PRESIDENT OFFERS UP NEW REFORMS DURING HALF-YEAR

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ASHGABAT 000711 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, EEB, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR ECON EFIN EPET TX SUBJECT: PRESIDENT OFFERS UP NEW REFORMS DURING HALF-YEAR GOVERNMENT REVIEW SUMMARY ¶1. (SBU) A July 13 meeting of Turkmenistan's Cabinet of Ministers, a half-year review of government activities, delivered major personnel overhauls and a series of significant new initiatives, many of which Turkmenistan's citizens will welcome. In the meeting, President Berdimuhamedov not only instructed his cabinet to recognize academic degrees from foreign countries (septel),but also announced that, henceforth, the government will provide free-of-charge sewage services and eliminate for Turkmenistan's citizens the travel permit requirement for visits to the country's border regions. He established a new "Supreme Auditing Chamber," which will be responsible for auditing the International Fund of Saparmyrat Turkmenbashy (Niyazov) -- soon to be dissolved -- and for oversight and analysis of state appropriations. Berdimuhamedov also replaced the ministers of textiles and of oil and gas, and fired the Chairman of the Supreme Court. While the session resulted in the largest cabinet reshuffle since former President Niyazov's death and strengthens Berdimuhamedov's control within his cabinet, it was accompanied by none of the bombastic drama that was common under Niyazov. To ensure that Turkmenistan's citizens were aware of who is responsible for their free sewage and new freedom of movement within the country, the evening news replayed a tape of the session, rather than reporting the news via voice-over. End summary. ¶2. (U) Government agencies reportedly have been preparing for the half-yearly review for weeks. Berdimuhamedov, who has been inspecting sites around the city and in the province over the past weeks to prepare, reportedly declined a June 12 meeting with a visiting U.S. delegation so that he could do some last-minute cramming. The session involved not only the Cabinet of Ministers -- Turkmenistan's executive-branch cabinet -- but also provincial and legislative officials. The results, delivered in a less dramatic fashion than any similar session during Niyazov's time, did not disappoint. PRESIDENT CALLS FOR CLEANER UNIVERSITY ADMISSIONS PROCEDURES ¶3. (U) One by one, heads of ministries and provincial governors all reported that economic growth and production were on track. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers 
for Education, Health, Science and Culture Saparlyev reported that Turkmenistan's universities are planning on increasing enrollment, especially in agricultural and hydrocarbon fields, and in creating new specialties, including "English language and literature" at the Turkmenistan State Pedagogical Institute. In addition to calling for recognition of foreign academic degrees, Berdimuhamedov stressed that admissions this year should be conducted "very honestly." As Saparlyev's predecessor, Berdimuhamedov said, he knows all the "peculiarities" surrounding admissions; wrongful actions will be investigated, and responsible persons will be fired and prosecuted. Berdimuhamedov also warned government officials not to influence-peddle -- and Minister of Education Annaamanov, who had been sharply rebuked the day before, to see that admissions were conducted according to the law. OTHER CHANGES: FLOUR MILLS, FREE SEWAGE SERVICES AND FREER MOVEMENT ¶4. (U) Berdimuhamedov announced a number of other initiatives, some directed toward gaining public support. These include: -- Construction of eight grain elevators and four flour mills to promote grain and flour distribution in the countryside; -- Free sewage services; ASHGABAT 00000711 002 OF 005 -- Elimination of the requirement for Turkmenistan's citizens to get permits for travel to border regions. This last initiative has been rumored for months, following the president's decision to eliminate police checkpoints along major highways, and will be especially welcome. The border permit regime has been in place since 2002 (and in many places since the Soviet era). It has created substantial hardship for families living in border areas, since obtaining permits for family members wanting to visit takes at least a month. It has also blocked normal tourist travel to and trade with these regions. THE SUPREME AUDITING CHAMBER: CRACKING DOWN ON APPROPRIATIONS ¶5. (U) President Berdimuhamedov criticized the Ministry of Economy and Finance, noting that it has been unable to give a complete picture of how financial resources have been spent. As a result, he announced creation of a new 64-person government agency -- the Supreme Auditing Chamber -- directly under the president which will address this gap. Specifically, the Chamber will be responsible for offering assessments of macro-economic policy, controlling implementation of economic and financial regulations, providing oversight and analysis of state financial appropriations, and undertaking an audit of the soon-to-be-defunct International Fund of Saparmurat Turkmenbashy. The president appointed Hojamuhammet Muhammedov, former Chairman of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange, to head the chamber (bio para 7). FINDING THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE JOB ¶6. (U) Finally, in the largest personnel overhaul since Niyazov's death, the president made a number of personnel changes. These include: -- Maysa Yazmuhammedova was appointed to a newly created Deputy Chairmanship of the Cabinet of Ministers, and will be responsible for culture and media (septel). -- Yagshygeldi Esenov was dismissed from the position of Chairman of the Supreme Court of Turkmenistan for his failure to manage the State Commission for Reviewing Complaints on the Work of Law Enforcement Bodies (established February 19, 2007),allowing numerous violations in judicial issues and failure to review organizations issues. The president claimed that Esenov failed to resolve properly any complaints from citizens. He recommended that Chary Hojamuradov, an Ashgabat City judge, replace Esenov, subject to confirmation by the Mejlis. -- Gurbanmyrat Atayev, Minister of Oil and Gas, was transferred to head a new directorate to be created at the Dovletabat gas production administration to oversee the construction of a sulphur-purification and gas dewatering facility at the Garabil-Gurrukbil gas fields. The president noted that Atayev had done a lot, but noted that a minister of oil and gas needed to be more philosophical and a better trader. He appointed Baymyrat Hojamuhammedov, a Moscow-trained geologist with extensive geological and petroleum sales experience (bio para 8) to replace Atayev as minister. -- Yklymberdi Paromov, Minister of Textile Industry, was transferred to an administrator position at the Presidential Apparatus, where he will serve as Chief of the General Department of the Cabinet of Ministers. Berdimuhamedov described Paromov as clean and honest, but unfit for the ministerial job. He appointed Jemal Goklenova, previously State Minister and Chairman of the "Turkmen Carpets" ("Turkmenhaly") State Joint Stock Corporation to replace ASHGABAT 00000711 003 OF 005 Paromov (bio para 9). -- Minewar Belliyeva, previously director of the wool-spinning enterprise "Argach," was appointed to replace Goklenova as Chairman of the Turkmen Carpets State Joint Stock Corporation (bio para 10). -- Gurbanguly Aytgulyev, Chairman of the "Turkmen Fertilizers" ("Turkmendokun") Joint Stock Association, was dismissed for failure to meet the plan. He was replaced by Myratgeldi Kurayev. -- Yagmyrgeldi Myratlyev was appointed to replace Hojamuhammedov as Chairman of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange. He previously served as a deputy chairman of the exchange. -- Agasapar Garayev was dismissed as Chairman of the Turkmen State Publishing Service because he "could not manage two jobs at a time" and he is "more a printing specialist than an intellectual." Garayev retained his position as director of the paper mill in Yashlyk, Ahal Province. Tachmammet Hurmenov (bio para 11) replaced Garayev as State Publishing Service Chairman. -- Hallyberdi Bayramov was appointed Rector of the Turkmen Institute of National Economy, a position that had been empty since April, when Berdimuhamedov appointed the former rector, Muhammetgeldi Annaamanov, Minister of Education. -- Bayramgeldi Annaorazov, a vice-rector of the Turkmenistan Medical Institute, was appointed Rector of the Turkmenistan National Institute of Sports and Tourism. -- Turkmenistan's Ambassador to France, Chary Niyazov, was appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNESCO. -- Ogulhajat Ishangulyevar was appointed Chairman of the National Center of Trade Unions and the Women's Union named after Gurbansoltan Eje. -- Toydurdy Durdyev was appointed a deputy chairman of the "Turkmen Oil" ("TurkmenNebit") State Concern. BIO INFORMATION -- HOJAMUHAMMET MUHAMMEDOV ¶7. (SBU) Hojamuhammet Muhammedov was born in 1966 and received a degree in economics from Turkmenistan National Economic Institute in 1993. From 1983 to 1998, in addition to studying, he worked as an expeditor for the Ministry of Commerce and Consumer Products' Light Industry and Food Production Association, then as a construction expert and engineer in the Turkmenistan Chemical Supplies' delivery administration, then as head of the State Administration for Material-technical Supplies warehouse. Between 1998 and 2005, he was first deputy director, then director of the "Haritimpeks" firm at the Minister of Trade and External Economic Contacts, followed by a stint as Director of the State Trade Center "Gulistan" (Ashgabat's Russian Bazaar). In 2005, he was named deputy chairman and, in 2006, Chairman of the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange. BIO INFORMATION -- BAYMYRAT HOJAMUHAMMEDOV ¶8. (SBU) Baymyrat Hojamuhammedov studied hydrogeology at the Oil Department of Turkmen Polytechnic Institute from 1979 to 1984, then worked at the Scientific Research and Exploration Institute from 1984 to 1987. Between 1987 and 1990, he studied at Moscow Geological-Exploration Institute, and then worked as chief hydrogeologist at "Turkmengeology." From 1996 to 2005, he held various positions in the now-defunct Turkmennebitgaz (Turkmen Oil and Gas) Trade Corporation. ASHGABAT 00000711 004 OF 005 From 2003 to 2005, Hojamuhammedov worked as a deputy at the National Barter Center -- the implementing organization for all barter deals in Turkmenistan. Hojamuhammedov's last job was as Chief of Procurement of Turkmengaz. The embassy met Hojamuhammedov during SCA DAS Mann's visit in March 2007, when he assisted a member of the Mann delegation requesting assistance in locating parts for Afghanistan oil rigs. BIO INFORMATION -- JEMAL GOKLENOVA ¶9. (SBU) Jemal Goklenova was born in Ashgabat in 1959. She graduated from the Turkmenistan National Economic Institute with an economics degree in 1982. After serving three years as a senior engineer at the Ministry of Domestic Industry, she transferred to the Ashgabat City Executive Council, where she headed the planning and economic department until 1991. From 1991 to 1994, Goklenova served as director of economics and industrial management of the "Ahal" Sewing Association, then she worked as director of the "Bahar" Sewing Factory until 1995. In 1995, she was appointed First Deputy Minister of Textile Industry, a post she held until she was promoted to minister in 1997. Goklenova was promoted to the position of Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers -- a deputy premier position -- responsible for textiles in 1999, and, in 2000, was also named Executive Director of the Textile Industry Development State Fund. In August 2002, she was transferred from those positions to work as Counselor in Turkmenistan's Embassy in Moscow. Following the November 2002 assassination attempt against Niyazov, she disappeared; she is widely rumored to have been recalled and unemployed. On February 20, 2007, Berdimuhamedov rehabilitated her when he appointed her as State Minister and Chairwoman of the Turkmen Carpet ("Turkmenhaly") State Joint Stock Company. BIO INFORMATION -- MINEVER BELLIYEVA ¶10. (SBU) Minever Belliyeva was born in 1959 in Talhan-Bazar Village, Sakar District, Lebap Province. She received an engineering and economics degree from Moscow Technological Institute in 1983. From 1983 to 1989, she served as a senior engineer at the Ministry of Consumer Services, then was promoted to the position of senior economist at the Ashgabat City Consumer Services Administration, where she worked until ¶1994. From 1995-2000, she worked in a number of positions at the "Bahar" Sewing Factory, including chief accountant, deputy director, and director. From 2000 to 2006, she worked as deputy director of the Turkmenbashy Textile Complex in Ashgabat, deputy director of the Turkmenbashy Textile Complex in Geoktepe, deputy director of the Ashgabat Fashion House, and deputy general director of the "Gap Insaat" firm (a Turkish-owned company) in Ashgabat. In early 2007, she was appointed director of the "Argach" wool-spinning enterprise. BIO INFORMATION -- TACHMAMMET HURMENOV ¶11. (SBU) Tachmammet Hurmenov worked as a local reporter in Balkan Province for many years, then became Editor-in-Chief of the "Balkan" regional newspaper. Most recently, he has served as Editor-in-Chief of the Revival ("Galkynysh") newspaper. He was elected a deputy of the Mejlis, Turkmenistan's parliament, in December 2004. An embassy officer tried to meet with him during the December 2004 parliamentary election campaign without first requesting the meeting by diplomatic note. Although Hurmenov initially agreed to meet the emboff, he subsequently said he was told that he could not meet with embassy personnel without approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nonetheless, the embassy officer noted that Hurmenov seemed to be down-to-earth. COMMENT ¶12. (SBU) We need to wait to see results, but it appears ASHGABAT 00000711 005 OF 005 Berdimuhamedov's personnel moves were geared to getting more competent people in place. If so, that would be a welcome development. End Comment. HOAGLAND