TURKMENISTAN'S EMINENCE GRISE RELEASED FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000504 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY) E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017 TAGS: KDEM PGOV PINR PO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S EMINENCE GRISE RELEASED FROM SECURITY POSITION REF: A. ASHGABAT 459 ¶B. ASHGABAT 370 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) Rumors of shadowy Chief of the Presidential Security Service Akmurat Rejepov's expected departure from the government were confirmed by a May 15 presidential decree announcing his assignment to "other work." An additional -- and more surprising change in Turkmenistan's security structure -- came with a separate presidential announcement that First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of National Security (MNB) Agadjan Pashyev was also released from his position for assignment to "other work." The combined dismissals come on the heels of President Berdimuhammedov's successful tripartite energy summit with Russia and Kazakhstan and decrease any lingering doubts about the president's stability in office. Berdimuhammedov, as president, clearly feels secure. End Summary. His Eminence's Coming Out -------------- ¶2. (C) Prior to former President Niyazov's December 21, 2006 death, Chief of the Presidential Security Service Rejepov was a powerful but secretive figure in the presidential apparat. Never formally appointed during Niyazov's reign, Rejepov served the former president from the first days of Turkmenistan's independence. Little is known about Rejepov other than he is believed to have been educated in Russia, and to have served in the Soviet Committee for National Security (KGB) prior to the collapse of the Soviet Union. It was not until November 3, 2006, that Rejepov's face was fully exposed to the public during a televised cabinet of ministers meeting when he and several other members of the presidential apparat were awarded Golden Age Awards of the Third Degree by President Niyazov. This award ceremony proved to be Rejepov's prelude to the public exposure he seemed to welcome in Berdimuhammedov's administration. Rejepov was never formally appointed by the new president, but he continued to serve in the same capacity as under Niyazov. ¶3. (SBU) During a February 17 ribbon-cutting ceremony to open a large Turkish company-built textile complex, embassy staff not only saw Rejepov for the first time in public, but observed a gregarious and ebullient security chief who worked the Turkmenistani ambassadorial crowd (recalled to Ashgabat for the February 14 presidential inauguration). His gregariousness extended to the Turkish ambassador and Turkish businessmen in attendance, but stopped shy of interacting with the international diplomatic corps on hand to witness the event. The Sightings Continued -------------- ¶4. (C) Rejepov, long speculated to be one of Niyazov's closest advisors, was propelled into the position of potential puppet master of the new president. The previously covert operator was suddenly seen everywhere and became a familiar face in the crowd surrounding Berdimuhammedov. Rejepov was featured prominently alongside Berdimuhammedov in news footage of the president's pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Greener Pastures for Rejepov now Unlikely -------------- ¶5. (C) In early 2007, Turkish Ambassador Hakki Akil told Charge that Rejepov was angling to leave his position -- to move on -- and maybe out -- of Turkmenistan. Akil speculated that Rejepov was potentially seeking an ambassadorial ASHGABAT 00000504 002 OF 002 position or luxurious retirement in Dubai after his many years of profitable civil service. ¶6. (C) In contrast, during a NATO ambassador's lunch on May 16, Charge learned that Rejepov's assistant was arrested on May 15. Akil's current speculation is that Rejepov will not be leaving Turkmenistan. Mini Shake-up of the MNB -------------- ¶7. (C) The day post submitted a diplomatic note requesting a meeting with First Deputy Minister Pashyev of the MNB (May 15),he was concurrently released from this position. Post had recently established a relationship with Pashyev during an April 9 trip across the border to Afghanistan (ref A). Pashyev was selected by the government to both escort embassy staff to the cross-border meeting with Afghanistan's border officials and U.S. Embassy Kabul's border security experts, and to represent Turkmenistan. Pashyev proved to be a generous and hospitable host, but he came up short on his interaction with the Afghanistanis. He was game to gather intelligence from the meeting without sharing any information in return. Comment -------------- ¶8. (C) The two dismissals lead to much speculation, but both leave no doubt that Berdimuhammedov's position is solidifying. During a May 16 "scientific" conference on Turkmenistan's Constitution, Berdimuhammedov was even referred to as the "Great Berdimuhammedov" (Beyik Prezidentimiz) -- a title previously reserved for Niyazov who is now being officially referred to as the "first president." Pashyev's dismissal is the second purge in the security and law enforcement sector, the first being the removal of Minister of Internal Affairs (MVD) Akmamet Rahmanov on April 9 (ref B). Significant to the MNB affair, Rahmanov was replaced by a Berdimuhammedov-appointed deputy minister who had been in office for only one month. Berdimuhammedov could choose to perpetuate this Soviet model: appoint a loyalist to a deputy position then smoothly transition this person to the top position through a seemingly apolitical dismissal. The die has already been cast. ¶9. (C) More difficult to discern at this juncture is whether Berdimuhammedov shares the reigns of power. Minister of the MNB Geldimuhammet Ashyrmuhammedov was believed to be a power broker along with Deputy Chairman for International Relations Rashit Meredov. His position appears less certain with Pashyev's dismissal. Similarly, speculation that Rejepov was interested in leaving the presidential apparat has now been compromised by the arrest of his assistant. Post awaits news of both security officials' successors and their onward assignments, which historically could still include criminal prosecution. End Comment. BRUSH