TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000046 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ENRG TRGY TBIO TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN'S SUPREME COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WANTS TO LEARN FROM U.S. EXPERIENCE REF: 08 ASHGABAT 1642 ¶1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet. ¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Supreme Council on Science and Technology officials said at a meeting with Dan Stein of the U.S. Trade Development Agency that they would welcome ideas on how to expand the national Internet network for educational institutions and improve its efficiency, during the proposed orientation visit for Information and Communication Technology specialists in March. They are also interested in how the United States undertakes telemedicine, monitors oil and gas pipelines, and renewable energy technologies. One of the officials invited U.S. specialists to come to Turkmenistan so that more scientists could benefit from this educational opportunity. Finding ways of showing the Turkmen what they ask for, even when it is not what U.S. agencies originally conceived of, could be a productive method of fostering the relationship. Bringing U.S. specialists to Turkmenistan for seminars is also an idea that is well worth exploring, to build the relationship and gain more trust, as well as impact more individuals. END SUMMARY. UPCOMING TRIP FOR ICT SPECIALISTS ¶3. (SBU) On January 7, U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) Europe and Eurasia Director, Daniel Stein, met with the Deputy Chairwoman of the Supreme Council on Science and Technology (SCST),Akjeren Allanurova, and Department Head on State Science Policy, Orazmamed Vasov, to discuss the upcoming orientation visit to the United States for government Information and Communication Technology (ICT) specialists (reftel). Stein advised that the diplomatic note for the visit, scheduled for March 2009, had been submitted to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Two SCST participants would be invited to join six other representatives from the Ministry of Communications, Turkmen Telecom, and other government structures for the trip to Washington, DC, and Silicon Valley. Turkmenistan's representatives would be expected to deliver a presentation on ICT developments in Turkmenistan and the Supreme Council could help collect the necessary additional details. SCST TO EXPAND ITS IT NETWORK ¶4. (SBU) In response to Stein's inquiry regarding specific meetings or interests during the trip, Allanurova and Vasov both cited Cisco Systems' existing presence in Turkmenistan. Additionally, Vasov highlighted the SCST's role in spreading new technologies to other ministries (e.g., Oil and Gas, Energy and Industry),through its national internet network, which connects 62 educational and scientific institutions, via distance learning and other methods. In response to President Berdimuhamedov's initiatives, the SCST plans to expand the network and improve its efficiency, so would welcome ideas on how to accomplish this. Meetings that build better understanding of how the United States undertakes telemedicine and monitors oil and gas pipelines were other specific interests. (NOTE: The latter was framed in the context of the recent Turkmenistan-authored UN resolution regarding pipeline security. END NOTE.) RENEWABLE ENERGY A PRIORITY ¶5. (SBU) Allanurova said its "Gun" (Sun) Research Institute is tasked with developing technologies for renewable energy sources, like solar and wind. The SCST is very interested in renewable energy technologies due to the high costs associated with building infrastructure for Turkmenistan's many isolated communities. She would appreciate the opportunity for participants to visit a solar project while in the United States. Stein suggested that meetings with Department of Energy specialists could be arranged in Washington, and would look into possible visits to solar ASHGABAT 00000046 002 OF 002 projects in California. Noting that a relatively limited number of specialists would benefit from the exchange trip, Allanurova invited U.S. specialists to come to Turkmenistan so that more scientists could learn about the most recent developments in this field. ¶6. (SBU) COMMENT: Meeting the Turkmen halfway by finding ways of showing them what they ask for, even when it is not what U.S. agencies originally conceived of -- such as telemedicine and monitoring of oil and gas pipelines -- could be a productive method of fostering the relationship. Bringing U.S. specialists to Turkmenistan for seminars is also an idea that is well worth exploring, to build the relationship and gain more trust, as well as impact more individuals. END COMMENT. MILES