EXTREME MAKEOVER IN TURKMENISTAN -- PRESIDENTIAL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000663 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON TX SUBJECT: EXTREME MAKEOVER IN TURKMENISTAN -- PRESIDENTIAL EDITION HITS BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S NATIVE VILLAGE SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The village of Babarap, located in Ahal Province, has been undergoing a massive transformation since early this year, when native son Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov assumed Turkmenistan's presidency. Streets and sidewalks are being paved; electricity lines strung; and sewer and water systems installed. Babarap's modernization is in stark contrast to neighboring villages, despite Berdimuhamedov's claims of a comprehensive rural development program. The changes echo those of Saparmurat Niyazov's hometown, Gypjak, which the late president ordered transformed. End Summary. RURAL DEVELOPMENT -------------- ¶2. (U) In April 2007, President Berdimuhamedov signed a resolution creating a commission to improve rural living conditions and development in Turkmenistan's villages, towns, and districts. A particular focus is the building and reconstruction of cultural centers, communications, electricity, gas, and water supply, and transportation systems. Two districts -- one in Balkan Province, the other in Dashoguz Province -- were selected as model sites, guaranteed a wide range of projects from various government agencies. The deadline for the release of the commission's country-wide rural development plan was set for October 2007. FROM STREETS TO SEWERS: BABARAP'S CONSTRUCTION BOOM -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Babarap began its transformation soon after home town boy Berdimuhamedov took office, despite the fact that the president's native village is not one of the two model sites and the commission on rural development has yet to release its comprehensive plan. Embassy staff visited Babarap on June 15 after opposition press reported Berdimuhamedov's village was undergoing a major rehap. During their visit, villagers told them construction continued unabated day and night, and they found cement trucks and workers everywhere throughout the village. Streets, sidewalks, and some driveways in Babarap's center and periphery were being paved, where residents once had dirt roads. New lampposts and electricity poles stretched in every direction. Pipes of various sizes were being buried below streets to provide sewage, potable water, and non-potable water systems. ; "THANK YOU FOR THE CHANGES. WHEN WILL THE WATER START?" -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) That Babarap is rapidly modernizing is undeniable. Almost equally inescapable is that the village is doing so on Berdimuhamedov's orders. A local man thought one of the visiting embassy employees was from the government and thanked her for the changes. He then asked when the water systems would start operating. When asked why Babarap was undergoing so much development, another local responded, "You know, the president is from here." Additionally, the date "31.03.07" was etched into many of the new light and electricity poles -- an indication that much of the transformation has started or certainly been completed since Berdimuhamedov's election. MOSQUE REPAIRED, RECONSTRUCTED, AND EXPANDED -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Investigating the opposition press claim that the government might soon build a mosque in Babarap, embassy staff found workers were already repairing the village's old ASHGABAT 00000663 002 OF 002 one from the ground up. A crane stacked together pieces of the original, but now retrofitted, minaret, and a large crew hammered and sawed to reconstruct the walls and dome. In two large rectangular areas on either side of the mosque, workers were erecting a covered patio for gathering and eating, and digging a well and planting a garden. A worker commented that the mosque's and village's reconstruction had begun after Berdimuhamedov became president. "WAIT AND COME BACK IN A YEAR!" -------------- ¶6. (SBU) As if the ongoing construction were not enough, most residents believed more would soon follow in Babarap. "Wait and come back in a year!" a worker exclaimed. All of the roads would be paved, and modern government buildings would be standing. Embassy staff did not notice evidence, other than the comment, of plans for any new administration buildings. NEIGHBORS NOT SO FORTUNATE -------------- ¶7. (SBU) By contrast, the village of Gurjow sits right across the highway from Babarap and closely resembles the latter -- only without the construction. There were no signs of attempts to pave Gurjow's bumpy dirt roads. Some pipes were being laid, but not to the extent or with the variety seen in Babarap. COMMENT -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Babarap's transformation seems to be going forward indepedently of Berdimuhamedov's rural development plan. Construction is proceeding more quickly there than in other villages, and residents and workers credited the changes to the fact that the president came from Babarap. While to western eyes such blatant favoritism is inappropriate, however, here it is considered acceptable and even expected as an indication that a home town boy has not forgotten his roots or neighbors. The real test will be to see whether the rural development plan which serves as a rationale for Babarap's development eventually brings comparable development to the many Gurjows that exist throughout Turkmenistan. End Comment. BRUSH