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