Tajikistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

You have entered the Offices of the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Tajikistan


President of Tajikistan - E. Rakhmon

Foreign Minister - H. Zarifi

Foreign Deputy Minister - O. Rakhmon


Flag of Tajikistan

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

Minister,

We have reviewed your plans and, while we are always open to the prospect of new and improved trade relations, we will require closer evaluation of the proposed plan before making a decision. If you are soliciting our financing, I assume you that you have done preliminary research into this. If so, we would like to hear what your studies have shown.

From Beijing's perspective, this project is fairly expensive. It will command a sizable chunk of our developmental financing in Xinjiang. We will require suitable proof that this funding will have a suitably large effect on trade between China and Tajikistan as well as China and Kyrgyzstan.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

We have reviewed the new information in detail. Based on the geography of the region, we believe that this infrastructure project will cost us $250 million before taking into account the work done on the existing highway. While this is a great deal cheaper than the cost of building a brand new highway, which in our estimates exceeded a billion dollars, it is still quite costly. Doubly so when one considers that bilateral trade between our countries is just over $1 billion; it would take a decade or so for this road to pay for itself. Additionally, the over abundance of Tajikistani workers relative to their Chinese counterparts poses logistical difficulties that must be overcome.

If we were to agree to this proposal, we would ask for two concessions in return. First, TALCO is in dire need of improvements to its ability to dispose of waste safely; it has and will likely continue to be a source of contention with Uzbekistan until its non-existent environmental protection features are reviewed. When Dushanbe decides to undertake this project, the contract will go to a Chinese firm. We will ensure that over half of all employees as part of this project are Tajikistani citizens.

Our second request is that the mineral deposits at Big Kon-i Mansur be opened up to exploitation by Chinese firms. The deposits are currently not being exploited in any significant manner -- if they were, it would allow us to employ thousands of Tajikistani citizens on a regular basis for a very long period of time. Additionally, the tax revenue would provide your government with a substantial windfall on an annual basis. We believe that work could begin within 18 months.

If both of these concessions are agreed to, I am prepared to authorize the allocation of $500 million to this joint infrastructure project. Any funds that are not spent will go directly to Tajikistan, to spend as you will.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

We are very pleased to hear your reply in the affirmative. Attached to this message you find meeting data. I plan to stop off in Tajikistan prior to continuing my journey west.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

(I'm assuming you don't need a meeting to finalize this.)

To: Hamrokhon Zarifi, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
From: Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation
Classification: Top Secret

Minister Zarifi,

I note your concerns regarding neighbouring Uzbekistan. Russia does not feel that it is appropriate to take sides, but we do wish to see all disputes dealt with through peaceful negotiation. Russia stands ready to mediate any talks between your two nations if you so wish.

With regards to military equipment, I am sure that arrangements can be made for the delivery of extra attack helicopters. Russia plans to retire some of its Mi-24s over the coming decade, and we are willing to refurbish and donate some of these to your air force. The Mi-24 is a battle-tested platform which is already in use by your air force, which means that the basic infrastructure and training required to operate these helicopters is already present in Tajikistan. Spare parts are cheap and plentiful compared to more advanced systems, and your air force has already demonstrated that it is capable of utilising such helicopters effectively. As a preliminary measure, however, we note that Tajikistan currently has 8 Mi-24s in storage. Perhaps these could be shipped to Russia to be refurbished and upgraded?

I look forward to your response.

Sergei Lavrov
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

To: Hamrokhon Zarifi, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
From: Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation
Classification: Top Secret

Minister Zarfiri,

In addition to the 8 refurbished helicopters, we will provide a total of 32 extra Mi-24s to bring the total up to the requested 40 helicopters. This will be done as they are withdrawn from Russian service and refurbished for your use. Our Defence Ministry is still working out the exact schedule for the delivery but you will be notified in due course.

I have been asked by Rosoboronexport to inform you that the Mi-24 attack helicopters to be upgraded will be shipped to the Rostvertol plant in Rostov-on-Don. We anticipate they will be returned to Tajikistan by Q1 2013. This service will be provided as a part of our agreement with your government for the use of military facilities in your country.

I would like to hold a meeting with you in Dushanbe to discuss our economic, military and diplomatic relationships. I look forward to your reply.

Sergei Lavrov
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

It has come to our attention that India has recently signed a contract with your government to provide construction services. Given that they will receive "mining rights," according to one Indian news article, I do not believe their task -- whatever it may be -- is particularly small.

In order to ensure that the contract India signed and the contract we signed do not overlap, I am formally requesting a copy of the Indian contract.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

While the information you have provided us is relevant and useful in understanding the situation, the communique you forwarded to us refers to a previous message. We have a number of questions yet unanswered and we would like your help addressing them.

What is this message? What tasks will India carry out? What is India's responsibility in Tajikistan? Does it conflict with our own contract (either in concessions or responsibility)?

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

(It may be easier to just respond and say something like 'we will forward the Indian communiques' and then provide links at the end of your post. This gets the job done (and gives me IC reason to know what Amzi offered) without you having to manually quote everything.)

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

While I appreciate the transparency with which you have readily addressed this situation, I must be blunt: the content of the Indian communiques forwarded to us is not ideal.

Our first concern is that of jurisdiction. The Chinese contract, which predates the Indian contract, clearly says we are responsible for the Pamir Highway. The Indian communiques, however, clearly indicate that the Indians were under the impression that they would be constructing the Pamir Highway. This confuses us; why is there an overlap in areas of responsibility? Furthermore, why is India building a highway spur from Dushanbe towards China?

Additionally, the Indians requested that Big Kon-i Mansur be open to 'competitive' commercial activity. This would constitute a clear and direct violation of our own contract. Furthermore, India appears to have been granted a considerably greater mining concession than we have; we find this particular odd given that we did not ask you to secure a foreign loan and yet India did exactly that. Needless to say, this information paints a very unappealing picture of the situation in Dushanbe.

Because the Indian contract was signed after our contract, and because it clearly contradicts our own contract, we ask that Dushanbe abrogate the existing agreement with India. If Dushanbe proves amenable to this, we would be willing to sign a new contract to cover the following.

(1) The construction of the 'eastern spur' of the Pamir Highway, (2) the repaving of necessary portions of the existing Pamir Highway, (3) the repaving of highway from Dushanbe to Panji Poyon, ensuring ease of connection to that border crossing with Afghanistan, (4) connecting the rail terminus in Kashgar, Xinjiang to the rail station in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (Standard Gauge), (5) connecting the "northern" and "southern" rail systems in Tajikistan directly together (Russian Gauge). We will also grant Tajikistan $50 million in free military hardware per annum, to be spent on new or used equipment as desired. Our best estimate indicates this would cost some $1.25 billion to complete.

In return, we would require: (1) the TALCO and Big Kon-i Mansur rights as previously agreed, (2) exclusive rights to the mining rights previously offered to India, (3) 15% of all railroad dues arising from the use of rail we will be laying down with the remainder being retained by your government.

Additionally, we would like to lease the right to construct a military base some 15 kilometers south of Korugh, near the Afghan border, for a period of 49 years. In return, we will offer our personnel to help safeguard that portion of your border as well as an additional $50 million per annum in military grants for the purchase of materiel from us.

It is our opinion that this proposal will prove ample basis for the rapid revitalization of the Tajikistani economy, enhance local security from separatists and terrorists, deter hostilities from external parties, and greatly increase bilateral trade between our countries.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Yang Jiechi, People's Republic of China

You signed a contract with China that would see us provide a service. You then signed another contract with India for them to provide the same service. We have very, very little intention of renegotiating so that India might receive a substantially reduced work requirement for the previously agreed-upon terms. Were we inclined to sue both Tajikistan and India, the ICJ would almost certainly rule in our favor and abrogate the Tajik-Indian contract. But this is not a path we desire.

My new proposal is this: China will fund the construction of a new rail line from Kashgar to Dushanbe. We will pay for the costs out of pocket (estimated at upwards of $200 million). We will also build extend this rail connection to our mining interests (estimated at $25 million). We will also connect the rail station in Dushanbe to the southern system (estimated at $25 million). In return, you will provide us with the previously agreed upon rights with regards to Big Kon-i Mansur and TALCO. In addition to these agreed-upon concessions, the Eastern railroad system (connecting Kashgar, Big Kon-i Mansur, and Dushanbe) will be owned and operated by a Chinese firm, which will pay the appropriate taxes and fees to the government in Dushanbe for usage (fees and taxes shall be set at the rate for all other rail, prorated due to size differences). This will alleviate the need of Tajikistan's domestic railroad corporations to procure rail cars capable of operating on the Standard gauge (which is in use by China). Additionally, a rail change station will be constructed on the outskirts of Dushanbe at Chinese expense to minimize the break of gauge.

With regards to the central railroad (connecting the current northern and southern lines), the Chinese firm responsible for the Eastern railroad system will lease that rail to the Tajikistani government for $1 per annum, renewed every five years, and take 25% of all railroad dues in payment. This railroad's maintenance and operation shall be the responsibility of a Tajikistani firm. It will be constructed in Russian gauge to minimize any disruption of transit.

We believe that this is now the best possible agreement, assuming that India becomes fully responsible for the Pamir Highway, including the eastern spur set to link the Sino-Tajik highway systems.

Additionally, our proposal for the construction of a Chinese military base in south Tajikistan remains in place. If you are amenable to this, we will be willing to discuss terms independent of a package deal.

[Signed]
Yang Jiechi
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Sun, People's Republic of China

I am afraid that the Tajikistani counter-offer is not sufficient. I remind you that we find ourselves in this position because of the actions of your government. I will endeavor to make changes to the offer that are mutually acceptable to us both, but the Tajikistani counter-offer is not acceptable to Beijing at this point in time. Despite this, I believe that we can salvage this negotiation and meet the requirements of both Dushanbe and Beijing.

Let us address the central rail line, as this is the place where I believe we can most easily reach an agreement. This line shall be property of the Chinese government for a period of 25 years (down from your suggested 35). It shall be leased at the aforementioned and agreed upon rate ($1 per annum, renewed every five years). However, we shall take as our compensation 20% of all railroad dues; this figure is the middle ground between our previous positions. After the 25 years pass, the railroad shall then be sold (or leased) to a Tajikistani corporation at the then-current market rate value of the rail line. The exact terms of that agreement would depend upon market conditions 25 years from now.

Now, with regards to the eastern railroad system, we must categorically reject the Tajikistani proposal. It is not politically acceptable to us to finance the construction of this rail line and then accept a minority share in its ownership. As such, I propose a counter-offer: the Tajikistani government will accept a minority share of the rail line (30%). While within the geographic confines of the Tajikistani state, we will commit to having 75% of the rail line's work force being Tajikistani by 2020; this gives us time to provide training to ensure that your citizens are fully capable of serving in jobs that require skilled labor, such as engine mechanics. In the short term, no less than 25% of the rail line's work force will be Tajikistani; additionally, we will commit to at least 80% of the construction force being Tajikistani where possible.

The rail change station, planned to be located some 2 kilometers east of the edge of Dushanbe, will be entirely owned by a firm of your choice. Similarly, the Russian gauge connecting this rail change station to Dushanbe's existing northern network will be entirely owned and operated by a firm of your choice. Our sole requirement is that goods originating from China be assessed no fees at the break-of-gauge for a period of 50 years. This will greatly encourage bilateral trade.

[Signed]
Sun Zhengcai
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

Graphical Aid
[Red = Standard Gauge. Green = Russian Gauge. This should give you an idea of my plans as above. Not to scale, obviously.]

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Sun, People's Republic of China

I genuinely cannot believe that you are going to go as far as to demand we pay your central bank such an outrageous sum of money. We were approached by you -- this entire project happened because the previous regime wanted to improve ties with your government. A contract was signed... and then you promptly violated that contract. Work had not even begun and you had brazenly violated your legal obligations to us.

Beijing has attempted to work with you. We value our partnership with Tajikistan. The problem we've had is that, in attempting to resolve a problem you created, you kept insisting that what we offered was not good enough. Here we are, offering to triple the amount of rail in your country and give you direct rail access to far-flung markets and you're telling us that our offer isn't good enough.

Your political opposition groups -- hitherto unmentioned -- are not our concern. And I will not, under any circumstances, offer you such a blatant and brazen bribe. We are doing you a favor by connecting your under-developed country to the region. And yet you suddenly expect me to authorize a payment to your country that is five times our annual trade? And you expect me to do this as a gesture of good will?

My previous offer stands. It is the last offer my government will make. I hope, for the sake of bilateral relations, that you accept it and respect it.

[Signed]
Sun Zhengcai
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Sun, People's Republic of China

As your government essentially ceded a very large tract of land to groups hostile to China, the Party has ordered the People's Liberation Army to close the border at Kulma Pass. This border, which accounts for a significant percentage of your country's GDP and annual trade, will no longer be available for commercial use. The border will remain closed until such time as you rectify this security situation.

You may consider our negotiations regarding infrastructure frozen. If we cannot trust you to secure your border, we cannot trust you to keep the hundred or so armed insurgents in your country from interfering with our construction efforts.

I regret that it had to come to this. Perhaps in the future your government will consult us before doing something so rash.

[Signed]
Sun Zhengcai
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

To: Office of Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Sun, People's Republic of China

First you sign a contract with my government and then immediately turn around and sign a contradictory contract with India. Then you repeatedly stonewall negotiations, invariably insisting on greater concessions at every stage of the negotiations. You continue this trend of asking for far more than your bargaining position warrants until such time as negotiations begin to break down. And, when that happens, your government's first recourse is to unilaterally abandon security efforts in a region that has previously harbored insurgents that have killed Chinese security personnel. Now you are telling us we can fix this problem by giving you money. This is the second time you have outright demanded funding from us and attempted to leverage your unenviable position to do so.

And, mere days after this announcement of yours to withdraw from the border, a car bomb in Xinjiang kills two border guards. Am I supposed to believe this is a coincidence?

[Signed]
Sun Zhengcai
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China

[News]

To: Hamrokhon Zarifi, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
From: Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

Minister Zarifi,

I have referred your proposal to the President, who has agreed to provide you with military aid to help combat insurgents in your country. Given Tajikistan's geographical location we feel that stability in the Central Asian Republics is important for Russian national security.

Units from our Central Military District can be deployed as soon as your government allows them. However, I would strongly urge you to begin operations as soon as possible so that the security situation can be improved before the presidential election in November and to ensure that militants do not have the breathing space they require to rearm and plan further attacks. You will find it impossible to conduct an election if a significant proportion of your country is not under government control, and the Chinese are preparing to intervene.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible.

Sergei Lavrov
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

(OOC: Just as an aside, 'elections' in Tajikistan are basically rigged anyway. Emomalii Rahmon is going to win unless he decides not to stand.)

To: Hamrokhon Zarifi, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
From: Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

Dear Minister,

I must enquire as to the reason for increasing your troop presence at the border with Uzbekistan when the border area with China is in clear need of a military deployment to stem further insurgent attacks. Russia has not detected any significant troop movements on the part of Uzbekistan; all movements appear to be routine. I strongly suggest redeploying your armed forces to the areas which they recently evacuated near the Chinese border and granting permission for Russian troops to fly to Tajikistan to help bolster your operations and provide support and guidance as necessary.

Furthermore, we are unable to represent you in the UN Security Council as this would be a major conflict of interest. However, the UNSC has invited a delegate from Tajikistan to take part in the debate; I urge you to ensure that your ambassador, Sirodjidin Aslov, is present.

Sergei Lavrov
Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation

As Uzbekistan (Reply in NPC Foreign Ministry thread if necessary)

To: Hamrokhon Zarifi, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan
From: Vladimir Norov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan

Minister Zarifi,

It is with some concern that my Government has received reports that your armed forces are massing on our mutual border. While your intentions are unclear, I must warn you that the armed forces of Uzbekistan have been mobilised and are prepared to meet any hostile action which you may commence. My President recommends that your forces stand down and return to their peacetime positions so that we do not misinterpret your intentions and launch a war that you are ill equipped for and can ill afford.

To: Office of Minister H. Zafiri, Republic of Tajikistan
From: Minister Sun, People's Republic of China

Your government's decision to resume its security duties on our border, while very much delayed, is welcome by China. Unfortunately, despite the claims made by your representative in the United Nations, we will not finance this venture. After all, we would have precisely no reason to believe that this funding would not go towards whatever sort of operation you plan to conduct on your border with Uzbekistan.

The border, however, will remain closed. We shall reopen it as part of negotiations once we have reason to believe you have taken the appropriate steps to pacify the region.

[Signed]
Sun Zhengcai
Foreign Minister
People's Republic of China