TURKMENISTAN'S TRIBES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT IN

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001308 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SOCI PGOV TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S TRIBES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT IN GOVERNMENT ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmen tribes Yomut and Tekke, although, rivals in the past, were promoters of common Turkmen identity, national unity, and nationhood in the early 20th century. Former president Niyazov balanced the tribes in his "divide and rule" strategy that was similar to the Soviet approach. Berdimuhamedov, however, has a strong Tekke affinity, which is apparent in his Cabinet appointments. Nevertheless, Ashgabat is a "melting pot" of various tribes, displaying a tolerant atmosphere that will likely spread to the rest of the country. END SUMMARY. ¶3. (SBU) The importance of tribal affiliation has waxed and waned in recent Turkmen history. The most populous tribes currently are Tekke (Ahal and Mary provinces) and Yomut (Balkan and Dashoguz provinces). Yomut and Tekke were rivals in the past, but jointly promoted common Turkmen identity and nationhood in the early 20th century. The Soviets purposely chose government officials from various tribes to avoid letting any one tribe amass power, and former president Niyazov adopted this same strategy of "divide and rule." For example, he appointed a Mary Tekke as a mayor of Turkmenabat (the capital of Lebap). Many Turkmen say that the former president's lack of connection with his Tekke tribesmen was due to the fact that he was raised in an orphanage. ¶4. (SBU) Despite the previous trend of balancing between tribes, Berdimuhamedov appears to be resurrecting the power of his Tekke tribe through government appointments. Only two members of the Cabinet of Ministers are not Tekke. Tuwakmammet Japarov, Deputy Chairman for Economy and Finance, represents a Balkan wing of Yomut tribe, and Maysa Yazmuhammedova, Deputy Chairman for Press, Culture, and TV broadcasting, is from the Saryk tribe. Non-Tekke individuals, even if they have the skills necessary to find a good job in Ashgabat, tend to feel more secure in terms of career in their tribal homelands than in the Tekke-dominated capital. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: Turkmen of all tribes live in Ashgabat, and consequently are more tolerant towards people of other ethnic origins and of mixed marriages. Despite the president's penchant for promoting members of his own tribe, Turkmen tribalism is destined to disappear with the growing influence of the Ashgabat lifestyle and mass culture, pressing on the old patriarchal, tribal mind set of rural areas. This non-tribal attitude sets a pattern for the future of Turkmen society. END COMMENT CURRAN