Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT668
2008-05-27 12:25:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS NON-PAPER DELIVERED
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000668
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS NON-PAPER DELIVERED
REF: STATE 53968
Classified By: CDA RICHARD E. HOAGLAND: 1.4 (B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000668
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS NON-PAPER DELIVERED
REF: STATE 53968
Classified By: CDA RICHARD E. HOAGLAND: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (SBU) As instructed reftel, Charge delivered on May 27 to
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov the
English original and Russian translation of the non-paper,
"Steps for Further Democratic Reform and Human Rights
Protection," noting SCA Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher
could be expected to discuss it with President Berdimuhamedov
on May 28. As he often does, Meredov launched into a long
monologue of the steps Turkmenistan, under the new president,
has already taken, emphasizing the work of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR). He said, "Shirin
(Akhmedova, the director) is working around the clock, and I
am fully with her on this." Charge acknowledged the
important work being done, but emphasized for the bilateral
relationship to grow there must be concrete steps forward in
all areas, including human rights. Meredov took the point.
2. (SBU) Meredov, who had already seen the paper -- DCM
delivered it to MFA Americas Director Serdar Bashimov on May
23 -- assured Charge he would discuss every element of the
paper with President Berdimuhamedov, but he said he preferred
not to pass it through the Presidential Apparat. Meredov
added, "I want to reassure you again how important this is to
the president. We are working hard to meet our international
obligations in ways that are appropriate for our traditions
and customs. You must understand the President can move only
at a certain pace. But I assure you we will get to the goal,
step by step."
3. (SBU) Charge also passed to Meredov a copy of the Human
Rights Watch (HRW) May 23 letter to President Berdimuhamedov.
Meredov read the letter carefully and said, "So they want to
visit. OK, let's see. It's hard to say." He recalled he
had last met with HRW in Turkmenistan in 1998 when he was
Deputy Director of the President's National Human Rights
Institute, which Berdimuhamedov has now re-empowered as IDHR.
Charge urged Meredov to consider seriously the possibility
of such a visit, noting that it would have significant U.S.
domestic political value. Meredov said he understood and
would give the request serious consideration.
4. (C) COMMENT: We take Meredov at his word he will discuss
the entire paper with President Berdimuhamedov. But we are
intrigued he did not want to pass it through official
channels, causing us to wonder if he might need to work
around a roadblock there. Or, perhaps, he simply wants the
opportunity to put his own spin on it. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: HUMAN RIGHTS NON-PAPER DELIVERED
REF: STATE 53968
Classified By: CDA RICHARD E. HOAGLAND: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (SBU) As instructed reftel, Charge delivered on May 27 to
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov the
English original and Russian translation of the non-paper,
"Steps for Further Democratic Reform and Human Rights
Protection," noting SCA Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher
could be expected to discuss it with President Berdimuhamedov
on May 28. As he often does, Meredov launched into a long
monologue of the steps Turkmenistan, under the new president,
has already taken, emphasizing the work of the Institute for
Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR). He said, "Shirin
(Akhmedova, the director) is working around the clock, and I
am fully with her on this." Charge acknowledged the
important work being done, but emphasized for the bilateral
relationship to grow there must be concrete steps forward in
all areas, including human rights. Meredov took the point.
2. (SBU) Meredov, who had already seen the paper -- DCM
delivered it to MFA Americas Director Serdar Bashimov on May
23 -- assured Charge he would discuss every element of the
paper with President Berdimuhamedov, but he said he preferred
not to pass it through the Presidential Apparat. Meredov
added, "I want to reassure you again how important this is to
the president. We are working hard to meet our international
obligations in ways that are appropriate for our traditions
and customs. You must understand the President can move only
at a certain pace. But I assure you we will get to the goal,
step by step."
3. (SBU) Charge also passed to Meredov a copy of the Human
Rights Watch (HRW) May 23 letter to President Berdimuhamedov.
Meredov read the letter carefully and said, "So they want to
visit. OK, let's see. It's hard to say." He recalled he
had last met with HRW in Turkmenistan in 1998 when he was
Deputy Director of the President's National Human Rights
Institute, which Berdimuhamedov has now re-empowered as IDHR.
Charge urged Meredov to consider seriously the possibility
of such a visit, noting that it would have significant U.S.
domestic political value. Meredov said he understood and
would give the request serious consideration.
4. (C) COMMENT: We take Meredov at his word he will discuss
the entire paper with President Berdimuhamedov. But we are
intrigued he did not want to pass it through official
channels, causing us to wonder if he might need to work
around a roadblock there. Or, perhaps, he simply wants the
opportunity to put his own spin on it. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND