Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1308
2009-10-15 10:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN'S TRIBES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT IN
how-toVZCZCXRO0698 RR RUEHIK DE RUEHAH #1308 2881058 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 151058Z OCT 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3617 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5785 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3496 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3360 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 4027 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1197 RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 4001 RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
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
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
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