Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1185
2007-11-02 10:27:00
SECRET
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN/AZERBAIJAN: COMPENSATION, NOT JUST
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S E C R E T ASHGABAT 001185
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC, EEB
DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AJ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN/AZERBAIJAN: COMPENSATION, NOT JUST
DELIMITATION
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
S E C R E T ASHGABAT 001185
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC, EEB
DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AJ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN/AZERBAIJAN: COMPENSATION, NOT JUST
DELIMITATION
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: According to Foreign Minister Meredov,
Turkmenistan's problem with Azerbaijan is more fundamental
than bilateral Caspian Sea delimitation. He accuses
Azerbaijan and British Petroleum of stealing Turkmenistan's
wealth from the disputed Osman/Chirag natural gas deposit.
He also questions the viability of the South Caucasus Gas
Pipeline. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In the course of a November 2 discussion with Deputy
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov how the United
State might be helpful on the issue of bilateral Caspian Sea
delimitation with Azerbaijan, Meredov did not rule out the
possibility of U.S. good offices, but noted Baku and Ashgabat
continue their bi-monthly meetings on this issue on their
own. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov is
expected in Ashgabat November 20 for the next round of talks.
COMPENSATION FOR "THEFT"
3. (S) Meredov admitted delimitation needs to be resolved,
but said there is a more fundamental issue than simply legal
definitions and negotiated compromises. "Azerbaijan and
British Petroleum (BP) have been stealing Turkmenistan's
wealth from the disputed Omar Osman natural gas field -- Omar
Osman is fundamental to us." (NOTE: Azerbaijan calls this
field Chirag. END NOTE.) He asked, "How is Azerbaijan going
to compensate us for this theft?"
PROBLEMS WITH SOUTH CAUCASUS GAS PIPELINE
4. (S) Reacting to Azerbaijani officials' statements about
Caspian Sea delimitation and pipelines immediately following
the October 16 Caspian Sea Summit in Tehran, Meredov smiled
thinly and said, "Azerbaijan has a tendency to shift
positions." He added, "Azerbaijan is getting extremely
nervous because it does not have enough natural gas for the
South Caucasus Gas Pipeline, let alone Nabucco. It's out on
a limb and can't crawl back without us." Meredov went
further, "That pipeline is not safe anyway because it goes
through unstable Georgia. (EUR A/S Dan) Fried just had to
dash to Tbilisi to calm down (President) Saakashvili."
Charge noted Georgia would be much more stable without
outside interference.
BERDIMUHAMEDOV IS "NOT NAVE"
Charge noted President Berdimuhamedov frequently and
impatiently asks Western visitors, most recently EU Javier
Solana, "Where's my Trans-Caspian Pipeline?" Charge asked,
"Does Berdimuhamedov really mean that? Does he truly not
understand that no Western government will build a
Trans-Caspian Pipeline for Turkmenistan, but that it has to
be done by private-sector investors?" Meredov replied, "Of
course he's not nave, but that's a discussion for another
time."
COMMENT: This is the first time Meredov -- or any other
Turkmenistani official to our knowledge -- has gone beyond
the issue of delimitation with us in the
Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan relationship. If he is serious about
demanding compensation for "stolen wealth," that will be an
enormous hurdle. We were intrigued by his view of the South
Caucasus Gas Pipeline, with his emphasis on Azerbaijan's
"paucity" of gas to fill it, and Georgia's "instability."
Anyone of a paranoid bent could almost hear echoes of
Kremlin/Gazprom talking points. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC, EEB
DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/02/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AJ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN/AZERBAIJAN: COMPENSATION, NOT JUST
DELIMITATION
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: According to Foreign Minister Meredov,
Turkmenistan's problem with Azerbaijan is more fundamental
than bilateral Caspian Sea delimitation. He accuses
Azerbaijan and British Petroleum of stealing Turkmenistan's
wealth from the disputed Osman/Chirag natural gas deposit.
He also questions the viability of the South Caucasus Gas
Pipeline. END SUMMARY.
2. (C) In the course of a November 2 discussion with Deputy
Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov how the United
State might be helpful on the issue of bilateral Caspian Sea
delimitation with Azerbaijan, Meredov did not rule out the
possibility of U.S. good offices, but noted Baku and Ashgabat
continue their bi-monthly meetings on this issue on their
own. Azerbaijan's Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov is
expected in Ashgabat November 20 for the next round of talks.
COMPENSATION FOR "THEFT"
3. (S) Meredov admitted delimitation needs to be resolved,
but said there is a more fundamental issue than simply legal
definitions and negotiated compromises. "Azerbaijan and
British Petroleum (BP) have been stealing Turkmenistan's
wealth from the disputed Omar Osman natural gas field -- Omar
Osman is fundamental to us." (NOTE: Azerbaijan calls this
field Chirag. END NOTE.) He asked, "How is Azerbaijan going
to compensate us for this theft?"
PROBLEMS WITH SOUTH CAUCASUS GAS PIPELINE
4. (S) Reacting to Azerbaijani officials' statements about
Caspian Sea delimitation and pipelines immediately following
the October 16 Caspian Sea Summit in Tehran, Meredov smiled
thinly and said, "Azerbaijan has a tendency to shift
positions." He added, "Azerbaijan is getting extremely
nervous because it does not have enough natural gas for the
South Caucasus Gas Pipeline, let alone Nabucco. It's out on
a limb and can't crawl back without us." Meredov went
further, "That pipeline is not safe anyway because it goes
through unstable Georgia. (EUR A/S Dan) Fried just had to
dash to Tbilisi to calm down (President) Saakashvili."
Charge noted Georgia would be much more stable without
outside interference.
BERDIMUHAMEDOV IS "NOT NAVE"
Charge noted President Berdimuhamedov frequently and
impatiently asks Western visitors, most recently EU Javier
Solana, "Where's my Trans-Caspian Pipeline?" Charge asked,
"Does Berdimuhamedov really mean that? Does he truly not
understand that no Western government will build a
Trans-Caspian Pipeline for Turkmenistan, but that it has to
be done by private-sector investors?" Meredov replied, "Of
course he's not nave, but that's a discussion for another
time."
COMMENT: This is the first time Meredov -- or any other
Turkmenistani official to our knowledge -- has gone beyond
the issue of delimitation with us in the
Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan relationship. If he is serious about
demanding compensation for "stolen wealth," that will be an
enormous hurdle. We were intrigued by his view of the South
Caucasus Gas Pipeline, with his emphasis on Azerbaijan's
"paucity" of gas to fill it, and Georgia's "instability."
Anyone of a paranoid bent could almost hear echoes of
Kremlin/Gazprom talking points. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND