
of his smiling visage hang from almost all public buildings.  The 
irony is not lost on residents. 
 
¶7. (SBU) During the recent unusually cold winter, Khujand suffered 
from power cuts more extensive than those in the capital.  Not only 
was there power for less than four hours a day in January, but 
running water was limited due to low levels in the Karakkum 
reservoir outside of the city.  Only one building in town - a hotel 
owned by a government minister - had continuous power.  Guests were 
ordered to use minimal lights and keep curtains drawn at night in 
order to avoid angering jealous neighbors.  Even in early April, the 
city still experienced daily power cuts. 
Qcity still experienced daily power cuts. 
 
Why Stay? 
--------- 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) Many northerners are seeking opportunities elsewhere. 
Crossing the border to Uzbekistan, 45 minutes drive from Khujand, is 
difficult and expensive.  A resident told Emboff that daily flights 
to Moscow (which cost $650) are full, but the return flights are 
almost totally empty.  Students consistently express a wish to 
leave.  Sugd region residents make up more than 40 percent of our 
exchange program alumni, but only a handful have returned to their 
hometown. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment: Despite a history stretching back to Alexander the 
Great and a young, well-educated workforce, Khujand doesn't seem to 
matter to the current government.  If migration continues at the 
current pace, the city will soon lose most of its educated and 
economically active residents, furthering its decline.  End 
comment. 
 
DUSHANBE 00000573  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
JACOBSON