Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1039
2008-08-11 14:14:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001039
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
COMMERCE FOR HEUPER
DOE FOR EKIMOFF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON EPET TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM
AZERBAIJAN, PIPELINE SECURITY
REF: A. ASHGABAT 817
B. BAKU 721
C. ASHGABAT 964
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001039
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
COMMERCE FOR HEUPER
DOE FOR EKIMOFF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON EPET TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM
AZERBAIJAN, PIPELINE SECURITY
REF: A. ASHGABAT 817
B. BAKU 721
C. ASHGABAT 964
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a discussion of regional pipeline issues,
Deputy Chairman/Foreign Minister Meredov told Charge August
11 that Turkmenistan is still waiting for a response from
Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan's concrete proposal on oil and gas
cooperation. He emphasized that the proposal was serious and
not a "signal." Meredov said that Turkmenistan wants to
pursue delimitation and energy cooperation as two parallel
tracks. However, the position that Serdar/Kyapaz is 100%
Turkmenistan's is non-negotiable. Therefore, if the issue of
delimitation has to be resolved first in order to advance on
energy cooperation, then that is what will have to happen.
Obviously, said Meredov, first resolving delimitation makes
energy cooperation more difficult.
2. (C) Pointing to the current situation in Georgia,
Meredov made a pitch for a UN convention on pipeline
security. He said having such an international agreement was
essential to guaranteeing the security of pipelines. Meredov
said Turkmenistan has the gas and the desire for
trans-Caspian and trans-Afghan pipelines. However, security
was a factor in both cases. If Turkmenistan sent gas through
a trans-Caspian pipeline, it would want security guaranteed.
3. (C) COMMENT: Although Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan
undoubtedly have made excellent progress over the past year
in resolving many of the issues that had troubled their
relationship, it is clear that -- from Turkmenistan's
perspective -- the relationship is still not trouble-free.
Meredov's words that the proposal was serious and not just a
signal may reflect the Turkmen concern that the Azeris are
not taking them seriously. In any case, it is more important
than ever for the United States to continue its constructive
role, urging the two sides to work together. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
COMMERCE FOR HEUPER
DOE FOR EKIMOFF
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/11/2018
TAGS: PREL ECON EPET TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM
AZERBAIJAN, PIPELINE SECURITY
REF: A. ASHGABAT 817
B. BAKU 721
C. ASHGABAT 964
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) During a discussion of regional pipeline issues,
Deputy Chairman/Foreign Minister Meredov told Charge August
11 that Turkmenistan is still waiting for a response from
Azerbaijan to Turkmenistan's concrete proposal on oil and gas
cooperation. He emphasized that the proposal was serious and
not a "signal." Meredov said that Turkmenistan wants to
pursue delimitation and energy cooperation as two parallel
tracks. However, the position that Serdar/Kyapaz is 100%
Turkmenistan's is non-negotiable. Therefore, if the issue of
delimitation has to be resolved first in order to advance on
energy cooperation, then that is what will have to happen.
Obviously, said Meredov, first resolving delimitation makes
energy cooperation more difficult.
2. (C) Pointing to the current situation in Georgia,
Meredov made a pitch for a UN convention on pipeline
security. He said having such an international agreement was
essential to guaranteeing the security of pipelines. Meredov
said Turkmenistan has the gas and the desire for
trans-Caspian and trans-Afghan pipelines. However, security
was a factor in both cases. If Turkmenistan sent gas through
a trans-Caspian pipeline, it would want security guaranteed.
3. (C) COMMENT: Although Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan
undoubtedly have made excellent progress over the past year
in resolving many of the issues that had troubled their
relationship, it is clear that -- from Turkmenistan's
perspective -- the relationship is still not trouble-free.
Meredov's words that the proposal was serious and not just a
signal may reflect the Turkmen concern that the Azeris are
not taking them seriously. In any case, it is more important
than ever for the United States to continue its constructive
role, urging the two sides to work together. END COMMENT.
CURRAN