TURKMENISTAN: BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S NEW EMPHASIS ON IMPROVING

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001188 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL, ECA, IIP DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SCUL KPAO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S NEW EMPHASIS ON IMPROVING STATE MEDIA - LEARN FROM OTHERS ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: The President of Turkmenistan told State media and cultural officials that they must improve their profession. The President emphasized the need for developing creativity, learning from contemporary world practices in the field, as well as using competition to stimulate further development. Although he also emphasized the role of media and culture in building national unity, Turkmen patriotism, and pride, most of the President's emphasis appears to signal still more movement towards a more diversified and open cultural and media environment than under his predecessor. While change will naturally be at a gradual, deliberate pace, and will likely have fits and starts, this development is positive. END SUMMARY. A SPECIAL MEETING FOR CULTURE AND MEDIA ¶3. (U) On October 30, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov convened a meeting to discuss development of media and culture. Attendees included Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers Maysa Yazmuhammedova (for Culture and Broadcasting),Hydry Saparlyev (Education),and Gurbannazar Ashyrov, as well as officials from the Ministry of Culture and TV and Radio Broadcasting, the Ministry of Communications, and all eight TV and radio channels. According to the evening state news broadcast which detailed large parts of the meeting, the "wide-scale transformation processes" started in Turkmenistan require "us all to learn to work in a new way by making use of the best world practice." Simultaneously, the broadcast and the President emphasized the need to "preserve and multiply the unique spiritual wealth" of Turkmenistan. ¶4. (U) President Berdimuhamedov placed special emphasis on the role of mass media, especially electronic media. He noted the commitment of $9 million for the expansion and modernization of "relevant" infrastructure, including the recently opened headquarters for the Ministry of Culture and TV and Radio Broadcasting, a new radio station, and the re-opening of a journalism program at Turkmen State University. OTHER PECULIARITIES: INDIVIDUALS' INPUT AND PERFORMANCE ¶5. (SBU) According to the broadcast, the President asked for the input and concerns of those attending and "attentively listened to every speaker." This is an obvious contrastto normal government meeting style. (COMENT: Berdimuhamedov has said he enjoyed the give and take of the question and answer session when he spoke at Columbia University in New York. Asking for input would be in line with that willingness to listen to others - although who knows if he takes much outside input on board. In any case, it is in stark contrast with his predecessor, Niyazov's, style. END COMMENT.) ¶6. (U) Berdimuhamedov has frequently emphasized the value of foreign exchange, but he added that "you constantly have to work on improving your skills by demonstrating initiative and keeping a hand on the pulse of contemporary times." He also discussed the need to increase creativity and professional development. He said this could be stimulated through competitiveness and perhaps eventual introduction of market economy elements in which news outlets would have to become self-financing. He also talked about the need for all ministries to start "analytical" departments to study "advanced world experience in practice." ¶9. (SBU) COMMENT: Post has witnessed a slow and gradual opening of Turkmenistan's cultural and media space since February. But this meeting was the first clear, overt indicator of a policy for greater diversity and openness in culture and broadcasting in Turkmenistan. Although President Berdimuhamedov did not call for freedom of speech or the establishment of an independent media, his statements recognizing the need for creativity and diversity in the cultural and public sphere are still a shift from past practice. This also ASHGABAT 00001188 002 OF 002 parallels the policy of gradual reform exercised in other areas of national policy. Post also believes that Deputy Chairwoman Maysa Yazmuhammedova may already have had a positive impact on recent openings in media coverage. Now she has a presidential mandate to go farther, but that will likely be at a measured, deliberate pace, with some fits and starts. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND