Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1009
2008-08-04 10:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
SCO SUMMIT IN DUSHANBE: TURKMENISTAN WILL NOT
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001009
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS AFIN TX
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT IN DUSHANBE: TURKMENISTAN WILL NOT
ATTEND
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4(B)
and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001009
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS AFIN TX
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT IN DUSHANBE: TURKMENISTAN WILL NOT
ATTEND
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4(B)
and (D).
1. (C) Per reftel request, Embassy delivered non-paper to
Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 1
regarding the August Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit in Dushanbe. Deputy Premier/Foreign Minister of
Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov told the Charge August 4 that
President Berdimuhamedov will not attend this year's SCO
summit in Dushanbe. According to Meredov, President
Berdimuhamedov attended last year's conference as an honored
guest of the Kyrgyz president and was once again invited to
attend this year as an honored guest. However, Turkmenistan
does not even have observer status in the SCO, so it does not
believe that its attendance at this year's event is
appropriate. Meredov emphasized that Turkmenistan is a
neutral country that does not like to get embroiled in
political issues. Turkmenistan belongs to the UN and OSCE
and thus participates in their events. It also attends CIS
meetings, where it is an associate member. Other than that,
Turkmenistan prefers to deal with other nations bilaterally.
2. (C) COMMENT: Turkmenistan's attendance at the 2007
Bishkek summit was unusual, and Meredov's explanation is
fully consistent with Turkmenistan's neutral status. If
Turkmenistan also senses a battle brewing on Manas airbase or
on Iran's membership in SCO, it may also be seeking to stay
out of the vicinity, unless it or its president receive
pressure to support one side over another. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/04/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR MOPS AFIN TX
SUBJECT: SCO SUMMIT IN DUSHANBE: TURKMENISTAN WILL NOT
ATTEND
REF: STATE 82513
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4(B)
and (D).
1. (C) Per reftel request, Embassy delivered non-paper to
Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 1
regarding the August Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)
summit in Dushanbe. Deputy Premier/Foreign Minister of
Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov told the Charge August 4 that
President Berdimuhamedov will not attend this year's SCO
summit in Dushanbe. According to Meredov, President
Berdimuhamedov attended last year's conference as an honored
guest of the Kyrgyz president and was once again invited to
attend this year as an honored guest. However, Turkmenistan
does not even have observer status in the SCO, so it does not
believe that its attendance at this year's event is
appropriate. Meredov emphasized that Turkmenistan is a
neutral country that does not like to get embroiled in
political issues. Turkmenistan belongs to the UN and OSCE
and thus participates in their events. It also attends CIS
meetings, where it is an associate member. Other than that,
Turkmenistan prefers to deal with other nations bilaterally.
2. (C) COMMENT: Turkmenistan's attendance at the 2007
Bishkek summit was unusual, and Meredov's explanation is
fully consistent with Turkmenistan's neutral status. If
Turkmenistan also senses a battle brewing on Manas airbase or
on Iran's membership in SCO, it may also be seeking to stay
out of the vicinity, unless it or its president receive
pressure to support one side over another. END COMMENT.
CURRAN