Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT236
2009-02-17 13:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: IRAN,S AMBASSADOR ON THE EVE OF
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UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000236
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: IRAN,S AMBASSADOR ON THE EVE OF
BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S VISIT TO TEHERAN
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000236
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: IRAN,S AMBASSADOR ON THE EVE OF
BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S VISIT TO TEHERAN
1. (U) The Russian-language "Neytralniy Turkmenistan"
published an interview on February 11 with Iran's Ambassador
to Turkmenistan, Mohammad-Reza Forqani. The interview focused
almost exclusively on economic and trade topics, avoiding
anything even remotely controversial such as the Iranian
nuclear issue, relations with the United States or even the
price Iran most recently agreed to pay Turkmenistan for
natural gas.
DETAILS OF THE VISIT: EVEN SKETCHIER THAN USUAL
2. (SBU) President Berdimuhamedov was reported to be
traveling to Iran on February 13 for an "official visit,"
although the press reports this week have offered next to no
details about the nature of the visit. (NOTE: A Turkish
diplomat told us this week that an Iranian Embassy contact
confirmed to him at the Iranian national day reception that
Berdimuhamedov would meet with Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
END NOTE.)
IRAN'S "ECONOMIC SUCCESSES" EMPHASIZED
3. (U) Ambassador Forqani highlighted what he termed Iran's
"economic successes," noting the GNP of 324 billion USD in
2008, and 126 billion USD in foreign trade. He also said
that the Government's economic priorities are to "raise the
standard of living and improve the social welfare (of
Iranians)." He went on to note that 55% of the 2.4 million
students at universities and other institutions of higher
learning in Iran are women. He went on to say that the
country's literacy rate has gone from 39% in 1979 to 92% in
2008. When asked about his country's foreign policy goals,
Ambassador Forqani described them as "justice, peace, and the
development of a mutually beneficial relationship with all of
the countries of the world," especially Iran's neighbors.
SOCIO-CULTURAL TIES WITH TURKMENISTAN
4. (U) As is customary, Ambassador Forqani focused on Iran
and Turkmenistan's "shared culture and history," listing a
number of poets and historical figures revered in both
countries, including Mahmud Kashgary, Aburehan Biruni,
Alisher Anvari and others. A number of them, he said, will
be the topic of a series of conferences and seminars that the
Iranian Cultural Center plans to hold in Turkmenistan, in
addition to the "Iranian Culture Days" that the Iranian
Embassy organizes on a regular basis.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: The Ambassador's interview was typical of
what the Turkmen press offers on Iran: No controversy, and
lots of emphasis on the cultural ties between the two
countries. It, along with another article in the same
newspaper February 13 that focused on trade ties with Iran,
were all that was communicated publicly on the eve of
Berdimuhamedov,s visit. END COMMENT.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/IR AND SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: IR PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT: IRAN/TURKMENISTAN: IRAN,S AMBASSADOR ON THE EVE OF
BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S VISIT TO TEHERAN
1. (U) The Russian-language "Neytralniy Turkmenistan"
published an interview on February 11 with Iran's Ambassador
to Turkmenistan, Mohammad-Reza Forqani. The interview focused
almost exclusively on economic and trade topics, avoiding
anything even remotely controversial such as the Iranian
nuclear issue, relations with the United States or even the
price Iran most recently agreed to pay Turkmenistan for
natural gas.
DETAILS OF THE VISIT: EVEN SKETCHIER THAN USUAL
2. (SBU) President Berdimuhamedov was reported to be
traveling to Iran on February 13 for an "official visit,"
although the press reports this week have offered next to no
details about the nature of the visit. (NOTE: A Turkish
diplomat told us this week that an Iranian Embassy contact
confirmed to him at the Iranian national day reception that
Berdimuhamedov would meet with Iranian President Ahmadinejad.
END NOTE.)
IRAN'S "ECONOMIC SUCCESSES" EMPHASIZED
3. (U) Ambassador Forqani highlighted what he termed Iran's
"economic successes," noting the GNP of 324 billion USD in
2008, and 126 billion USD in foreign trade. He also said
that the Government's economic priorities are to "raise the
standard of living and improve the social welfare (of
Iranians)." He went on to note that 55% of the 2.4 million
students at universities and other institutions of higher
learning in Iran are women. He went on to say that the
country's literacy rate has gone from 39% in 1979 to 92% in
2008. When asked about his country's foreign policy goals,
Ambassador Forqani described them as "justice, peace, and the
development of a mutually beneficial relationship with all of
the countries of the world," especially Iran's neighbors.
SOCIO-CULTURAL TIES WITH TURKMENISTAN
4. (U) As is customary, Ambassador Forqani focused on Iran
and Turkmenistan's "shared culture and history," listing a
number of poets and historical figures revered in both
countries, including Mahmud Kashgary, Aburehan Biruni,
Alisher Anvari and others. A number of them, he said, will
be the topic of a series of conferences and seminars that the
Iranian Cultural Center plans to hold in Turkmenistan, in
addition to the "Iranian Culture Days" that the Iranian
Embassy organizes on a regular basis.
5. (SBU) COMMENT: The Ambassador's interview was typical of
what the Turkmen press offers on Iran: No controversy, and
lots of emphasis on the cultural ties between the two
countries. It, along with another article in the same
newspaper February 13 that focused on trade ties with Iran,
were all that was communicated publicly on the eve of
Berdimuhamedov,s visit. END COMMENT.
MILES