Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1144
2008-08-29 13:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION A LIKELY
how-toVZCZCXRO1746 PP RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHAH #1144 2421326 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 291326Z AUG 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1447 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4225 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2037 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1902 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 2473 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2831
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001144
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
AID/W FOR EE/EA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID KJUS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION A LIKELY
CASUALTY TO GEORGIA CONFLICT
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 001144
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
AID/W FOR EE/EA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID KJUS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION A LIKELY
CASUALTY TO GEORGIA CONFLICT
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) It appears that the Turkmen may have decided against
participation in a conference sponsored by a USAID
implementing partner in order to avoid unwanted pressure from
Russia. USAID sent an invitation for one representative from
the Ministry of Education and one from the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) to participate in the
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law's (ICNL)
conference on teaching NGO law courses in law schools and
universities in Kiev in September. Until August 27, MFA had
indicated that participation likely would be approved. IDHR
has repeatedly stated how highly it values cooperation with
USAID and with ICNL. Suddenly, on August 27 MFA informed
USAID that Turkmen participation in the conference would not
be possible. USAID FSNs immediately suspected that the
Georgian conflict might be the reason.
2. (C) MFA confirmed unofficially August 29 that this was
not the right time for Turkmen officials to participate in a
conference on NGOs in Kiev, because it would lead to unwanted
comments from "a certain country." The MFA contact also said
that the "certain country" has been stressing to the Turkmen
that cooperation with the United States has little value,
because such cooperation always has a "hidden agenda."
3. (C) COMMENT: The Turkmen scrupulously hold on to their
neutrality and do not want to be in the middle of a conflict
between other countries. This is why Turkmenistan will never
take a position that overtly supports Russia in the conflict.
Furthermore, Turkmenistan continues to value cooperation and
assistance from the United States. Our programs with the
Turkmen will continue to expand. They really do see value
not just in cooperation with our country, but in the entire
bilateral relationship. Nevertheless, they will likely try
to avoid activities that they may feel are too "high-profile"
and would lead to added pressure. Unfortunately, seminars
in Ukraine on NGOs fit that bill.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
AID/W FOR EE/EA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/29/2018
TAGS: PREL EAID KJUS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION A LIKELY
CASUALTY TO GEORGIA CONFLICT
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) It appears that the Turkmen may have decided against
participation in a conference sponsored by a USAID
implementing partner in order to avoid unwanted pressure from
Russia. USAID sent an invitation for one representative from
the Ministry of Education and one from the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) to participate in the
International Center for Not-for-Profit Law's (ICNL)
conference on teaching NGO law courses in law schools and
universities in Kiev in September. Until August 27, MFA had
indicated that participation likely would be approved. IDHR
has repeatedly stated how highly it values cooperation with
USAID and with ICNL. Suddenly, on August 27 MFA informed
USAID that Turkmen participation in the conference would not
be possible. USAID FSNs immediately suspected that the
Georgian conflict might be the reason.
2. (C) MFA confirmed unofficially August 29 that this was
not the right time for Turkmen officials to participate in a
conference on NGOs in Kiev, because it would lead to unwanted
comments from "a certain country." The MFA contact also said
that the "certain country" has been stressing to the Turkmen
that cooperation with the United States has little value,
because such cooperation always has a "hidden agenda."
3. (C) COMMENT: The Turkmen scrupulously hold on to their
neutrality and do not want to be in the middle of a conflict
between other countries. This is why Turkmenistan will never
take a position that overtly supports Russia in the conflict.
Furthermore, Turkmenistan continues to value cooperation and
assistance from the United States. Our programs with the
Turkmen will continue to expand. They really do see value
not just in cooperation with our country, but in the entire
bilateral relationship. Nevertheless, they will likely try
to avoid activities that they may feel are too "high-profile"
and would lead to added pressure. Unfortunately, seminars
in Ukraine on NGOs fit that bill.
CURRAN