RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV PROMISES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ASHGABAT 000371

SIPDIS

C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SIGNATURE)

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EPET PGOV PHUM PREL RS TX
SUBJECT: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER LAVROV PROMISES
TURKMENISTAN EDUCATION AND HEALTH ASSISTANCE

ASHGABAT 00000371 001.4 OF 004


Summary
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1. (SBU) During an April 5 meeting in Ashgabat,
Turkmenistan,s President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov and
Russia,s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expanded the
traditional Russian-Turkmenistani state dialog, touching on
economic cooperation, but focusing a majority of the time on
"humanitarion," i.e., education cultural and social issues.
Some token discussions on energy issues and regional politics
were broached in regard to actively developing economic
relations, Caspian Sea delimitation and "common approaches"
regarding diplomatic and peaceful resolutions on Afghanistan
and Iran, but cultural development took center stage in the
media and during the Charge's private meeting with Russian
Ambassador to Turkmenistan Igor Blatov on April 11. Blatov
confirmed that Russia saw a new opportunity with the
Berdimuhammedov administration to develop education and
cultural cooperation, Russian-language resources, including
news outlets, and region-to-region cooperation between the
two countries. End Summary.

The Lavrov Meeting - Economic Cooperation
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2. (SBU) Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly
Berdimuhammedov met with Russia,s Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov, Deputy Foreign Minister Karasin and Russian Ministry
of Foreign Affair,s (MFA) Commonwealth of Independent States
Department Head Peshkov. The Russian Foreign Minister also
met separately with his Turkmenistani counterpart, Rashit
Meredov, and signed a "Program of Cooperation" between the
two foreign policy agencies.


3. (U) In his lobby statements following the two meetings,
Lavrov highlighted economic cooperation:

- Lavrov noted that the two countries would deepen and expand
trade and economic cooperation and investments. He said they
discussed increasing opportunities for revitalizing the work
of the intergovernmental trade-economic cooperation
commission, which was discontinued four years ago. The
commission is tasked with facilitating cooperation and
contacts between Russian and Turkmenistani companies. (Note:
Russian Foreign Minister Fradkov first raised this issue
during his February 15 meeting with President
Berdimuhammedov. End note.)

- Caspian Sea legal status: Both sides agreed to prepare
documents on the Caspian Sea status, and the Russian MFA,s
press release on the same day noted that the two leaders
discussed the prospect of convening a second Caspian Sea
summit.

- Lavrov mentioned the two countries, "common approach" in
working within international organizations, such as the UN
and OSCE, as well as their "very close approaches" to the
situation in Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear program.
Both countries believe these issues need to be resolved
through diplomatic and peaceful means.

"Humanitarian" (Education and Culture) Cooperation
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4. (U) During an airport interview with Turkmenistani TV

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before his departure, Lavrov noted the development of
cooperation in education and culture. During his state
visit, Lavrov went to the Russian-Turkmenistani school and
the Russian Theater, both named after Pushkin. Both
countries agreed that the school would be expanded by adding
a building. The government-owned daily newspaper &Neutral
Turkmenistan8 carried an April 11 tender announcement by
Gazprom,s Ashgabat office for the construction of the school
building and a kindergarten. Lavrov said that cultural and
arts exchanges would be continued, and stressed the
importance of exchanges between Russia,s regions --
specifically Sverdlovsk, Astrakhan and St. Petersburg -- and
Turkmenistan.

Russian Ambassador Touts Lavrov's Successes
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5. (SBU) Russian Ambassador Igor Blatov described
Lavrov,s meetings with President Berdimuhammedov and Foreign
Minister Meredov as "very successful," during an April 11
meeting with Charge. He added the following first-hand
details about the Lavrov meetings:

- De-emphasis on gas: Lavrov did not need to raise the
subject again, since Prime Minister Fradkov had received
adequate assurances from Berdimuhammedov during their
February 15 meeting that the Government of Turkmenistan would
honor existing gas contracts. Blatov noted that, "No mature
relationship can be based just on gas," (Comment: Though
Blatov failed to see the humor in the statement. End
Comment.).

- Political cooperation: The Russian side expressed its
desire for more consultation on international relations,
including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, the Caspian Sea, UN and
OSCE.

- Russian language: Lavrov encouraged preservation of the
Russian language through additional Russian-language courses
in schools and increased access to Russian-language news
sources and professional journals. Berdimuhammedov agreed to
re-establish the Russian-language Radio Mayak. (Comment: The
station was closed in June 2004, ostensibly for repairs
according to the Government of Turkmensistan, according to
Blatov it was closed after airing a broadcast with a negative
comment about about Turkmenistan,s policies. End Comment.)

- Education: Berdimuhammedov agreed to Lavrov,s initiative
to open a "Russian-Turkmen University," that would specialize
in technical training, in particular in the oil and gas
spheres.

- Human rights: No human rights issues were raised by Lavrov
during the meetings, including the status of the Russian
minority, and Blatov urged the United States to take a
gradual approach in pressing the new government for reforms.
Blatov argued that as increasingly more Turkmenistanis travel
and study abroad and have access to information, "these
things will take care of themselves."

- State Visit: Lavrov invited Berdimuhammedov to a state
visit to Moscow, which Blatov thought could occur as early as
the first week of May.

Astrakhan Governor's Visit

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6. (SBU) Blatov also spoke enthusiastically about the
outcome of the Astrakhan governor,s April 10-11 visit. The
delegation met with President Berdimuhammedov and held talks
with several government agencies.

- Medical exchanges: Astrakhan offered to host Turkmenistani
specialists at its medical institutes and to send Astrakhan's
specialists to Turkmenistan to train local specialists.

- Education: Astrakhan will set a generous quota for
Turkmenistani students to study at Astrakhan,s institutions
of higher education and vocational schools.

- Shipbuilding: Astrakhan agreed to supply Turkmenistan with
six new ships - five fishing vessels and one research vessel.

- Transportation: The two sides agreed to open a ferry line
between Turkmenbashy and Astrakhan for passengers, vehicles
and cargo. They also agreed to establish a Turkmenistan
Airlines and possibly a Russian airline flight between either
Ashgabat or Turkmenbashy, via Aktau in Kazakhstan, to
Astrakhan.

Comment
--------------


7. (SBU) Through de-emphasizing gas cooperation and
emphasizing a kaleidoscope of new areas for cooperation,
Russia appears to be remaking its image of a powerful state
taking advantage of its smaller neighbor,s resources.
Following Niyazov,s death, many press articles portrayed
Russia as the neighborhood bully and this visit somewhat
mollifies that criticism. Russia may feel it is losing
ground in Turkmenistan, because Berdimuhammedov has elected
to talk with a variety of private sector and diplomatic
players about the possibilities for alternative and
additional gas pipelines exciting Turkmenistan. Expanding
cooperation in the economic and humanitarian spheres is
intended to re-introduce Russia as an equal partner who is
genuinely interested in Turkmenistan,s development. On
level ground, it is also possible to build a foundation for
future cooperation in other, more sensitive areas, such as
the military.


8. (SBU) Russia's attempt at "soft diplomacy," never its
strong point, is significant. A Danish diplomat resident in
Moscow told Charge on April 12, that the Russian Government's
forays into education, culture and health assistance was
"new." He considered the development positive in that
Turkmenistan had the need for this assistance and Moscow had
the means. According to this source, Moscow is the "New York
City" of Central Asia, the great white way of knowledge and
culture.


9. (SBU) On the eve of the USG education delegation's visit
to Turkmenistan, embassy recommends a meeting with the
Russian Embassy both to further learn of Russian
"humanitarian" plans in Turkmenistan and also to explore
possible joint programs. Long-time resident Turkmensitan
observers, including the local EU-TACIS representative,
believe this new Russian initiative is a reflection of
Russia's acknowledgement that it missed the hearts and minds
boat in Turkmenistan, and that its influence here could wane

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if policy remained based on the mercantalist policy of
relying on gas imports as the basis for a bilateral
relationship.

End Comment.
BRUSH