OPENING OF ASHGABAT INTERNET CAFES -- SYMBOLIC OR A REAL

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000241 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY),SCA/PPD (KAMP),EUR/ACE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ETRD TX TNGD KPAO ECON CH SUBJECT: OPENING OF ASHGABAT INTERNET CAFES -- SYMBOLIC OR A REAL STEP FORWARD? SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) Turkmenistan State news outlets and international news outlets widely reported the opening of two state-run Internet cafes in Ashgabat soon after the inauguration of new president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov on February 14. The new Internet cafes represent a small step towards fulfilling Berdimuhammedov's campaign pledge of widespread Internet access. Despite usage fees that make access pricey for ordinary citizens most reports are positive with regard to the speed and unfiltered access to the World Wide Web. However, the cafes do not appear to have many users. End Summary. INITIAL OPENINGS APPEAR TO BE THE REAL THING -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Journalists and embassy FSNs visited the two state-run Internet cafes shortly after their opening. An AP journalist reported that he could easily access international news media and opposition websites when using the cafes, and that the connection speed was good. Embassy staff reported similar success in accessing websites quickly, but noted that usage fees are about $4 per hour, which would make Internet access a luxury item for most. (Comment: For comparison, typical taxi rides in Ashgabat can cost 35 cents to $1. Other basic services or utilities are free or inexpensive. End Comment) Other FSNs had mixed reviews of the connection speeds and have heard that the quality of the connection greatly varies. ¶3. (SBU) Neither cafe was reported busy at the times of visits. The cafe staff was polite and welcoming, one attendant even recommended to an FSN that people come after the prices have been lowered, stating that the Ministry of Communications would reduce prices soon. One FSN noted that an individual at one of the cafe's had the "MFA look" suggesting that the government could be monitoring who used the cafe. ¶4. (U) Internet usage at the embassy's Information Resource Center and three fully functioning American Corners continues at high rates. ACCESS TO BE MONITORED USING CHINESE METHODS? -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Gundogar opposition website ran an article claiming that Turkmenistan was receiving assistance from China in the technology of monitoring the Internet usage of individuals. At least one FSN has heard rumors of the same, some locals speculate that this is a likely direction that the host government would take in tandem with opening up Internet access. The Chinese also are involved with laying fiber optic cable both from Ashgabat to Dashoguz and from Turkmenabat to Turkmenbashy, apparently this is part of a greater plan to link China to Europe by fiber optic cable. COMMENT -------------- ¶6. (U) Although only a small step, the two Internet cafes represent a clear departure from the past. Under Niyazov Internet access for the general public was seldom discussed and access severely limited. The lack of instant popularity at the cafes might be explained by a lack of understanding about the Internet or how to use it; fear of the government's sincerity about freedom of access; as well as the prohibitive expense of usage. Knowledge about the Internet is limited, yet state media has recently published or broadcast short, informative pieces on the benefits of using the Internet. End Comment. BRUSH