Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1085
2007-10-09 07:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

YOUR VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN

Tags:  PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAH #1085/01 2820729
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 090729Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9508
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1805
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001085 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES FROM CHARGE HOAGLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2007
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TX
SUBJECT: YOUR VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN

Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001085

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR DRL DAS BARKS-RUGGLES FROM CHARGE HOAGLAND

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/10/2007
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KDEM TX
SUBJECT: YOUR VISIT TO TURKMENISTAN

Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) Erica: We look forward to your visit and want to
ensure it will contribute to building our new bilateral
relationship with Turkmenistan. In the nine months since the
death of former President Niyazov, the new government has
taken deliberate steps to move the country back toward the
mainstream from the eccentricities and outrages of the
Niyazov era. President Berdimuhamedov early on announced his
domestic priorities of repairing and reforming health care
and education, and he's tasked the government to prepare a
national program for rural development. Whereas Niyazov was
increasingly isolationist and xenophobic toward the end of
his life, Berdimuhamedov has had an ambitious travel schedule
to re-establish foreign relations. Very early in his tenure,
he accepted Secretary Rice's offer to "turn the page" and
establish a new, broad-based relationship. Your visit will
be part of that effort.


2. (C) The government has taken steps to improve its human
rights practices. It is working better with the OSCE than it
has in a decade, has greatly relaxed both internal and
international travel restrictions for its citizens, has begun
to release political prisoners, has reportedly banned child
labor in the cotton harvest, has welcomed our USCIRF
delegation and has begun to register "non-traditional"
religious groups. In perspective, these are limited but
significant achievements. We have heard again and again,
including from President Berdimuhamedov, "Tell us concrete
and specific steps you want us to take, and we will work on
them." We believe this is not just rhetoric to try to please
us.


3. (C) However, this is a government severely handicapped by
its largely unreformed Soviet past and Niyazovian
depredations. There's no denying the current government is
strongly authoritarian, even if relatively benign. All
decisions -- political, economic, and social -- are made at
the top, and only after long and opaque-to-us debate in the
cabinet of ministers and with who-knows-whatever other

influences. Even once decisions are made, the bureaucracy
does not always implement them smoothly and consistently. We
believe there are those at high levels who oppose and try to
block reform.


4. (C) Further, we know the government is under persistent
pressure from Russia, and probably to a lesser extent from
Iran, to limit the influence of the United States. Russian
black propaganda continues the drumbeat that our commitment
to "democracy" is really a covert program to overthrow the
"legitimate governments" of the region and to sow chaos for
our own political and economic advantage. While this seems
ludicrous to us, it is a very real and powerful brake on what
he hope to achieve.


5. (C) In short, this is a very complex period. We're still
trying to figure out what this government -- not yet a year
old -- really is and how to interact with it most
effectively. I believe if we are patient, respectful,
consistent, and persistent, we will be able to achieve many
of the goals we have set -- but they won't necessarily come
quickly, and they will never come easily.


6. (C) I have heard in recent months this government really
does not like generalized lectures that "call upon it" and
"urge it" and "lay down markers." It wants to hear concrete
steps we want it to take. Because Foreign Minister Meredov
seems to be pushing the government toward liberalization, I
think your most important meeting here will be with him. It
would be useful if you could provide to him a written short
list of concrete, near-term objectives (in effect, a
non-paper we would have time to translate in advance of the
meeting) that we would like to see the government achieve.
I'd recommend it not be a full laundry list, but, rather,
"limited, concrete, and achievable." We'd be glad to work
with you to develop this. I think our chances of success are
better if we go step by step.


7. (SBU) A short note on timing and logistics. Your visit
comes immediately before Turkmenistan's Independence Day
(October 27) celebrations. As you can imagine, this is not
just "fireworks and a picnic on the Mall." The government
has already published a long, long list of public events for
the entire week leading up to October 27. Already, traffic
is rather badly disrupted in the center of the city as
rehearsals continue daily for the various parades and other
public events that will take place. As we get closer to
October 27, official meetings will be increasinly hard to
get, and none will be possible October 25-27. That said, we
believe we can still put together a very useful and
instructive schedule for you that will help to achieve U.S.
policy goals and objectives. We will provide you in advance
a draft schedule (always subject to change here!) and a
broader scene-setter cable.


8. (U) We eagerly anticipate your visit. Let's work
together to make it a success.


9. (U) Best regards,Dick.
HOAGLAND