TURKMENISTAN: ISRAEL TO OPEN EMBASSY "SOON"

S E C R E T ASHGABAT 000696 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/05/2019 TAGS: PREL EINV PTER EPET ETRD SNAR TX IS AJ KZ GG, AM, AF, IR, ZK, ZJ SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: ISRAEL TO OPEN EMBASSY "SOON" Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). ¶1. (S) The Israeli Ambassador to Central Asia and the Caucasus (currently based in Jerusalem),Shemi Tzur, said in a meeting with Charge on June 4 that Israel was planning to open an embassy in Ashgabat "very soon" -- in July or perhaps even sooner -- in part due to Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman's great interest in prioritizing the former Soviet Union in Israel's foreign policy. Tzur added that Liberman is a former Israeli Minister of Energy, and in various papers from that period, he supported expanding Israel's foreign presence in Central Asia in light of international energy supply strategy. Tzur noted that Turkmenistan's location -- bordering Iran and Afghanistan -- also played a role in the decision to open an embassy in Ashgabat. (NOTE: Israel already has embassies in Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. END NOTE.) ¶2. (S) Tzur was interested in Turkmenistan's energy policy and deals with Russia and China, the business climate, narcotics trafficking, terrorism, and general political issues. He also said that many Israeli companies were interested in Turkmenistan's commercial possibilities, and mentioned water management and other issues particular to desert climates as areas that Israeli companies could assist. Tzur indicated that Israel would like to invite President Berdimuhamedov and some Deputy Chairmen on an official visit to Israel. Tzur's team members from the security side asked post's Regional Security Officer about weapsons permits, the local crime rate, areas in the capital and the country off-limits to U.S. diplomats, specific crime issues in the country, neighborhoods appropriate for diplomatic residences, and other information provided in the security in-brief. (NOTE: Tzur also mentioned a recent plot uncovered in Baku to attack the Israeli Embassy in which two alleged perpetrators were arrested. END NOTE.) ¶3. (S) COMMENT: There were news reports earlier this week that Iran has been attempting to pressure Turkmenistan not to allow the Embassy opening, and for Azerbaijan to close the Israeli Embassy that has been in Baku for more than a decade. There is no doubt that Iran will continue to oppose the establishment of an Israeli Embassy just 35 kilometers from its territory. END COMMENT. MILES