Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT386
2006-04-14 13:16:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
WRITER ESENOV DENIED PERMISSION TO EXIT
how-toVZCZCXRO3767 RR RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHMRE RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0386 1041316 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 141316Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7195 INFO RUCNOSC/OSCE POST COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0472 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1668 RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0025 RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 0026 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0382 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000386
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR TX
SUBJECT: WRITER ESENOV DENIED PERMISSION TO EXIT
TURKMENISTAN TO ATTEND PEN CLUB AWARDS CEREMONY
REF: BRUSH-FOX/PERRY 4/14/06 EMAIL
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000386
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR TX
SUBJECT: WRITER ESENOV DENIED PERMISSION TO EXIT
TURKMENISTAN TO ATTEND PEN CLUB AWARDS CEREMONY
REF: BRUSH-FOX/PERRY 4/14/06 EMAIL
1. (SBU) PEN Club award winner, writer Rahym Esenov,
was told by the State Service for the Registration of
Foreign Citizens on April 14 that he was on the list of
citizens prohibited from traveling abroad. Subsequently,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashit Meredov confirmed to
Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe
Center in Ashgabat Ambassador Ibrahim Djikic in a hastily-
called afternoon meeting that Esenov was not permitted to
travel because of two convictions, "contraband and
incitement to ethnic violence" and that the GOTX did not
want international governments and agencies to demand
explanations on internal matters regarding the criminal
act of a Turkmenistani citizen.
2. (SBU) The OSCE Center in Ashgabat and post are
sending a diplomatic notes over the weekend requesting
information on the convictions against Esenov that
warrant his in-country detention. (Note: The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs works on Saturdays. End Note.) The OSCE
Center and post have no information confirming the GOTX's
claim that Esenov is still under in-country arrest as a
consequence of February 2004 charges for smuggling
contraband (740 copies of his book entitled "The Crowned
Wanderer") and inciting ethnic violence. Esenov said he
never was convicted, just accused.
3. (SBU) DCM and OSCE Human Dimensions Officer Benjamin
Moreau will accompany Esenov and his daughter to the
airport on April 17, when he will attempt to board the
Lufthansa flight to New York via Frankfurt.
4. (SBU) Per ref email, embassy has informed PEN of
this development. Embassy and OSCE also have repeatedly
told the MFA to expect significant negative publicity as
a result of this travel denial.
JACOBSON
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR TX
SUBJECT: WRITER ESENOV DENIED PERMISSION TO EXIT
TURKMENISTAN TO ATTEND PEN CLUB AWARDS CEREMONY
REF: BRUSH-FOX/PERRY 4/14/06 EMAIL
1. (SBU) PEN Club award winner, writer Rahym Esenov,
was told by the State Service for the Registration of
Foreign Citizens on April 14 that he was on the list of
citizens prohibited from traveling abroad. Subsequently,
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashit Meredov confirmed to
Organization for Cooperation and Security in Europe
Center in Ashgabat Ambassador Ibrahim Djikic in a hastily-
called afternoon meeting that Esenov was not permitted to
travel because of two convictions, "contraband and
incitement to ethnic violence" and that the GOTX did not
want international governments and agencies to demand
explanations on internal matters regarding the criminal
act of a Turkmenistani citizen.
2. (SBU) The OSCE Center in Ashgabat and post are
sending a diplomatic notes over the weekend requesting
information on the convictions against Esenov that
warrant his in-country detention. (Note: The Ministry of
Foreign Affairs works on Saturdays. End Note.) The OSCE
Center and post have no information confirming the GOTX's
claim that Esenov is still under in-country arrest as a
consequence of February 2004 charges for smuggling
contraband (740 copies of his book entitled "The Crowned
Wanderer") and inciting ethnic violence. Esenov said he
never was convicted, just accused.
3. (SBU) DCM and OSCE Human Dimensions Officer Benjamin
Moreau will accompany Esenov and his daughter to the
airport on April 17, when he will attempt to board the
Lufthansa flight to New York via Frankfurt.
4. (SBU) Per ref email, embassy has informed PEN of
this development. Embassy and OSCE also have repeatedly
told the MFA to expect significant negative publicity as
a result of this travel denial.
JACOBSON