R 110335Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1239
INFO CIS COLLECTIVE
USMISSION USOSCE VIENNA AU

UNCLAS DUSHANBE 001498 
 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM EAID KDEM PGOV TI
SUBJECT: ELECTORAL REFORM IN TAJIKISTAN - DON'T BET ON IT 
 
REF: Dushanbe 433 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Representatives from OSCE's Office for Democratic 
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) visited Dushanbe last week to 
speak about amending electoral laws before the elections in 2010. 
In conjunction with this visit, OSCE held a roundtable on December 3 
attended by representatives of political parties, the government, 
and civil society organizations.  While observers of the roundtable 
were treated to some entertaining theatrics, it appears that the 
prospects for meaningful electoral reforms are slim to none.  End 
Summary. 
 
SEVERAL YEARS OF KNOWING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE 
 
¶2. (U) Representatives from OSCE's Office for Democratic 
Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) were in Dushanbe last week to 
speak to Tajik officials about amending the country's electoral laws 
prior to the country's next elections in 2010.  In 2006 and 2007, 
ODIHR issued several reports outlining necessary reforms to the 
country's electoral infrastructure; they found that the 2006 
elections "did not fully test democratic electoral practices."  In 
2008, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, with USAID 
funding, brought together political party members to agree on a set 
of recommendations for changes to the country's election laws 
(reftel).  These suggested changes are almost identical to the 
issues raised in ODIHR reports. 
 
¶3. (U) In conjunction with the visit, OSCE held a roundtable on 
December 3 attended by representatives of political parties, the 
government, and civil society organizations. During the meeting Mats 
Lindberg, an ODIHR Election Adviser, raised 25 of the most pressing 
areas for reform, covering the entire spectrum of the electoral 
process: accountability for election violations; abolishing or 
amending election law provisions and enacting new legislation; 
improving electoral administration; establishing a fair environment 
for campaigning; and helping political parties to become more 
professional. 
 
GOVERNMENT LIP SERVICE 
 
¶4. (U) Government representatives spoke in generalities about broad 
concepts of democracy.  Muhibullo Dodojonov, the Deputy Head of the 
Central Election Commission, said "we need to move forward," and 
"transparency is important to us."  Yusuf Salimov, the Head of the 
Department of Constitutional Guarantees and Citizens' Rights in 
President Rahmon's executive office, said that "our goal is to have 
transparent and democratic elections."  Government officials, 
however, either downplayed or ignored the significant deficiencies 
outlined by ODIHR.  Salimov said that in the 2006 elections, 
"observers said that there were some minor mistakes," but that 
overall the country has a "framework for fair elections."  Mirzoali 
Boltuyev, the Head of the Central Election Commission, said that 
elections were "based in law," and that he was committed to fairly 
implementing that law. 
 
AND NOW, THE THEATER 
 
¶5. (U) During the discussion session, Konrad Olszewski, the Deputy 
Head of ODIHR's Election Department, pointed out that many have 
reported on the major deficiencies in the countrys electoral 
framework for years, and he asked about the status of the 
recommendations for reforms.  He expressed concern about the fact 
that elections were fast approaching (February 2010), and any 
changes to the legislation should be enacted at least six months 
ahead of the elections.  The moderator, the head of an association 
of political scientists, moved on, inviting others to make general 
comments on the topic.  Confused by the unwillingness to address 
Olszewskis question directly, PolOff asked if it was going to be 
QOlszewskis question directly, PolOff asked if it was going to be 
left unanswered. 
 
¶6. (U) No one ever did actually answer the question, although 
Saifullo Safarov, the Deputy Director of the Center for Strategic 
Research, a government think tank, did say that government experts 
had received the recommendations and "are reviewing them."  Ashurboi 
Imamov, a retired law professor, asked why the recommendations had 
not been submitted to parliament, so that deputies could discuss 
them.  Again, this question went unanswered. 
 
¶7. (U) Muhiddin Kabiri, the Head of the Islamic Revival Party, 
seized on the opportunity to speak while journalists were still at 
the meeting.  He lamented that electoral reform was occasionally 
raised as a topic, but that nothing was actually done about it. 
Shodi Shabdolov, the head of the Communist Party who is generally 
thought of as a supporter of President Rahmon, agreed with Kabiri. 
Davlatali Davlatzoda, the Deputy Head of President Rahmon's People's 
Democratic Party, reminded everyone that it was "important to 
respect the Constitution, and the Constitution respects the rights 
and duties of the President of the country."  After Kabiri left the 
room, Boltuyev, the head of the Central Election Commission, 
criticized Kabiri for criticizing Tajikistan's electoral record. 
 
LET'S STOP WASTING TIME 
 
¶8. (SBU) Comment: It would be unwise to expect any meaningful reform 
in the near future; the Government of Tajikistan does not have the 
will to enact such reforms.  The acts put on by the political party 
representatives were met with skeptical glances from civil society 
representatives; Kabiri was playing to the press, Shabdolov was 
pretending to be an opposition politician, and Davlatzoda rambled 
until he could finally reassert the greatness of President Rahmon. 
 
¶9. (SBU) Comment continued: This meeting underscores the inability 
of the international community to engage with Tajikistan on a 
discussion of political reform.  NGOs and international 
organizations sponsor many of these kinds of meetings, but 
productive discussions are rare.  When government officials say 
something blatantly false or misleading, local and international 
interlocutors rarely confront them.  When participants ask 
penetrating questions, moderators generally attempt to avoid 
confrontation.  When the international community manages to engage 
officials in a discussion on the issues, it quickly becomes clear 
that the Government is against meaningful reform.  This is 
unfortunate, since many Tajiks are able and willing to contribute to 
an active civil society.  In a separate meeting on December 2, 
Olszewski, who had worked for the UN in Dushanbe several years ago, 
said that Tajikistan was "regressing politically," and he questioned 
whether it was even worth it for ODIHR to monitoring elections in 
Tajikistan.  End comment. 
 
QUAST