TURKMENISTAN: NIGHTLIFE OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 001299 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2017 TAGS: PGOV PINR TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: NIGHTLIFE OF THE RICH AND POWERFUL REF: A. ASHGABAT 1246 ¶B. ASHGABAT 1088 Classified By: CHARGE SYLVIA REED CURRAN FOR REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Emboffs recently got a glimpse into the nocturnal habits of Turkmenistan's rich and powerful. A male relative of President Berdimuhamedov was involved in a bar fight with a foreigner, but the police were never called. Two high-ranking Ministry of National Security officials (secret police),known for driving at high speeds while under the influence and "fixing" their friends' problems, bragged to a visiting FSO in a local nightspot about their illegal extracurricular activities. They also received an endless stream of free food and drink. Although the former Minister of Internal Affairs got sacked for supposedly covering up his nephew's criminal behavior, the truth is that elites in Turkmenistan, like in many other countries, especially those without rule of law, often play by their own rules. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (C) F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in one of his short stories, "let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me." Elites in many countries often are not constrained by the same rules that apply to others. This is particularly the case for countries without rule of law, such as Turkmenistan. Recently, Embassy officers were given a view inside how different the lives of the powerful and well-connected are. WHAT HAPPENED WAS ¶3. (C) Very little is known about President Berdimuhamedov's family, and there has been only one possible sighting of his wife in the past year. However, emboffs had a close encounter with someone a longtime Embassy source later told us was either Berdimuhamedov's son or nephew when they witnessed a bar fight on the eve of Independence Day. According to one emboff who witnessed the fight on October 26, the Nissa Hotel bar that evening was crowded with Australian and French/Swiss pyrotechnic experts, who were in Ashgabat to do the fireworks displays for the Independence Day events. It was around 2320, and emboff was standing just a few feet from the bar when he saw a short Turkmen male (5'6", average build, about 160 pounds - the purported Berdimuhamedov relative) chatting with someone who appeared to be a high-ranking Turkmen official (he was wearing a gold Niyazov lapel pin). The short Turkmen male brushed the arm of one of the Australians, who was holding a glass of beer in that hand. This caused the beer to spill on the Australian's t-shirt. The Australian then barked something totally unintelligible to the Turkmen, who of course ignored it and started to exit the bar with his two-man entourage. The Australian (about 6'5", strong build, and around 190lbs) grabbed the smaller Turkman fellow, and a 10-second fight ensued. It was not clear to emboff who threw the first blow, but both men seemed to have successfully landed punches as evidenced by blood on their shirts and faces. The Turkmen was then ushered quickly out of the bar by his associates. ¶4. (C) The next day emboffs remarked to colleagues that what surprised them most about the fight was that a Turkmen would run the risk of getting into trouble by fighting in a public place. Of course, it did not occur to them that this person could be immune from such problems. YOUNG MNB MEN ABOUT TOWN ¶5. (C) Another FSO had the opportunity recently to see how well-connected Turkmen enjoy their off hours. A visiting FSO was invited November 23 by the Italian manager of the Ahal group of hotels to spend an evening out in Ashgabat. The two arrived around 2300 at the British Pub, a two-story bar/disco that is located in the commercial center of town. Given the late hour, the main entrance was closed, and they were required to enter via the back door of a restaurant that is ASHGABAT 00001299 002 OF 003 adjacent to the pub. The pub has a large bar, overhead TVs, several pool tables, and live rock music on the first floor. Given its location and popularity among expatriates (including the U.S. Embassy),it is a favorite hangout for the city's elite, particularly those who work for foreign companies, organizations, embassies, or who wish to associate with them. There is also a clientele, particularly of younger, less-privileged women and men, who appear to frequent the pub in order to make contact with foreigners, for business or pleasure. In short, it is a safe locale, where the respectable and not so respectable worlds meet. ¶6. (C) On this occasion, the FSO was introduced to two 30-something Turkmen males, who called themselves Said and Murat. According to the Italian, who is very well-connected, because he runs the premiere hotel and banquet facility in Ashgabat, the two men were very senior Ministry of National Security (MNB - secret police) officials and were among the wealthiest and most powerful men in the country. He said they go around town with impunity and warned the FSO to be careful as these individuals "could have your visa canceled and you out of the country" immediately if they wanted. (COMMENT: The Italian, no doubt, knows about people who quickly leave the country when they run afoul of Turkmenistan's high and mighty. Recently, one of his colleagues, the former General Manager of the President Hotel, quickly and mysteriously left the country, following some issue involving President Berdimuhamedov's chicken farm. Reftel. END COMMENT.) The Italian also noted that since he befriended these two MNB officials, he has not had any problems with anyone or anything in town. In fact, several times, when problems did come up, a phone call to one of them resolved everything. He was quite proud of the fact that Said and Murat had facilitated every aspect of his life in Ashgabat and said those who have had run-ins with the two have been known to "disappear." ¶7. (C) The Italian shared several anecdotes to illustrate his point, including one in which Said was driving through Ashgabat during the early hours of the morning, at top speed and clearly under the influence. No policeman stopped Said, despite the fact that he passed numerous police stationed along the side of the road, who signaled other drivers to pull over. The Italian attributed this to the fact that all the policemen knew Said and his vehicle. LARGE AND IN CHARGE ¶8. (C) Judging by the men's demeanor and their interaction with staff and other visitors, they did seem to be authority figures. Pub staff, including the manager, appeared to be trembling every time they came to either serve or greet. During the entire time that the FSO and the Italian were at the British Pub (2-3 hours),staff brought an endless array of food and drink to Said and Murat. Despite a public smoking ban in effect in Ashgabat, the two Turkmen smoked openly and nearly continuously. At one point in the evening, the Turkmen invited the FSO and the Italian upstairs to the second floor, where the best table in the disco, adjacent to the DJ, was already set up for the group. After being greeted by the bartender, the DJ invited the Italian and one of the Turkmen to spend some time with him in his booth. More drinks and food arrived. No wait staff ever presented a bill or came to collect money, leading the FSO to believe this largesse was all gratis. In fact, the Italian recommended that the FSO not attempt to offer to pay for his drinks, as everything was "covered" and the Turkmen might be offended. He never paid for anything, no matter where he went with them. ¶9. (C) After several toasts and lots of drinking by the Turkmen, they opened up, talking about Ashgabat, women and, alcohol. They gave accounts of inebriated sexual encounters around town, which apparently included multiple female prostitutes and transvestites. By the tme the FSO left, one of the Turkmen had found female company. ASHGABAT 00001299 003 OF 003 ¶10. (C) COMMENT: Back in October, President Berdimuhamedov fired Minister of Internal Affairs Annagurbanov in part because of an alleged breakdown of law and order during Annagurbanov's tenure, including an effort by the then-minister to cover up a crime by one of his nephews. (As reported Ref. B, Berdimuhamedov claimed he had told Annagurbanov that nobody, including even the president's own relatives, should be exempt from punishment.) It could be that Annagurbanov's nephew's crime was particularly egregious, or it simply could have been the last straw among other reasons to sack the guy. The truth, however, is that elites play by their own rules. END COMMENT. CURRAN