Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT1271
2007-11-23 12:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN LIFTS REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGNERS TO
how-toVZCZCXRO3845 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #1271 3271219 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 231219Z NOV 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9758 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3025 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0841 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0715 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1291 RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 1936
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001271
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN LIFTS REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGNERS TO
STAY IN HOTELS
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001271
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN LIFTS REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGNERS TO
STAY IN HOTELS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) The Head of the Department for Registration of
Foreign Citizens at Turkmenistan's State Service of
Registration of Foreign Citizens told an Embassy employee on
November 20 that the government has lifted its ban requiring
all foreign visitors to stay in hotels, rather than allowing
them to stay in rented apartments or with private families.
From now on, foreigners may rent apartments, as long as
apartment owners are registered and pay taxes on their rental
income. This new policy also applies to single males, who
previously have been subject to special (negative) law
enforcement attention -- and accusations of engaging in
prostitution if they were found in apartments or private
dwellings.
3. (SBU) The former policy also posed a problem for the
Embassy during the recent visit of Secretary Bodman.
Migration officials closely scrutinized the flight crew and
were uncomfortable with the idea that these men, here without
family, would be staying in rented apartments (no hotel rooms
were available at the time). It took some explaining by the
Embassy to get the flight crew through immigration.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The ban has come up in practically every
discussion with foreign businessmen, and it was a significant
quality of life issue for foreigners in the business
community. The decision may well have been a matter of
necessity: with only limited hotel space in Ashgabat and
elsewhere in Turkmenistan, the growing number of foreign
businessmen and foreign government delegations flocking to
Turkmenistan were facing declining availability. This
decision definitely is a step toward making Turkmenistan a
more attractive place for businessmen to invest and live, and
post hopes that it is a sign of more changes to come. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN LIFTS REQUIREMENT FOR FOREIGNERS TO
STAY IN HOTELS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) The Head of the Department for Registration of
Foreign Citizens at Turkmenistan's State Service of
Registration of Foreign Citizens told an Embassy employee on
November 20 that the government has lifted its ban requiring
all foreign visitors to stay in hotels, rather than allowing
them to stay in rented apartments or with private families.
From now on, foreigners may rent apartments, as long as
apartment owners are registered and pay taxes on their rental
income. This new policy also applies to single males, who
previously have been subject to special (negative) law
enforcement attention -- and accusations of engaging in
prostitution if they were found in apartments or private
dwellings.
3. (SBU) The former policy also posed a problem for the
Embassy during the recent visit of Secretary Bodman.
Migration officials closely scrutinized the flight crew and
were uncomfortable with the idea that these men, here without
family, would be staying in rented apartments (no hotel rooms
were available at the time). It took some explaining by the
Embassy to get the flight crew through immigration.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: The ban has come up in practically every
discussion with foreign businessmen, and it was a significant
quality of life issue for foreigners in the business
community. The decision may well have been a matter of
necessity: with only limited hotel space in Ashgabat and
elsewhere in Turkmenistan, the growing number of foreign
businessmen and foreign government delegations flocking to
Turkmenistan were facing declining availability. This
decision definitely is a step toward making Turkmenistan a
more attractive place for businessmen to invest and live, and
post hopes that it is a sign of more changes to come. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN