TURKMENISTAN: PRESIDENT SACKS DEFENSE OFFICIALS; ANNOUNCES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000114 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: PRESIDENT SACKS DEFENSE OFFICIALS; ANNOUNCES "NEW" MILITARY DOCTRINE REF: ASHGABAT 81 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: At a recent session of the State Security Council, President Berdimuhamedov fired the Defense Minister and the heads of the border and migration services. He also reprimanded the Interior Minister. Their replacements are officials who have viewed cooperation with the United States favorably in the past. The President also announced a new military doctrine that hews to the existing neutrality policy, but aims at strengthened, more modern armed forces. END COMMENT. ¶3. (SBU) On January 21, President Berdimuhamedov held an expanded session of the State Security Council that included a broad assemblage of government officials, representatives of public organizations and the media, senior commanders of military and law-enforcement officials. On the agenda were an assessment of the work done by law-enforcement and military agencies in 2008, consideration of a presidential decree "On the Military Doctrine of Turkmenistan" and instructions for law-enforcement and military organizations. Chiefs of law-enforcement and military agencies reported on their respective areas of responsibility and on the implementation of scheduled plans for military reform. UNDERPERFORMING AGENCIES TARGETED; CHIEFS REPLACED ¶4. (SBU) The first official to make a presentation was Niyazov-era holdover Minister of Defense, Agageldi Mammetgeldiyev, who reported in particular about progress on the construction of military townships. Following the report, President Berdimuhamedov relieved Mammetgeldiyev from his position due to health reasons, reportedly at the minister's own request, and thanked him for loyal service to the country. Berdimuhamedov then gave the floor to Prosecutor, General Chary Hojamyradov, who reported on serious violations in the Ministry of Defense revealed in the course of a special inspection. Supreme Court Chief Justice, Yaranmyrat Yazmuradov, also made a statement concerning the investigation of some Ministry of Defense officers. ¶5. (SBU) Next on the agenda was the report by State Border Service Chief, Bayram Atayevich Alovov. He was followed by Prosecutor General Hojamyradov, who gave a detailed description of shortcomings in the Border Service uncovered during his investigation. �A;Berdimuhamedov remarked that the activity of the Border Service had not fully met its responsibilities, noting prevalent instances of mismanagement. Alovov was dismissed from his post and demoted in military rank from General Major to Colonel. ¶6. (SBU) Following a report about weak management in the State Migration Service, Berdimuhamedov relieved the acting Chairman, Yaran Sadykov, from his position. The President also "gravely reprimanded" the Minister of Internal Affairs, Orazgeldi Amanmyradov, and required him to correct his shortcomings. NEW CHIEFS NOTED FOR MANAGEMENT SKILLS ¶7. (SBU) Berdimuhamedov wasted no time in announcing replacements for the vacant posts. Noting his professional qualities and organizational skills, the President appointed the current Customs Service Chief, Yaylym Yagmyrovich Berdiyev, to the position of Minister of Defense and Secretary of the Security Council. Orazgeldi Taganmuradovich Esenov was appointed Acting Customs Service chief. Berdimuhamedov also tapped State Counternarcotics Service (SCNS) Chief, Murad Yslamov, to become the head of the State Border Service. In so doing, the President noted his achievement in organizing the work of the recently-established agency. Serdar Gurbangulyevich Batyrov was appointed the Acting Chief of Counternarcotics Service and Seyitniyaz Gurbanmammedovich Ballyev the Acting Chairman of Migration Service. PRESIDENT APPROVES "NEW" MILITARY DOCTRINE ASHGABAT 00000114 002 OF 002 ¶8. (SBU) On the heels of this latest personnel reshuffling, Berdimuhamedov signed a decree "On the Military Doctrine of Independent, Permanently Neutral Turkmenistan." The doctrine highlights Turkmenistan's "internationally accepted" neutral status and its role as the "center of peacemaking and prosperity in the region." In his remarks, the President cited the establishment of the Ashgabat-based UN Center on Preventive Diplomacy in Central Asia as confirmation of Turkmenistan's neutrality policy. Berdimuhamedov went on to point out that Turkmenistan fully supports the efforts of Q UN to transform Central Asia into a nuclear-free and WMD-free area, affirming that the country rigorously observes its international commitments to prohibit these kinds of weapons. ¶9. (SBU) In accordance with the Constitution and the Law "On the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan," the new military doctrine provides for non-alignment with military alliances and blocks, prohibits the deployment of international military bases on its territory, and prohibits nuclear weapons and other WMD from crossing its borders. In general, the doctrine has a defensive character, to ensure peace, territorial integrity and national unity. It also provides for further strengthening of the military forces, equipping them with up-to-date armaments and defense technology. In closing, Berdimuhamedov set goals for each military and law enforcement agency for the practical implementation of the new doctrine. ¶10. (SBU) COMMENT: Post has worked with a few of the newly-promoted officials in the past. While he was SCNS chief, new Border Service Chief Yslamov was not only willing to allow U.S. training in Turkmenistan, but was enthusiastically supportive of it. He said his goal was to bring the SCNS to "modern international standards" and that he needed cooperation with foreign donors to do that. He recognized that Turkmenistan does not have the experience necessary to develop its own counter-narcotics service and was willing to do what was needed in order improve the efficiency of the service. Acting SCNS Chief Batyrov was Yslamov's deputy and participated in a CENTCOM-sponsored trip to the United States in November 2008 for consultations on counternarcotics cooperation. Finally, earlier in his career, newly-appointed Defense Minister Berdiyev had positive contact with U.S.-funded programs and while at Customs had said that he saw the U.S. as a "valuable partner." END COMMENT. MILES