Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1196
2007-11-06 05:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

ALBUQUERQUE-ASHGABAT SISTER CITY PROGRAM ILLUSTRATES

Tags:  PREL PGOV PHUM SCUL KPAO TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
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DE RUEHAH #1196/01 3100524
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R 060524Z NOV 07
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001196 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, ECA, DRL
DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: ALBUQUERQUE-ASHGABAT SISTER CITY PROGRAM ILLUSTRATES
"TURNED PAGE"


ASHGABAT 00001196 001.2 OF 002


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001196

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, ECA, DRL
DOE FOR LANA EKIMOFF/KAY THOMPSON


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: ALBUQUERQUE-ASHGABAT SISTER CITY PROGRAM ILLUSTRATES
"TURNED PAGE"


ASHGABAT 00001196 001.2 OF 002



1. (U) SUMMARY: Representatives of Albuquerque's Sister City
Foundation found their visit to be productive, and more
significantly a major step forward in their relationship with the
Ashgabat Mayor's office. The delegation attended multiple
Independence Day events and conducted successful outreach, both
through interviews on state TV and through their home stays and
charitable activity. Overall, this trip proved to be more
successful than in years past. The group's access to a school for
the disabled, meetings with city officials, and the positive media
coverage it received are all signs that Turkmenistan is continuing
to become more comfortable in its relationship with the United
States and other countries. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) The October 25-30 visit of seven members of the Albuquerque
Sister Cities Foundation to Ashgabat included several veteran
members of the city's overall sister city program, as well as
members of the Albuquerque-Ashgabat committee. Host government
authorities, particularly city of Ashgabat officials,
enthusiastically endorsed the delegation's request to attend
Independence Day events and took a much more active role in
supporting the sister city relationship.

POSITIVE STEPS IN THE OFFICIAL CITY GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIP


3. (SBU) The major highlight of the trip was a lengthy and
successful meeting with Ashgabat Mayor Deryageldy Orazov on October
29, which included two recent International Visitors Leadership
Program alumni: the first deputy mayor who is the mayor's
international relations department head, as well as the deputy mayor
for economic issues (NOTE: All four participants of the recent IVLP
program were enthusiastic about urban issues upon their return and
looked forward to expanding their contact with U.S. cities. END
NOTE.) Both sides offered multiple suggestions for expanding the
relationship between the two cities, with Ashgabat officials
focusing on gaining Albuquerque's support for construction projects

and cultural and sports exchanges between the cities. Albuquerque
focused on some specifics, including exchanges with a growing
Albuquerque film industry or the University of New Mexico. They
also suggested dedicating a park in each city to the sister
relationship. Although the two sides made no concrete agreements,
the overall attitude and optimism of the meeting was in strong
contrast to previous attempts by Albuquerque to develop the
relationship.

POSITIVE OUTREACH ON TV


4. (U) At many of the Independence Day events, state news media
highlighted the presence of the Albuquerque delegation. Several
members gave interviews about their hopes for a closer relationship
between the two cities and for the future.

OPTIMISTIC VISIT TO A NON-SHOWCASE LOCALE


5. (SBU) In addition, local authorities permitted the delegation to
visit an Ashgabat school for visually and hearing-impaired children
to donate school supplies. In the past, the government was
reluctant to allow access to such a facility for official visitors
or allow a donation.

HOST FAMILIES AS THE ONLY CONTINUITY


6. (SBU) Although the overall sister city relationship appeared to
have expanded with this visit, the many families who have hosted
each other during visits to both cities make up the core of the
relationship. Many families that have been hosts since the early
1990s were able to reconnect with their exchange visitors during
this visit. Most felt strongly that this visit by the Albuquerque
delegation represented a concrete and positive step in moving the
program forward.

ASHGABAT 00001196 002.2 OF 002



SURPRISING QUESTIONS FROM STUDENTS AT TURKMEN STATE


7. (U) Turkmenistan State University Students in the English and
International Relations Department hosted the delegation for rather
frank and open discussions. The trend of students becoming bolder
in their questions locally reached a new peak. Some students asked
the Albuquerque delegation how Americans defend their human rights
and how could people in Turkmenistan defend theirs. Another asked
what the delegation members do when they disagree with their
government's policies. The delegation members' varied replies to
the same questions demonstrated tolerance and diversity in
approaching sensitive issues.


8. (U) COMMENT: The Albuquerque delegation's official meeting with
the Mayor of Ashgabat and deputies who participated in a recent IVLP
program was the clearest sign yet of official support for the sister
city relationship. The group's access to a school for the disabled,
along with the positive media coverage are signs that Turkmenistan
is continuing to become more comfortable in its relationship with
the United States and other countries. END COMMENT.

HOAGLAND