Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT560
2008-05-02 12:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN
how-toVZCZCXRO4023 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0560 1231254 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 021254Z MAY 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0732 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2484 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1538 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 1405 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3720 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1974 RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN
DASHOGUZ
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000560
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN
DASHOGUZ
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Turkmen Baptist Church of Dashoguz pastor Begjan Shirmedov
says it is no easier trying to register his church under President
Berdimuhamedov than former President Niyazov. More than two years
ago, Shirmedov submitted paperwork to the Ministry of Justice for
official registration and recognition of his church. When asked
what is taking so long, Shirmedov pessimistically responded, "The
government thinks Christian leaders can be dangerous."
3. (SBU) While the Ministry continues to review his
documents, Shirmedov holds regular church meetings and bible study
groups. Shirmedov emphasized that his meetings are non-political
with no discussion about political or human rights. Shirmedov
believes that the government is aware of his "secret" meetings since
they advised him not to allow children under 18 to attend. The
Baptist Church has 53 members.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: While Shirmedov has had no progress in getting
his congregation registered, they are allowed to worship in peace.
Local officials in his area are probably content to ignore the
unregistered group. END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, EEB
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI KIRF TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: REGISTRATION WOES FOR BAPTIST CHURCH IN
DASHOGUZ
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) Turkmen Baptist Church of Dashoguz pastor Begjan Shirmedov
says it is no easier trying to register his church under President
Berdimuhamedov than former President Niyazov. More than two years
ago, Shirmedov submitted paperwork to the Ministry of Justice for
official registration and recognition of his church. When asked
what is taking so long, Shirmedov pessimistically responded, "The
government thinks Christian leaders can be dangerous."
3. (SBU) While the Ministry continues to review his
documents, Shirmedov holds regular church meetings and bible study
groups. Shirmedov emphasized that his meetings are non-political
with no discussion about political or human rights. Shirmedov
believes that the government is aware of his "secret" meetings since
they advised him not to allow children under 18 to attend. The
Baptist Church has 53 members.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: While Shirmedov has had no progress in getting
his congregation registered, they are allowed to worship in peace.
Local officials in his area are probably content to ignore the
unregistered group. END COMMENT.
CURRAN