Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT570
2009-05-05 12:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: FM MEREDOV PROPOSES A TRIP TO
how-toVZCZCXRO7189 OO RUEHJO DE RUEHAH #0570 1251229 ZNY CCCCC ZZHZDF O 051229Z MAY 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2771 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5163 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2907 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2772 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3407 RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/CDR USTRANSCOM SCOTT AFB IL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3526
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000570
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FM MEREDOV PROPOSES A TRIP TO
WASHINGTON
REF: ASHGABAT 0556
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 000570
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/05/2019
TAGS: PREL MARR TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: FM MEREDOV PROPOSES A TRIP TO
WASHINGTON
REF: ASHGABAT 0556
Classified By: Charge Richard Miles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).
¶1. (C) After years of trying to get Deputy Chairman and
Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov to travel to Washington on
his own, he has finally decided to do it. On May 4, he
called in the Charge to say it was time for the two countries
to meet at the level of Foreign Minister. He said that the
level of contact between the two countries is good and noted
the recent visits of Assistant Secretary Boucher and Deputy
Assistant Secretary Krol as well as the upcoming visit of
Special Envoy Richard Morningstar. Nevertheless, the
bilateral dialogue should be advanced to the next level.
Therefore, Meredov said, he is ready to go to Washington. He
said he was prepared to travel sometime between June 20 and
June 25. Meredov said during the visit he could discuss the
possibility of a visit by President Berdimuhamedov to
Washington. In addition, he noted there are a wide-range of
issues that could be discussed, including bilateral
cooperation, economic cooperation, energy, scientific, and
political dialogues, as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
¶2. (C) Meredov asked if there was still a problem regarding
overflight. After the continuing problem was explained,
Meredov said he had spoken to the relevant officials dealing
with Turkmen State Civil Aviation (THY). Charge said that
THY had said that MFA could sign a document and nullify the
bill. He added that the United States also remains ready to
give equipment. Meredov promised to talk again with the
relevant officials.
¶3. (C) Charge said he would relay the proposed trip dates to
Washington. He said it would be good to clear the decks of
any outstanding bilateral issues/problems prior to the trip.
¶4. (C) COMMENT: It appears that Meredov has decided to go to
Washington because Berdimuhamedov is really committed to
going to Washington (preferably this year),and the Turkmen
are convinced that a Meredov trip is the swiftest way to
advance this goal. The promise of a Berdimuhamedov trip, if
it is possible, would provide an excellent incentive to
resolve a number of issues. END COMMENT.
MILES