Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT200
2009-02-09 12:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN'S NEW BORDER SERVICE CHIEF HAS CLOSE
how-toVZCZCXRO6257 PP RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAH #0200 0401250 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 091250Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2293 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4812 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2595 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2460 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3056 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3324
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000200
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S NEW BORDER SERVICE CHIEF HAS CLOSE
TIES TO PRESIDENT
REF: ASHGABAT 114
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000200
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S NEW BORDER SERVICE CHIEF HAS CLOSE
TIES TO PRESIDENT
REF: ASHGABAT 114
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) President Berdimuhamedov's January 21 appointment of
then State Counternarcotics Service (SCNS) Chief, Murad
Islamov, to become the head of the State Border Service was
yet another career boost for Islamov. It has become apparent
that he is a government player who holds the confidence of
the President and, as a result, a broad scope of
responsibility. Because of his role at the SCNS and the
recently close cooperation between that agency and the U.S.
in counternarcotics assistance, Post has been able to gather
a first-hand impression of this seemingly well-connected
Turkmen official.
2. (C) Islamov was responsible for establishing the SCNS one
year ago having received the tasking from President
Berdimuhamedov. When the SCNS was created, Islamov was given
a budget of USD five million and extensive resources.
Previously, he had held the rank of Colonel in the Ministry
of National Security (MNB),which at the time was the highest
rank held by any MNB official. When he went to the SCNS,
Islamov brought MNS personnel with him.
3. (C) While at the SCNS, Islamov appeared to be close to the
President and operated differently from other officials. He
was confident that he could get things done that others could
not do. For example, in order to provide a particular type
of radio equipment, Post needed a statement from the SCNS
listing the specifications and providing a justification.
Unlike other ministries, in dealing with the SCNS, Post could
ask for the statement directly, without a formal request
handled by the Foreign Ministry. In general, Post personnel
could deal with SCNS personnel directly, without working
through the Government gatekeeper, aka the Foreign Ministry.
4. (C) As the SCNS Chief, Islamov was not only willing to
allow U.S. training in Turkmenistan, but was enthusiastically
supportive of it. He said his goal was to bring the SCNS to
"modern international standards" and that he needed foreign
assistance in order to do that. He recognized that
Turkmenistan did not have the experience necessary to develop
its own counternarcotics service and was willing to do what
was needed in order to improve the efficiency of the service.
Our view is that he is a capable person. He is able to
understand a complex idea, develop a strategy to accomplish
his goals, then execute that strategy. He clearly carries a
great deal of authority and knows how to get things done
within the Turkmen system. He should not be underestimated,
but above all he is a loyal Turkmen that follows the party
line.
MILES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/08/2019
TAGS: PHUM PGOV TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S NEW BORDER SERVICE CHIEF HAS CLOSE
TIES TO PRESIDENT
REF: ASHGABAT 114
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) President Berdimuhamedov's January 21 appointment of
then State Counternarcotics Service (SCNS) Chief, Murad
Islamov, to become the head of the State Border Service was
yet another career boost for Islamov. It has become apparent
that he is a government player who holds the confidence of
the President and, as a result, a broad scope of
responsibility. Because of his role at the SCNS and the
recently close cooperation between that agency and the U.S.
in counternarcotics assistance, Post has been able to gather
a first-hand impression of this seemingly well-connected
Turkmen official.
2. (C) Islamov was responsible for establishing the SCNS one
year ago having received the tasking from President
Berdimuhamedov. When the SCNS was created, Islamov was given
a budget of USD five million and extensive resources.
Previously, he had held the rank of Colonel in the Ministry
of National Security (MNB),which at the time was the highest
rank held by any MNB official. When he went to the SCNS,
Islamov brought MNS personnel with him.
3. (C) While at the SCNS, Islamov appeared to be close to the
President and operated differently from other officials. He
was confident that he could get things done that others could
not do. For example, in order to provide a particular type
of radio equipment, Post needed a statement from the SCNS
listing the specifications and providing a justification.
Unlike other ministries, in dealing with the SCNS, Post could
ask for the statement directly, without a formal request
handled by the Foreign Ministry. In general, Post personnel
could deal with SCNS personnel directly, without working
through the Government gatekeeper, aka the Foreign Ministry.
4. (C) As the SCNS Chief, Islamov was not only willing to
allow U.S. training in Turkmenistan, but was enthusiastically
supportive of it. He said his goal was to bring the SCNS to
"modern international standards" and that he needed foreign
assistance in order to do that. He recognized that
Turkmenistan did not have the experience necessary to develop
its own counternarcotics service and was willing to do what
was needed in order to improve the efficiency of the service.
Our view is that he is a capable person. He is able to
understand a complex idea, develop a strategy to accomplish
his goals, then execute that strategy. He clearly carries a
great deal of authority and knows how to get things done
within the Turkmen system. He should not be underestimated,
but above all he is a loyal Turkmen that follows the party
line.
MILES