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