Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT814
2008-07-01 06:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: RFE/RL REPORTER'S SON AT WITS' END
how-toVZCZCXRO7000 PP RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHAH #0814 1830643 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 010643Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1072 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 3958 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1775 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1642 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 2211 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2641 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0808
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000814
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RFE/RL REPORTER'S SON AT WITS' END
OVER HARASSMENT
Classified By: CDA Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000814
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RFE/RL REPORTER'S SON AT WITS' END
OVER HARASSMENT
Classified By: CDA Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Turkmenabat-based Turkmen Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL) reporter Osmanguly Halliyev and his son,
Umid, told EmbOff during a June 30 meeting that Umid, who has
been studying Arabic at the Institute of Foreign Languages,
had just been expelled from the school. The Institute's
action comes despite the fact that the boy reportedly was
receiving good grades. Umid claimed that two men from the
Ministry of National Security (MNB) had threatened several
months ago to take action if he did not persuade his father
to cease working for RFE/RL, and he sees his dismissal as the
result of the MNB threat. Although Umid still has not
received a formal letter of dismissal from the Institute, he
sees no way that he will be allowed to go back -- or to enter
any other institution of higher learning in Turkmenistan.
2. (C) Umid came to the EMBASSY looking for assistance to
get into a foreign university. He said that he is aware that
there are organizations that specialize in assisting
individuals in his position, and wanted to request the
Embassy's assistance in making contact with those groups.
EmbOff told him she was unaware of any such organization, but
promised to pass on his request to Washington, where others
might be in a position to provide guidance. However, EmbOff
also advised Umid to look for possible academic options on
his own, rather than to wait for something to materialize.
Throughout his son's recitation, Osmanguly Halliyev sat
quietly, seemingly resigned to what had happened.
3. (C) COMMENT: As we have seen in other cases, official
pressure on RFE/RL reporters often extends to family members.
Part of the boy's desperation may be linked to the fact that
he will be conscripted unless he can find an alternative
university opportunity. EMBASSY would appreciate any
information that we could pass on to Umid Halliyev to connect
with those who might offer him overseas study/scholarship
opportunities. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, DRL
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/01/2018
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM SCUL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: RFE/RL REPORTER'S SON AT WITS' END
OVER HARASSMENT
Classified By: CDA Richard E. Hoagland: 1.4 (B),(D)
1. (C) Turkmenabat-based Turkmen Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty (RFE/RL) reporter Osmanguly Halliyev and his son,
Umid, told EmbOff during a June 30 meeting that Umid, who has
been studying Arabic at the Institute of Foreign Languages,
had just been expelled from the school. The Institute's
action comes despite the fact that the boy reportedly was
receiving good grades. Umid claimed that two men from the
Ministry of National Security (MNB) had threatened several
months ago to take action if he did not persuade his father
to cease working for RFE/RL, and he sees his dismissal as the
result of the MNB threat. Although Umid still has not
received a formal letter of dismissal from the Institute, he
sees no way that he will be allowed to go back -- or to enter
any other institution of higher learning in Turkmenistan.
2. (C) Umid came to the EMBASSY looking for assistance to
get into a foreign university. He said that he is aware that
there are organizations that specialize in assisting
individuals in his position, and wanted to request the
Embassy's assistance in making contact with those groups.
EmbOff told him she was unaware of any such organization, but
promised to pass on his request to Washington, where others
might be in a position to provide guidance. However, EmbOff
also advised Umid to look for possible academic options on
his own, rather than to wait for something to materialize.
Throughout his son's recitation, Osmanguly Halliyev sat
quietly, seemingly resigned to what had happened.
3. (C) COMMENT: As we have seen in other cases, official
pressure on RFE/RL reporters often extends to family members.
Part of the boy's desperation may be linked to the fact that
he will be conscripted unless he can find an alternative
university opportunity. EMBASSY would appreciate any
information that we could pass on to Umid Halliyev to connect
with those who might offer him overseas study/scholarship
opportunities. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND