Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1121
2008-08-26 13:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: CHINESE OIL COMPANY PROVIDES JOBS,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001121
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CHINESE OIL COMPANY PROVIDES JOBS,
BUT LOCALS STILL WARY OF GROWING CHINESE INFLUENCE
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 001121
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CHINESE OIL COMPANY PROVIDES JOBS,
BUT LOCALS STILL WARY OF GROWING CHINESE INFLUENCE
CLASSIFIED BY: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES SYLVIA REED CURRAN FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY. The Chinese National Petroleum Company
(CNPC) is developing a series of natural gas drilling and
refinery complexes around Turkmenabat, near the Turkmen-Uzbek
border. These complexes do not allow visitors without prior
Chinese embassy approval. A Turkmen worker at a regional
headquarters revealed that while Turkmen receive good wages,
the jobs do not offer career advancement or educational
opportunities in China. Many still hope to study or work in
the United States. In the city, locals appreciate the new
jobs but are still wary of Chinese influence. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) As envisioned under its production sharing
agreement with the Government of Turkmenistan, CNPC is
developing a series of natural gas drilling and refinery
complexes in the Farap region (on the right bank of the Amu
Darya River) outside of Turkmenabat City, near the
Turkmen-Uzbek border. The Chinese company has opened an
office in the city itself. A constant stream of trucks can
be seen hauling building materials from Uzbekistan,
Turkmenabat, and quarries around Ashgabat.
3. (C) Emboff visited a CNPC management and housing complex
100km north of Turkmenabat. The Chinese director of the
facility was reticent and would not discuss anything without
prior approval from the Chinese Embassy. Emboff was not
allowed to continue past a checkpoint another 25km away that
led to a refinery still under construction.
4. (C) Mr. Rozmuradov, a Turkmen guard at the CNPC
management quarters, asked Emboff about educational
opportunities in the United States. Despite the (by Turkmen
standards) good wages he was receiving working for the
Chinese, he felt that only an education in the United States
would allow him to truly improve the status of his family.
He pointed out that the Chinese generally do not offer
Chinese language courses or opportunities for travel and
education in China.
5. (C) Turkmen workers at the CNPC facilities earn roughly
$350 a month. Drivers can earn $700-800 a month, but need to
use their own vehicles. Most Turkmen living in Turkmenabat
appreciate the new jobs CNPC has brought to the city.
However, many remain wary of the Chinese and reluctant to
allow too much Chinese investment into the country.
6. (C) COMMENT: While Turkmen eagerly apply for CNPC's jobs
which feature good pay and consistent employment, most
Turkmenabat residents with whom we spoke seem to believe that
the Turkmen government should take care not to allow too much
Chinese influence. Nevertheless, the fact that CNPC has
managed to sign a series of new, large-scale contracts with
the Turkmen government means that the Chinese are here to
stay. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN;
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/26/2018
TAGS: PGOV ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CHINESE OIL COMPANY PROVIDES JOBS,
BUT LOCALS STILL WARY OF GROWING CHINESE INFLUENCE
CLASSIFIED BY: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES SYLVIA REED CURRAN FOR
REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D).
1. (C) SUMMARY. The Chinese National Petroleum Company
(CNPC) is developing a series of natural gas drilling and
refinery complexes around Turkmenabat, near the Turkmen-Uzbek
border. These complexes do not allow visitors without prior
Chinese embassy approval. A Turkmen worker at a regional
headquarters revealed that while Turkmen receive good wages,
the jobs do not offer career advancement or educational
opportunities in China. Many still hope to study or work in
the United States. In the city, locals appreciate the new
jobs but are still wary of Chinese influence. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) As envisioned under its production sharing
agreement with the Government of Turkmenistan, CNPC is
developing a series of natural gas drilling and refinery
complexes in the Farap region (on the right bank of the Amu
Darya River) outside of Turkmenabat City, near the
Turkmen-Uzbek border. The Chinese company has opened an
office in the city itself. A constant stream of trucks can
be seen hauling building materials from Uzbekistan,
Turkmenabat, and quarries around Ashgabat.
3. (C) Emboff visited a CNPC management and housing complex
100km north of Turkmenabat. The Chinese director of the
facility was reticent and would not discuss anything without
prior approval from the Chinese Embassy. Emboff was not
allowed to continue past a checkpoint another 25km away that
led to a refinery still under construction.
4. (C) Mr. Rozmuradov, a Turkmen guard at the CNPC
management quarters, asked Emboff about educational
opportunities in the United States. Despite the (by Turkmen
standards) good wages he was receiving working for the
Chinese, he felt that only an education in the United States
would allow him to truly improve the status of his family.
He pointed out that the Chinese generally do not offer
Chinese language courses or opportunities for travel and
education in China.
5. (C) Turkmen workers at the CNPC facilities earn roughly
$350 a month. Drivers can earn $700-800 a month, but need to
use their own vehicles. Most Turkmen living in Turkmenabat
appreciate the new jobs CNPC has brought to the city.
However, many remain wary of the Chinese and reluctant to
allow too much Chinese investment into the country.
6. (C) COMMENT: While Turkmen eagerly apply for CNPC's jobs
which feature good pay and consistent employment, most
Turkmenabat residents with whom we spoke seem to believe that
the Turkmen government should take care not to allow too much
Chinese influence. Nevertheless, the fact that CNPC has
managed to sign a series of new, large-scale contracts with
the Turkmen government means that the Chinese are here to
stay. END COMMENT.
CURRAN