SECURITY CHIEF BECOMES TURKMENISTAN'S FIFTH GENERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001386 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/21/2018 TAGS: PGOV MARR TX SUBJECT: SECURITY CHIEF BECOMES TURKMENISTAN'S FIFTH GENERAL REF: A. ASHGABAT 1209 ¶B. ASHGABAT 1229 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires a.i. Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1. 4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (U) An October 20 presidential decree conferred the military rank of general-major on Minister of National Security Charymyrat Amanov (formerly a colonel). The decree noted Amanov's "conscientious performance of military duties" and his "personal contribution to the strengthening of Turkmenistan's national security." The promotion was also "in honor of the 17th anniversary of the country's independence." In separate decrees, the Interior Minister Orazgeldi Amanmyradov and State Customs Service Chairman Yaylym Berdiyev were given the rank of full colonel. ¶2. (C) COMMENT. Newly-named General-Major Amanov became part of an elite group within Turkmen officialdom, joining President Berdimuhamedov, Minister of Defense Agageldi, Deputy Minister of Defense Atabaev and State Border Service Chief Alovov as the only generals. The scarcity of Turkmen generals dates to the Niyazov regime, when the former leader was preoccupied with eliminating potential threats to his rule. As such, Amanov's promotion might be a sign of President Berdimuhamedov's confidence in the loyalty of his subalterns. Turkmenistan's lack of generals also reflects the Soviet military's emphasis on an officer's position and responsibilities, rather than explicit rank. While the promotion coincides with the build-up to independence day celebrations, it could also be recognition for Amanov's favorable performance during the shooting incident at Khitrovka in September (reftels). END COMMENT. ¶3. (C) BIO NOTE: Minister of National Security General-Major Charymyrat Kakalyevich AMANOV; DPOB: 1966, Gokdepe district, Ahal province; Education: 1990, Turkmen State University, major in mathematics; 10/08/2007-present, Minister of National Security; May 2007-October 2007, Head of President's Security Service; February 2007-May 2007, Deputy Chairman of the State Service on Registration of Foreign Citizens; 1992-2007, various positions at the Ministry of National Security; 1991-1992, Trained at KGB USSR Higher Education Institute; 1990-1991, high school mathematics teacher. CURRAN