TURKMENISTAN FM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO THE "NEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000322

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM TX IR AZ KZ GG UN
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN FM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO THE "NEW
PAGE"

REF: STATE 37801

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland f
or reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: On March 27, First Deputy Chairman and
Foreign Minister Meredov touched on recent regional visitors,
emphasized Turkmenistan's adherence to non-proliferation
regimes and desire to work more closely with the OSCE, and
signaled concrete interest in working with the UN on
religious freedom and human rights. Though it's extremely
early in Turkmenistan's opening to the world, Ashgabat does
indeed seem to be moving in the right direction. An
invitation from Washington for Meredov to visit, sooner
rather than later, would likely receive serious consideration
here. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Acting Charge called on First Deputy Chairman and
Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov March 27. Meredov stated the
Government of Turkmenistan values its growing relationship
with the United States and has appreciated the recent steady
stream of visitors, both high- and expert-level. A/Charge
reaffirmed Washington's belief a page has turned in
U.S.-Turkmenistani relations; we want to be helpful, and will
work closely to cooperate. A primary goal of the new
relationship is to support Turkmenistan's independence and
sovereignty, not to provoke Ashgabat's other partners,
including Russia. We believe sovereign countries have the
fundamental right to make their own decisions. A/Charge
noted that it would be very well-received in Washington and
elsewhere if the Government of Turkmenistan would remove the
exit-visa requirement for its citizens who want to travel
abroad. Meredov took the point but made no immediate
commitment.


3. (SBU) Meredov repeated his government's desire for
U.S.-Turkmenistan relations to grow at all levels. He
affirmed Turkmenistan's desire to work closely with the OSCE
and was awaiting concrete details from OSCE for enhanced
cooperation, especially assistance and training for
elections. He expressed full openness to learn how other
countries conduct elections according to international
standards. He also noted Ashgabat had invited the UN Special
Rapporteur for freedom of religion to visit Turkmenistan this
year, and expected a UNCHR visit in May.

FOLLOW-UP TO TURKMENISTAN-AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTIAL TELCON


4. (SBU) Meredov reaffirmed that the March 13 telephone
conversation between President Aliyev in Baku and President
Berdimuhammedov in Ashgabat had been friendly and in the
spirit of cooperation. He said no dates have been set for
reciprocal presidential visits, but planning is under way
through diplomatic channels. When asked if such visits might
happen in the first half of this year, Meredov replied that
presidential schedules can be difficult to coordinate but
that his government is committed to making it happen.

GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN VISITS: CONSTRUCTIVE FOR REGIONAL
COOPERATION


5. (SBU) Meredov characterized the recent visits by Georgian
Prime Minister Noghaideli and Kazak Minister of Energy and
Mineral Resources Izmukhambetov as working visits, but
hastened to add they had been very constructive with real
mutual understanding and agreement to work together more
closely. When A/Charge teased Meredov for his overly
cautious diplomatic language, Meredov laughed ) but didn't
elaborate on the contents of the visits not reported in the
media. He did, however, reemphasize that they were "a
beginning" and evidence of a mutual desire for enhanced
regional cooperation.


ASHGABAT 00000322 002 OF 002


IRAN: DID PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMMEDOV REALLY SAY THAT?


6. (C) A/Charge noted Washington had paid close attention to
the March 16 visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Motaki to
Ashgabat. He asked if Berdimuhammedov had really said, as
reported by Iranian media, he strongly supports Iran's
nuclear program and believes it is for peaceful purposes, or
if journalists had exaggerated the president's views. A bit
uncomfortable, Meredov commented journalists "always play
with words," but he did not answer the question directly.
Instead, he reaffirmed Turkmenistan's membership in and
strict fulfillment of international non-proliferation
agreements. He said, "We not only observe non-proliferation,
we also practice it." He noted specifically Turkmenistan's
participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative and
said, "Anytime you give us actionable intelligence, we will
act on it."

UNSCR 1747


7. (U) A/Charge delivered summary of demarche (ref) and
urged the Government of Turkmenistan to report to the UN
Sanctions Committee the steps they have taken to implement
the resolution's provisions. He noted Embassy Ashgabat would
deliver the full text of the demarche and a summary of its
key provisions. Meredov replied that Turkmenistan fulfills
its international obligations.

OTHER BUSINESS


8. (SBU) A/Charge previewed the upcoming CODEL Hoekstra.
Meredov affirmed Ashgabat's full cooperation to make the
visit successful. A/Charge also raised outstanding USAID
visa issues, the need for a foreign ministry letter so the
American Corner in Turkmenbashy can reopen, and a
humanitarian travel case of a LES who needs medical attention
in Moscow but is on the "no travel list." Meredov instructed
America's Desk Director Serdar Bashimov to note these
requests and said, "These issues will be resolved."
(COMMENT: But he didn't say when. However, the following
day, Bashimov affirmed to A/DCM he was working these
problems, and, specifically, that the LES would likely be
able to travel to Moscow for her medical attention. END
COMMENT.)


9. (C) COMMENT: Meredov was relaxed and attentive
throughout the meeting. Though not especially forthcoming on
the substance of recent regional visitors, this was, after
all, an initial courtesy call. Meredov made a special point
to emphasize Turkmenistan's adherence to non-proliferation
regimes, desire to work more closely with the OSCE, and
upcoming UN visits on religious freedom and human rights.
Though it's essentially only "five minutes past midnight,"
Ashgabat does indeed seem to be moving in the right
direction. We believe an invitation from Washington for
Meredov to visit, sooner rather than later, would receive
serious consideration here. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND