Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT125
2008-01-25 02:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM TURKMENISTAN ON HOSTING 2008
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAH #0125 0250258 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 250258Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0137 INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA PRIORITY 0112 RUEHEK/AMEMBASSY BISHKEK PRIORITY 2904 RUEHDBU/AMEMBASSY DUSHANBE PRIORITY 0072 RUEHNT/AMEMBASSY TASHKENT PRIORITY 5040 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1107 RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 2242 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0986 RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW PRIORITY 2986 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1040
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD PREL TX XD
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM TURKMENISTAN ON HOSTING 2008
CENTRAL ASIA TIFA
REF: STATE 1132
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000125
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD PREL TX XD
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM TURKMENISTAN ON HOSTING 2008
CENTRAL ASIA TIFA
REF: STATE 1132
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 23
responded by diplomatic note to reftel demarche on preparing for the
2008 Central Asia TIFA meeting, stating that Turkmenistan "suggests
holding the United States-Central Asia Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting in Turkmenistan at the
end of June of this year." During a follow-up call to the Ministry,
the Director of the Americas Desk said that Turkmenistan definitely
wants to host and described its diplomatic note response as a "firm
offer."
3. (SBU) COMMENT: While post believes that Turkmenistan is serious
about wanting to host this year's TIFA meeting, we also believe that
it has not yet discussed its intention with anybody other than the
United States. If Tajikistan does want to host - and we have no
reason to doubt it doesn't - it may be difficult to get the Central
Asians to reach consensus on their own. We would suggest that
Turkmenistan be given serious consideration as recognition that it
has rejoined the family of nations, and that President
Berdimuhamedov increasingly appears committed to regional
integration. We would welcome Washington reaction and advice. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON EFIN ETRD PREL TX XD
SUBJECT: SUBSTANTIVE RESPONSE FROM TURKMENISTAN ON HOSTING 2008
CENTRAL ASIA TIFA
REF: STATE 1132
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Turkmenistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on January 23
responded by diplomatic note to reftel demarche on preparing for the
2008 Central Asia TIFA meeting, stating that Turkmenistan "suggests
holding the United States-Central Asia Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council meeting in Turkmenistan at the
end of June of this year." During a follow-up call to the Ministry,
the Director of the Americas Desk said that Turkmenistan definitely
wants to host and described its diplomatic note response as a "firm
offer."
3. (SBU) COMMENT: While post believes that Turkmenistan is serious
about wanting to host this year's TIFA meeting, we also believe that
it has not yet discussed its intention with anybody other than the
United States. If Tajikistan does want to host - and we have no
reason to doubt it doesn't - it may be difficult to get the Central
Asians to reach consensus on their own. We would suggest that
Turkmenistan be given serious consideration as recognition that it
has rejoined the family of nations, and that President
Berdimuhamedov increasingly appears committed to regional
integration. We would welcome Washington reaction and advice. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND