Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT34
2008-01-08 12:22:00
SECRET
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER WANTS DETAILED
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S E C R E T ASHGABAT 000034
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB (AMB. MANN)
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AZ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER WANTS DETAILED
CONSULTATION WITH EEB AMBASSADOR MANN ON AZERBAIJAN
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
S E C R E T ASHGABAT 000034
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB (AMB. MANN)
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AZ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER WANTS DETAILED
CONSULTATION WITH EEB AMBASSADOR MANN ON AZERBAIJAN
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: Charge met for an hour January 8 with
Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov (other issues reported
septel). Meredov dismissed his notetaker and said he wanted
to have a totally frank conversation. He intimated relations
with Azerbaijan -- including the issue of bilateral Caspian
delimitation -- are improving at a deliberate pace. He said
he would welcome "detailed discussion" with EEB Ambassador
Steve Mann how the United States can facilitate
Turkmenistan's outstanding issues with Azerbaijan, including
delimitation. END SUMMARY.
AZERBAIJAN: UNITED STATES CAN HELP
2. (C) Meredov averred relations with Azerbaijan continue to
improve. The Bilateral Economic Commission will meet for the
first time in late January or early February, and the agenda
will include educational and cultural issues. When Charge
encouraged Turkmenistan to re-open its embassy in Baku and
send a strong and active ambassador, Meredov responded
President Berdimuhamedov has already approved this. "We
fully understand it would be good in itself and would send a
strong signal to the region." He noted, however, the wheels
of bureaucracy grind slowly.
3. (C) Most important in renewing Turkmenistan's
relationship with Azerbaijan is that the bilateral Caspian
delimitation working group has met three times since July
2007, and will meet again at the end of January or early
February. "These meetings are without emotion or politics --
just lawyers and geologists with maps. This is very
positive, in my view. I think we are making progress."
4. (S) In an important development, Meredov said he had not
forgotten the Charge's offer last Fall for the U.S. to
facilitate Caspian bilateral delimitation, "But the time was
not right." Meredov said he would welcome a visit by EEB
Ambassador Steve Mann, and would be prepared "to discuss in
detail" how the United States could play a helpful role
between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
5. (C) COMMENT: Post would welcome a visit by Ambassador
Mann to follow up on this opening Meredov seems to be
providing. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB (AMB. MANN)
PLEASE PASS TO USTDA DAN STEIN
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/THOMPSON
COMMERCE FOR HUEPER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/08/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL EPET AZ TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER WANTS DETAILED
CONSULTATION WITH EEB AMBASSADOR MANN ON AZERBAIJAN
Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD E. HOAGLAND FOR REASONS 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (S) SUMMARY: Charge met for an hour January 8 with
Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov (other issues reported
septel). Meredov dismissed his notetaker and said he wanted
to have a totally frank conversation. He intimated relations
with Azerbaijan -- including the issue of bilateral Caspian
delimitation -- are improving at a deliberate pace. He said
he would welcome "detailed discussion" with EEB Ambassador
Steve Mann how the United States can facilitate
Turkmenistan's outstanding issues with Azerbaijan, including
delimitation. END SUMMARY.
AZERBAIJAN: UNITED STATES CAN HELP
2. (C) Meredov averred relations with Azerbaijan continue to
improve. The Bilateral Economic Commission will meet for the
first time in late January or early February, and the agenda
will include educational and cultural issues. When Charge
encouraged Turkmenistan to re-open its embassy in Baku and
send a strong and active ambassador, Meredov responded
President Berdimuhamedov has already approved this. "We
fully understand it would be good in itself and would send a
strong signal to the region." He noted, however, the wheels
of bureaucracy grind slowly.
3. (C) Most important in renewing Turkmenistan's
relationship with Azerbaijan is that the bilateral Caspian
delimitation working group has met three times since July
2007, and will meet again at the end of January or early
February. "These meetings are without emotion or politics --
just lawyers and geologists with maps. This is very
positive, in my view. I think we are making progress."
4. (S) In an important development, Meredov said he had not
forgotten the Charge's offer last Fall for the U.S. to
facilitate Caspian bilateral delimitation, "But the time was
not right." Meredov said he would welcome a visit by EEB
Ambassador Steve Mann, and would be prepared "to discuss in
detail" how the United States could play a helpful role
between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan.
5. (C) COMMENT: Post would welcome a visit by Ambassador
Mann to follow up on this opening Meredov seems to be
providing. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND