Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT661
2007-07-05 12:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN SHOWCASES INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AT

Tags:  KPAO PREL TX US 
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VZCZCXRO3709
RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0661/01 1861259
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 051259Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8955
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 0387
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 0409
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 2097
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0846
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0894
RUEHRL/AMEMBASSY BERLIN 0393
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0433
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0362
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0277
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000661 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN (NICOLAIDIS) AND SCA/PPD (BLOCKER/KAMP)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL TX US
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN SHOWCASES INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AT
ZAMAHSHARY CONFERENCE

SUMMARY
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000661

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN (NICOLAIDIS) AND SCA/PPD (BLOCKER/KAMP)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO PREL TX US
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN SHOWCASES INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP AT
ZAMAHSHARY CONFERENCE

SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) A host government-organized conference dedicated to Islamic
scholar Mahmyt Zamahshary from May 23 to 25 was surprisingly close
to a legitimate international scholarly conference, despite the
usual ceremonial trappings of such conferences under late President
Niyazov. The event's ceremonial propaganda focused on new President
Berdimuhamedov, but did not overshadow the interaction of
international scholars gathered for the event. Meanwhile, Iranian
diplomats and scholars played leading roles at this and other
host-government sponsored cultural events in May. End Summary.

OPEN SCHOLARSHIP AND DEBATE IN TURKMENISTAN
--------------


2. (U) For three days the conference's six committees of scholars
from 23 different countries presented academic articles on various
aspects of Mahmyt Zamahshary, an 11th century Islamic writer and
scholar who lived within the borders of present-day Turkmenistan and
is now being portrayed as a major Turkmen national and cultural
hero. The conference began with an introductory letter from the
president but from then on focused on academic pursuits. The
chairman of the conference and director of the Miras Cultural
Center, Annagurban Ashyrov, gave an opening presentation devoid of
nationalistic rhetoric and called for unified, international
academic study of Zamahshary. After each opening day speech by
Turkmen and international scholars, Ashyrov gave intelligent
critical commentary also free of nationalistic rhetoric.


3. (U) The diplomatic corps was ordered to attend at the last
moment, per usual practice. International participants sponsored
fully by the host government admitted some degree of self-censorship
in preparing their initial papers because of fear of the host
government denying future visas. But few felt constrained once they
arrived. An American and a Turkish scholar stated that they had
published "careful criticism" of the regime before. No one
mentioned a need to coordinate their research results with Ruhnama
doctrine. Nor was anyone confronted by the host government about
what they presented during the conference. Between-sessions
discussion between international scholars, local scholars and

government officials was abundant, free, and good-natured. (Note:
local academics are routinely warned away from foreigners and
interaction is often restrained or scripted. End Note.) Post's
representative witnessed a heated debate between an Iranian and
Indian scholar on interpretation of Islamic doctrine. The host
government organized field trips to the historic sites of Izmuk Shir
and Kone Urgench for all participants, which aided the air of
debate.


4. (U) Each committee, mostly chaired by international scholars,
gave final reports calling for further unified study of Zamahshary,
particularly through expanded translation efforts of his texts and
scholarly criticism of his work, and coordinated research between
scholars. (Comment: Scholarship in this field is running in
parallel language streams of Russian, English, FARSI, and Arabic.
Language and political barriers have prevented the merging of these
streams into a shared debate and even access to some of the author's
works. The host government stated a desire for Turkmenistan to act
as a neutral nexus point for future scholarship; it was unclear if
this meant scholarship in Turkmen language should take priority.
End Comment.) Annagurban Ashyrov admitted that Turkmen scholarship
in this area was very weak because of Soviet suppression of
non-Russian culture, and acknowledged the importance of working with
international researchers to gain ground.


5. (U) Scholars and local authorities had an overwhelmingly positive
impression of the conference and excitedly traded business cards and
contact information for future work in or about Turkmenistan.
Several stated that the range of scholars present was unique and
allowed them to connect with others doing parallel research in
different countries. An American scholar, Victoria Clement, who has
attended other, similar host government-sponsored conferences,
professed to be shocked at the comparative quality of this event.
However, attendees remarked that presentation time and technological
support (televisions, projectors, power point, etc) were
insufficient, and that the lack of air-conditioning in
government-provided transport was exhausting.

OLD HABITS

ASHGABAT 00000661 002 OF 002


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6. (U) Many aspects of the conference reminded participants that
they were still in Turkmenistan. Each major event or site movement
in the conference was greeted with a grandiose display of "Turkmen
culture," including bread-giving and dancing, neither of which is
authentically Turkmen, but more a relic of Soviet times. The main
conference hall during opening and closing ceremonies was filled
with what appeared to be carefully conscripted observers. Men in
black suits with ambiguous roles prowled around, keeping curious
locals away. Diplomats and scholars alike were subtly discouraged
from deviating from approved areas even during breaks and site
tours. However, participants did manage to sneak off and could be
seen exploring the bazaars and streets of Dashoguz with great
curiosity. (Note: Embassy's representative was followed by
security personnel when he left the hotel to visit the local
American Corner, according to a non-U.S. member of the diplomatic
corps.)


7. (U) Displays, quotations on billboards, and propaganda speeches
highlighted Berdimuhamedov. While pictures of Niyazov could still
be found on numerous buildings in Dashoguz, all restaurants, buses,
roads, and rooms used for the event featured gigantic pictures of
Berdimuhamedov. (Comment: The attending representative visited
Dashoguz four days prior for another event, during which he noted
the absence of the new president's picture. Locals stated that
there was a flurry of activity May 21 as local government workers
replaced Niyazov photos with those of Berdimuhamedov across the
welayat. End Comment.) Turkmenistan's Democratic Party Chairman
Onjuk Musayev closed the conference with a brief, flattering
presentation of Berdimuhamedov's recently released book on
healthcare reform.

IRANIAN CULTURAL INITIATIVES
--------------


8. (SBU) The Iranian mission's high profile presence included
keynote speaking roles in this conference, the May 16 Constitutional
Conference, and the May 21 Magtymguly Scholarly conference. The
Iranian ambassador and at least one other Iranian diplomat were
present at each event. The Iranian ambassador and cultural attach
attended the Zamahshary Conference, whereas most missions sent at
most their deputy chief of mission or a junior level officer.
Iran's scholarly delegation was second only to that of
Turkmenistan.

COMMENT
--------------


9. (SBU) The freer debate within the conference does not challenge
the regime, and is thus a weak indicator of the host government's
commitment to greater academic openness. Nonetheless, the
conference provides a valuable networking opportunity that
encourages local officials to press for more scholarly exchange.
The aesthetic and rhetorical references to President Berdimuhamedov
suggest that he aping Niyazov's style, perhaps out of a lack of
experience with alternatives. Nonetheless, the new order leaves
gaps for criticism of current and past practice, a first step toward
greater openness in the field of scholarly historical research. End
Comment.

BRUSH