DEATH OF NIYAZOV SITREP 005: 12/27/2006

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 06 ASHGABAT 001313 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA; NSC FOR MERKEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 TAGS: PGOV PREL ASEC CASC TX SUBJECT: DEATH OF NIYAZOV SITREP 005: 12/27/2006 REF: A. (A) ASHGABAT 1303 ¶B. (B) ASHGABAT 1295 ¶C. (C) ASHGABAT 1292 ¶D. (D) ASHGABAT 1289 ¶E. (E) ASHGABAT 162 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Turkmenistan remains calm. Peace Corps volunteers are returning to their assigned cities, and government institutions are continuing to function, albeit in some chaos. Charge met today with the head of the Americas section at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss next steps, including visits by PDAS Mann/DAS Feigenbaum and EUR/ACE Adams. Visitors are beginning to come to the embassy to report increased surveillance of their homes and activities; embassy officers are meeting with all. Embassy's EAC met and agreed upon a range of next steps, including stepped-up travel to the provinces to monitor preparations for elections. Bios contained paras 9-18. Given the continuing calm, this is embassy's last sitrep. End Summary. Calm -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The situation throughout Turkmenistan remains calm; most Peace Corps volunteers have started returning to their assigned cities, and are reporting safe arrivals and quiet conditions. Airports are open, and markets are full of holiday shoppers; prices remain normal, with none of the usual increases due to the holiday season. The number of police remains slightly elevated, and we have been told that law enforcement agencies may remain at heightened alert at least through January. Government Functioning -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Government institutions continue to function. While the Charge met December 27 with Americas Desk Head Serdar Bashimov at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she has had no contact with Foreign Minister Meredov, in spite of repeated requests. ¶4. (SBU) Newspapers were delivered unusually late December 27, likely due to disagreement over how to cover the December 26 events at the Halk Maslahaty (People's Council -- ref a), and, in particular, whether to print new constitutional provisions on presidential succession approved during the Halk Maslahaty session. Berdimuhammedov appears to be working to consolidate his position vis-a-vis the "power" (security) ministries, who reportedly have thrown their support to him. Bios of the six presidential candidates selected by the Halk Maslahaty contained paras 9-18. Charge Gives Interviews -------------- ¶5. (U) The Charge gave an interview for the state-run TV-4 station, in which she responded to questions about the legacy of President Niyazov, her views of the December 26 session of the Halk Maslahaty, and on Turkmenistan's future. She also gave an interview on background to Wall Street Journal reporter/op-ed writer Hugh Pope on December 27. Pope says his op-ed piece will run within the week. Surveillance Increases -------------- ¶6. (S) Locals are beginning to visit the embassy to report increased law enforcement surveillance and/or harassment, and request embassy assistance. Embassy is meeting with all visitors. At a December 27 strategy session, embassy reviewed procedures for meeting with walk-ins and for responding to ASHGABAT 00001313 002 OF 006 requests for assistance and/or asylum. Next Steps -------------- ¶7. (C) At the December 27 strategy session, embassy came up with a list of next steps, including: -- Push for a meeting with Meredov in order to ask for responde to demarche on concerns on human rights and Jackson-Vanik/freedom of movement; -- Plan for DAS Feigenbaum/PDAS Mann and EUR/ACE Adams visits; -- Move forward with retesting for FLEX applicants, as agreed to on December 20 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; -- Deploy EXBS and Nevada National Guard teams to visit Turkmenistan's borders; -- Send out embassy officers on provincial visits to continue to monitor the security situation and preparations for presidential elections. -- Continue return of Peace Corps volunteers to their provinces; -- Begin planning for an appropriate delegation to attend the presidential inauguration, which will likely be held sometime after the Halk Maslahaty confirms the president on February ¶14. Additional Funeral Tidbits -------------- ¶8. (U) All noticed and are talking about the fact that Ukrainian Prime Minister Yanukovich failed to offer condolences to Niyazov's family and Berdimuhammedov after laying his wreath; embassy has learned that Yunukovich did not read his briefing paper, and mistakenly followed the wreath, rather than going over to the family. Embassy also has identified that a number of Turkmenistan's high-level officials were "assigned" during the funeral to certain key delegations. These included: -- USA - Minister of Agriculture Esenmyrat Orazgeldiyev; -- Russian Federation -- Central Bank Chairman Geldimyrat Abilov; -- Ukraine -- Turkmengaz State Concern Chairman Bagtyar Hajygurbanov; -- Iran -- Chairman of the State Agency for Caspian Sea Issues Hoshgeldi Babayev; and -- Kazakhstan -- Minister of Water Management Tekebay Altyev. Bio for Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Berdimuhammedov was born in 1957 in Babarap Village, Gokdepe Etrap (District),Ahal Welayat (Province). He studied dentistry at Turkmen State Medical Institute and was an average student, according to a well-connected embassy assistant. Upon graduating in 1979, he served his internship at the #5 polyclinic in Ashgabat. From 1980-1982, he served as a dentist at the Errik-Gala Village clinic in Ashgabat, then he served for three years (until 1985) as a freelance dentist in Ashgabat. From 1985-1987, he was head of the dentistry department of the Koshi Gengeshlik (Village) Central District Clinic. In 1987, he went to Moscow to pursue post-graduate studies in therapeutic dentistry. ¶10. (U) Upon Berdimuhammedov's return to Ashgabatin 1990, he worked as an assistant at the Therapeutic Dentistry Department at Turkmen State Medical Institute until 1992, when he was promoted to the position of Assistant Professor, Deputy Dean and Dean of the Therapeutic Dentistry Department. ¶11. (SBU) In 1995, Berdimuhammedov was promoted to the position of Director of the Ministry of Health Dental Center, where he was assigned the task of overseeing the center's transition from being a state-financed to becoming a self-supporting entity. According to a well-informed embassy assistant, he came to President Niyazov's attention when his center succeeded in upgrading its equipment and becoming ASHGABAT 00001313 003 OF 006 self-supporting, while still delivering good dental work for affordable prices. ¶12. (SBU) From 1997-December 23, 2006, Berdimuhammedov served as Minister of Healthcare and the Medical Industry; he also was named General Director of the International Medical Center Named after S.A. Niyazov (i.e., President Niyazov's private health facility) in June 1998. From 1999-2004, Berdimuhammedov also served as Acting Rector of the Turkmen State Medical Institute, and from April 3, 2001-December 23, 2006, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers responsible for Healthcare, Education, Culture, and Television and Broadcasting. He was appointed Acting President of Turkmenistan and Acting Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces during a joint session of the National Security Council and the Cabinet of Ministers on December 21, 2006. ¶13. (C) Many have rumored that Berdimuhammedov was President Niyazov's illegitimate son; Armenian Ambassador Grigoryan contends that this was bruted by the government in order to make Berdimuhammedov "the hier" to Niyazov. Embassy personnel have met with Berdimuhammedov to discuss Peace Corps and education issues. A well-connected FSN who has worked extensively with him notes he is not detail-oriented and does not like to read briefing papers. Instead, he tends to rely on the advice of people near him. In this regard, embassy notes that Meredov, who in recent years had been demoted from his Deputy Chairman job and relegated to the second row, stood at Berdimuhammedov's right hand throughout the funeral services, sat to his right during the Halk Maslahaty and even spoke for the Berdimuhammedov following the "unanimous" nomination. Bio for Orazmyrat Garajayev, Mayor of Abadan City, Ahal Welayat -------------- -------------- ¶14. (U) Embassy has never had any contact with Garajayev and local staff know nothing about him. According to his official biography: Garajayev was born July 23, 1960 in Yalkym Village, Ruhabat Etrap, Ahal Welayat. He graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, where he majored in construction engineering and industrial and civil construction in 1983. Professional Experience includes: 12-3-06 Elected to the Abadan City people's council and as hakim (mayor) of Abadan City. 2005 Appointed hakim of Abadan City, Ahal Welayat by President Niyazov. 2004-2005 Deputy hakim of Ahal Welayat. 2001-2004 Head of the department of human resources and coordination with local bodies at the Ahal Welayat government offices. 1998-2001 Chief of the Abadan City Drinking Water Production-Maintenance Administration. 1991-1998 Deputy chief and chief engineer of the Production Association of Residential-Communal Enterprises in Abadan City. 1989-1991 Head of the Ideology Department of the Ashgabat district committee of the Communist Party. 1982-1988 Department head of the Ashgabat district committee off the Communist Youth Union. Instructor and deputy department head of the Ashgabat district committee of the Communist Party. 1977-1982 File clerk at secondary school #12. ASHGABAT 00001313 004 OF 006 Head of Ashgabat district unit of the Communist Youth Union of the Kolkhoz named after Sverdlov. Bio for Ashyrniyaz Pommanov, Mayor of Turkmenbashy City -------------- -------------- ¶15. (SBU) Born in 1962 in Balkanabat City, Balkan Welayat. He was educated at the Balkanabat branch of the Moscow Gubkin Institute of Oil and Gas, where he majored in mining power engineering. Professional Experience includes: 2005- Mayor of Turkmenbashy City. 1996-2005 Chairman of Balkan Welayat Trade Unions. 1993-1996 Deputy mayor of Balkan Welayat. 1992-1993 Assistant to the Balkan Welayat governor. 1991-1992 Specialist at the Ideological section of Balkanabat Commmunist Party Committee. First Secretary of Balkan Welayat Komsomol Committee. Chairman of Balkan Welayat Magtymguly Youth Organization Committee. 1990-1991 Attended Higher Party School, Baku, Azerbaijan. 1989-1990 Lecturer, Balkanabat Communist Party City Committee. 1988-1989 Electrician, then chief power engineer at the "Nebitdagnebit" oil production unit. 1984-1988 Secretary of the City Health Department Komsomol (Young Communist Union) Committee. Chief of the City Komsomol Committee management section. Executive Secretary of "Znaniye" (Knowledge) Society in Balkanabat. 1984 Completed military service. Electrician at "Bashnebitgazelektrogurlushuk" (Central power construction enterprise for oil and gas) construction and assembling unit in Balkanabat. Awards: "Gayrat" medal and "For Love of Motherland" medal. Charge's meeting with Pommanov on January 20 easily ranks him as one of the least impressive bureaucrats in Turkmenistan. According to ref E: Pommanov showed a curious lack of knowledge of the city's history -- he claimed the city was founded in 1891 (10 years after the battle of Goktepe and 12 years after official city records cite its establishment) and outright lied about a number of current issues, including energy outages -"there are none in Balkan Welayat," pensions -"everyone's getting his/her full pension here," and the destruction of Awaza holiday village "it was just a slum anyway/the people will have a whole new complex." Bio of Amanniyaz Atajykov, First Deputy Governor of Dashoguz Province -------------- -------------- ¶16. (U) Born on October 4, 1947 in Village named after S.A. Niyazov, Gorogly District, Dashoguz Welayat. He graduated from Turkmen Agricultural Institute, where he majored in engineering and hydro-technics, in 1994. Professional Experience: ASHGABAT 00001313 005 OF 006 December 31, 2005 Appointed First deputy governor of Dashoguz Welayat. 2001-2005 Deputy head and head of Dashoguz unit of Water Resources production association. Head of housing maintenance and utilities services of Gorogly Etrap. Deputy governor of Dashoguz Welayat for agriculture. 1979-2001 Master, chief engineer, and head of irrigation system, Mobile Mechanical Divisions #25 and #29. 1972-1979 Continued working as amaster at the Dashoguz repair and construction unit. Laboratory assistant, student and secretary of the Communist Youth Union committee at the Turkmen Agricultural Institute. 1969-1972 Military service. 1967 Master at the Dashoguz repair and construction unit. Awards: "For Love of Motherland" medal. A/DCM met with Atajykov in December 2006 during her trip to observe FLEX testing in Dashoguz. The meeting was highjacked by Central Election Commission Chairman Garriyev, and Atajykov seemed satisfied to let Garriyev do all the talking. Bio of Muhammetnazar Gurbanov, Head of Garabekeul District in Lebap Welayat -------------- -------------- ¶17. (U) Embassy has never had any contact with Garajayev and local staff know nothing about him. According to his official biography: Gurbanov was born in 1957 in Merye Village, Sayat Etrap, Lebap Welayat. He majored in agricultural accounting at Turkmen Agricultural Institute (1976-1980). Professional Experience: 2000- District head of Garabekeul, Lebap Welayat. 1998-2000 Head of Lebap Welayat State Tax Service. 1991-1998 General director of Miwe agro-industrial association. Deputy general director of Azyk (Food) regional industrial association. 1981-1991 Head of credit and pricing department of the regional agro-industrial committee. Chief specialist of the statistics and accounting department. Chief accountant of forestry department of the regional executive committee. Auditing accountant for agro-industrial association "Miwe." 1975 Worked for state farm in Merye Village, Sayat Etrap. Bio of Ishanguly Nuryev, Deputy Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources -------------- -------------- ¶18. (U) Embassy has never had any contact with Garajayev and ASHGABAT 00001313 006 OF 006 local staff know nothing about him. According to his official biorgrapahy: Nuryev was born in 1955 in Ashgabat. He graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, where he majored in mountain engineering and oil and gas well drilling, in 1979. Professional Experience: December 15, 2005 Appointed Deputy Minister of Oil and Gas by President Niyazov. Relieved from the position of State Minister/Chairman of TurkmenGeologiya (Turkmen Geology) State Corporation. 2005 State Minister/Chairman of the TurkmenGeologiya State Corporation. 1994-2005 Chairman of militarized anti-flow service of the Turkmen Gas" State Concern. 1994 Engineer of hydro-geology trust of the "TurkmenGeologiya" State Corporation. 1993-1994 Senior engineer of Garagum Administration of the mechanized Automobile Tranport Enterprise of the "TurkmenNebit" (Turkmen Oil) State Concern. 1989-1993 Chairman of the Central Engineering-Technical Service of the Eastern Deep Drilling Expedition of the "TurkmenGeologiya" Production Association. 1979-1989 Drilling master and engineer of the district engineering-technical service of the Oil and Gas Exploration Expedition of the "TurkmenGeologiya" Production Association. 1974-1979 Student at Turkmen Polytechnic Institute. 1974 Driver at the Central Forecasting Administration of Turkmenistan. 1973-1974 Worker at the wood processing enterprise of Ashgabat. 1973 Worker at "Turkmenkolkhoztaslama" (Turkmen kolkhoz projects) Enterprise. Awards: 3rd degree "Altyn Asyr" order, "Gayrat" medal, "For Love of the Motherland" medal. Comment -------------- ¶19. (SBU) More interesting than the candidates themselves is the studied attempt to represent Turkmenistan's major regions and tribes in the elections. Embassy will request meetings with the candidates and flesh out their views on their reasons for running and their vision of Turkmenistan's future. Certainly no one was fooled by the ham-handed nomination process, but embassy again urges patience as Turkmenistan awkwardly addresses its post-Niyazov future. End Comment. BRUSH