TURKMENISTAN MOSTLY MUTE ON SPY SCANDAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000698 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN FOR JMUDGE AND PDAS SMANN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/06/2016 TAGS: OSCE PGOV PHUM PREL TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MOSTLY MUTE ON SPY SCANDAL REF: ASHGABAT 652 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Since the televised June 20 Cabinet of Ministers meeting detailing an alleged spy ring (reftel),the Government of Turkmenistan has not proceeded with either diplomatic or public denunciations of French Charge Henri Tomasini or OSCE Human Dimensions officer Benjamin Moreau. Local RFE/RL local correspondents have been restricted in various degrees, but no reporter has been apprehended. End Summary. Diplomats Still Serving -------------- ¶2. (C) The highly anticipated second meeting between French Charge Tomasini and Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov to discuss the spy scandal has not yet taken place. (Comment: Last week President Niyazov hosted several high-level gas talks with the Russians, Ukrainians and Belorussians since the spy scandal was disclosed, thus potentially distracting both diplomatic and public attention (septel). End Comment.). Tomasini continues to serve as Charg, and he confirmed to Ambassador on June 26 that there is no firm arrival date for the inbound French ambassador. ¶3. (C) In a July 3 meeting with PolOffs, Benjamin Moreau reported that nothing further has happened regarding the accusations against him, with the exception of a public statement by Foreign Minister Meredov that he was not in contact with those who were arrested. However, as a precaution Moreau reported that he has cancelled several previously scheduled trips to the regions in order to ¬ put (himself) in a difficult situation8 while the matter remains unresolved. Moreau also expressed confidence in the OSCE,s strong statement of support, noting that he had not been personally attacked, but dismay at the fact that Ashgabat,s international and diplomatic community &stayed away8 following the accusation. The sum total of the events according to Moreau is that it will make &life more difficult8 for the OSCE,s already challenging working environment. Government,s Response: Subtle -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The typical pattern of public exposure followed by successive television denunciations has been eerily absent from this case. The Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation (THF) announced via Internet on July 3 that RFE/THF contact Ogulsapar Myradova,s three children and activist Elena Ovezova were released on July 1 (reftel). However, regional RFE/RL reporters have been under increased surveillance by law enforcement officers. RFE/RL Balkan Welayat correspondent Shamyrat Akoyliyev told PolOff on June 29 that he was removed from the Ashgabat-bound train for the second time on June 24 (Note: Akoyliyev previously failed to reach Ashgabat via train before the June spy scandal. End Note.). Akoyliyev confirmed to PolAsst via telephone on July 3 that his home telephone line remains cut, but he is not under any local travel restrictions. RFE/RL Ashgabat stringer Halmyrat Gylchdurdyev,s daughter told PolOff on July 3 that her father remains under limited house arrest. Law enforcement officers told Gylchdurdyev that he was not prohibited from leaving his home, but that he must tell them of all anticipated visitors. His family remains concerned for his welfare and chooses to accompany him on local excursions out of fear he will be apprehended. Both his home phone and his cellular phone lines remain cut. Embassy American Staff Continue to Work -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The American embassy staff continues to travel ASHGABAT 00000698 002 OF 002 around the country and has experienced reduced interference in regard to vehicular checkpoints. From May through mid-June embassy staff were stopped by plainclothes law enforcement officers at inbound/outbound checkpoints surrounding Ashgabat. Officers were asked to show Ministry of Foreign Affairs, (MFA) written permission allowing them to travel to their destination. The situation usually was resolved after a prolonged wait and a telephone call from the law enforcement official to Ashgabat (office unknown). The situation was documented and raised with Foreign Minister Meredov, who assured DCM that travel permission not was necessary. The situation persisted, and it was not until after the June 20 spy scandal unfolded that embassy personnel were permitted to pass through these points unobstructed as was the past practice. Comment -------------- ¶6. (C) Three activists arrested in connection with the Tomasini spy glasses affair remain in detention. The government has not/not made any open statements regarding a connection to RFE/RL. The RFE/RL reporters, restrictions are on-going and cyclical; post continues to monitor the situation and advocate on behalf of the non-accredited journalists. It is unlikely the event has run its course, but the fallout thus far has been less than expected. END COMMENT. JACOBSON JACOBSON