Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06ASHGABAT959
2006-09-13 02:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
EXPANDING WATER SUPPLIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN
how-toVZCZCXRO1211 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0959/01 2560259 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 130259Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7791 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000959
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TX
SUBJECT: EXPANDING WATER SUPPLIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN
TURKMENBASHY
REF: A. A) ASHGABAT 905
B. B) ASHGABAT 922
C. C) ASHGABAT 923
D. D) ASHGABAT 162
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000959
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TX
SUBJECT: EXPANDING WATER SUPPLIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN
TURKMENBASHY
REF: A. A) ASHGABAT 905
B. B) ASHGABAT 922
C. C) ASHGABAT 923
D. D) ASHGABAT 162
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The construction and redevelopment boom afflicting
Ashgabat has not infected Turkmenbashy and Balkanabat, the
two main cities in western Balkan welayat (province).
However, tourism development is expected in Turkmenbashy,
Turkmenistan's main port city, where a new water
desalinization plant is on track to double the city's daily
fresh water supply to 50,000 cubic meters. End Summary.
Turning Sea Water into Drinking Water
--------------
2. (U) During a recent trip to Turkmenistan's western Balkan
welayat (province),which borders the Caspian Sea, embassy
personnel discussed oil, natural gas and infrastructure
issues with Turkmenbashy's mayor, the head of the
Turkmenbashy refinery, subcontractors of the Malaysian firm
Petronas and personnel from the U.K.'s Burren Resources.
Specific feedback regarding natural gas and oil issues is
contained in reftels A and B.
3. (SBU) Turkmenbashy, a city of approximately 90,000
inhabitants, relies on 25,000 cubic meters of fresh water
daily, which comes to Turkmenbashy by pipeline from the
inland city of Balkanabat. The oil refinery in Turkmenbashy
has its own desalinization facility to support refinery
operations. According to Turkmenbashy Hakim (mayor)
Ashyrniyaz Pomanov, the Turkmenbashy refinery, through a
Japanese contractor, will be building a new $100 million
desalinization plant with a 30,000 cubic meter-per-day
capacity. All but 5,000 cubic meters of the planned new
facility's capacity will be destined for municipal
consumption. Refinery director Tachberdy Tagiev confirmed
these construction plans in a separate meeting.
Where is the White Marble?
--------------
4. (SBU) The scale of reconstruction and development in
Ashgabat is not replicated in Balkan Welayat's two largest
cities, Balkanabat and Turkmenbashy. Although it appeared to
embassy personnel that a park had been recently destroyed in
Balkanabat, the provincial capital, currently only one major
project - a theater being constructed in time to open for
Turkmenistan's 15th anniversary on October 27 - was under
construction. Embassy only noted two other structures of
recent vintage in Balkanabat - the Nebetci Hotel (built by
the Turkish Gap Insaat to support Gap Enerji activities in
the area, both are owned by Turkish businessman Ahmet Calyk
and are part of his Calyk Holding company) and a medical
diagnostic facility opened last year, thereby completing the
series of multi-million dollar diagnostic facilities built in
each of the welayat capitals.
5. (SBU) The port city of Turkmenbashy had only four or five
construction projects - mostly multi-story hotels. All of
the projects sported Turkish flags, signaling the presence of
Turkish firms overseeing the projects. According to Pomanov,
Turkmenbashy's Mayor, the central government plans to
emphasize resort development in Turkmenbashy.
6. (SBU) Embassy noted amidst the debris of the neighboring
resort town of Awaza, destroyed en masse this year and last
(ref D),preparations to build a hotel. There have been
additional governmental proclamations regarding new resorts
planned for the Awaza area. Yet, more than 95 percent of
approximately 10 square kilometer plot of land formerly
covered with homes, businesses and restaurants in Awaza
remains a desolate wasteland. Notwithstanding this
barrenness, however, embassy observed hundreds of local
residents navigating the debris field to enjoy the beach and
unobstructed view of a presidential retreat down the coast.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Although the intensive building activity afflicting
Ashgabat has not reached the provinces, the expected increase
in revenues from President Niyazov's recent natural gas deal
ASHGABAT 00000959 002 OF 002
with Russia's Gazprom may give Niyazov additional
opportunities to transform Turkmenistan (septel). As his
namesake city, Turkmenbashy may be a recipient -- eventually
-- of Niyazov's natural gas-financed largesse, i.e., more
demolition to make room for worthless vanity projects. End
Comment.
BRUSH
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON TX
SUBJECT: EXPANDING WATER SUPPLIES AND DEVELOPMENT IN
TURKMENBASHY
REF: A. A) ASHGABAT 905
B. B) ASHGABAT 922
C. C) ASHGABAT 923
D. D) ASHGABAT 162
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) The construction and redevelopment boom afflicting
Ashgabat has not infected Turkmenbashy and Balkanabat, the
two main cities in western Balkan welayat (province).
However, tourism development is expected in Turkmenbashy,
Turkmenistan's main port city, where a new water
desalinization plant is on track to double the city's daily
fresh water supply to 50,000 cubic meters. End Summary.
Turning Sea Water into Drinking Water
--------------
2. (U) During a recent trip to Turkmenistan's western Balkan
welayat (province),which borders the Caspian Sea, embassy
personnel discussed oil, natural gas and infrastructure
issues with Turkmenbashy's mayor, the head of the
Turkmenbashy refinery, subcontractors of the Malaysian firm
Petronas and personnel from the U.K.'s Burren Resources.
Specific feedback regarding natural gas and oil issues is
contained in reftels A and B.
3. (SBU) Turkmenbashy, a city of approximately 90,000
inhabitants, relies on 25,000 cubic meters of fresh water
daily, which comes to Turkmenbashy by pipeline from the
inland city of Balkanabat. The oil refinery in Turkmenbashy
has its own desalinization facility to support refinery
operations. According to Turkmenbashy Hakim (mayor)
Ashyrniyaz Pomanov, the Turkmenbashy refinery, through a
Japanese contractor, will be building a new $100 million
desalinization plant with a 30,000 cubic meter-per-day
capacity. All but 5,000 cubic meters of the planned new
facility's capacity will be destined for municipal
consumption. Refinery director Tachberdy Tagiev confirmed
these construction plans in a separate meeting.
Where is the White Marble?
--------------
4. (SBU) The scale of reconstruction and development in
Ashgabat is not replicated in Balkan Welayat's two largest
cities, Balkanabat and Turkmenbashy. Although it appeared to
embassy personnel that a park had been recently destroyed in
Balkanabat, the provincial capital, currently only one major
project - a theater being constructed in time to open for
Turkmenistan's 15th anniversary on October 27 - was under
construction. Embassy only noted two other structures of
recent vintage in Balkanabat - the Nebetci Hotel (built by
the Turkish Gap Insaat to support Gap Enerji activities in
the area, both are owned by Turkish businessman Ahmet Calyk
and are part of his Calyk Holding company) and a medical
diagnostic facility opened last year, thereby completing the
series of multi-million dollar diagnostic facilities built in
each of the welayat capitals.
5. (SBU) The port city of Turkmenbashy had only four or five
construction projects - mostly multi-story hotels. All of
the projects sported Turkish flags, signaling the presence of
Turkish firms overseeing the projects. According to Pomanov,
Turkmenbashy's Mayor, the central government plans to
emphasize resort development in Turkmenbashy.
6. (SBU) Embassy noted amidst the debris of the neighboring
resort town of Awaza, destroyed en masse this year and last
(ref D),preparations to build a hotel. There have been
additional governmental proclamations regarding new resorts
planned for the Awaza area. Yet, more than 95 percent of
approximately 10 square kilometer plot of land formerly
covered with homes, businesses and restaurants in Awaza
remains a desolate wasteland. Notwithstanding this
barrenness, however, embassy observed hundreds of local
residents navigating the debris field to enjoy the beach and
unobstructed view of a presidential retreat down the coast.
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Although the intensive building activity afflicting
Ashgabat has not reached the provinces, the expected increase
in revenues from President Niyazov's recent natural gas deal
ASHGABAT 00000959 002 OF 002
with Russia's Gazprom may give Niyazov additional
opportunities to transform Turkmenistan (septel). As his
namesake city, Turkmenbashy may be a recipient -- eventually
-- of Niyazov's natural gas-financed largesse, i.e., more
demolition to make room for worthless vanity projects. End
Comment.
BRUSH