Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT403
2009-03-30 13:43:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN OFFICIALS THREATEN TO END OVERFLIGHT
how-toVZCZCXRO3922 OO RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHAH #0403 0891343 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 301343Z MAR 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2568 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 5013 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 2768 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 2633 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 3257 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USTRANSCOM SCOTT AFB IL PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 3427
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000403
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN OFFICIALS THREATEN TO END OVERFLIGHT
PERMISSION FOR ALL USG AIRCRAFT IF BILL NOT PAID
REF: A. ASHGABAT 0350
B. ASHGABAT 0365
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000403
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN OFFICIALS THREATEN TO END OVERFLIGHT
PERMISSION FOR ALL USG AIRCRAFT IF BILL NOT PAID
REF: A. ASHGABAT 0350
B. ASHGABAT 0365
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Turkmen State Civil Aviation officials informed DAO
on March 29 that, starting April 27, the Government of
Turkmenistan will deny overflight permission for all USG
aircraft, including those currently covered by blanket
overflight, if an outstanding bill for overflight fees is not
paid by that date (Ref A). State Civil Aviation officials
warned that a diplomatic note officially informing the
Embassy of this policy would arrive March 30 or 31.
Previously, the Turkmen said they would only deny overflight
for VIP aircraft and other flights not covered by the annual
blanket overflight agreement. (NOTE: Turkey, Germany, the
UK, and France also received bills for military flights
transiting Turkmenistan air space at the same time as the
Embassy did in January. Turkey paid right away. Recently
the UK paid their USD one million bill. END NOTE.)
2. (C) Charge raised this issue during a March 30 meeting
with Foreign Minister Meredov. Meredov, who was unfamiliar
with the details of the issue, promised to look into to it
and then respond.
3. (C) COMMENT: This move adds to a number of problems
dealing with refueling and overflights. We have not received
a response to our diplomatic note requesting permission to
bring in a fuel truck to resume refueling of USG aircraft by
the Gas and Go operation. We had hoped to resume refueling
on March 29. Charge raised this issue in his March 30
meeting with the Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan
authorities denied two requests over the weekend that had
previously been approved -- flushing the fuel pit at the
airport and a request to take photographs of connections to
be used with the R-11 fuel trucks once Turkmenistan approves
them being brought into the country.
4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: The issue of the overflight bill is
threatening our blanket overflight and seriously hampers our
ability to negotiate for an increase to the overflight cap
(Ref B). While U.S. policy prohibits paying overflight fees,
we should offer the Turkmen something - be it equipment or
something else - so as not to derail our overflight rights.
END COMMENT.
MILES
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/30/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN OFFICIALS THREATEN TO END OVERFLIGHT
PERMISSION FOR ALL USG AIRCRAFT IF BILL NOT PAID
REF: A. ASHGABAT 0350
B. ASHGABAT 0365
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
1. (C) Turkmen State Civil Aviation officials informed DAO
on March 29 that, starting April 27, the Government of
Turkmenistan will deny overflight permission for all USG
aircraft, including those currently covered by blanket
overflight, if an outstanding bill for overflight fees is not
paid by that date (Ref A). State Civil Aviation officials
warned that a diplomatic note officially informing the
Embassy of this policy would arrive March 30 or 31.
Previously, the Turkmen said they would only deny overflight
for VIP aircraft and other flights not covered by the annual
blanket overflight agreement. (NOTE: Turkey, Germany, the
UK, and France also received bills for military flights
transiting Turkmenistan air space at the same time as the
Embassy did in January. Turkey paid right away. Recently
the UK paid their USD one million bill. END NOTE.)
2. (C) Charge raised this issue during a March 30 meeting
with Foreign Minister Meredov. Meredov, who was unfamiliar
with the details of the issue, promised to look into to it
and then respond.
3. (C) COMMENT: This move adds to a number of problems
dealing with refueling and overflights. We have not received
a response to our diplomatic note requesting permission to
bring in a fuel truck to resume refueling of USG aircraft by
the Gas and Go operation. We had hoped to resume refueling
on March 29. Charge raised this issue in his March 30
meeting with the Foreign Minister. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan
authorities denied two requests over the weekend that had
previously been approved -- flushing the fuel pit at the
airport and a request to take photographs of connections to
be used with the R-11 fuel trucks once Turkmenistan approves
them being brought into the country.
4. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: The issue of the overflight bill is
threatening our blanket overflight and seriously hampers our
ability to negotiate for an increase to the overflight cap
(Ref B). While U.S. policy prohibits paying overflight fees,
we should offer the Turkmen something - be it equipment or
something else - so as not to derail our overflight rights.
END COMMENT.
MILES