Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT896
2007-08-29 08:19:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN DOES NOT SEEK SCO MEMBERSHIP
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000896
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS CH ZK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN DOES NOT SEEK SCO MEMBERSHIP
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000896
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS CH ZK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN DOES NOT SEEK SCO MEMBERSHIP
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) During an August 28 meeting with Foreign Minister
Rashit Meredov (other issues septels),Charge asked if
Turkmenistan seeks to join the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO),noting President Berdimuhamedov had
attended the August 16 SCO Summit in Bishkek -- a first for
Turkmenistan.
2. (C) Meredov replied, "You obviously didn't read the
president's Bishkek speech carefully." He summarized that
Berdimuhamedov had simply thanked the SCO for inviting him
and stated his willingness to work with any forum that
respects the goals of peace, stability, security, and
economic growth, of which the United Nations is the prime
example. Meredov said, "If we had the intention to join, we
would have chosen different words."
3. (SBU) Meredov elaborated that Turkmenistan, at least for
the near term, will focus on promoting the United Nations'
Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy, which is expected
to open in Ashgabat before the end of the year.
4. (C) COMMENT: Meredov is sometimes a lawyerly schoolmarm
who shows exasperation with dull students. He pointed out
dryly that "work with" does not denote "become a member of."
Turkmenistan holds tightly to its self-proclaimed and
UN-sanctioned policy of "positive neutrality." The
government likely perceives correctly that SCO is still a
special-interest club dominated by China and Russia. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EAP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL RS CH ZK TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN DOES NOT SEEK SCO MEMBERSHIP
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)
1. (C) During an August 28 meeting with Foreign Minister
Rashit Meredov (other issues septels),Charge asked if
Turkmenistan seeks to join the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization (SCO),noting President Berdimuhamedov had
attended the August 16 SCO Summit in Bishkek -- a first for
Turkmenistan.
2. (C) Meredov replied, "You obviously didn't read the
president's Bishkek speech carefully." He summarized that
Berdimuhamedov had simply thanked the SCO for inviting him
and stated his willingness to work with any forum that
respects the goals of peace, stability, security, and
economic growth, of which the United Nations is the prime
example. Meredov said, "If we had the intention to join, we
would have chosen different words."
3. (SBU) Meredov elaborated that Turkmenistan, at least for
the near term, will focus on promoting the United Nations'
Regional Center for Preventive Diplomacy, which is expected
to open in Ashgabat before the end of the year.
4. (C) COMMENT: Meredov is sometimes a lawyerly schoolmarm
who shows exasperation with dull students. He pointed out
dryly that "work with" does not denote "become a member of."
Turkmenistan holds tightly to its self-proclaimed and
UN-sanctioned policy of "positive neutrality." The
government likely perceives correctly that SCO is still a
special-interest club dominated by China and Russia. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND