Richard Hoagland, U.S. ambassador to Tajikistan, met with President Imomali Rakhmonov in Dushanbe on 1 December to discuss bilateral relations, RFE/RL\'s Tajik Service reported. At the end of the meeting, Hoagland voiced objections to a 26 November article in the state-run newspaper \"Jumhuriyat.\" The article charged the American Bar Association\'s Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (ABA/CEELI) is undermining traditional values in Tajikistan with its seminars. Avesta reported that Hoagland addressed the newspaper\'s editors in a letter, calling the article a \"classic example of a groundless mudslinging campaign.\" Calling the article an attempt to harm Tajik-U.S. relations, Hoagland said, \"An apology is due not only to the United States and the U.S. Embassy, but also to President Rakhmonov and the people of Tajikistan.\" \"Jumhuriyat\" editor in chief Kamol Abdurahimov told RFE/RL that the article\'s author was merely exercising his right to free speech. Also on 1 December, Hoagland met with representatives of the ruling People\'s Democratic Party, telling them that U.S. democracy-promotion efforts in Tajikistan are not intended to spark a revolution. (RFE/RL)