Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1146
2007-10-23 11:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: THE DE-NIYAZOVICATION OF ASHGABAT
how-toVZCZCXRO6880 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #1146 2961140 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231140Z OCT 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9586 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2904 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0725 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0601 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1177 RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1835 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001146
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THE DE-NIYAZOVICATION OF ASHGABAT
REF: ASHGABAT 1124
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001146
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THE DE-NIYAZOVICATION OF ASHGABAT
REF: ASHGABAT 1124
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) As part of a building boom that continues apace
(septel),Turkmenistan will soon erect a number of new
statues of prominent Turkmen historical figures in parks,
along roadsides, and in fountain complexes. One sculpture
will represent Oguz Khan, a legendary military leader,
historically touted as the father of the Turkmen nation.
Other statues of Oguz Khan's sons and various other cultural
leaders and heroes will be on display.
3. (SBU) This announcement follows on the heels of press
reports that Turkmenistan will issue new currency in 2009
(reftel). Six of the seven new bills will feature
well-known, historic or mythic Turkmen figures. Only the
largest bill will carry the likeness of former President
Niyazov. In addition, post has noted that new posters on
buildings include historic figures and monuments, as well as
ones with the likeness of the current president,
Berdimuhamedov.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It seems to us that these planned new
statues are further indication that Berdimuhamedov is
continuing to dillute former President Niyazov's personality
cult and focusing on promoting Turkmenistan's ancient history
and culture. The large-scale Niyazov posters have
disappearing. And while many have been replaced by pictures
of Berdimuhamedov, others have been replaced by posters of
historic figures and monuments. The gold Niyazov statues are
not yet being carted to the dump, but neither are
Berdimuhamedov statues going up. This sends another signal
that things are changing. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: THE DE-NIYAZOVICATION OF ASHGABAT
REF: ASHGABAT 1124
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) As part of a building boom that continues apace
(septel),Turkmenistan will soon erect a number of new
statues of prominent Turkmen historical figures in parks,
along roadsides, and in fountain complexes. One sculpture
will represent Oguz Khan, a legendary military leader,
historically touted as the father of the Turkmen nation.
Other statues of Oguz Khan's sons and various other cultural
leaders and heroes will be on display.
3. (SBU) This announcement follows on the heels of press
reports that Turkmenistan will issue new currency in 2009
(reftel). Six of the seven new bills will feature
well-known, historic or mythic Turkmen figures. Only the
largest bill will carry the likeness of former President
Niyazov. In addition, post has noted that new posters on
buildings include historic figures and monuments, as well as
ones with the likeness of the current president,
Berdimuhamedov.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It seems to us that these planned new
statues are further indication that Berdimuhamedov is
continuing to dillute former President Niyazov's personality
cult and focusing on promoting Turkmenistan's ancient history
and culture. The large-scale Niyazov posters have
disappearing. And while many have been replaced by pictures
of Berdimuhamedov, others have been replaced by posters of
historic figures and monuments. The gold Niyazov statues are
not yet being carted to the dump, but neither are
Berdimuhamedov statues going up. This sends another signal
that things are changing. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND