TURKMENISTAN: CHAIRMAN OF PARLIAMENT DESCRIBES

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000327 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/12/2019 TAGS: PGOV PREL TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: CHAIRMAN OF PARLIAMENT DESCRIBES AMBITIOUS REFORM AGENDA Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Mejlis (Parliament) Chairwoman Akja Nurberdiyeva described an ambitious agenda of legislative reform, including laws involving the economy, education, agriculture and the justice system. Revising legislation involves a wide-range of inputs from government agencies at various levels and from citizens, as well as expert advice. She described parliamentarians as having an integral role in the process. However, with at least ten draft laws under consideration in each committee and very few experienced legislators, it is more likely that actual drafting takes place in interagency working groups staffed by representatives from ministries and experts. Nurberdiyeva expressed support for more parliamentary exchanges, which might present an opening for further collaboration. END SUMMARY. POTENTIAL FOR MORE PARLIAMENTARY STUDY TRIPS ¶2. (C) On March 11, the Charge met with Mejlis Chairwoman Akja Nurberdiyeva to discuss the Parliament's legislative reform efforts and enhanced contacts and cooperation with the United States. Four members of parliament, including two commitee chairmen, had returned the previous day from a Library of Congress Open World trip to Washington, DC and Little Rock, Arkansas. The Charge highlighted such exchanges, as well as the International Republican Institute's offer to Nurberdiyeva to host a study trip for parliamentarians, as opportunities for cooperation that could enhance the work of the Parliament. Nurberdiyeva mentioned that she herself has not visited the United States and expressed hope that many of the current 120 members would be able to participate in such trips. AN AMBITIOUS PRESIDENTIAL LEGISLATIVE REFORM AGENDA ¶3. (C) Nurberdiyeva went on to describe the task, issued by President Berdimuhamedov, for legislative reform in practically every area as the basic responsibility of the Mejlis. Many of the laws on the books are from the 1990s with the Government was new. They need to be updated to take into account the changes that have taken place in society. She ran down a list of areas and specific laws currently under review, including economy, culture, agriculture and education. The Human Rights Committee is working on the criminal procedure code and laws involving the procuracy and judicial structure. She said a lot of effort is going into legislation on small and medium businesses. The Labor Code is in its final stage of review at the level of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Committee on Education, Science and Culture is working on education-related laws, including the status of research associates. Agriculture laws are also being reviewed for possible revision. Nurberdiyeva said each committee is working on at least ten draft laws. ¶4. (C) She further explained that legislative reform is a joint effort that also involves local authorities, groups of citizens, the Cabinet of Ministers and various government ministries and agencies. Working groups are set up consisting of experts, lawyers, and scholars with detailed knowledge and experience. As a result, Nurberdiyeva asserted that at the time the draft law is completed, all aspects have been reviewed and the law has been adapted "to the realities of life." The goal is to have laws that meet current needs and remain relevant in the future. PARLIAMENTARIANS COULD USE MORE TRAINING ¶5. (C) According to Nurberdiyeva there is a need to train the new members of Parliament. She said not everyone is able at first, to perform the difficult work since members themselves work on draft laws. The Mejlis invites specialists from government agencies to brief members and hold conferences. She said the new parliamentarians are ASHGABAT 00000327 002 OF 002 adapting and in two or three months will work well. Training trips would be useful for the members to see parliamentary practices in other countries, as well as to share information about the experience in Turkmenistan. PARLIAMENTARY ROLE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS ¶6. (C) On the subject of the budget approval process, Nurberdiyeva said each committee reviews the budget items for the areas of its responsibility. They ask experts from the Ministry of Finance and other agencies to consult and answer questions. Each committee initially approves the appropriate budget items, then the entire budget passes to the general session of the Mejlis for approval. Government ministers attend and field questions at that session. She characterized the budget process as complicated, containing many nuances and suggestions about what to accept or reject. Budget items on the social side attract particular attention because they have a direct impact on citizens. ¶7. (C) COMMENT: No doubt the Chairwoman has her hands full overseeing a comprehensive reform of legislation while working with a body of largely novice legislators. Despite her description of the process, it is not clear how active a role the parliamentarians play in drafting new laws. It is clear from other government contacts that interagency working groups take on the lion's share of the work in preparing draft laws, which then would certainly need to be cleared with both the Cabinet of Ministers and the Presidential Apparat before going to the Mejlis for passage. Nurberdiyeva's desire for further parliamentary exhanges and study trips is a positive sign, although it remains to be seen whether such support is genuine and shared at higher levels of the Government. Nonetheless, it appears that parliamentarians' roles in the budgetary and legislative processes could provide some checks on government actions, if and when parliamentarians mature into their role. END COMMENT. MILES