Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT759
2007-07-30 13:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES USCIRF VISIT FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHAH #0759 2111308 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 301308Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9088 INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000759
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES USCIRF VISIT FOR
AUGUST 19-24
REF: ASHGABAT 0741
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000759
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES USCIRF VISIT FOR
AUGUST 19-24
REF: ASHGABAT 0741
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Charge met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of
Ministers and Foreign Minister, Rashit Meredov, on July 27.
Citing Secretary Rice that we have turned a new page in
U.S.-Turkmenistan relations, Charge noted Turkmenistan's
request to postpone the originally planned visit (reftel) had
not been well-received in Washington. He pressed the
government of Turkmenistan to approve the new dates proposed
by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) to visit Turkmenistan, August 19-24.
3. (SBU) Meredov responded the government of Turkmenistan is
open to discussing any and all issues with the United States,
including religious freedom. He said the government is not
-- he repeated not -- opposed to meeting this delegation,
adding the government is not trying to avoid this issue or
run away from its international responsibilities. Meredov
asked for U.S. understanding that the number of meetings
USCIRF has requested is unprecedented, and interagency
coordination takes time.
4. (SBU) Charge urged the government to give a positive
response to this delegation no later than Monday, July 30.
Meredov said he was almost certain there could be a response
by that date.
5. (SBU) Saturday, July 28, the Foreign Ministry called the
Charge at noon to ask the EMBASSY to pick up the diplomatic
note approving USCIRF's visit to Turkmenistan, August 19-24.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN GOVERNMENT APPROVES USCIRF VISIT FOR
AUGUST 19-24
REF: ASHGABAT 0741
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Charge met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of
Ministers and Foreign Minister, Rashit Meredov, on July 27.
Citing Secretary Rice that we have turned a new page in
U.S.-Turkmenistan relations, Charge noted Turkmenistan's
request to postpone the originally planned visit (reftel) had
not been well-received in Washington. He pressed the
government of Turkmenistan to approve the new dates proposed
by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
(USCIRF) to visit Turkmenistan, August 19-24.
3. (SBU) Meredov responded the government of Turkmenistan is
open to discussing any and all issues with the United States,
including religious freedom. He said the government is not
-- he repeated not -- opposed to meeting this delegation,
adding the government is not trying to avoid this issue or
run away from its international responsibilities. Meredov
asked for U.S. understanding that the number of meetings
USCIRF has requested is unprecedented, and interagency
coordination takes time.
4. (SBU) Charge urged the government to give a positive
response to this delegation no later than Monday, July 30.
Meredov said he was almost certain there could be a response
by that date.
5. (SBU) Saturday, July 28, the Foreign Ministry called the
Charge at noon to ask the EMBASSY to pick up the diplomatic
note approving USCIRF's visit to Turkmenistan, August 19-24.
HOAGLAND