

Currently released so far... 12648 / 251,287
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/08
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Melbourne
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AORC
AF
AU
ASEC
AMGT
AS
APER
AR
AG
ARF
AJ
AA
AINF
APECO
AODE
ABLD
AMG
ATPDEA
AE
AEMR
AMED
AGAO
AFIN
AL
ASUP
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AID
ASCH
AM
AORL
ASEAN
APEC
ADM
AFSI
AFSN
ADCO
ABUD
AN
AY
AIT
AGR
ACOA
ANET
ASIG
AMCHAMS
AGMT
AADP
ADPM
ATRN
ALOW
ACS
APCS
AFFAIRS
ADANA
AECL
ACAO
AORG
AROC
AO
ACABQ
AX
AMEX
AFGHANISTAN
AZ
AND
ARM
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
ACBAQ
AC
AUC
ASEX
AER
AVERY
AGRICULTURE
AFU
BR
BTIO
BY
BO
BA
BU
BL
BN
BM
BF
BEXP
BK
BG
BB
BTIU
BBSR
BRUSSELS
BD
BIDEN
BE
BH
BILAT
BC
BX
BT
BP
BMGT
BWC
CS
CA
CH
CD
CO
CE
CU
CVIS
CASC
CJAN
CI
CPAS
CMGT
CDG
CIC
CAC
CBW
CWC
COUNTER
CW
CT
CY
CNARC
CACM
CG
CB
CM
CV
CIDA
CLINTON
CHR
COE
CR
CIS
CDC
CONS
CF
CODEL
COPUOS
CIA
CFED
CARSON
CL
CROS
CAPC
CTR
CACS
CN
CBSA
CEUDA
COM
CONDOLEEZZA
CICTE
COUNTRY
CBE
CKGR
CVR
COUNTERTERRORISM
CITEL
CLEARANCE
CARICOM
CSW
CITT
CDB
CJUS
CTM
CAN
CLMT
CBC
EAID
ECON
EFIS
ETRD
EC
ENRG
EINV
EFIN
EAGR
ETTC
ECPS
EINT
ES
EIND
EAIR
EU
EUN
EG
EPET
ELAB
EWWT
EMIN
ECIN
ESA
ER
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EAIG
ET
ETRO
ELTN
EI
EN
EUR
EK
EUMEM
EPA
ENGR
EXTERNAL
EUREM
ELN
EUC
ENERG
ENIV
EZ
ERD
EFTA
ETRC
ETRN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ESENV
ENNP
ENVI
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECINECONCS
EFINECONCS
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EXIM
ERNG
ECA
EINVEFIN
ETC
EAP
ECONOMY
EINN
ECONOMIC
EXBS
ECUN
ENGY
ECONOMICS
EIAR
EINDETRD
ECONEFIN
EURN
EDU
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ECIP
EFIM
EAIDS
EREL
EINVETC
ECONCS
ETRA
IC
IV
IAEA
IR
IO
IT
IN
IS
IZ
IMO
IPR
IWC
ICAO
ILO
ID
ICTY
ICJ
INMARSAT
INDO
IL
IMF
IRS
IQ
IA
ICRC
IDA
IAHRC
IBRD
ISLAMISTS
IGAD
ILC
ITU
ITF
INRA
INRO
IDP
ICTR
IEFIN
IRC
ITRA
ITALY
INRB
INTELSAT
IBET
IRAQI
ISRAELI
IIP
ITPGOV
ITALIAN
INTERNAL
INTERPOL
IEA
INR
IZPREL
IRAJ
IF
ITPHUM
ISRAEL
IACI
KBTR
KPAO
KOMC
KCRM
KDEM
KHIV
KBIO
KTIA
KMDR
KNNP
KSCA
KTIP
KWMN
KIPR
KCOR
KRVC
KFRD
KPAL
KWBG
KE
KTDB
KUNR
KSPR
KJUS
KGHG
KAWC
KCFE
KGCC
KOLY
KSUM
KACT
KISL
KTFN
KFLU
KSTH
KMPI
KHDP
KS
KHLS
KMRS
KID
KN
KU
KAWK
KSAC
KCOM
KAID
KIRC
KWMNCS
KMCA
KNEI
KCRS
KPKO
KICC
KPOA
KV
KDRG
KIRF
KSEO
KVPR
KSEP
KTER
KBCT
KFIN
KGIC
KCIP
KZ
KG
KWAC
KRAD
KPRP
KTEX
KNAR
KPLS
KPAK
KSTC
KFLO
KSCI
KIDE
KOMS
KHSA
KSAF
KPWR
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KFSC
KRIM
KVRP
KENV
KNSD
KCGC
KDDG
KPRV
KTBT
KWMM
KMFO
KMOC
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KPAI
KO
KVIR
KREC
KX
KR
KCRCM
KBTS
KOCI
KGIT
KNUP
KPAONZ
KNUC
KNNPMNUC
KERG
KTLA
KCSY
KTRD
KNPP
KJUST
KCMR
KRCM
KCFC
KCHG
KREL
KFTFN
KLIG
KDEMAF
KICA
KHUM
KSEC
KPIN
KESS
KDEV
KWWMN
KOM
KWNM
KRFD
KMIG
KRGY
KIFR
MARR
MOPS
MASS
MX
MNUC
MCAP
MO
MR
MEPP
MTCRE
MAPP
MEPN
MZ
MT
ML
MA
MY
MIL
MD
MASSMNUC
MU
MK
MTCR
MUCN
MAS
MEDIA
MAR
MC
MI
MQADHAFI
MPOS
MTRE
MASC
MG
MARAD
MRCRE
MW
MP
MOPPS
MTS
MLS
MILI
MEPI
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MCC
MIK
MAPS
MV
MILITARY
MDC
NATO
NZ
NL
NO
NK
NU
NPT
NI
NG
NEW
NSF
NA
NPG
NSG
NE
NSSP
NS
NDP
NSC
NAFTA
NH
NV
NP
NPA
NSFO
NT
NW
NASA
NORAD
NATIONAL
NGO
NR
NIPP
NZUS
NC
NRR
NAR
NATOPREL
OEXC
OTRA
OPRC
OVIP
OAS
OIIP
OSCE
OREP
OPIC
OFDP
OMIG
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OIC
OECD
OIE
OPDC
ON
OCII
OPAD
OBSP
OFFICIALS
OPCW
OHUM
OES
OCS
OTR
OSAC
OFDA
PGOV
PREL
PM
PHUM
PTER
PINR
PINS
PREF
PARM
PL
PK
PU
PBTS
PBIO
PHSA
PE
PO
PROP
PA
PNAT
POL
PLN
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PCUL
PAK
PGGV
PAO
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PAS
PGIV
PHUMPREL
PCI
PG
POGOV
PHUMPGOV
PEL
POLITICS
POLICY
PINL
PP
PREO
PAHO
PBT
PMIL
POV
PRL
PDOV
PTBS
PRAM
PREFA
PSI
PAIGH
POSTS
PALESTINIAN
PARMS
PROG
PTERE
PRGOV
PORG
PS
PGOF
PKFK
PSOE
PEPR
PPA
PINT
PMAR
PRELP
PINF
PNG
PFOR
PUNE
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PSEPC
PNR
POLINT
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PDEM
PECON
PROV
PGOC
PY
PHUH
PF
PHUS
RU
RS
RO
RW
RP
RFE
REGION
REACTION
REPORT
ROOD
RCMP
RM
RSO
ROBERT
RICE
RSP
RF
RIGHTS
RIGHTSPOLMIL
RUPREL
RELATIONS
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SNAR
SL
SW
SMIG
SP
SY
SA
SHUM
SZ
SYRIA
SF
SR
SO
SARS
SN
SC
SIPRS
SI
SYR
SEVN
SG
SPCE
SK
STEINBERG
SH
SNARCS
SAARC
SCRS
SENVKGHG
SAN
ST
SIPDIS
SNARIZ
SNARN
SSA
SPCVIS
SOFA
SEN
SANC
SWE
SHI
TW
TU
TBIO
TSPL
TPHY
TRGY
TC
TT
TSPA
TINT
TERRORISM
TX
TR
TS
TN
TD
TH
TIP
TNGD
TI
TZ
THPY
TP
TBID
TF
TL
TV
TK
TO
TRSY
TURKEY
TFIN
TAGS
UN
UK
UNSC
UNGA
US
UNESCO
UP
UNHRC
UNAUS
USTR
UNDP
UNEP
UY
UNCHR
UG
UZ
UNPUOS
USEU
UNMIK
UNDC
UNICEF
UV
UNHCR
UNCHC
UNCSD
USOAS
UNFCYP
USUN
USNC
UNIDROIT
UNO
UNCND
USPS
USAID
UE
UNVIE
UAE
UNODC
UNCHS
UNFICYP
UNDESCO
UNC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 05DUSHANBE1870, MODERATE TAJIK ISLAMIC LEADER KABIRI WAL...
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05DUSHANBE1870.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
05DUSHANBE1870 | 2005-11-28 07:02 | 2011-02-03 00:00 | CONFIDENTIAL | Embassy Dushanbe |
Appears in these articles: http://www.novgaz.ru/data/2011/010/12.html |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 001870
SIPDIS
STATE FOR P, EUR/CACEN, SA, DRL, S/P
NSC FOR MERKEL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015
TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL KDEM RS TI
SUBJECT: MODERATE TAJIK ISLAMIC LEADER KABIRI WAL...
46151 11/28/2005 7:02 05DUSHANBE1870 Embassy Dushanbe CONFIDENTIAL 05DUSHANBE1828|05DUSHANBE1855|05DUSHANBE1866
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L DUSHANBE 001870 SIPDIS STATE FOR P, EUR/CACEN, SA, DRL, S/P NSC FOR MERKEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2015 TAGS: PGOV PREL KISL KDEM RS TI
Internal Politics SUBJECT: MODERATE TAJIK ISLAMIC LEADER KABIRI WALKS A TIGHTROPE -- RAHMONOV WANTS TO MARGINALIZE HIM; HIS PARTY'S ISLAMIST WING DISTRUSTS HIM REF:
A) DUSHANBE 1866 B) DUSHANBE 1855 C) DUSHANBE 1828
CLASSIFIED BY: Richard E. Hoagland, Ambassador, EXEC, Embassy Dushanbe. REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 1. (C)
SUMMARY: First Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) and Member of Parliament, Muhiddin Kabiri, worries that the government wants to marginalize him and that his pro-Western views alienate a significant wing of his party. He praised Secretary Rice's visit to a Dushanbe mosque and madrassa, but lamented the blackout by Tajik state media of coverage of these events. He said the Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament ordered him never again to wear an orange tie (symbol of "color revolutions"). The Russian Embassy under its new ambassador has severed all contact with the IRPT. He asserted that the current Tajik leadership, increasingly authoritarian, will not allow legitimate new leaders to emerge. The West should carefully find ways to support Kibiri as a new-generation, moderate Islamic leader. This would include giving him greater political exposure at high levels, not just at the usual international seminars and conferences. END SUMMARY
¶2. (SBU) Muhiddin Kabiri, the First Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT), asked for a November 22 meeting with the Ambassador to discuss his views of Tajikistan's political scene since Secretary Rice's October 13 visit to Dushanbe. REACTION TO THE SECRETARY'S VISIT
¶3. (C) Kabiri requested a readout of the Secretary's meeting with President Rahmonov. The Ambassador assured Kabiri that Secretary Rice had told Rahmonov that the United States wants to SIPDIS see Tajik presidential elections in 2006 that meet international standards. She explained to Rahmonov that clean elections don't happen just on election day, but, equally important, in the long run-up when other politicians need access to the media to get their messages to the people.
¶4. (C) Noting he had just come from a state think-tank roundtable discussion of the U.S. concept of the Central Asian Corridor of Reform, Kabiri asked whether there was a place in that corridor for the IRPT. The Ambassador assured Kabiri Secretary Rice had specifically praised Tajikistan for having SIPDIS the only legal Islamic party in the region taking part in the political life of the nation. He told Kabiri one of the key points of U.S. foreign policy in Central Asia is to find appropriate ways to support traditional moderate Islam and leaders and parties that profess that view.
¶5. (C) Kabiri praised the Secretary for meeting with Tajikistan's political party leaders and especially for visiting the Central Mosque and Women's Madrassa. He added that he and his party were chagrined that the Tajik state media, including the all-important television, had blacked out all coverage of the mosque and madrassa visits. The Ambassador asked Kabiri to pass to his party members his apologies that Tajik security bodies had cleared the neighborhood around the mosque and madrassa of legitimate worshippers during the Secretary's visit. This was especially regrettable during Ramadan. TAJIKISTAN'S "MANAGED DEMOCRACY"
¶6. (C) Kabiri noted that Tajik officials often talk about democracy, but in reality find real democracy a threat to their vide-grip on power, and act to suppress it. He added that the IRPT itself is not as democratic as it should be, but does what it can within current political and cultural constraints. For what has happened to democracy in Tajikistan in recent years, Kabiri explained the opposition's potential to use force at the end of the Civil War motivated the government to cooperate with all opposition groups and was pluralistic out of weakness. Now, the ruling political elite sees no credible opposition, armed or otherwise, and increasingly dismisses any need for continuing dialogue.
¶7. (C) The Ambassador pointed out the Tajik government pays lip service to democracy and pluralism, but increasingly exerts greater control over every aspect of political life. This is neo-Soviet "managed democracy," not real democracy and, unfortunately, is encouraged by Moscow. Kabiri confessed the IRPT at this point would settle for a sort of managed democracy, if it at least had some elements of real democracy, but he fears that the government is becoming increasingly authoritarian.
¶8. (SBU) Kabiri said he had published an article in IRPT's newspaper, "Najot," criticizing the U.S. "double standard" in which the United States supposedly professes support for democratic values, but in fact supports authoritarian regimes in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan. However, he noted, the U.S. reaction to the Andijon massacre in Uzbekistan had been an eye-opener. He praised the United States for acting on its ideals. "This did not go unnoticed," he said.
¶9. (C) The Ambassador said President Rahmonov seems to make public statements in support of Islam, but also issues contradictory regulations that undercut this position, like the recent ban on females wearing "hijab" (Islamic headscarves) in public schools. Kabiri agreed and said that such actions are radicalizing the more conservative wing of his party. He claimed that general support for the IRPT in the traditional and conservative parts of Tajik society had surged following this ill-considered edict. TOE THE LINE - AND GET RID OF THE ORANGE TIE
¶10. (C) The IRPT and the Communist Party of Tajikistan (CPT) are the only minority parties in Parliament. Kabiri recounted that Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament Khairulloyev had told him that he (Khairulloyev) is responsible for keeping Kabiri and CPT Chairman Shodi Shabdalov in line - and he doesn't have to worry about Shabdalov.
¶11. (C) Kabiri recounted that he had recently, by chance, worn an orange necktie to a session of parliament. Khairulloyev had pulled him aside and ordered him never to wear it again in public. Kabiri laughed and said he had not intended to make a political statement in support of "color revolutions." He simply has bad taste and lets his wife every morning pick out which tie he wears.
¶12. (C) More seriously, Kabiri said his primary goal as an "opposition politician" is to stay out of prison. Although he speaks out in IRPT press releases and in the party newspaper, he trims his sails in parliament and generally votes with the government. As a result, he has the worst of both worlds. The government, he said, sees him as a dangerous radical, and the more conservative wing of his party sees him as a pro-Rahmonov lackey.
¶13. (C) COMMENT: Although Rahmonov sees the IRPT as a dangerous enemy and tells some Western interlocutors it's a terrorist organization, he also wants to keep the IRPT in the Big Tent, if he feels he can control it. IRPT Chairman Said Abdullo Nuri, dying of cancer, is one of the civil war warlords whom Rahmonov has allowed to become very wealthy. In the world of Tajik politics, that gives Rahmonov control over Nuri. Rahmonov has no such relationship with Kabiri, and is greatly annoyed that he seems to be well received in Western embassies and capitals. Rahomonov does not want to see Kabiri succeed Nuri as IRPT chairman, although the general consensus at this time is that Kabiri is essentially Chairman-in-Waiting until Nuri dies. END COMMENT. RAHMONOV BUILDS NEW FACADE OF SUPPORT
¶14. (C) The Ambassador asked Kabiri for his opinion of the two newly registered parties - the Party of Economic Reform and the Agrarian Party of Tajikistan and why they have appeared now on the political scene (reftels A, B). Kabiri responded that the parties are a calculated political creation by Rahmonov to give the illusion that he has multi-party support and to bolster his claim to "democratic" legitimacy at the same time that he works to marginalize the other real opposition parties.
¶15. (C) However, Kabiri conceded, even if the new parties are artificial, he welcomes them because the more political parties on the scene, the better. They may mutate toward a degree of independence, and in the longer term multiple parties will be able to form various coalitions. (COMMENT: If in fact this is Kabiri's view, it's both generous and naove. Should these new parties not toe Rahmonov's line, they will not continue to exist. END COMMENT.) NEW-GENERATION POLITICIANS CANNOT EMERGE
¶16. (C) The Ambassador asked Kabiri who are the new politicians-in-waiting who could emerge on the national scene - who are making names for themselves and building constituencies, even at the regional and local levels? Who are the bright young leaders we should pay attention to? Kabiri had no optimistic answer. He said that the "big names" from the civil war and post-civil-war period have been co-opted, are now in prison, or are simply shallow non-entities. He suggested someone like Social Democratic Party of Tajikistan Chairman Zoyirov (reftel C) is a real leader with national potential, but no one knows him broadly nationwide. If he could appear on State TV "five times in the next year," he'd have a real constituency. But this will not happen because Rahmonov will not allow it. RUSSIAN EMBASSY NOW A "BLACK HOLE"
¶17. (C) The Ambassador asked Kabiri if he and his party maintain normal contacts at the Russian Embassy. Kabiri said that under previous Russian Ambassador Peshkov, he and his party had "correct" contacts with Peshkov and several other Russian Embassy officials. Since the arrival this summer of Ambassador Abdulatipov, the Russian Embassy has become a "black hole" for the IRPT. No senior IRPT official has met with Abdulatipov, and the Russian Embassy has cut off all contact with the party. Kabiri commented that he is grateful he continues to have access to the U.S. Embassy.
¶18. (C) COMMENT: Rahmonov portrays himself in public statements as the defender of Islam. At the same time, he is working to marginalize the IRPT. Kabiri appears genuinely to be moderate and to understand Western-style democratic politics. For this reason, he is controversial within his party, which has its base of support in the conservative rural sections of the country. He may emerge as the next IRPT chairman when Nuri dies, but this is not a given. Rahmonov and his minions will work to marginalize Kabiri in national politics, and the conservative wing of the IRPT may reject him. In the meantime, the West should carefully find ways to support Kabiri as a new-generation, moderate Islamic leader. This would include giving him greater political exposure at high levels, not just at the usual international seminars and conferences . END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND NNNN 2005-11-28 MODERATE TAJIK ISLAMIC LEADER KABIRI WALKS A TIGHTROPE -- RAHMONOV WANTS TO MARGINALIZE HIM; HIS PARTY'S ISLAMIST WING DISTRUSTS
HIM First Deputy Chairman of the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) and Member of Parliament, Muhiddin Kabiri, worries that the government wants to marginalize him and that his pro-Western views alienate a significant wing of his party. He praised Secretary Rice's visit to a Dushanbe mosque and madrassa, but lamented the blackout by Tajik state media of coverage of these events. He said the Chairman of the Lower House of Parliament ordered him never again to wear an orange tie (symbol of "color revolutions"). The Russian Embassy under its new ambassador has severed all contact with the IRPT. He asserted that the current Tajik leadership, increasingly authoritarian, will not allow legitimate new leaders to emerge. The West should carefully find ways to support Kibiri as a new-generation, moderate Islamic leader. This would include giving him greater political exposure at high levels, not just at the usual international seminars and conferences.