Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT696
2009-06-05 12:36:00
SECRET
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN: ISRAEL TO OPEN EMBASSY "SOON"
how-toVZCZCXRO1627 PP RUEHAG RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV DE RUEHAH #0696 1561236 ZNY SSSSS ZZH P 051236Z JUN 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2921 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5270 RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3004 RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2869 RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3514 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3596
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).
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
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