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
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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
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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