Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT622
2006-06-12 12:55:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

JACKSON-VANIK: NECESSARY STEPS TO CONTINUE WAIVER

Tags:  PHUM PGOV TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO5730
PP RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAH #0622 1631255
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 121255Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7438
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA PRIORITY 0545
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1173
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1636
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0359
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J5/RUE// PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000622 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: JACKSON-VANIK: NECESSARY STEPS TO CONTINUE WAIVER

REF: STATE 94469

Classified By: Charges d,Affaires Jennifer Brush, reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

Summary
-------

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000622

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/11/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: JACKSON-VANIK: NECESSARY STEPS TO CONTINUE WAIVER

REF: STATE 94469

Classified By: Charges d,Affaires Jennifer Brush, reasons 1.4 (b) and (
d).

Summary
--------------


1. (C) Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov learned during a
June 2 meeting with Charge that the GOTX is, once again, in
the spotlight for Jackson-Vanik Amendment trade sanctions for
violating freedom of movement rights. Americas Desk Chief
Serdar Bashimov scolded the Charge for raising this issue in
front of Meredov and called her for an immediate meeting on
June 3 to discuss specific details. Bashimov maintains that
there is no black list, and focused on writing a list of
known citizens prevented from leaving Turkmenistan. Charge
emphasized that nothing less than systemic, not cosmetic,
changes are needed. Per reftel, embassy will demarche
Minister Meredov again. End Summary.

By Any Name, Citizens Restricted from Travel
--------------


2. (C) Americas Desk Chief Serdar Bashimov denied the
existence of a black list, but not travel restrictions for
some Turkmenistani citizens during a June 2 meeting with
Charge. Bashimov insisted on creating a list of known
citizens denied departure as a first step toward resolving
the freedom of movement issue. Charge countered that post
does not want to see travel restrictions lifted for a few,
but a transparent system developed to notify citizens they
are restricted from travel and provide a process to petition
for removal from the list. Bashimov did not/not deny that
the current system functions like a de facto exit visa
regime, and did not/not counter the fact that the State
Service for Registration of Foreign Citizens (SSRF -
Immigration) is powerless in providing constructive advice to
citizens. Bashimov did not/not deny that the Ministry of
Internal Affairs (MVD) and Ministry of National Security
(MNB) were the law enforcement agencies responsible for
placing and removing people from the black list.

Creating Black-listed Citizens List
--------------


3. (SBU) Post is working on creating the list of known
citizens who have informed and/or petitioned the U.S.
Embassy, U.K. Embassy and OSCE for assistance in resolving
freedom of movement issues. This list will be reviewed and
passed to the MFA as a good-faith effort to start the
resolution process. OSCE,s Human Dimension,s officer
Benjamin Moureau told PolOff on June 7 that he is willing to
provide numbers of people who petitioned the OSCE for
assistance with travel restrictions, but was reluctant to
provide the complainants, names out of concern for their
welfare vis a vis the government. U.K. Embassy Deputy Head
of Mission Chris Bowden told PolOff on June 8 that the U.K.
Embassy was only asked to intervene on one freedom of
movement case.

Comment
--------------


4. (SBU) The MFA is aware of the Jackson ) Vanik
sanctions, and detailed information regarding the trade
impact is being developed at post; a hollow threat will not
carry much weight. International attention will be
constructive, but the issue must reach beyond the MFA and the
SSRF if changes will be made. As a step forward, Bashimov
did not accuse all of the people being denied the right to
travel as potential terrorists as was his past practice. End
Comment.
BRUSH