TURKMENISTAN: AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY REVIEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000244 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/20/2019 TAGS: PREL PARM EAID NATO AF PK TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: AFGHANISTAN/PAKISTAN POLICY REVIEW REF: STATE 14097 Classified By: CHARGE RICHARD MILES, FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) On February 20, DCM discussed reftel policy review with MFA Americas Department Chief Serdar Bashimov. Bashimov seemed gratified that the United States was inviting Turkmenistan's input. He said such a review, which sought the views of regional partners, was a "wise and correct" approach. He said the goal should be to ensure the peace, security, and economic prosperity of Afghanistan. ¶2. (C) Although he did not go into detail, Bashimov said that Turkmenistan has long had a view on how best to stabilize Afghanistan. He did share, however, that one key would be to involve tribal leaders and incorporate local traditions and political culture in the process, if possible. The ability to break through to tribal leaders would help immensely. ¶3. (C) COMMENT: Usually when we deliver demarches to the Turkmen, the interlocutor replies with a curt "thank you," and we rarely receive a formal response. This rather loquacious and positive response was no doubt due to the fact that we are asking the Turkmen to contribute to our review rather than simply to sign on to our policy. Charge plans to meet with the Foreign Minister, who has been tied up with preparations for the upcoming visit to Uzbekistan, to explore more in depth Turkmen views on Afghanistan stabilization. END COMMENT. MILES