TURKMENISTAN: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GRADUATE

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001463 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL (BUHLER) AND SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS GRADUATE FROM INL-FUNDED ENGLISH COURSE ¶1. Post's INL-funded English Language Training (ELT) program marked the end of its ten-month training course on November 6 with a graduation ceremony for 17 participating law enforcement officers. The Charge officiated, awarding certificates to all of the participants, and delivering remarks in which she congratulated them on improving their language skills and "opening a new avenue for communicating with their U.S. partners and colleagues." She further urged them to view the event not as an end, but rather a "milestone" in their English language learning and overall professional development. ¶2. Three high-level Turkmen officials also attended the ceremony: Deputy Interior Minister (Major) Moammedhan Chakyev, State Migration Service Deputy Chief (Major) Annamuhammet Hojamgulyev, and Customs Service Deputy Chief (Major) Meretgeldi Berdiyev. Berdiyev delivered a few remarks (the courses are held at a Customs Service training center) in which he thanked the course organizers for organizing a project of great value and use to the law enforcement community and praised the graduates, whose language skills, he said, have made them an "asset for their agencies." ¶3. Three graduates, from the Customs Service, Interior Ministry and State Border Service, were selected for a much-coveted, 5-day law enforcement study tour in London, to take place in January. Like most Turkmen, none of the three have previously traveled outside of Central Asia or the former USSR and were visibly delighted at being selected for the trip, where they will view Heathrow Airport arrival and screening procedures, meet with Scotland Yard officials and non-governmental organizations, and visit the British parliament. ¶4. COMMENT: This year's ELT graduation was the first to be attended by high-ranking Turkmen officials, notwithstanding the general nature of the invitation we sent out (via diplomatic note) to the MFA. More officials, it seems, are aware of and appreciate the value of English language skills among their ranks. END COMMENT. CURRAN