Part 15 (1/2)
14. (S) Despite Medvedev's stated anti-corruption campaign, the extent of corruption in Moscow remains pervasive with Mayor Luzhkov at the top of the pyramid. Luzhkov oversees a system in which it appears that almost everyone at every level is involved in some form of corruption or criminal behavior. Despite Medvedev's stated anti-corruption campaign, the extent of corruption in Moscow remains pervasive with Mayor Luzhkov at the top of the pyramid. Luzhkov oversees a system in which it appears that almost everyone at every level is involved in some form of corruption or criminal behavior. Putin and Medvedev's dilemma is deciding when Luzhkov becomes a bigger liability than a.s.set. While public sentiment against Luzhkov has grown since the ”tainted” elections in October 2009, United Russia's leaders.h.i.+p knows that he has been a loyal supporter who can deliver voter support. Ousting Luzhkov before he is ready to go could create major difficulties because he could link others in the government to the corruption. While reforming Luzhkov's questionable activities might seem like the right thing to do, for now keeping him in place, efficiently running the city, is United Russia's best option. Ultimately, the tandem will put Luzhkov out to pasture, like it has done with fellow long-term regional leaders like Sverdlovsk oblast governor Edward Rossel and Tatarstan President Mintimir Shaymiyev. Putin and Medvedev's dilemma is deciding when Luzhkov becomes a bigger liability than a.s.set. While public sentiment against Luzhkov has grown since the ”tainted” elections in October 2009, United Russia's leaders.h.i.+p knows that he has been a loyal supporter who can deliver voter support. Ousting Luzhkov before he is ready to go could create major difficulties because he could link others in the government to the corruption. While reforming Luzhkov's questionable activities might seem like the right thing to do, for now keeping him in place, efficiently running the city, is United Russia's best option. Ultimately, the tandem will put Luzhkov out to pasture, like it has done with fellow long-term regional leaders like Sverdlovsk oblast governor Edward Rossel and Tatarstan President Mintimir Shaymiyev.
BEYRLE.
ALCOHOL-SODDEN LUNCH HELPED.
US-TAJIK MILITARY RELATIONS.
Tuesday, 01 August 2006, 12:12 CONFIDENTIAL SECTION 01 OF 02 DUSHANBE 001464.
SIPDIS.
SIPDIS.
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EUR/CARC, PM, S/P.
EO 12958 DECL: 8/1/2016.
TAGS PGOV, PREL, MARR, GG, RS”>RS, TI SUBJECT: OLD-GUARD TAJIK MINISTER OF DEFENSE OBSESSES ON NATO, GEORGIA.
DUSHANBE 00001464 001.2 OF 002.
CLa.s.sIFIED BY: Richard E. Hoagland, Amba.s.sador, Emba.s.sy Dushanbe, State Department. REASON: 1.4 (b), (d) 1. (C) SUMMARY: The Amba.s.sador endured a three-hour-plus one-on-one lunch August 1 with Tajikistan's Minister of Defense Sherali Khairulloyev. Apart from the general conversation, the minister apologized for previous mil-mil relations that didn't meet expectations; harped repeatedly on NATO, Georgia, and Saakashvili; and a.s.serted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization must become a military bloc to face down NATO. By the end of the alcohol-sodden lunch, the minister was slurring and unsteady on his feet. We suspect President Rahmonov ordered the minister to host this farewell lunch. While it was rather unusual in many respects, we believe it helped place another brick in the wall of U.S.-Tajikistan military relations. END SUMMARY 2. (C) Defense Minister Khairulloyev apologized several times for ”misunderstandings and missed opportunities” in the past in U.S.-Tajik military relations. He a.s.serted repeatedly that he expects an increasingly smooth and productive relations.h.i.+p. He said he has come to understand Tajikistan must have a number of equal partners, not just one [Russia], if it is to propser.