TURKMENISTAN: ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OPEN TO

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001600 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN; OES (MICHAEL SCHENA) ASTANA FOR BRUCE HUDSPETH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR PGOV SENV TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OPEN TO COOPERATION WITH UNITED STATES ¶1. (SBU) The Acting President of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan, Dr. Gurbanmurat Mezilov, and Head of the International Relations Department, Dr. Orazmamed Vasov, met with Poloff on November 27 and discussed areas for possible cooperation on environmental protection and alternative energy. They began with an overview of the Academy of Sciences, explaining that it was reorganized in June, and that they were only just begQing to be able to focus on work again. There are 11 institutes within the Academy of Sciences, four that are focused on humanitarian subjects, and seven focused on sciences. The seven sciences areas are physics and math, medicine, seismology, botany, chemistry, and solar energy. The solar energy institute is also responsible for other alternative energy research, including into hydro energy, thermal energy, bio energy, and wind energy. ¶2. (SBU) Mezilov said that the Academy of Sciences is responsible for research in a wide range of areas. Poloff had asked about environmental and alternative energy programs, so Mezilov and Vasov noted that aside from alternative energy, the Academy is doing research into environmentally friendly methods for growing crops and raising livestock. They are trying to develop fast-growing plants that can be grown in greenhouses. In addition, the Academy is researching products that can be made from oil and gas, developing earthquake warning systems, and conducting studies on standards for building safety. The Academy coordinates all educational programs on science. They are also working, with U.S. Government support, to increase usage of the Internet in schools, and they host a computer lab in their building that has an Internet connection. Vasov proudly noted that the Academy of Sciences has its own webpage, www.science.gov.tm. ¶3. (SBU) When asked about areas for possible cooperation, Mezilov mentioned that Turkmenistan already has 30 years experience working with solar and wind energy. There are villages in the Karakum desert that use solar energy, although Turkmenistan does not yet have the capability of connecting the main power grid to a solar energy source. However, President Berdimuhamedov has said that aligning the power grids is a priority. The Academy of Sciences is currently researching thermal energy. Mezilov mentioned that from the Kopetdag mountains just south of Ashgabat to the west of the country is a thermal energy region, and that the underground water there is between 140 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Vasov added that the Academy would be interested in working with the U.S. on techniques for predicting earthquakes, new medicine development, and solutions for soil degradation. The Academy of Sciences is sponsoring a conference on alternative energy in February 2010, and would be happy to have participants from the U.S. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: Mezilov and Vasov are scientists by training and appeared very interested in cooperation with Western scientists. Mezilov is a physicist and Vasov a geo-physicist. The Academy of Sciences has been among the government organizations most open to joint programs and already has several areas in which it is working with Embassy Ashgabat. Vasov was clearly familiar with research conducted by U.S. organizations. He asked Poloff if there was a way to invite the California National Renewable Energy Center to the February 2010 conference. The Academy of Sciences would be a very productive partner in a joint environment, science, technology, or health (ESTH)Qoject. END COMMENT. CURRAN