TURKMENISTAN: SATELLITE DISHES START TO COME DOWN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000023 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON SOCI TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: SATELLITE DISHES START TO COME DOWN TO PLEASE PRESIDENT'S AESTHETIC SENSE REF: 07 ASHGABAT 1325 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) The Turkmen love their satellite television. The four local (state-controlled) Turkmen stations are deadly dull and provide a fare that consists primarily of President Berdimuhamedov's meetings, President Berdimuhamedov's travels (foreign and domestic),shots of construction and industry, and local musical performances. Through satellite TV, Turkmen receive Russian news, sitcoms, and game shows as well as Turkish and other international TV. So, when President Berdimuhamedov on November 30 announced that the ubiquitous satellite dishes would be removed from buildings in Ashgabat (reftel),locals were worried. They wondered if they would be limited to Turkmen TV or if the cost of cable television would sky rocket. One press stringer even asked DRL DAS Barks-Ruggles about this issue at a press conference during her December visit. COMING DOWN.... ¶3. (SBU) After weeks of waiting and looking for signs of change, the satellite dishes have started to come down. In several neighborhoods in the city, the personal dishes that made apartment buildings look like mushroom farms have been replaced by main dishes on the tops of buildings. According to local Embassy employees, there has been no difference in the number or variety of channels available, which had been a major concern. ¶4. (SBU) The other major concern had been the possible cost to the consumer. Many Ashgabat residents paid $50-$150 for their satellite dishes, but reception was free. They wondered if they would now be charged for cable. So far, that is not the case, but could be in the future. An Embassy guard, whose home dish was replaced by a powerful central one installed by Turkmen Telecom (part of the Ministry of Communications) said he was told he would not be charged for cable service for now. However, if a fee is assessed, it would only be 12,000 manat (approximately 60 cents)/month. An FSO who lives in a high-rise apartment was told by a building guard that the time was fast approaching when a single large dish would be installed and the smaller personal dishes would have to be removed. He even showed the FSO the cabinet where the receiver would be held and the cables. He assured her, however, that in the case of this building, the owner would absorb the 325,000 manat (approximately $16)/month/building transmission fee. ....OR NOT ¶5. (SBU) According to one local Embassy employee, the satellite dishes are being removed from the front of buildings on main streets and replaced with large, powerful dishes installed by the government. However, people who live in buildings that are not on main streets are told that they should move their dishes to the sides of buildings, so that the satellites are out of view from the street. This they need to do at their own expense. ¶6. (SBU) One local Embassy employee was told to move his satellite dish by a prescibed time. When he failed to do so, sloppy workmen ended up cutting the connection to the cable as well as his phone line and electricity. Building managers begged the fellow not to call the mayor's office to complain. The embassy employee said he had to call the mayor's office to get his service reconnected. ¶7. (SBU) COMMENT: Local officials, the ones charged with implementing the president's directive, no doubt had a fine line to walk. If the president said the satellites had to go, they had to go. Nevertheless, people are addicted to ASHGABAT 00000023 002 OF 002 their satellite TV and would complain if they had reduced service or had to pay high monthly fees. Moving dishes out of sight (to the sides of buildings) and gradually introducing fees may be the way to keep both local residents and the president happy. END COMMENT. HOAGLAND