Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1206
2008-09-11 11:27:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: ABA-CEELI WILL TRY A NEW APPROACH
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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
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
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