Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ASHGABAT993
2007-09-21 07:11:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT EMBASSY'S IFTAR
how-toVZCZCXRO3874 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0993 2640711 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 210711Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9395 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 2775 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0598 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0474 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KIRF KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT EMBASSY'S IFTAR
DINNER
REF: ASHGABAT 827
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000993
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KIRF KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT EMBASSY'S IFTAR
DINNER
REF: ASHGABAT 827
1. In contrast to past years, a number of high-level Government of
Turkmenistan officials attended the Embassy's Iftar dinner on
September 18. About 35 attendees participated, including Deputy
Chairman and Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov, Speaker of the
Parliament Akja Nurberdiyeva, and the Chairman of the Council on
Religious Affairs Charygeldi Seryayev. Many diplomats representing
predominantly Muslim countries also attended. Although invited,
neither Turkmenistan's current Grand Mufti, Rowshen Allerberdiyev,
nor the former Grand Mufti (who was recently pardoned - reftel),
Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah, attended. (NOTE: One of the younger muftis
at the event told an Embassy FSN that the current Grand Mufti is on
a trip to Mecca. END NOTE.)
2. Both the Charge and the USAID Religion, State and Society
specialist (himself a Muslim) made brief comments about U.S. efforts
to reach out to the Muslim World and tolerance for Muslim
communities in the United States. Many of the guests remarked how
appreciative they were of the Embassy's invitation.
3. COMMENT: Government turnout at this year's Embassy-hosted Iftar
dinner is a giant improvement over past years. The rank and number
of government attendees again highlights sustained support for an
improved relationship with the United States. Additionally, the
event served as a key program in post's Muslim outreach efforts.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL SCUL KIRF KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HIGH-LEVEL ATTENDANCE AT EMBASSY'S IFTAR
DINNER
REF: ASHGABAT 827
1. In contrast to past years, a number of high-level Government of
Turkmenistan officials attended the Embassy's Iftar dinner on
September 18. About 35 attendees participated, including Deputy
Chairman and Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov, Speaker of the
Parliament Akja Nurberdiyeva, and the Chairman of the Council on
Religious Affairs Charygeldi Seryayev. Many diplomats representing
predominantly Muslim countries also attended. Although invited,
neither Turkmenistan's current Grand Mufti, Rowshen Allerberdiyev,
nor the former Grand Mufti (who was recently pardoned - reftel),
Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah, attended. (NOTE: One of the younger muftis
at the event told an Embassy FSN that the current Grand Mufti is on
a trip to Mecca. END NOTE.)
2. Both the Charge and the USAID Religion, State and Society
specialist (himself a Muslim) made brief comments about U.S. efforts
to reach out to the Muslim World and tolerance for Muslim
communities in the United States. Many of the guests remarked how
appreciative they were of the Embassy's invitation.
3. COMMENT: Government turnout at this year's Embassy-hosted Iftar
dinner is a giant improvement over past years. The rank and number
of government attendees again highlights sustained support for an
improved relationship with the United States. Additionally, the
event served as a key program in post's Muslim outreach efforts.
CURRAN