TUKRMNEISTAN: AHAL PROVINCE OFFICIALS SHOW REMARKABLE NEW

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001048

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, EUR/ACE, DRL, ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON SOCI KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TUKRMNEISTAN: AHAL PROVINCE OFFICIALS SHOW REMARKABLE NEW
OPENNESS



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a distinctive change over previous visits to
Ahal in post's provincial reporting program, PAO was warmly welcomed
and treated to a new level of hospitality and openness, particularly
by a high-ranking alumnus of the Cochran Program. While previous
visits since the accession of President Berdimuhamedov had mostly
shown more cooperation and openness, local officials raised the
welcome for the PAO's September 21 visit to a new level. This may
be an indicator of growing acceptance of foreign, especially
American, contacts and a deliberate "PR" campaign to woo Embassy
officials. END SUMMARY.

PREVIOUS HOSPITALITY WAS REQUIRED?


3. (SBU) In the two previous meetings with Ahal officials, PAO met
with Guljimal Ezizova, Deputy Governor for Education, Culture and
Sport. Ms. Ezizova had been simply polite and forthcoming when
discussing wheat harvests in June. But the mood had been worse in
May, when Ezizova politely, but defensively talked about health care
and hospital facilities and nearly barred an approved visit to a
regional hospital.

A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE


4. (SBU) In the most recent visit, Ahal provincial officials
provided a very frank discussion of cotton harvest and textile
production issues (septel),and clearly went beyond the usual
pleasantries. Mammetdurdy Mammetdurdiyev, Deputy Governor for
Agriculture, Construction, and the Economy is also a Cochran program
alumnus. When meeting at the provincial government headquarters, he
engaged in more small talk than is typical of a Turkmenistani
bureaucrat and also talked about his appreciation of the Cochran
program and a similar program that he attended in the United
Kingdom. Throughout the hour-long meeting, Mammetdurdiyev was
relatively open about past problems in Turkmenistan and drew
realistic comparisons between western economies and Turkmenistan's.
However, he politely defended the current agricultural policy in
Turkmenistan as necessary because of the recent past. He freely and
openly noted school children and government employees formerly had
been ordered into the fields to pick cotton, and commented that it
was a bad practice that should never be used again.

PERSONAL TOUCHES WITHOUT A FEAR OF FOREIGNERS


5. (SBU) Mr. Mammetdurdiyev was also concerned with the personal
touch. In the course of small talk, PAO mentioned that his parents
would visit Turkmenistan and his father would enjoy the opportunity
to see a local farm. Without hesitation, Mammetdurdiyev offered to
show farms to the PAO's father personally, then noted "if it's OK
with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," as he looked in the direction
of the MFA escort for the meeting. But without waiting for any
reply, he offered his home and cell phone numbers to the PAO, so
that such a visit could be arranged. Toward the start of the
meeting, PAO had requested the chance to simply greet Ms. Ezizova,
the previous point of contact. At the end of the meeting, he
remembered without prompting to invite Ezizova to his office. After
she entered the room beaming like she was re-uniting with an old
friend, PAO, Mammetdurdiyev, and Ezizova shared several minutes of
warm, pleasant, informal conversation. (NOTE: Such contact would be
hard to imagine a year ago. END NOTE)

LOWER-LEVEL CONTACTS DO THE SAME


6. (SBU) Mr. Mammetdurdiyev accompanied PAO to a cotton ginning
plant and a neighboring textile plant where the reception was
similar. The district governor also provided pleasant personal
touches, as did the directors of the two plants. Officials were
open and enthusiastic about showing off their sites, and describing
their work, including challenges and problems - something still
somewhat rare in post-"Golden Age" Turkmenistan. PAO was treated to

ASHGABAT 00001048 002 OF 002


meals in both locations. The textile factory director excitedly
explained her efforts to create just the perfect Turkmen meal for
her American visitor. In contrast to previous meals with
Turkmenistani bureaucrats, the small talk and laughter was
free-flowing.



7. (SBU) COMMENT: Other recent trips to meet Ahal officials were
normally pleasant and correct. But this most recent visit raised
"official" hospitality to a new, more genuine level. During the
Niyazov era, less-genuine ceremonial welcomes to Embassy staff might
have included dancers, musicians, and costumed female greeters,
accompanied by cold, pro-forma meetings. PAO's experience in Ahal
seemed to represent a sincere and personal effort to provide simple
hospitality, without fear of open and frank discussion with
foreigners. We sincerely hope this continues. END COMMENT.

HOAGLAND