TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER PROVIDES POSITIVE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000162

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM ADPM TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FOREIGN MINISTER PROVIDES POSITIVE
OUTLOOK FOR U.S.-TURKMEN BILATERAL RELATIONS

REF: ASHGABAT 152

Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY. On February 2, the Charge met with the
Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, to discuss a list of
pending bilateral issues, including the present imbroglio
over the diplomatic bags. The Foreign Minister took the
opportunity to recap 2008 achievements in the bilateral
relationship, singling out the impetus generated by the
Bush-Berdimuhamedov meeting in Bucharest. He more than once
mentioned the Turkmen government's desire to see a White
House visit by President Berdimuhamedov during 2009, perhaps
in conjunction with a meeting of the U.S.-Turkmenistan
Business Council. FM Meredov expressed interest in the new
Adminstration's foreign policy priorities, especially
Afghanistan, and would welcome a visit by Special
Representative Holbrooke. The Charge raised a number of
human rights concerns -- allowing ICRC prison visits, status
of political prisoners, and registration of NGOs and
religious groups. FM Meredov advocated gradual engagement
with ICRC, showed no inclination towards leniency for those
who break the law, and was noncommittal on registration of
NGOs and religious groups. END SUMMARY.

FM: BILATERAL RELATIONS DEVELOPING IN POSITIVE DIRECTION


2. (C) FM Meredov began by noting that the meeting was an
opportunity to exchange opinions on a range of issues. He
characterized 2008 as a year during which relations between
the United States and Turkmenistan became more active,
following the impetus given by the meeting between President
Berdimuhamedov and former President Bush. He noted that
political relations became closer as the result of visits by
State Department delegations. Security assistance also
developed, with military delegations including the visit of a
Deputy Minister of Defense to the United States. Overall, FM
Meredov thought relations were developing in a positive
direction, and he looked forward to further developments in
the areas of economics, energy, security (he emphasized
counter-narcotics activities) and in the
cultural/humanitarian sphere. He noted that the MFA is
actively involved in maintaining relations between our
countries, saying the MFA supports nearly all the Embassy's
initiatives. "U.S. proposals are realistic and reflect an
understanding of conditions in Turkmenistan."

ECONOMIC RELATIONS NEED NEW IMPETUS: BUSINESS COUNCIL


3. (C) In the area of economic relations, FM Meredov said
ties consist largely of trade relations, particularly
aircraft and agricultural machinery. While he expected these
ties would continue, in his view, it was time for a new
impetus to economic relations in the form of a meeting of the
U.S.-Turkmenistan Business Council. FM Meredov said he'd
been in contact with the Council, and that there was "a need
to gather the Council together and have a meeting." While
not certain about when and where to best convene the group,
he wanted it to be "on the agenda" in 2009. Representatives
from Council member companies had offered to conduct a
meeting in the U.S. The Foreign Minister said that if a
Berdimuhamedov visit to the U.S. would be possible, that
would be a logical time for the first Council meeting.


4. (C) In the areas of cultural and humanitarian cooperation,
FM Meredov commented favorably on the implementation of our
science education program, as well as various seminars and
workshops. Concerning the registration of the international
school in Ashgabat, he mentioned that the MFA had been
working on the issue, but then the tempo had fallen off. He
was confident that the matter would be resolved. The Foreign
Minister praised the Ambassador's Fund for Cultural
Preservation, saying that the program showed that the Embassy
is working to preserve Turkmen cultural objects. He welcomed
participation in this program during 2009.

ASHGABAT 00000162 002 OF 003



2009 PRIORITY: U.S. VISIT FOR BERDIMUHAMEDOV


5. (C) Looking ahead to 2009, FM Meredov stated that the
Turkmen government would like to see a trip to the U.S.
organized for President Berdimuhamedov. Such a visit, which
is "on the (Turkmen) agenda for 2009," would elevate and give
impetus to bilateral political relations. In the area of
security assistance, the Turkmen government would continue
its cooperation in the areas of border security,
counternarcotics trafficking and drug demand reduction.

FM'S INTEREST IN NEW U.S. FOREIGN POLICY PRIORITIES


6. (C) The Foreign Minister remarked that, while he had seen
the general priorities of the new U.S. Administration's
foreign policy described in the media, he would welcome more
details. The Charge mentioned the Administration's greater
focus on Afghanistan, as evidenced by Richard Holbrooke's
appointment as Special Representative for Afghanistan and
Pakistan. FM Meredov commented that Holbrooke is a very
experienced diplomat and said that after his initial visit to
Afghanistan and Pakistan, he could usefully return for a
broader visit within the region. He thought it would be a
good idea for Holbrooke to visit Turkmenistan, given that it
is Afghanistan's neighbor. More generally, the Charge
mentioned that State Department officials dealing with
Turkmenistan and Central Asia remained in place for the time
being. Concerning the appointment of a U.S. Ambassador to
Turkmenistan, Meredov said he understood that the appointment
fell at a time of change of administrations and that final
approval needed Senate action. "We will work with you," he
offered.

NO LENIENCY FOR LAW BREAKERS


7. (C) The Charge then raised a number of human rights issues
with the Foreign Minister. He mentioned the cases of
detained political prisoners Mukhametkuli Aimuradov and Batyr
Berdiev. FM Meredov responded that these are people who
committed serious crimes and were punished according to the
law. "If a person commits a crime, he must be punished."
The Charge suggested that, apart from the imprisonment issue,
the lack of information about their health and treatment is
of great concern to their families and to those concerned
with human rights issues in the United States and elsewhere
in the world. This situation could be improved, said the
Charge, by allowing the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) to conduct prison inspections. FM Meredov said
the Turkmen government has been in discussions with the ICRC,
but the ICRC's insistence on meeting with prisoners
one-on-one has been a point of contention. The government
wanted its representative to be present at meetings with
prisoners, arguing that it is a sign of reciprocal confidence
and trust to include them. FM Meredov said the ICRC had
conducted a seminar for prison, law enforcement and judicial
officials in November last year, and that such activities
were part of step-by-step confidence building process. In
his view, cooperation with the ICRC did not have to begin
immediately with prison visits. The Foreign Minister briefly
described Turkmenistan's loan of two helicopters to the ICRC
for emergency relief following an earthquake in Pakistan.
After several months of service, one of the helicopters
crashed in Afghanistan en route home to Turkmenistan. U.S.
forces eventually located the crash after five months and
recovered the crew remains for Turkmen authorities.

NONCOMMITTAL ON REGISTRATIONS


8. (C) The Charge also raised the cases of several churches
and non-governmental organizations that have not been able to
register. FM Meredov said he was aware of our
recommendations and would look into this.


9. (C) On the issue of permitting the Embassy to operate a

ASHGABAT 00000162 003 OF 003


surveillance detection team to supplement Embassy security,
the Foreign Minister said the disbanded SD team had been
setup without informing the government. Turkmen law has
provisions about who can conduct surveillance operations.
For the Turkmen, the lack of agreement in advance, and the
implied failure to respect the government, were unpleasant.
Also, there were cases of average people being stopped and
questioned by the SD teams, which was unacceptable. FM
Meredov said that Turkmenistan is a "friendly country" and
will do everything for Embassy security, but the Embassy
needs to consult with the government first before engaging in
such operations.

FM WILL LOOK INTO DIPLOMATIC BAGS ISSUE


10. (C) The Charge raised the issue of the the Turkmen
Customs Department's recent insistence on diplomatic notes in
order for the Embassy to receive and dispatch its diplomatic
bags. He noted that he had informed Washington and the issue
was being reviewed by the State Department as a possible
violation of the Vienna Convention as interference with
diplomatic bags. FM Meredov said he would go over the issue
with his Protocol Department today. He added that the
Turkmen government would not want to violate an international
convention.


11. (C) COMMENT: The Charge pressed the issue of the
diplomatic bags very strenuously and urged a quick resolution
of the problem. The Minister seemed to understand the
seriousness of the matter. END COMMENT.


12. (C) The Charge urged the resumption of the refueling
operation at Ashgabat airport for U.S. humanitarian flights
en route to Afghanistan. The operation has been interrupted
pending Turkmen authorization to complete needed repairs.
(Note: General Petraeus raised this issue with President
Berdimuhamedov and Deputy Chairman for Foreign Relations
Meredov during his recent visit to Ashgabat. End Note) The
Foreign Minister said his Ministry is now working on the
issue.


13. (C) COMMENT: While appearing open and friendly, FM
Meredov's willingness to engage was more evident in areas
that touched on external affairs, less so in the area of
human rights. It was clear the Foreign Minister's priority
item was to promote a visit by Berdimuhamedov to the United
States this year. He also seemed satisfied with and
appreciative of U.S. assistance in the security and cultural
areas. As we've heard before, he would like to see more
activity in trade and economic relations. While he was
clearly familiar with the human rights issues, he showed
little flexibility. He did, however, leave the door open to
progress on the registration of some organizations, together
with gradually increasing engagement with the ICRC. There
will be several opportunities in coming months to gauge the
government's intentions in these areas. END COMMENT.
MILES