Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT316
2008-03-07 10:14:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: RESIDENTS OF DEMOLISHED HOMES
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000316
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RESIDENTS OF DEMOLISHED HOMES
GETTING NEW APARTMENTS
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000316
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RESIDENTS OF DEMOLISHED HOMES
GETTING NEW APARTMENTS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Formerly, when Turkmenistan government officials
wanted to tear down housing blocks to replace them with more
modern white marble buildings, they simply ordered residents
to leave -- often with only three days' notice -- and left
them on their own to find new housing. Now, however,
residents of old, crumbling buildings see demolition as a
ticket to nicer digs. For example, one Embassy LES said she
was happy that her building is slated for demolition, because
she expected to get a nice, new apartment for her and her
daughter - based on her friend's experience. She felt that
giving up her apartment in a dilapidated building for new one
was a good trade.
3. (SBU) According to another FSN employee, those whose
houses had been destroyed in the past could now present proof
of that fact and lack of remuneration to the Presidential
Apparat, which would then consider the resident for some type
of reparation - most likely a new apartment. She believed
this development would affect her parents, whose house had
been bulldozed and had been given a substandard apartment in
return.
4. (SBU) Several local employees said there is a rumor that
this change in policy toward housing demolitions was due to
President Berdimuhamedov having been a victim of demolitions
in the past, so he understands the frustration and hardship
that people feel. One rumor is that one building he lived in
was demolished to put in a road.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: While right of eminent domain is assumed
by all governments, the abandon with which the government
under former president Niyazov destroyed buildings to
construct, in his view, a more modern looking capital, was
legendary. No thought was really given to the rights and
lodging needs of those whose buildings were marked for
destruction. President Berdimuhamedov, who factors social
stability into his calculus, appears to be more interested
than his predecessor in being responsive to social concerns.
END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM ECON TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RESIDENTS OF DEMOLISHED HOMES
GETTING NEW APARTMENTS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Formerly, when Turkmenistan government officials
wanted to tear down housing blocks to replace them with more
modern white marble buildings, they simply ordered residents
to leave -- often with only three days' notice -- and left
them on their own to find new housing. Now, however,
residents of old, crumbling buildings see demolition as a
ticket to nicer digs. For example, one Embassy LES said she
was happy that her building is slated for demolition, because
she expected to get a nice, new apartment for her and her
daughter - based on her friend's experience. She felt that
giving up her apartment in a dilapidated building for new one
was a good trade.
3. (SBU) According to another FSN employee, those whose
houses had been destroyed in the past could now present proof
of that fact and lack of remuneration to the Presidential
Apparat, which would then consider the resident for some type
of reparation - most likely a new apartment. She believed
this development would affect her parents, whose house had
been bulldozed and had been given a substandard apartment in
return.
4. (SBU) Several local employees said there is a rumor that
this change in policy toward housing demolitions was due to
President Berdimuhamedov having been a victim of demolitions
in the past, so he understands the frustration and hardship
that people feel. One rumor is that one building he lived in
was demolished to put in a road.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: While right of eminent domain is assumed
by all governments, the abandon with which the government
under former president Niyazov destroyed buildings to
construct, in his view, a more modern looking capital, was
legendary. No thought was really given to the rights and
lodging needs of those whose buildings were marked for
destruction. President Berdimuhamedov, who factors social
stability into his calculus, appears to be more interested
than his predecessor in being responsive to social concerns.
END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND