TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000269 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, OES/STC (KANE) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV TSPL TBIO EAGR ENRG ECON AMGT APER EPA PGOV, TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME COUNCIL ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SHOWS INTEREST IN U.S. PROGRAMS REF: A. STATE 10843 ¶B. ASHGABAT 00046 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public I ¶2. (SBU) In a meeting on February 20, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology, Akjeren Allanurova, and Head of the Council's Research Forecasting and International Relations Departments, Orazmamed Vasov, said that they would be pleased for U.S. scholars to participate in the Council's upcoming international conference on "Scientific Bases of Introduction of New Technologies" in Ashgabat on June 12-14. According to official information about te conference posted at http://science.gov.tm/en/events/new science tech con/, it will be devoted to modern trends in organization, development, and financing of scientific activity, and introduction of new technology, including: -- New technology in the gas and petroleum industry; -- New technology and its role in increasing profits in crop farming; -- Research, new technology, and practical application of renewable energy sources; -- New water conservation technology for irrigation, and the improvement of melioration conditions of irrigated lands; -- Seismology and seismic construction; -- New information technologies and systems; and -- Mathematical modeling. ¶3. (SBU) The conference aims to exchange domestic and international experience, establish mutually advantageous cooperation and attract partners for science development and new technology projects in Turkmenistan and to assess priority areas of scientific development and introduce new technologies. Conference organizers welcome additional subject suggestions. All travel and accommodation expenses of official invitees of the conference will be borne by the Supreme Council on Science and Technology. POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE PARTICIPATION IN THE EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOW PROGRAM (ESFP) ¶4. (SBU) Economic Officer also discussed the Embassy Science Fellow Program (ESFP) outlined in Ref A. Although Post had sent information via diplomatic note about the program almost three weeks prior, the Supreme Council never received it due to a bureaucratic glitch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Allanurova and Vasov took interest in the non-paper with information on participating U.S. agencies and promised to review the information, adding that the Supreme Council would be interested in assistance that would help create an electronic library that would enable it to share documents and literature electronically throughout Turkmenistan's provinces. They want to scan books, journals, and other documents because they see this as value added to Turkmenistan's goal of increasing graduate and post graduate programs. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: Attendance of U.S. scientists and scholars at the new technology conference in June would send a signal that the U.S. respects Turkmenistan and its potential. All U.S. agencies are invited to inform relevant organizations in the United States about this event. Post will also continue the dialogue with the Supreme Council for Science and Technology about the Embassy Science Fellow Program, which would have good potential to benefit the relationship by sending U.S. experts to Turkmenistan, which post has noted previously is the desire of Turkmen officials (Ref B). END COMMENT. MILES