Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT209
2006-02-17 07:47:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

MESSAGE TO NIYAZOV ON TURKMEN GAS

Tags:  ENRG EPET PREL RS TX UP 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0621
OO RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAH #0209 0480747
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 170747Z FEB 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7007
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000209 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SCA FOR A/S ROCCA AND DAS GASTRIGHT, EUR FOR DAS BRYZA,
SCA/CEN FOR PERRY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2016
TAGS: ENRG EPET PREL RS TX UP
SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO NIYAZOV ON TURKMEN GAS

REF: SECSTATE 26183

Classified By: Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000209

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SCA FOR A/S ROCCA AND DAS GASTRIGHT, EUR FOR DAS BRYZA,
SCA/CEN FOR PERRY

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/17/2016
TAGS: ENRG EPET PREL RS TX UP
SUBJECT: MESSAGE TO NIYAZOV ON TURKMEN GAS

REF: SECSTATE 26183

Classified By: Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. ( SBU) Unfortunately, the reftel talking points arrived
after Miller and his delegation did. It seemed unlikely we
would be able to approach President Niyazov, who was fully
engaged in opening ceremonies/speeches connected with the
upcoming holiday. After the speech he delivered at the new
Ministry of Textiles, Ambassador waved at him, caught his
eye, and was invited on stage to shake his hand. Taking
advantage of the opportunity, she told Niyazov (in full view,
if not hearing, of the Miller delegation, with whom he was
meeting immediately afterwards) that she had just received a
message of support from Washington for Turkmenistan's efforts
to diversify its exports routes. She delivered the fuller
version of the points orally to the Foreign Minister
immediately afterwards, who promised to pass them to Niyazov
in the few minutes remaining before the meeting. Post
delivered a written, translated version of the points to the
MFA later.


2. ( C ) Comment: During his speech at the textile
ministry, Niyazov had publicly told Miller, who was sitting
in the audience, they would be discussing "new volumes, new
prices, new arrangements" for the sale of Turkmen gas to
Russia. He also noted that he would be meeting with the
Ukrainian delegation two hours later, and spoke positively
about the work of the Ministerial-level meetings this week on
the Trans-Afghan pipeline. It remains to be seen whether
international support for other export options will lead
Niyazov to keep his options open during his meetings with
Gazprom, or simply serve as a bargaining chip to drive up the
price he gets.
JACOBSON