TURKMENISTAN'S BUREAUCRACY FINDS IT HARD TO CORRECT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001415 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, ECA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAID SCUL KPAO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S BUREAUCRACY FINDS IT HARD TO CORRECT MISTAKES ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Minor bureaucratic mistakes are difficult to correct in Turkmenistan, sometimes even when such corrections appear simple, easy and would help avoid more serious consequences. Recently, an error in dates in an MFA diplomatic note that approved an Embassy-sponsored English language program highlighted this challenge. Despite MFA assurances that the error would not be a problem, local officials did not allow some of the planned training to take place. This bureaucratic reluctance to admit and correct a mistake represents a major obstacle to effective reform and progress. The problem appears to result from an organizational culture in which everything should be perfect, and mistakes result in reprimands and/or hasty firings. END SUMMARY. WRONG DATES? - NO PROBLEM! ¶3. (SBU) The Public Affairs Section (PAS) received approval for sending post's English Language Fellow (ELF) to the cities of Turkmenabat and Mary via diplomatic note shortly before the ELF's departure. The program dates were for October 16-17. Unfortunately, the Turkmen diplomatic note approved the program for October 18-19, or the weekend instead of Thursday and Friday. By phone, a working-level Ministry of Foreign Affairs contact assured PAS staff that the error would not be a problem. (NOTE: There was little time to obtain a corrected diplomatic note, as well. END NOTE.) The ELF already had tickets and a scheduled program for teaching workshops at the semi-private Medet educational center in Turkmenabat and similar events in the American Corners in both Turkmenabat and Mary. WRONG DATES? - PROBLEM! ¶4. (SBU) In Turkmenabat on October 16, post's ELF was denied permission to conduct the workshop at the Medet center by a local education official. The local official has a long history of obstructing American Corner and Public Affairs programs, but had recently been enormously helpful with the testing of FLEX program candidates. Later in the day, during the ELF's teaching workshop at the American Corner, a suspicious government official was present for observation. ¶5. (SBU) In Mary the following day, the ELF's programming was held only at the American Corner. However the Corner director reported intimidating phone calls from local officials who inquired about the unapproved visitor. ONE LOST PAPER MEANS NO EXCHANGE VISIT ¶6. (SBU) In another instance, in the spring, PAS was preparing an International Visitors Leadership Program project to send several Ministry of Health officials to the U.S. The project concept and its enthusiastic, willing government participants were approved by MFA diplomatic note. Soon afterward, in the middle of PAS contact with the project nominees, communication was cut off and the project was derailed. A PAS FSN eventually learned more about the fate of the project through a personal friend at the Ministry rather than from her previous point of contact. The Ministry had somehow lost the government's internal approval letter signed by President Berdimuhamedov. No one was willing to seek a second copy or find a way for the project to go forward. Ultimately, the IVLP program slots were not used for this project. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: As illustrated by the recent problems with the ELF regional visit, local officials have little regard for a verbal assurance from an MFA official. Approval on paper is essential; and there is a high reluctance to handle any "gray area" or lack of clarity. The persistent fearful work environment within the government of Turkmenistan means that smart, cooperative bureaucrats are unlikely to take a stand or provide clarification - especially when it is connected to foreigners or foreign programs. A bureaucrat is safer never acknowledging a problem or mistake. ¶8. (SBU) COMMENT CONTINUED: Many other examples exist of ASHGABAT 00001415 002 OF 002 bureaucratic issues that hinder some of the simplest and most straight-forward programming in the bilateral relationship with Turkmenistan. Examples witnessed by post are likely to be only a small representation of a broader problem of managing the archaic bureaucracy and implementing reform. Engaging with the Turkmen government continues to demand patience and flexibility as we work to implement our programs. Persistence is necessary in order to advance U.S. influence in the slow, but positive reform process that is occurring in Turkmenistan. END COMMENT CURRAN