Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASHGABAT902
2008-07-17 10:51:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: FAMILIES USE BRIBERY TO PROTECT
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000902
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FAMILIES USE BRIBERY TO PROTECT
CONSCRIPTED SONS FROM HARSH CONDITIONS
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000902
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FAMILIES USE BRIBERY TO PROTECT
CONSCRIPTED SONS FROM HARSH CONDITIONS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In Turkmenistan, military conscription is
highly unpopular. Treatment of conscripts is often very
poor, and parents fear for their children's well-being and
resent the "wasted time" spent in service. Families use
bribery to keep sons closer to home and ensure choice duties
during their compulsory military service. END SUMMARY.
CONSCRIPTS ARE OFTEN ABUSED
3. (SBU) Turkmen regulations require men with higher
education degrees to serve in the military for eighteen
months and all others to serve for two years. Soldiers are
sent to every part of the country, and often have to endure
extreme weather and terrible living conditions. Treatment of
soldiers during their mandatory military service is
traditionally very poor. Many parents express fear about the
treatment their children receive, referencing hazing
practices such as breaking or confiscating personal items
like spectacles. One woman has photos that show her son with
bruises on his lower back and on other parts of his body.
Although the Ministry of Defense announced that agricultural
skills would be integrated into some parts of military
service, parents often feel that time spent in the military
is wasted. They believe their children do not learn useful
skills or perform valuable services.
MEN SOMETIMES TRY TO EVADE SERVICE
4. (SBU) For these reasons, many families go to great
lengths to see that their sons avoid military service. Some
men resort to using medical excuses or purported illnesses to
escape military service. Medical conditions, such as sight
problems, are exaggerated in order to be deemed "ineligible"
for service. One source claimed that this harms future
chances of employment, as medical documents follow
individuals from job to job. At least two Embassy employees
did not serve in the military, one due to sight-related
reasons and one due to undisclosed "medical" problems, which
he made clear were not particularly serious.
BRIBES USED TO "PROTECT" CONSCRIPTS
5. (SBU) Families look for ways to protect their conscript
sons from harsh conditions, and paying bribes is the most
common method. There are two levels of bribes. Families pay
the first to the commissar board, which decides where a
soldier serves. This bribe ensures that the soldier remains
near his family. The second payment is monthly and typically
goes to the unit commander. This payment ensures the better
types of duties and that soldiers receive proper, home-cooked
food. Reports indicate that some soldiers are even able to
go home at night to visit their families. These fees
reportedly range from $100-$200 a month, depending upon the
desired services and locations. Since the average income in
Turkmenistan is around $200 per month, many families begin
saving early to protect their sons. One woman with a
school-age son said that she is already saving so that she
can pay the monthly bribe.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: Corruption is endemic in Turkmen society,
and the military is no exception. The Ministry of Defense is
taking some steps to modernize military institutions, but as
long as service conditions remain poor, families will
continue to view military service as something best avoided.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN,
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FAMILIES USE BRIBERY TO PROTECT
CONSCRIPTED SONS FROM HARSH CONDITIONS
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: In Turkmenistan, military conscription is
highly unpopular. Treatment of conscripts is often very
poor, and parents fear for their children's well-being and
resent the "wasted time" spent in service. Families use
bribery to keep sons closer to home and ensure choice duties
during their compulsory military service. END SUMMARY.
CONSCRIPTS ARE OFTEN ABUSED
3. (SBU) Turkmen regulations require men with higher
education degrees to serve in the military for eighteen
months and all others to serve for two years. Soldiers are
sent to every part of the country, and often have to endure
extreme weather and terrible living conditions. Treatment of
soldiers during their mandatory military service is
traditionally very poor. Many parents express fear about the
treatment their children receive, referencing hazing
practices such as breaking or confiscating personal items
like spectacles. One woman has photos that show her son with
bruises on his lower back and on other parts of his body.
Although the Ministry of Defense announced that agricultural
skills would be integrated into some parts of military
service, parents often feel that time spent in the military
is wasted. They believe their children do not learn useful
skills or perform valuable services.
MEN SOMETIMES TRY TO EVADE SERVICE
4. (SBU) For these reasons, many families go to great
lengths to see that their sons avoid military service. Some
men resort to using medical excuses or purported illnesses to
escape military service. Medical conditions, such as sight
problems, are exaggerated in order to be deemed "ineligible"
for service. One source claimed that this harms future
chances of employment, as medical documents follow
individuals from job to job. At least two Embassy employees
did not serve in the military, one due to sight-related
reasons and one due to undisclosed "medical" problems, which
he made clear were not particularly serious.
BRIBES USED TO "PROTECT" CONSCRIPTS
5. (SBU) Families look for ways to protect their conscript
sons from harsh conditions, and paying bribes is the most
common method. There are two levels of bribes. Families pay
the first to the commissar board, which decides where a
soldier serves. This bribe ensures that the soldier remains
near his family. The second payment is monthly and typically
goes to the unit commander. This payment ensures the better
types of duties and that soldiers receive proper, home-cooked
food. Reports indicate that some soldiers are even able to
go home at night to visit their families. These fees
reportedly range from $100-$200 a month, depending upon the
desired services and locations. Since the average income in
Turkmenistan is around $200 per month, many families begin
saving early to protect their sons. One woman with a
school-age son said that she is already saving so that she
can pay the monthly bribe.
6. (SBU) COMMENT: Corruption is endemic in Turkmen society,
and the military is no exception. The Ministry of Defense is
taking some steps to modernize military institutions, but as
long as service conditions remain poor, families will
continue to view military service as something best avoided.
END COMMENT.
CURRAN