Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT715
2006-07-07 05:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN DENIES TRAVEL RESTRICTION BLACK LIST

Tags:  PGOV PHUM PREL TX 
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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7535
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000715 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN (RUBIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN DENIES TRAVEL RESTRICTION BLACK LIST
EXISTS

REF: A. STATE 94469


B. ASHGABAT 53

Classified By: Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000715

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN (RUBIN)

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN DENIES TRAVEL RESTRICTION BLACK LIST
EXISTS

REF: A. STATE 94469


B. ASHGABAT 53

Classified By: Ambassador Tracey A. Jacobson, reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (U) The embassy received a diplomatic note from the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 3 at 6:15 p.m. in
response to the embassy,s demarche cable diplomatic note
(ref A) of June 28, on the situation regarding the list of
citizens prohibited from traveling abroad.


2. (U) Begin unofficial diplomatic note translation:
(Complimentary opening and closing omitted.)

&The procedure for citizens, exit from Turkmenistan is
governed by relevant regulatory legal acts. As the Embassy
has been informed on numerous occasions previously, in
Turkmenistan lists of citizens prohibited from exiting the
country do not exist.

At the same time, in accordance with the legislation of
Turkmenistan, only temporary exit restrictions related to the
initiation of criminal proceedings, the conviction of a
crime, bringing a civil action to court, the evasion of
obligations imposed by a court, conscription to mandatory
military service and some other circumstances envisaged by
the Law of Turkmenistan on migration can be imposed.8

End text.


3. (U) The diplomatic note refers to the Law of
Turkmenistan on Migration issued on December 7, 2005 (ref B).
&Other circumstances,8 envisaged by Article 32 of the law,
which enables authorities to impose temporary exit
restrictions are:

-- a person has access to information, that is considered a
state secret ) restriction is imposed until the expiration
of the classification period, which is established by the
legislation of Turkmenistan;

-- applicant falsified personal information;

-- by court decision, an applicant is found guilty of
committing a serious second offense or is under police
surveillance ) restriction is imposed until the end of a
sentence term or suspension of surveillance;

-- concern that a citizen of Turkmenistan during his/her stay
abroad may become a victim of human trafficking or slavery;

-- an applicant violated the law of the country he/she has
visited previously;

-- exit of an applicant contradicts interests of the national
security of Turkmenistan.


4. (C) State Service for the Registration of Foreign
Citizens Head Myrat Yslamov avoided answering the
Ambassador,s question regarding a clear and open process for
placing citizens on an exit list and creating a transparent
system for removing a name from the list during a June 29
farewell meeting. (Note: Yslamov did not/not deny the
existence of a list. End Note.) Yslamov argued that the
majority of the citizens listed are not welcome in their
countries of destination and the Government of Turkmenistan
restricts others for their own protection; he also referenced
the 2005 Law on Migration.


5. (C) Comment: The government,s response is certainly
misleading. While it is possible no 8permanent8 black list
exists, the fact that there is no procedure beyond
Presidential whim for removing names from the &temporary8
list makes it de facto permanent. The government has thus
far failed to answer specific questions on how names are put
on the list and how they can be removed, despite repeated
queries to various Ministries. That the government sent such
an unresponsive note may demonstrate its belief that it is
&safe8 on Jackson-Vanik, at least for this year, and can
continue to prevent some citizens, particularly those with
ties to accused coup plotters or opposition figures, from
traveling . . . without serious international consequences.
We will, of course, continue to push the broad issue as well
as advocate on behalf of individuals who come to our

ASHGABAT 00000715 002 OF 002


attention. End Comment.
JACOBSON