Turkmenistan: Security Cooperation Has a Bright Future

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000144 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY); INL (BUHLER); EUR/ACE (MCKANE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM SNAR KIPR PREL TX US SUBJECT: Turkmenistan: Security Cooperation Has a Bright Future Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) During two law enforcement/security meetings with four different ministries, the U.S. government assistance delegation visiting Turkmenistan January 31-February 2 were provided positive assessments of current United States - Turkmenistan cooperation in the law enforcement and security spheres. All four ministerial/agency heads from the Government of Turkmenistan -- Customs, Immigration, Defense and State Border Service -- welcomed the delegation, which collectively represented the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and the State Department's bureaus of South SIPDIS and Central Asia Regional Affairs, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. Both meetings were friendly and forward-looking. Turkmenistan's officials discussed previous program successes as foundations for continued and expanded cooperation in the future, and honed in on border security issues, including continued counternarcotics efforts. The Turkmenistan officials continued to sidestep requests for statistical data and other empirical assessment tools that were raised by delegation members. End Summary. Familiar Faces: Customs and Immigration -------------- ¶2. (SBU) During the joint meeting with Chief of the State Customs Service Myratberdi Annalyev and with Yalim Berdiyev, who triple-hats as Chief of the State Service for the Registration of Foreign Citizens (Immigration),Deputy Chief of the State Counternarcotics Commission at the Cabinet of Ministers and Chief of the Department for Analyzing Law Enforcement and Military Agencies' Activities at the Presidential Aparat, assistance delegation members heard about the positive cooperation that exists between Turkmenistan and the United States in counternarcotics. Both Annalyev and Berdiyev were involved in the construction of the first border crossing checkpoint station at Altyn Asyr on the Iranian border, and both called it a hallmark of bilateral cooperation. Annalyev said it was "a first step in our cooperation," and added that Customs was looking forward to completion of the Imamnazar station on the border with Afghanistan and three additional border stations. Charge quickly pointed out that funding only existed for the current project, and 
the Bureau of South Central Asia representative later commented that funding was not wholly contingent upon, but encouraged by, cooperative efforts in many areas, including regional participation in various conferences and information-sharing. Charge said that project funding was results-oriented, and noted specifically the need for regular and accurate drug seizure data and drug use information. In a notable departure from the still-normal line that seized drugs are being trafficked through Turkmenistan, Berdiyev said that the three recent drug destruction events attended by embassy staff were internally-seized drugs intended for domestic use. ¶3. (SBU) Border security was a key component of the discussion, and both Annalyev and Berdiyev commented favorably about English language programs that would enhance their agencies' participation in international conferences, training and cross-border communication. Annalyev made reference to the current INL project at the Altyn Asyr Customs Training Center for officers from five law enforcement agencies, noting that his office made an effort to rotate Customs officials working in various border areas through the Ashgabat-based program. Berdiyev expressed interest in an Immigration English language program. (Note: Immigration currently conducts its own English language program and many officers working in the Ashgabat airport are English-language speakers. End Note.) ¶4. (SBU) In response to the need for better Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement, Annalyev said that Customs currently had draft legislation with several ministries that included IPR language. Charge noted the USG's interest and expertise on the subject. (Note: Embassy is waiting for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clear draft language for three INL projects, one of which is on IPR. End Note.) Charge also twice asked Berdiyev about freedom of movement and the known existence of a "black list" of people restricted from traveling abroad. Berdiyev balked both times ASHGABAT 00000144 002 OF 002 at answering the question. (Comment: Post knows that Immigration enforces the travel restrictions, but is not responsible for creating or maintaining the list. End Comment.) Someone Old; Someone New: Defense and Border Guards -------------- -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Minister of Defense Agageldi Mammetgeldiyev dominated the joint Ministry of Defense and State Border Service meeting, dwarfing the newly appointed State Border Service Chief Bayram Alowow to the point of making his presence more decorative than substantive. Mammetgeldiyev noted emphatically the positive bilateral relationship between Turkmenistan and the United States and described the many exchanges and attendance at seminars and courses, and areas of cooperation: military delegations, training: English language, military, medical, fire fighting, first aid. He also talked about Turkmenistan's cooperation in the war on terror by providing humanitarian assistance. The Office of the Secretary of Defense representative expressed appreciation for the gratifying comments and the good relationship in many spheres and noted that this was an opportunity to solicit ideas for expanded cooperation to defeat mutual threats. Mammetgeldiyev welcomed continued cooperation at the current program pace and emphasized that there was no rush. He said the United States had always been very helpful in areas of training: army, navy, air force, counternarcotics, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and trafficking in persons. A slow, consistent process was best, but he would like to see expanded training for humanitarian, disaster preparedness/response and medicine. This meeting was an opportunity to formalize the relationship for mutual benefit. ¶6. (SBU) Drawing Alowow into the conversation, A/DCM discussed the plans for the late May opening of the Imamnazar border crossing checkpoint station, and the embassy's goal of integrated border management in order to expand cross border communication. Alowow thanked the United States for previous cooperation and said that many services used the border crossing checkpoint stations, and all would show their appreciation for the modern, fully-equipped station by attending the opening ceremony. (Note: Up to 11 agencies are represented at some checkpoints. End Note.) ¶7. (SBU) Mammetgeldiyev said that Turkmenistan did not have weapons of mass destruction, did not want them, and was eager to continue "prophylactic" work. In response to the INL comment about the need for statistical counternarcotics data for future and expanded cooperation, Mammetgeldiyev countered with a question about the increased opium harvests in Afghanistan. The Bureau of South and Central Asia representative emphasized the need for statistical data to combat the problem on both sides of Afghanistan's border, and stressed the need for Turkmenistan to cooperate in regional events to enhance the exchange of ideas and methodologies. ¶8. (SBU) In closing, the A/DCM said this transitional period in Turkmenistan was a great opportunity for new cooperation. Mammetgeldiyev responded positively and said that the more the two governments were able to meet and express opinions, the closer the two governments would grow in understanding. Comment -------------- ¶9. (SBU) The meetings highlighted the comfortable relationship the embassy enjoys with the law enforcement community, and continued cooperation was welcomed by Turkmenistan's officials. From Turkmenistan's side, the dual emphases were on past collaborative successes and the desire for continued cooperation in the future; from the U.S. side the emphasis was on the desire for expanded cooperation with the caveat that Turkmenistan would need to be more forthcoming with information. Berdiyev noted the many challenges for Altyn Asyr that were overcome through diligence and cooperation, resulting, in the end, with a beautiful project that both governments are proud to have symbolize the bilateral relationship. The delegation met with three familiar interlocutors and a new player to the law enforcement/security field, Alowow. End Comment. BRUSH