TURKMENISTAN: BERDIMUHAMEDOV - LOVER OF QUIRKY

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000539 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL ECON TX SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: BERDIMUHAMEDOV - LOVER OF QUIRKY GIFTS AND WINE Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) On April 25, Boeing Turkmenistan Representative Serdar Gurz introduced Emboff to the Amcit founder of Aero Toy Store and Worldwide Aircraft Sales and his son, who were in Ashgabat on business. As it turns out, this was the pair's fifth or sixth visit to Turkmenistan. On this visit, the businessman had come to sell a private plane to President Berdimuhamedov and had flown to Turkmenbashy with planes for the President to choose from. Berdimuhamedov told the father and son that he likes them, because they, unlike others, are not afraid to bring their wares to Turkmenistan without a pruchase agreement. ¶2. (C) During the last trip, the businessman had told Berdimuhamedov how much he loved horses. Therefore, he almost expected that on this visit Berdimuhamedov to give them a horse to take back to the United States. On one previous visit, the businessman gave Berdimuhamedov an electric bicycle, which looks like an ordinary bicycle but can be powered by battery. Berdimuhamedov was so delighted that he rode around the airport on the bike. ¶3. (C) The businessman also said that Berdimuhamedov loves wine. On this trip they brought the President a lot of wine. (COMMENT: Our interlocutor did not say exactly how much wine he brought, but Emboff had the impression it was more than a couple of cases. END COMMENT.) ¶4. (C) COMMENT: While the bike-riding Berdimuhamedov fits his athletic, semi-daredevil (race car driving, jet plane flying) persona, wine aficionado is a bit of a surprise. At official events, he will imbibe some (depending on who is the official guest),but not much. It appears he is comfortable enough with these two Amcit businessmen to let down his hair a little. END COMMENT. MILES