TURKMENISTAN: GETTING AROUND THE ROADBLOCK AT THE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000893

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/ACE, ECA, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL EAID SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GETTING AROUND THE ROADBLOCK AT THE
EDUCATION MINISTRY



1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: At the Ministry of Education (MOE),Charge made
progress in drawing the Minister's attention to continuing concerns
with the Embassy's education and exchange programs. This meeting
was perhaps the first opportunity to present directly to the
Minister information that was previously held or manipulated by
International Relations Department head Nury Bayramov, long
considered a major obstructionist. The Minister's approach was open
and sincere. Bayramov was clearly taken by surprise. The following
day, Charge reported his MOE meeting to Foreign Minister Meredov and
made clear our frustration with Bayramov. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) On August 27 Charge, Peace Corps (PC) Country Director,
Public Affairs Officer, and USAID Country Representative met
Minister of Education Muhammetgeldi Annaamanov and "his staffer"
Nury Bayramov, head of the Ministry's International Relations
Department.

SETTING THE SCENE


4. (SBU) Charge explained he had recently been in two meetings at
which President Berdimuhamedov had told high-level U.S. visitors he
wants more education exchanges and cooperation with the United
States. Charge noted education is one of the five key areas in
which the United States and Turkmenistan have already agreed to
cooperate in the new "turned-page" bilateral relationship. He said,
"We are ready for this cooperation." Looking at the minister and
ignoring Bayramov, Charge stated, "I am ready to cooperate directly
with you to achieve the success President Berdimuhamedov says he
wants."

EASIER TOPICS


5. (U) The Charge, PC Director and Annaamanov exchanged positive
views about the smooth progress of bringing in the next round of
volunteers. Annaamanov agreed to the PC director's request to have
direct access to the ministry in difficult cases where there may be
miscommunication about specific volunteers.

NON-PAPER DIRECT TO THE MINISTER


6. (SBU) The Charge's non-paper in Russian for Minister Annaamanov
on long-outstanding specific issues and programs that need a
response proved to be an effective way to get information directly
to the Minister. On the issue of the Ministry's responses for
Fulbright Senior Specialists and their preferences and placements,
Annaamanov promised a reply "tomorrow" via diplomatic note, after a
final "review." [COMMENT: We'll see. END COMMENT.]


7. (SBU) On every point, Bayramov leaned over to brief the minister
loudly, even while the Charge was still speaking. At one point, the
Charge said, "Excuse me. I'm still speaking. Will you let me
finish my point?"

SLIGHT PANIC IN NURY'S EYES


8. (SBU) When the Charge highlighted the Embassy's support for a
Government of Turkmenistan-sponsored study-abroad program in the
United States and the lack of MOE response, Annaamanov appeared
bewildered. Nevertheless, he was pleased with the idea. As an
immediate follow up, PAO provided Annaamanov with a Russian-language
copy of the proposal on how the Embassy and local implementing
partner ACCELS could help get the program started, which had been
provided to Bayramov in April. Again, it was apparent that
Annaamanov was seeing this proposal for the first time. Bayramov
hurriedly tried to explain the program and proposal to the Minister,
and was overheard advising that it could be expensive. Charge then
explained the program and added a personal suggestion that President
Berdimuhamedov might consider announcing it during his upcoming
visit to the UN General Assembly in September in New York.


9. (SBU) In addition, Annaamanov approved in principle the idea of

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working directly with the Embassy on routine issues and existing
exchange programs - but only if the foreign minister directly
authorizes him to do so.

FOREIGN MINISTER GETS THE MESSAGE


10. (SBU) At a meeting with Foreign Minister Meredov on August 28,
Charge reported his meeting with Minister Annaamanov. He emphasized
he likes and respects the minister and feels they can work well
together to enhance U.S. cooperation with Turkmenistan in education
and exchanges, as President Berdimuhamedov has made clear he wants.
Charge recounted when he asked Minister Annaamonov to allow
working-level contacts between the embassy and the ministry without
diplomatic notes, the minister had said that would be a good idea,
but the foreign ministry would have to authorize him officially to
do so.


11. (SBU) Meredov looked a little annoyed and said, "Months ago I
authorized all ministries to work with the U.S. embassy on a daily
basis without diplomatic notes. Why doesn't he know that?" Charge
responded, "It could be because he is not getting good advice."
Meredov grimaced, "Bayramov?"


12. (SBU) Charge said, "Because our new relationship is very
important to both our governments and we want it to succeed, I want
to speak very frankly, recognizing I do not have the right to
interfere in your government's internal affairs. I strongly feel
Nury Bayramov is working against our cooperation." Meredov scowled
and said, "Understood."


13. (SBU) COMMENT: It is clear to us Minister Annaamonov is open
to cooperation and communication. But he is very timid. It is
equally clear Bayramov is the roadblock. And he is a world-class
manipulator. We know the foreign ministry has been aware for some
time Bayramov is a problem. Whether any action is taken remains to
be seen. Charge will continue to work directly with Minister
Annaamonov until we begin to get our education and exchange programs
on an even keel. END COMMENT.

HOAGLAND