TURKMENISTAN: ABA-CEELI WILL TRY A NEW APPROACH

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001206 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, INL, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: ABA-CEELI WILL TRY A NEW APPROACH ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) ABA-CEELI Country Director told Charge September 11 that he plans to refocus the group's activities in Turkmenistan. However, he has heard indirectly from a number of sources that the Turkmenistan government wants to work with ABA. They just think that their proposals, which up until now have centered on social advocacy programs, have been "misfocused." The country director had heard from several people with contacts within the MFA, including a member of his staff and a well-known law professor, that the Turkmen would be receptive to ABA promoting training topics that are "useful." The sources tell him that they would welcome programs in international law. He understands they would especially like to see the organization conduct international law training in areas such as trade law, economic development, extradition, evidence gathering, and international mediation. ¶3. (SBU) The country director said that his task now will be to identify a local organization to partner with, like the Union of Advocates (akin to a bar association) or the Entrepreneurs Union, and would start with activities like training seminars in international trade law and arbitration. He thinks the latter may generate real government interest and participation, particularly as Turkmenistan's own lack of expertise in that area makes them overly reliant on expensive outside legal counsel in international disputes. According to Abrams, Turkmenistan currently is involved in a trade dispute with Ukraine that has been submitted to international mediation. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: As we see it, ABA's best chance of promoting its rule of law initiatives is to get its foot in the door and develop relationships within the Turkmenistan government, something it has had no success at until now. The MFA had told us previously (and we had conveyed to ABA) that Turkmenistan recognizes the "brand name" that is the American Bar Association and would like to benefit from the organization's expertise. Turkmenistan, therefore, hoped ABA would partner with Turkmen organizations, such as the Council on Law, on projects that would help the country's legal reform efforts. END COMMENT. CURRAN