AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE TURKMEN PROMOTE COOPERATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001182

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/01/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM EAID SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE TURKMEN PROMOTE COOPERATION

Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: The California-based Christian evangelical
group "Friends of the Turkmen" has spent a dozen years slowly
building relations with Turkmenistan government officials.
Although they have contacts with small Protestant
congregations in the country, their focus is more on
education and health cooperation rather than strictly
religion. The group is routinely invited for Turkmenistan
Independence Day and has organized Turkmenistan-themed
celebrations in the U.S., sometimes at the behest of
high-ranking Turkmenistan officials. During their most
recent trip, the group met with officials from six ministries
and pitched a cooperative relationship with SUNY-Buffalo
where one of the group teaches engineering. One lesson from
the group is that to build cooperative relations with the
Turkmen, it often takes lots of patience and spade work. END
SUMMARY.


2. (C) On October 24, the official newspaper "Neutral
Turkmenistan" carried on the front page a poster, produced by
a group known as the American Friends of the Turkmen,
specially for President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov's recent
trip to New York for the UN General Assembly. Members of
this evangelical Christian group, most of whom reside in
California, traveled to Turkmenistan for the October 27
Independence Day festivities and were interviewed during
coverage of a concert held the on the eve of the national
day. On October 31, EmbOff met with the Friends of the
Turkmen (FOT) group who discussed their long association with
government officials and goals for cooperation.

WHO ARE THE FRIENDS OF THE TURKMEN


3. (C) The group leader said he founded the Friends of the
Turkmen because of his interest in the country and a desire
to promote cooperation. He first came to Turkmenistan in
1995 with a school basketball team he coached. During this
visit, he met Turkmen Ambassador to the United States Mered
Orazov, who was then Rector of Turkmen State University, and
Turkmen State's basketball coach. During subsequent annual
visits, the FOT founder visited Orazov in his home and the
two men traveled to other provinces together. After Orazov
left his post at the university and was posted to Washington,
he traveled to California to see his American friend. In
2004 Orazov suggested that his friend write a letter to
former President Niyazov for his birthday. The FOT leader
said the letter he sent quoted the "Ruhnama," Niyazov's "book
of the soul," and Bible verses. Niyazov, supposedly, was so
taken by the letter, he invited the Friends of the Turkmen
group to visit Turkmenistan for Independence Day that year.
In 2005, Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov asked the Friends of
the Turkmen to organize Turkmenistan Independence Day
celebrations in California (which they did in San Diego, Los
Angeles, and San Francisco). They have also held
Turkmenistan-themed gatherings at other times and in various
places on the West Coast.

HIGH-LEVEL MEETINGS


4. (C) The group that traveled this year to Turkmenistan
includes a physician, a civil engineering professor from
SUNY-Buffalo, a seismologist-structural engineer, and acity
official from Glendale, California. The group met with
Foreign Minister Meredov, and deputy ministers from the
Ministries of Health, Economics and Finance, Education, State
Tourism and Sports, and Culture and Broadcasting. At each
meeting, the group expressed a desire to expand cooperation,
especially in the areas of healthcare and education. The
physician offered to return and present seminars. The
seismologist wanted to talk to Turkmen counterparts about
earthquake-proofing buildings. The SUNY professor wanted to
talk about exchanges with his university, particularly in
various engineering fields (civil, structural, environmental,
hazardous waste, construction, and earthquake engineering).

ASHGABAT 00001182 002 OF 002


He outlined SUNY's distance-learning program which offers a
Masters Degree in civil engineering without once needing to
set foot on the SUNY/B campus. In addition, the group hopes
to sponsor Turkmen students to study at SUNY. (COMMENT: The
group would probably have to raise money specifically for
that purpose since its budget is minuscule, and most likely
would only be able to sponsor a very limited number of
students. END COMMENT.) According to the group, the
Ministry of Education was so taken by its proposals that
there was a follow-up meeting. At the other ministries,
officials asked for detailed, concrete proposals for them to
consider. FOT members said they were warmly received in all
meetings.

THE RELIGIOUS CONNECTION


5. (C) EmbOff asked what part the group's religious
affiliation played in what they are trying to accomplish.
FOT members responded they have always been up front with
Turkmen officials about their orientation. They knew of
groups that have tried to be surreptitious, and once
discovered, the relationship was severed. They maintain
contacts with small Turkmenistani evangelical groups.
However, FOT does not try to import Bibles or other religious
material. Their goal is to promote friendship by increased
contact and cooperation with officials. They emphasize
commonalties between themselves and the Turkmen, such as
strong family values. Prior to Niyazov's death, group
members studied the "Ruhnama" to use that as a point of
departure for discussions with officials. The seismologist
said he can quote from it extensively. The group unanimously
called the book "ridiculous," and hoped it would fade away.
They were pleased about signs that there is increasing
official emphasis on Turkmen history and culture.


6. (C) COMMENT: It is interesting to learn the Turkmenistan
government is open to cooperation with private Americans and
the fact that the group is faith-based is not an impediment.
This group has learned that it takes many years to build
relations with the Turkmen. The key to building cooperative
relations are patience and lots of spade work. It also helps
to have detailed, concrete proposals. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND