Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT248
2009-02-24 04:57:00
SECRET
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT
how-toVZCZCXRO0500 PP RUEHAG RUEHBC RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDE RUEHDIR RUEHKUK RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHAH #0248 0550457 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 240457Z FEB 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2339 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4850 RUEHDE/AMCONSUL DUBAI 0085 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3094 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
S E C R E T ASHGABAT 000248
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019
TAGS: IR PGOV PHUM RS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT
POTENTIAL SHIPMENTS OF URANIUM TO IRAN
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4(B),(D),(E) and (F).
S E C R E T ASHGABAT 000248
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019
TAGS: IR PGOV PHUM RS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT
POTENTIAL SHIPMENTS OF URANIUM TO IRAN
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4(B),(D),(E) and (F).
1. (C) The Turkmen Government announced earlier this month
that President Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree allowing
the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a
contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial
of radioactive waste. The waste was reportedly produced at
the Hazar chemical plant and at the Balkanabat iodine plant.
2. (S) In a meeting with the Charge on February 17, Turkish
Ambassador Huseyin Bichakli raised concerns about reports
that Turkmenistan and Russia plan to resume uranium
production in Turkmenistan. He said that he had learned from
sources that a Russian military delegation had visited
Turkmenistan in early January and visited the site of a
former "uranium" plant at Kizilkaya in Balkan Province. The
plant operated during the Soviet era. He said that the
delegation was also briefed on the planned North-South
railroad line from Russia to Iran, which includes a 700 km
stretch through Turkmenistan. Ambassador Bichakli said there
were rumors that the railroad would be used to transport
uranium processed at the currently inactive Turkmen uranium
plant to Iran.
3. (S) COMMENT: Ambassador Bichakli did not provide his
sources, but noted that for Turkmenistan to collaborate with
Russia to transport processed uranium to Iran, particularly
in a surreptitious manner, is inconsistent with its policy of
neutrality. Post will report any further information on this
issue. END COMMENT.
MILES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN AND NEA/IR
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/24/2019
TAGS: IR PGOV PHUM RS TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT
POTENTIAL SHIPMENTS OF URANIUM TO IRAN
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4(B),(D),(E) and (F).
1. (C) The Turkmen Government announced earlier this month
that President Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree allowing
the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a
contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial
of radioactive waste. The waste was reportedly produced at
the Hazar chemical plant and at the Balkanabat iodine plant.
2. (S) In a meeting with the Charge on February 17, Turkish
Ambassador Huseyin Bichakli raised concerns about reports
that Turkmenistan and Russia plan to resume uranium
production in Turkmenistan. He said that he had learned from
sources that a Russian military delegation had visited
Turkmenistan in early January and visited the site of a
former "uranium" plant at Kizilkaya in Balkan Province. The
plant operated during the Soviet era. He said that the
delegation was also briefed on the planned North-South
railroad line from Russia to Iran, which includes a 700 km
stretch through Turkmenistan. Ambassador Bichakli said there
were rumors that the railroad would be used to transport
uranium processed at the currently inactive Turkmen uranium
plant to Iran.
3. (S) COMMENT: Ambassador Bichakli did not provide his
sources, but noted that for Turkmenistan to collaborate with
Russia to transport processed uranium to Iran, particularly
in a surreptitious manner, is inconsistent with its policy of
neutrality. Post will report any further information on this
issue. END COMMENT.
MILES