VZCZCXRO2739
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHNT #0090/01 0200949
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200947Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1761
RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0127
RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE 0087
RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK 0143
RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA 0127

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TASHKENT 000090 
 
SIPDIS 
DEPT FOR SCA/PPD, SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KPAO UZ
SUBJECT: UZBEKISTAN: GOU PROMOTES "UZBEK" VALUES AMONG YOUTH 
 
¶1. (U) Summary: Several articles on the development of Uzbek 
"spiritual values" have been published in Uzbekistan's state media 
over the past few months. One such article, entitled "Spirituality: 
We are Responsible for Our Children," was published recently by 
government-owned Narodnoye Slovo following President Karimov's 
declaration of 2010 as the "Year of the Harmoniously Developed 
Generation." The article is indicative of the government's attempts 
to promote Uzbek values (as opposed to "foreign" values) in the 
face of globalization. It provides insight on how we will need to 
stage our outreach to young Uzbeks via the Internet and other 
means. The translated text of the article is included.  End 
Summary. 
 
 
 
State Media Stresses Importance of Uzbek Spiritual Values 
 
 
 
¶2. (U) Narodnoye Slovo published an article on January 12, 2010, 
entitled "Spirituality: We are Responsible for Our Children." The 
article is one of many articles recently published by state media 
discussing the importance of Uzbek spiritual values. The article, 
quoted in full below, is indicative of this trend. The article is 
also useful background on the government's campaign to mark 2010 as 
the "Year of the Harmoniously Developed Generation," as we consider 
how U.S. programs such as Internet freedom might apply in the 
Uzbekistan environment. 
 
 
 
Article Prominent but not Groundbreaking 
 
 
 
¶3. (U) The article was the first of 2010 to be published on this 
topic. (Note: Articles at the beginning of the year tend to outline 
the government's plans for the upcoming year, and such timing is 
often a sign of the significance of the article. End note.) 
However, the article was published in Russian, not Uzbek. (Note: 
Important events or political campaigns are most often discussed 
first in an Uzbek language publication. The fact that this article 
was in Russian suggests that it does represent a major policy shift 
or new initiative. End note.) It cites President Karimov 
frequently, indicating that the President himself is very focused 
on the theme of shaping the next generation. The article was signed 
by Anvar Kurbanov, a name which is unknown to the Press Office, 
indicating that the author is either not a professional journalist, 
or is using a pseudonym. 
 
 
 
Background on Media Outlet 
 
 
 
¶4. (U) Narodnoye Slovo is one of Uzbekistan's two papers of record 
(the other is the Uzbek language Halq Sozi). Nardonoye Slovo is 
owned jointly by the Cabinet of Ministers and the Parliament. Its 
circulation is approximately 14,500. While such a circulation rate 
is among the highest for Russian language newspapers, it should be 
noted that the paper's subscription rate is bolstered by government 
campaigns to "encourage" businesses and state organizations to 
purchase subscriptions. 
 
 
 
Translated Text of Article 
 
 
 
¶5. (U) The translated text of the article follows: "In his speech 
at the solemn meeting dedicated to the 17th anniversary of the 
country's constitution, President Islam Karimov: announced that the 
year 2010 would be the Year of the Harmoniously Developed 
Generation; talked about the need to enrich the spiritual world of 
young people; discussed the need for education based on the spirit 
of national and universal values; and emphasized that these issues 
acquire a special significance in the present difficult and 
turbulent times, when there are increasing attacks against our 
national identity and the traditional values of our people, and 
when selfish interests aim to master the consciousness of our young 
people. 
 
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¶6. (U) It is true that we live in difficult times, which are 
changing with unprecedented speed. Development of new technologies 
and the quickening pace of globalization shape the way in which old 
ideas change, and result in an excessive quickening of the pace of 
life. 
 
 
 
¶7. (U) There are positive aspects of globalization, such as 
increasing cooperation and integration between countries and 
peoples, scientific achievements, modern communication, information 
technologies, and the emergence of new opportunities for 
cooperation during ecological disasters. However, there are also 
negative aspects, namely: ideological influences and interests of 
different powers.  And while military, economic, and political 
pressure can be seen, felt, and prevented, it is much more 
difficult to predict ideological threats, their influence and 
consequences. Continuous spiritual education will help avoid this 
kind of danger. 
 
 
 
¶8. (U) Today, our youth receives information not only through 
educational establishments, but also through radio, TV, print 
media, and the Internet. In today's environment of increasing 
globalization, nobody is going to imprison the consciousness of 
young Uzbekistan citizens, forbidding them from reading or watching 
certain news reports or receiving this or that information. This 
meets neither the requirements of the present day, nor our 
intentions to create an open, democratic society. 
 
 
 
¶9. (U) At the same time we must not underestimate the threats and 
influences coming from abroad under the mask of "mass culture." 
These threats weaken ethnicity and spirituality and deny principles 
such as the sanctity of the family, human life, and other timeless 
values. Often they represent a complex of mix of ideological and 
propaganda measures, directed against the free life of a person and 
his spiritual world, regardless of his language, religion, or 
political beliefs. 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) For a while, one of the most popular "methods" here has 
been a never-ending discussion of the question of priorities of 
material and spiritual values of people. You can often hear the 
opinion that "one must deal with material problems first, and only 
then think about leisure." But this is entirely not true. 
Spirituality is not the same as leisure; it is a defining element 
of a person's fundamental values, faith, and principles. This is 
proven convincingly by world history and the recent history of 
Uzbekistan. 
 
 
 
¶11. (U) Material development and spiritual principles are not 
contradictory, but rather complement each other. From the first 
days of our country's development and the formation of an 
independent democratic state, our country has not limited itself to 
solving only economic problems. Alongside economics, priority has 
always been given to enlightenment, and the revival of spiritual 
values among Uzbek people. As Islam Karimov rightly noted in his 
speech, peace and serenity in the country, stable economic growth, 
and a steady increase in people's standard of living, even during 
the world financial crisis, would be impossible if we had not 
established conditions for Uzbekistan's youth to gain deep 
knowledge and master professional skills. 
 
 
 
¶12. (U) The main role of this particular young generation in 
furthering the dynamic development of the state is especially 
important nowadays, when right before our eyes deep changes in the 
world's geopolitical, economic, social, and information spheres are 
taking place, and when conflicts between various ideologies are 
getting more intense. That is why today it is more important than 
ever before that young citizens of Uzbekistan are able to resist 
alien ideas and those imposed from the outside, and counter 
ignorance with enlightenment. 
 
¶13. (U) Realizing the importance of this matter, the leadership of 
 
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Uzbekistan is today creating all the necessary conditions for the 
young generation to realize its talents and abilities. 
 
¶14. (U) The rich spiritual potential of our people, multiplied by 
the unique education system that was established in independent 
Uzbekistan, quickly yielded results. Today's successors of 
thinkers, statesmen, and scientists such as Amir Timur, Alisher 
Navoi, Mirzo Ulugbek, Imam Al-Bukhari, Abu Rayhon Beruni, Ibn Sina, 
and many others, can successfully apply accumulated potential, 
speak several foreign languages, and engage in equal dialogue with 
their peers from the world's developed countries.  But most 
importantly - today a truly new generation is taking shape in 
Uzbekistan. This generation is deeply aware of itself and of the 
rich scientific, cultural, and historical legacy of its people. It 
therefore possesses real patriotism and sincere love for its 
motherland.  Such a person, who is justified in feeling national 
pride and who has a deep love for his homeland and his people, is 
capable of performing great deeds. 
 
¶15. (U) The development of a society's spirituality and the 
ideological immunization of the young generation are continuous 
processes. That's why today, in addition to education, the state is 
also closely looking at childhood development - it is revitalizing 
all methods of affecting a person's thought and consciousness. 
 
¶16. (U) And certainly, the institute of family plays a special role 
in this. It lays the groundwork for values such as kindness, 
nobility, love, morality, prudence, and tactfulness, which are the 
defining spiritual criteria of every person. That's why, as noted 
by our head of state, protection of the family, and in particular 
of young families, will also be a priority this year, as families 
are society's most important link for raising a physically healthy 
and harmoniously developed young generation. A healthy family 
guarantees a strong society, and when a society is strong then the 
entire country is stable. 
 
¶17. (U) Spiritual perfection is not achieved in one year. The Uzbek 
people have been developing and enriching their national 
spirituality for centuries because this is a continuous process." 
 
 Comment 
 
¶18. (U) The article envisions a young generation which can engage 
with foreign counterparts (as long as such engagement is on an 
equal footing), but which must also guard against negative foreign 
influences, entering via the Internet, satellite TV and other 
media. While the author writes that spiritual and material 
principles are complementary rather than contradictory, it appears 
that the same can not be said for Uzbek and global values; the GoU 
apparently believes that "mass culture" and foreign influences 
weaken Uzbek values and principles. While the "harmoniously 
developed generation" is not defined by its opposition to an 
"other," it is clearly based on a particular "Uzbek" identity and 
"Uzbek" values. These values are not clearly defined in this 
article, with the exception of the inclusion of family, human life, 
and "other timeless values." End Comment. 
 
Norland 
NORLAND