Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT700
2008-06-02 14:42:00
CONFIDENTIAL//NOFORN
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE"
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000700
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE"
ON THE PATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia R. Curran for reasons 1.4(B) an
d (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000700
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE"
ON THE PATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia R. Curran for reasons 1.4(B) an
d (D).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenistan's president spoke about
reform, democracy, and human rights as he laid the first
stone for a monument in Ashgabat's southern Berzengi
neighborhood dedicated to the country's constitution, now
undergoing revision. He spoke at length of Turkmenistan's
"continued" commitment to international conventions and
standards, and cited reform of the constitution and revision
of national laws as elements of his "New Revival" ideology
and the path to continued improvement for Turkmen citizens.
Although he walked carefully, avoiding any criticism --
direct or implicit -- of his predecessor, it appears clear
that he wants constitutional reform to be a key element of
his agenda. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On May 18, President Berdimuhamedov spoke at a
ceremony that both celebrated the anniversary of
Turkmenistan's first constitution in 1992 and laid a
foundation stone for a monument that will commemorate its
implementation sixteen years ago. He began by describing the
significance of the first constitution, which he said was
based on the idea that the human being is the greatest asset
to a state and its society. He claimed that humanitarian
principles, such as a commitment to international legal
norms, human rights and civil freedoms were clearly reflected
in the constitution. The constitution of Turkmenistan, he
said, would continue to guarantee peace, strengthen the power
of the people, and assure a democratic, legal, and secular
state.
3. (SBU) Berdimuhamedov noted the 60th anniversary of the
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, and said
Turkmenistan has demonstrated its adherence to the goals and
principles of the document. The Turkmen state, he said,
guarantees citizens' rights and liberties as stipulated in
the constitution and other international laws regardless of
color, gender, language, religion, political and other views,
ethnic and social origins.
4. (SBU) He mentioned Turkmenistan's role in abolishing the
death penalty, and indicated that this decision demonstrated
that Turkmenistan supports a strengthening of human rights
guarantees. Further, all the international treaties ratified
by the parliament of Turkmenistan on civil, political,
economic, social, and cultural guarantees, as well as
children's' rights and the elimination of discrimination
against women are all functioning in the country now.
5. (SBU) He described the breadth of legislation that is
under review right now, and said there is not a single area
of state function that has not been touched by changes. Some
laws and normative legal acts in economic, social and
humanitarian areas have already been adopted in this process.
Returning to the constitution, he said it is time to reform
the constitution, because it needs updating. Thus, all
suggestions for constitutional changes and amendments would
be submitted to the Peoples' Council on July 1 for
consideration.
6. (SBU) Turkmenistan has great natural and human
resources, and is on the right track. The economy is
strengthening, the international reputation is better than it
has ever been, and it has partners all over the world. He
anticipated that the country's progress on reform would
accelerate in the future, in the spirit of the "New Revival."
7. (C) COMMENT: The president spoke with a clear eye to
avoiding any actual or suggested criticism of the previous
leadership. Parliament constitutional law advisor Haitov
(please protect) told Assistant Secretary Boucher and the
Charge on May 28 that the government is making very real
ASHGABAT 00000700 002 OF 002
efforts to consult widely on the draft constitution. The
parliament already has received hundreds of comments about
changes to the constitution, and, after the draft
constitution is published on July 1, will send commissions
out to the provinces to elicit comments from the people
there. The president seems genuinely committed to making the
redrafting of the constitution a more public event than the
last time the constitution was revised, suggesting that he is
serious about trying to accomplish the goals he laid out.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/02/2018
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KDEM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT SAYS THE COUNTRY WILL "CONTINUE"
ON THE PATH OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Sylvia R. Curran for reasons 1.4(B) an
d (D).
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenistan's president spoke about
reform, democracy, and human rights as he laid the first
stone for a monument in Ashgabat's southern Berzengi
neighborhood dedicated to the country's constitution, now
undergoing revision. He spoke at length of Turkmenistan's
"continued" commitment to international conventions and
standards, and cited reform of the constitution and revision
of national laws as elements of his "New Revival" ideology
and the path to continued improvement for Turkmen citizens.
Although he walked carefully, avoiding any criticism --
direct or implicit -- of his predecessor, it appears clear
that he wants constitutional reform to be a key element of
his agenda. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) On May 18, President Berdimuhamedov spoke at a
ceremony that both celebrated the anniversary of
Turkmenistan's first constitution in 1992 and laid a
foundation stone for a monument that will commemorate its
implementation sixteen years ago. He began by describing the
significance of the first constitution, which he said was
based on the idea that the human being is the greatest asset
to a state and its society. He claimed that humanitarian
principles, such as a commitment to international legal
norms, human rights and civil freedoms were clearly reflected
in the constitution. The constitution of Turkmenistan, he
said, would continue to guarantee peace, strengthen the power
of the people, and assure a democratic, legal, and secular
state.
3. (SBU) Berdimuhamedov noted the 60th anniversary of the
UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights this year, and said
Turkmenistan has demonstrated its adherence to the goals and
principles of the document. The Turkmen state, he said,
guarantees citizens' rights and liberties as stipulated in
the constitution and other international laws regardless of
color, gender, language, religion, political and other views,
ethnic and social origins.
4. (SBU) He mentioned Turkmenistan's role in abolishing the
death penalty, and indicated that this decision demonstrated
that Turkmenistan supports a strengthening of human rights
guarantees. Further, all the international treaties ratified
by the parliament of Turkmenistan on civil, political,
economic, social, and cultural guarantees, as well as
children's' rights and the elimination of discrimination
against women are all functioning in the country now.
5. (SBU) He described the breadth of legislation that is
under review right now, and said there is not a single area
of state function that has not been touched by changes. Some
laws and normative legal acts in economic, social and
humanitarian areas have already been adopted in this process.
Returning to the constitution, he said it is time to reform
the constitution, because it needs updating. Thus, all
suggestions for constitutional changes and amendments would
be submitted to the Peoples' Council on July 1 for
consideration.
6. (SBU) Turkmenistan has great natural and human
resources, and is on the right track. The economy is
strengthening, the international reputation is better than it
has ever been, and it has partners all over the world. He
anticipated that the country's progress on reform would
accelerate in the future, in the spirit of the "New Revival."
7. (C) COMMENT: The president spoke with a clear eye to
avoiding any actual or suggested criticism of the previous
leadership. Parliament constitutional law advisor Haitov
(please protect) told Assistant Secretary Boucher and the
Charge on May 28 that the government is making very real
ASHGABAT 00000700 002 OF 002
efforts to consult widely on the draft constitution. The
parliament already has received hundreds of comments about
changes to the constitution, and, after the draft
constitution is published on July 1, will send commissions
out to the provinces to elicit comments from the people
there. The president seems genuinely committed to making the
redrafting of the constitution a more public event than the
last time the constitution was revised, suggesting that he is
serious about trying to accomplish the goals he laid out.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN