Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT1634
2008-12-23 09:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: EXPERTS PREDICT CHAOS AROUND STATE
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001634
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EUR/CARC, EEB
ANKARA FOR REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EIND ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: EXPERTS PREDICT CHAOS AROUND STATE
AGRICULTURE POLICY REFORM
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001634
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EUR/CARC, EEB
ANKARA FOR REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EIND ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: EXPERTS PREDICT CHAOS AROUND STATE
AGRICULTURE POLICY REFORM
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A meeting of the "Elders' Council," during which
the President was supposed to approve a national program for state
agriculture reform and which was initially scheduled for
mid-December, has now been postponed until March. In making the
postponement the President suggested that two months is too little
time to complete the drafting of the national agriculture reform
program. Local farmers worry that the late start of the reform in
the middle of the agricultural season will cause chaos in the sector
and have a negative impact on wheat and cotton harvests. In
addition, discussion by the Elders' Council, which is little more
than a rubber stamp, would most likely not have had any significant
impact on the substance of the program. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Elders' Council is a quasi-governmental organization
comprised of a government-selected membership. Late President
Niyazov created this body in the early 1990's with the intention
that it would serve as an advising body to the President. At the
November 3 extended Cabinet meeting, President Berdimuhamedov
clearly indicated that he would continue this practice of listening
to advice from the Council.
3. (U) At the same extended Cabinet meeting, President
Berdimuhamedov announced his intention to reform state agriculture
in order to diversify agricultural production based on weather
conditions, availability of irrigation water and labor resources.
In particular, it would change Turkmenistan's current cotton growing
practice from mandatory in all the five provinces to a more
selective approach. Only those provinces which have appropriate
weather conditions for cotton growing, sufficient irrigation water,
and labor force will grow cotton. The President ordered Deputy
Chairman for Agriculture and Water Management Myratgeldy Akmamedov
to present a completed national agriculture reform program by
mid-December, during the planned Elders' Council meeting. The
President was also to have adopted the policy reform program at this
meeting. In early December, President Berdimuhamedov -- having
realized that the deadline for the presentation of the reform
program was not realistic -- extended it until March.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: During Niyazov's presidency, the council
operated as "democratic cover" for decisions made by the President.
In reality, according to results from previous Elders' Council
meetings, members of the Council are required to unanimously support
the President's decisions. Embassy contacts have reported that
independent-minded members were asked to refrain from attending
Council meetings. Furthermore, the new timing for the introduction
of agricultural reform is not good. Local contacts point out that
the agricultural season for wheat and cotton will be in full swing
by the time the government adopts the reform program. Confusion
stemming from operating under two policies, and anticipation of the
reform, will disorient heads of state farms and cause chaos in the
state agriculture sector. Local farmers suspect that the first year
of the reform will be a failure -- primarily due to the late start
of the program. END COMMENT.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/RUS, EUR/CARC, EEB
ANKARA FOR REGIONAL AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EIND ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: EXPERTS PREDICT CHAOS AROUND STATE
AGRICULTURE POLICY REFORM
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: A meeting of the "Elders' Council," during which
the President was supposed to approve a national program for state
agriculture reform and which was initially scheduled for
mid-December, has now been postponed until March. In making the
postponement the President suggested that two months is too little
time to complete the drafting of the national agriculture reform
program. Local farmers worry that the late start of the reform in
the middle of the agricultural season will cause chaos in the sector
and have a negative impact on wheat and cotton harvests. In
addition, discussion by the Elders' Council, which is little more
than a rubber stamp, would most likely not have had any significant
impact on the substance of the program. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) The Elders' Council is a quasi-governmental organization
comprised of a government-selected membership. Late President
Niyazov created this body in the early 1990's with the intention
that it would serve as an advising body to the President. At the
November 3 extended Cabinet meeting, President Berdimuhamedov
clearly indicated that he would continue this practice of listening
to advice from the Council.
3. (U) At the same extended Cabinet meeting, President
Berdimuhamedov announced his intention to reform state agriculture
in order to diversify agricultural production based on weather
conditions, availability of irrigation water and labor resources.
In particular, it would change Turkmenistan's current cotton growing
practice from mandatory in all the five provinces to a more
selective approach. Only those provinces which have appropriate
weather conditions for cotton growing, sufficient irrigation water,
and labor force will grow cotton. The President ordered Deputy
Chairman for Agriculture and Water Management Myratgeldy Akmamedov
to present a completed national agriculture reform program by
mid-December, during the planned Elders' Council meeting. The
President was also to have adopted the policy reform program at this
meeting. In early December, President Berdimuhamedov -- having
realized that the deadline for the presentation of the reform
program was not realistic -- extended it until March.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: During Niyazov's presidency, the council
operated as "democratic cover" for decisions made by the President.
In reality, according to results from previous Elders' Council
meetings, members of the Council are required to unanimously support
the President's decisions. Embassy contacts have reported that
independent-minded members were asked to refrain from attending
Council meetings. Furthermore, the new timing for the introduction
of agricultural reform is not good. Local contacts point out that
the agricultural season for wheat and cotton will be in full swing
by the time the government adopts the reform program. Confusion
stemming from operating under two policies, and anticipation of the
reform, will disorient heads of state farms and cause chaos in the
state agriculture sector. Local farmers suspect that the first year
of the reform will be a failure -- primarily due to the late start
of the program. END COMMENT.
MILES