OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE HEAD OF

UNCLAS STATE 051212

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM OSCE TX
SUBJECT: OSCE PERMANENT COUNCIL: RESPONSE TO OSCE HEAD OF
THE OSCE CENTER IN ASHGABAD



1. Post is authorized to make the following statement at the
May 15, 2008, meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna:

Begin Text:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The United States welcomes Ambassador Djikic back to the
Permanent Council and thanks him for his comprehensive report
on the OSCE,s work in Turkmenistan.

The United States is pleased by the increased level of
engagement between the OSCE and the Government of
Turkmenistan over this past year. We note that more projects
were carried out in 2007 in all three dimensions than in
previous years, and that Turkmenistan increased its
collaboration with other OSCE bodies and institutions. We
encourage the Center and the Government of Turkmenistan to
continue to build upon these good relations and to expand
their collaboration into new programmatic activities.

The United States supports fully the Center,s work in all
three dimensions. In our view, the Center has done a
commendable job raising awareness about OSCE commitments and
principles in the country, including working directly with
government officials, civil society, and students.

We take particular note of some of the projects and
activities that assist Turkmenistan meet its OSCE
commitments. The Center,s work with the police, border
guards, customs, and security are helping build the capacity
of law enforcement bodies and reduce the threat of terrorism.
We note that the Government of Turkmenistan has expressed an
interest in expanding collaboration on border security and
management activities and we look forward to a positive
response on the two proposed extrabudgetary projects. We also
hope that more border-related training and activities are
initiated as a result of the OSCE border assessment to be
conducted this year.

The Center has made good headway into second dimension
activities that promote trade and investment, as well as
fight money laundering. We also are encouraged by the
Center,s work with ODIHR to help train domestic election
monitors, and the activities intended to strengthen human
rights, including providing expertise and technical support
for improving training standards for judges, prosecutors, and
lawyers.

As you noted in your report, Mr. Ambassador, Turkmenistan has
made notable progress in democratic and economic reforms
since President Berdimuhamedov was elected, but there are
still many areas in which Turkmenistan could benefit from
OSCE assistance. The United States would like to see the
Center continue to support the development of civil society
and NGOs, and we urge the Center to help coordinate NGO
participation at this year,s Human Dimension Implementation
Conference. We would further be interested in additional
activities to help develop the media.

Finally, we would like to welcome Turkmenistan,s expressed
support for the Ministerial Decision on Engagement with
Afghanistan. We are confident that Turkmenistan can help
consolidate security in the region by helping to train Afghan
officials and tighten its border with Afghanistan.

As always, the United States supports the important role that
the OSCE Center in Ashgabat can play in assisting the
Government of Turkmenistan fulfill its OSCE commitments and
engage in the region. We stand ready to support the
Government and the Center in their joint efforts.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
RICE