Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT795
2008-06-26 02:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: GIFTS TO NIYAZOV "RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE"
how-toVZCZCXRO3373 PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHAH #0795 1780246 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 260246Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1039 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3936 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1753 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1620 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 2189 RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000795
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GIFTS TO NIYAZOV "RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE"
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000795
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GIFTS TO NIYAZOV "RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE"
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) The Ministry of Culture opened a special exhibition on "Great
Reforms of the Revival Era" at the Presidential Museum in the
Cultural Center complex on June 24, but, in fact, the exhibit has
nothing directly to do with either President Berdimuhamedov or his
reforms. Instead, it displays an extensive collection of expensive
items found in former President Niyazov's Presidential Palace and
home that had been given to the former leader. The event's emcee
said President Berdimuhamedov had chosen to give them back to their
"real" owners -- the people of Turkmenistan.
3. (U) The guide could give little information on where the pieces
came from or who gave them to Niyazov. Here and there among the
generally Western name-brand items were pieces made by citizens of
Turkmenistan. The museum guide seemed to take special pride in the
Turkmen items, pointing out the quality of the craftsmanship -- and
how some of the pieces were almost identical to similar Western
items in the display. Gold statues of Niyazov, precious-metal
vases, and photos filled the museum's entryway. But nobody --
including the emcee -- was able to explain the exhibit's direct
connection with President Berdimuhamedov's "revival era," other than
that he was returning the gifts to the people.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It's a stretch to link the exhibit's title
directly to its contents, and might have been a bit of sycophancy
just before Berdimuhamedov's June 29 birthday. In fact, this
collection is likely not the best stuff Niyazov received. We
remember reports soon after his death that his family members were
allowed to spirit abroad tons of the most valuable items. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: GIFTS TO NIYAZOV "RETURNED TO THE PEOPLE"
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (U) The Ministry of Culture opened a special exhibition on "Great
Reforms of the Revival Era" at the Presidential Museum in the
Cultural Center complex on June 24, but, in fact, the exhibit has
nothing directly to do with either President Berdimuhamedov or his
reforms. Instead, it displays an extensive collection of expensive
items found in former President Niyazov's Presidential Palace and
home that had been given to the former leader. The event's emcee
said President Berdimuhamedov had chosen to give them back to their
"real" owners -- the people of Turkmenistan.
3. (U) The guide could give little information on where the pieces
came from or who gave them to Niyazov. Here and there among the
generally Western name-brand items were pieces made by citizens of
Turkmenistan. The museum guide seemed to take special pride in the
Turkmen items, pointing out the quality of the craftsmanship -- and
how some of the pieces were almost identical to similar Western
items in the display. Gold statues of Niyazov, precious-metal
vases, and photos filled the museum's entryway. But nobody --
including the emcee -- was able to explain the exhibit's direct
connection with President Berdimuhamedov's "revival era," other than
that he was returning the gifts to the people.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: It's a stretch to link the exhibit's title
directly to its contents, and might have been a bit of sycophancy
just before Berdimuhamedov's June 29 birthday. In fact, this
collection is likely not the best stuff Niyazov received. We
remember reports soon after his death that his family members were
allowed to spirit abroad tons of the most valuable items. END
COMMENT.
HOAGLAND