Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT427
2006-04-24 10:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
CONSTRUCTION MINISTER ON ASHGABAT RECONSTRUCTION
how-toVZCZCXRO2283 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0427 1141059 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 241059Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7253 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000427
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL TNGD TX
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION MINISTER ON ASHGABAT RECONSTRUCTION
REF: A. ASHGABAT 389
B. ASHGABAT 387
Sensitive but Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000427
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL TNGD TX
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION MINISTER ON ASHGABAT RECONSTRUCTION
REF: A. ASHGABAT 389
B. ASHGABAT 387
Sensitive but Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
1. (SBU) Minister of Construction Batyr Gayipov told poloff
on April 21 that the GOTX is carrying out a well-planned
reconstruction of Ashgabat using modern technology. he
confirmed that foreign companies are responsible for most of
the current construction (Ref A). However,, Gayipov said
that the "time of foreign construction" is coming to an end,
and that Turkmenistani construction companies (Note: All
state owned. End Note.) are already active building
"comfortable" two story buildings for Ashgabat residents
forced to vacate their existing homes to make way for future
building projects (Ref B). Additional Turkmenistani citizens
and companies are gaining expertise and experience working
with foreign construction companies, and will soon be able to
successfully compete for future building contracts.
2. (SBU) Gayipov emphasized that safety was the GOTX's main
priority in Ashgabat's reconstruction. Building and material
standards are very strict and closely monitored. The GOTX is
particularly concerned with seismic safety, and is clearing
out "old, dangerous" buildings with new construction designed
to withstand an earthquake of up to nine points on the
Mercalli Scale. (Note: According to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency website, an earthquake measuring nine on
the Mercalli Scale would result in "considerable" damage even
in structures specifically designed to withstand earthquakes.
End Note.)
3. (SBU) Biographical Note: Gayipov has been Minister of
Construction since October 2005 and concurrently serves as
head of the Scientific Research Institute of Seismology. He
is a seismologist by training with over 35 years of
experience in the construction industry, and gives the
impression of someone very much at home on a construction
site. Gayipov was born in 1949 in Tashkent, where his family
sought refuge following the earthquake.
4. (SBU) Comment: Gayipov's comments about Turkmenistani
companies being able to compete in the future likely comes
from the top as they track with recent statements by
President Niyazov to the oil and gas sectors (septel).
Foreign construction companies have consistently told us,
however, that virtually all skilled personnel must be brought
in from outside Turkmenistan. Post is skeptical that local
companies will build Niyazov's showcase projects anytime
soon. End Comment.
JACOBSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON PREL TNGD TX
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION MINISTER ON ASHGABAT RECONSTRUCTION
REF: A. ASHGABAT 389
B. ASHGABAT 387
Sensitive but Unclassified - Please Protect Accordingly.
1. (SBU) Minister of Construction Batyr Gayipov told poloff
on April 21 that the GOTX is carrying out a well-planned
reconstruction of Ashgabat using modern technology. he
confirmed that foreign companies are responsible for most of
the current construction (Ref A). However,, Gayipov said
that the "time of foreign construction" is coming to an end,
and that Turkmenistani construction companies (Note: All
state owned. End Note.) are already active building
"comfortable" two story buildings for Ashgabat residents
forced to vacate their existing homes to make way for future
building projects (Ref B). Additional Turkmenistani citizens
and companies are gaining expertise and experience working
with foreign construction companies, and will soon be able to
successfully compete for future building contracts.
2. (SBU) Gayipov emphasized that safety was the GOTX's main
priority in Ashgabat's reconstruction. Building and material
standards are very strict and closely monitored. The GOTX is
particularly concerned with seismic safety, and is clearing
out "old, dangerous" buildings with new construction designed
to withstand an earthquake of up to nine points on the
Mercalli Scale. (Note: According to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency website, an earthquake measuring nine on
the Mercalli Scale would result in "considerable" damage even
in structures specifically designed to withstand earthquakes.
End Note.)
3. (SBU) Biographical Note: Gayipov has been Minister of
Construction since October 2005 and concurrently serves as
head of the Scientific Research Institute of Seismology. He
is a seismologist by training with over 35 years of
experience in the construction industry, and gives the
impression of someone very much at home on a construction
site. Gayipov was born in 1949 in Tashkent, where his family
sought refuge following the earthquake.
4. (SBU) Comment: Gayipov's comments about Turkmenistani
companies being able to compete in the future likely comes
from the top as they track with recent statements by
President Niyazov to the oil and gas sectors (septel).
Foreign construction companies have consistently told us,
however, that virtually all skilled personnel must be brought
in from outside Turkmenistan. Post is skeptical that local
companies will build Niyazov's showcase projects anytime
soon. End Comment.
JACOBSON