Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT1382
2009-10-29 13:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S REQUIREMENTS DURING DINNER IN
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C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001382
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB;
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/BURPOE/COHEN
COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S REQUIREMENTS DURING DINNER IN
NEW YORK
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 001382
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB;
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/BURPOE/COHEN
COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S REQUIREMENTS DURING DINNER IN
NEW YORK
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) During an October 26 meeting with the Charge, the
Director of the U.S.-Turkmenistan Business Council discussed
the Turkmen President's "peculiar" requests at a dinner in
his honor in September. The Business Council Director noted
that he had rented a well-known New York restaurant for the
event. Business Council member-companies were looking
forward to an opportunity to get the ear of the Turkmen
President while he was in the United States for the UN
General Assembly. The Business Council director then
described the mandatory changes to the event that were
demanded by the head of the Turkmen Chamber of Commerce
Pavlan Taganov.
2. (C) According to the Business Council rep, Taganov arrived
at the restaurant a few hours before the scheduled dinner and
announced, "The set up is all wrong and it has to be
changed." Taganov reportedly insisted that the dark drapes
in the restaurant be pulled back or replaced with white
drapes and that all of the dark table cloths and dark flowers
in the room be replaced with white ones as well. Next,
Taganov demanded that four, white vases (4 feet tall each) be
filled with white roses--two of the vases and white curtains
would be placed behind the President's seat and the two other
vases near the door. The President's seat also needed to be
taller than the other chairs at the table.
3. (C) In addition, Taganov reportedly demanded that the
table where the President would sit be decked with a white
table cloth, a white table runner, and white flowers. The
Business Council rep told us he argued with GOTX officials
for hours, when they asked that all of the bright, red exit
signs be covered with white cloth; the rep refused to cover
the exit signs and cited the New York Fire Code as the legal
basis for refusing this request.
4. (C) The Business Council rep stated that the President ate
chicken, steamed carrots, and berries for dinner. According
to the rep, the President did not bring his own server, but
GOTX officials reportedly unsuccessfully attempted to enter
the restaurant kitchen and prepare the President's meal.
5. (C) COMMENT. In the autocratic state of Turkmenistan, the
President's wishes have to be met, and woe to the unlucky
official that fails to deliver. Hence Taganov's insistence
on very specific decor. Still, the inflexibility of the
Turkmen to leave restaurant decor well enough alone
illustrates a prevalent attitude here, that others, whether a
restaurant, oil company, or foreign country, should conform
to Turkmen standards in dealing with the Turkmen. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; EEB;
ENERGY FOR EKIMOFF/BURPOE/COHEN
COMMERCE FOR EHOUSE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/29/2019
TAGS: ECON PGOV PINR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMEN PRESIDENT'S REQUIREMENTS DURING DINNER IN
NEW YORK
Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1.(C) During an October 26 meeting with the Charge, the
Director of the U.S.-Turkmenistan Business Council discussed
the Turkmen President's "peculiar" requests at a dinner in
his honor in September. The Business Council Director noted
that he had rented a well-known New York restaurant for the
event. Business Council member-companies were looking
forward to an opportunity to get the ear of the Turkmen
President while he was in the United States for the UN
General Assembly. The Business Council director then
described the mandatory changes to the event that were
demanded by the head of the Turkmen Chamber of Commerce
Pavlan Taganov.
2. (C) According to the Business Council rep, Taganov arrived
at the restaurant a few hours before the scheduled dinner and
announced, "The set up is all wrong and it has to be
changed." Taganov reportedly insisted that the dark drapes
in the restaurant be pulled back or replaced with white
drapes and that all of the dark table cloths and dark flowers
in the room be replaced with white ones as well. Next,
Taganov demanded that four, white vases (4 feet tall each) be
filled with white roses--two of the vases and white curtains
would be placed behind the President's seat and the two other
vases near the door. The President's seat also needed to be
taller than the other chairs at the table.
3. (C) In addition, Taganov reportedly demanded that the
table where the President would sit be decked with a white
table cloth, a white table runner, and white flowers. The
Business Council rep told us he argued with GOTX officials
for hours, when they asked that all of the bright, red exit
signs be covered with white cloth; the rep refused to cover
the exit signs and cited the New York Fire Code as the legal
basis for refusing this request.
4. (C) The Business Council rep stated that the President ate
chicken, steamed carrots, and berries for dinner. According
to the rep, the President did not bring his own server, but
GOTX officials reportedly unsuccessfully attempted to enter
the restaurant kitchen and prepare the President's meal.
5. (C) COMMENT. In the autocratic state of Turkmenistan, the
President's wishes have to be met, and woe to the unlucky
official that fails to deliver. Hence Taganov's insistence
on very specific decor. Still, the inflexibility of the
Turkmen to leave restaurant decor well enough alone
illustrates a prevalent attitude here, that others, whether a
restaurant, oil company, or foreign country, should conform
to Turkmen standards in dealing with the Turkmen. END
COMMENT.
CURRAN