TURKMENISTAN: BENEFITS OF CIVIL SOCIETY REMAIN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000479 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN; DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/16/2019 TAGS: PHUM PGOV SOCI TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: BENEFITS OF CIVIL SOCIETY REMAIN UNCLEAR TO GOVERNMENT; HINDERS PROGRESS Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: According to the head of an organization that provides training and resources to civic groups, the current registration difficulties reflect government uncertainty about the benefits of NGO activity. Apparent bureaucratic roadblocks could be instantly dissolved by top-level intervention. A possible solution would be to design a program that would inform government decision-makers aboutthe benefits of NGOs and how they operate in other countries. This civil society expert thought the government would be open to seminars and/or study trips that provide this perspective, particularly if organized in partnership with a government agency. We will, of course, work to identify a Turkmenistan Government partner as well shape a program that meets their needs. We have found that this formula is the key to success for assistance projects. USAID/Counterpart, which is partnering with the Institute for Democracy an Human Rights on NGO issues, already has a range of these activities in the pipeline. END SUMMARY. A ONCE FLOURISHING CIVIL SOCIETY SECTOR ¶2. (C) On April 8, Political Officer met with Counterpart International Chief of Party, Irina Dedova, to discuss the challenges faced by civil society in Turkmenistan and possible ways to improve the situation. Counterpart has been active in Turkmenistan since 1997 with USAID funding and throughout this period has worked with civil society groups providing training and access to resources. (NOTE: Counterpart currently implements USAID's Community Empowerment Project with sub-grantees Urban Institute and American Bar Association through September 30, 2009. END NOTE.) Prior to the 2003 Law on Public Organizations, Counterpart had more than 200 civil society groups in its database. Dedova described the pre-2003 civil society sector as "flourishing." Comparing the earlier situation and now, registration is generally not attainable. Even in cases where there are not strict prohibitions regarding involvement, people nonetheless fear working openly. REGISTRATION: AN IMPASSABLE ROADBLOCK ¶3. (C) As an example, Dedova cited the Ashgabat Support Center, a organization set up by Counterpart as part of USAID's earlier Civil Society Support Initiative to provide public Internet access, advise civil society groups and provide resources, and hold events such as informational meetings with guest speakers to share information. This support center has applied (and paid fees) for registration twelve times. Each time additional flaws are noted, first in the Russian language version of the charter, then in the Turkmen language version, then some necessary documents had expired. Nevertheless, the group is still working on getting registered. In the meantime, it operates as an economic organization, which limits its activities to trading and computer services. ¶4. (C) According to Dedova, the registration roadblock is due to a lack of political will. She suggested the idea of holding a series of seminars for high-level GOTX decision-makers, with participation by NGO representatives from Europe and Russia sharing their experience and describing how they make a unique contribution to society. She also thought study tours could be useful and recommended that any such activity be carried out in partnership with a government entity such as the Women's Union or Youth Union. If structured in that way, she thought the project would go well, although any activity with the government takes a long time - six months to one year - for approval. She also mentioned that "government NGOs" are prohibited from working with international agencies other than the UN. (NOTE: This is not entirely accurate. USAID's CAPACITY project, focused on HIV prevention and awareness, operates two youth centers in Turkmenistan with the active support and cooperation of ASHGABAT 00000479 002 OF 003 the Youth Union. END NOTE.) Whenever a project is proposed, Dedova said the "security issue" always comes up; the government suspects a hidden agenda in addition to the proffered technical assistance. At the same time, the government sometimes can be open to cooperation and new ideas, when a level of trust is established. NEED TO BREAK DOWN STEREOTYPES ABOUT NGOs ¶5. (C) Dedova thought it would be important to demonstrate that civic groups can contribute to society without necessarily being engaged in political activity, for example by providing services to disadvantaged groups. It would be necessary to change the officials' mentality and stereotypes about civic groups. Dedova felt strongly that top-level Turkmen officials are ready for reform and open, but that they need more information. First, they need to understand that civic groups are not a threat to society, either to its stability or security. Rather, their existence would be a benefit for the government. Second, the government needs to realize that there are genuine civic actors, not just individuals forming these groups as a way to make a living for themselves, but rather trustworthy, respectable people who take on this role. There needs to be confidence building to show that the NGO sector individuals are capable and do good work. They also need to behave ethically and create a positive image in their contacts with government officials. Third, there is a stereotype about civil society that there is no room for indigenous organizations. Dedova said she was early in her work called in to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and told that civil society should be allowed to operate only under government supervision. ¶6. (C) The key to breaking the blockage on NGO registrations is "getting approval from the top level," said Dedova. A new law on public organizations would also be an opportunity to break the registration jam, but only if the government is prepared to accept NGOs as part of society. (COMMENT: Accepting real NGOs as part of society may be a ways off for some parts of the government. END COMMENT.) She said it's more than just an issue of bureaucracy at the Ministry of Justice. The Registration Commission that makes the decisions is made up of representatives from various ministries, including the power ministries. To illustrate the lack of transparency in this process, Dedova gave the example of a proposed NGO made up of teachers. The leader was called to attend a Registration Commission meeting and was optimistic after the meeting that the group would be approved. She was later informed that the proposed NGO "duplicated the function of the Ministry of Education" and registration was denied. ¶7. (C) Acknowledging that the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights (IDHR) might be currently overwhelmed with the number and scope of its current reform projects, Dedova suggested that a recently formed presidential think tank, the Institute of State and Law, could perhaps take on the role as a leading advocate for better NGO policy. This institute is responsible for long-range planning and developing a social vision for the country. ¶8. (C) COMMENT: Despite the negative situation, Dedova was quite confident that actions could be taken to improve the situation. While it won't be a quick process, efforts to inform appropriate government officials about the the benefits of NGOs could pay long-term dividends, despite the Turkmenistan government's current need to control many aspects of society. In order for any project to be successful, you need to identify a Turkmenistan Government partner as well shape a program that meets that partner's needs. We have found that this formula is the key to success for assistance projects. ¶9. (C) COMMENT CONTINUED: Following that model, a component ASHGABAT 00000479 003 OF 003 of USAID's Community Empowerment Project is organizing a study tour for government high officials, including the directors of the IDHR and the Institute of State and Law. Although focused on the role of local governments, it will be still be a good chance for participants to meet with high-level USG officials within the department and USAID. Additionally, Counterpart has been asked by the IDHR to help it develop a concept for civil society in Turkmenistan. It would follow the model proposed by Dedova to begin building a better understanding of, and hopefully acceptance for, the role of civic actors in Turkmenistan. With the support of IDHR Director Ahmedova, the Institute of State and Law is expected to be a key participant in this process. END COMMENT. MILES