Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT508
2008-04-23 13:08:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME AUDIT CHAMBER: CHARGED

Tags:  PGOV PREL ECON EFIN TX 
pdf how-to read a cable
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RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2441
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000508 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
TREASURY FOR LANIER/BAKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME AUDIT CHAMBER: CHARGED
WITH THE BIG TASK OF ENSURING EFFICIENCY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000508

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB
TREASURY FOR LANIER/BAKER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON EFIN TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME AUDIT CHAMBER: CHARGED
WITH THE BIG TASK OF ENSURING EFFICIENCY


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenistan's GAO-like Supreme Auditing
Chamber was created in August 2007 to oversee use of the
country's resources. A meeting on April 14 revealed that
Chamber employees are interested in how their counterparts in
other countries perform their jobs and are conducting online
research on methods of using government resources
effectively. The Chamber is utilizing Performance Auditing
as a technique for reviewing draft laws and decrees, and
seems to be genuinely committed to carrying out its job in a
professional manner. The officials expressed interest in
learning more about the General Accounting Office, which they
identified as their most compatible counterpart. END SUMMARY.

PURPOSE AND TECHNIQUES OF THE CHAMBER


3. (SBU) Three officials from the Supreme Auditing Chamber
told EmbOff during an April 14 meeting that the Chamber is
charged with determining the most effective use of government
resources and with effectively allocating investments and
procurement through government controls. The officials added
that the Chamber also focuses on effective government
budgeting. The Supreme Auditing Chamber holds meetings with
other government agencies, when needed, for the purpose of
coordinating fund allocation. Turkmenistan's ministries also
inform the Chamber of progress on projects.


4. (SBU) Chamber employees utilize an auditing instrument
called Performance Auditing to review laws, executive orders,
and decrees in the draft stage. The Chamber then produces
recommendations for improvements. Through this process, the
Chamber can judge whether public agencies are carrying out
activities on an effective and efficient basis.

ORGANIZATION OF THE CHAMBER


5. (SBU) The Chamber is organized around three areas:

-- Legal enforcement, covering topics such as macroeconomic
analysis, methodology of standards, investment projects, and
normative legislation;
-- Natural resources, covering government income and
expenditures, state debts, banking insurance, and property;
and
-- International relations, supervising international
agreements and international investment projects.

CHOOSING A MODEL THROUGH INDEPENDENT RESEARCH


6. (SBU) The Chamber officials told EmbOff that they are
seeking to find out more about how other countries' auditing
and oversight bodies operate. To that end, Chamber officials
are researching international experience through the
Internet, and are actively analyzing the experience of other
countries -- especially former Soviet republics, as well as
that of Norway. They will use this information to decide
what kind of model will ensure most efficient use of
Government of Turkmenistan resources.

ON THE QUESTION OF A VISIT FROM TREASURY...


7. (SBU) One of the officials who exhibited a good command
of English -- and who admitted to having taken the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) -- asked if the General
Accounting Office (GAO) would be a part of an upcoming
Treasury Department delegation. He saw the GAO as the
Chamber's most compatible counterpart in terms of auditing
and oversight functions. Although he was not the person
charged with leading the meeting, he was one of the more
active of the three Turkmen participants.

ASHGABAT 00000508 002 OF 002




8. (SBU) COMMENT: These officials were of the guarded type,
answering questions with the bare minimum of information.
Clearly they were not at a decision-making level. The
president tasked the Supreme Auditing Chamber with a big job:
ensuring efficiency. And these officials appear to be
committed to carrying out their assigned task. END COMMENT.
CURRAN