TURKMENISTAN AND U.S. PRESIDENTS' UNGA PHOTO-OP:

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001118 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/16/2017 TAGS: PGOV PREL PROP KPAO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN AND U.S. PRESIDENTS' UNGA PHOTO-OP: A LITTLE FIB TO MAKE A BIGGER POINT REF: ASHGABAT 1108 Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (U) On September 29, Turkmenistan's two largest state dailies, "Neutral Turkmenistan" (Russian, circ. 39,851) and "Turkmenistan" (Turkmen, circ. 29,091) highlighted President Berdimuhamedov's photo-op handshake with President Bush during UNGA in New York with a front-page, above-the-fold, three-column photo and article. ¶2. (SBU) The article noted President Bush met Turkmenistan's president, even though the meeting had not been previously scheduled, because he felt it was important to greet Berdimuhamedov during his first trip to the United States as President of Turkmenistan, and to show support for Turkmenistan's policies. The article emphasized the warm handshake was a symbol of their willingness to work together on real world problems. Getting a bit carried away with the creative writing, the article fibbed the two leaders, despite the brevity of the meeting, had a chance to exchange opinions on a number of important aspects of cooperation and noted the increased bilateral contact in recent months. ¶3. (U) The same photo and article eventually appeared in all the state weekly newspapers. "Watan" TV News also played the photo and commentary. And the photo has become part of the closing video montage of President Berdimuhamedov's international travels that appears at the end of "Watan" TV news programs. ¶4. (C) Before the presidential delegation departed Ashgabat for New York, Foreign Minister Meredov had asked the Charge about the possibility of a POTUS meeting, but did not press when he was told it was not likely. ¶5. (C) COMMENT: State media in Turkmenistan -- the only media so far -- have given significant coverage to President Berdimuhamedov's foreign diplomatic travel and meetings with foreign delegations in Ashgabat, generally reporting fairly accurately the content of the meetings (reftel). We suspect the government media exaggerated the Bush-Berdimuhamedov photo-op for three reasons. First, to suggest Berdimuhamedov has the standing to meet with President Bush, even though the Turkmenistani president is the new kid on the block. Second, to show regional leaders Turkmenistan is serious about its new relationship with the United States. Third, to communicate to the Turkmenistani public the importance Ashgabat places on its new relationship with Washington. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND