TURKMENISTAN: MEJLIS COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000761

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, SCA/PPD, ECA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SCUL KPAO ECA TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: MEJLIS COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SCIENCE, AND
CULTURE GRAPPLES WITH HUGE REFORM MANDATE


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Post's PAO had a friendly and open meeting with
the Chair of the Mejilis (Parliament) committee on Education,
Science, and Culture. The discussion revealed that the committee
has a massive portfolio of issues, but with a mandate from the
Turkmen President to draft new legislation. Chairman Vladimir
Gubanov previously served in the Ministry of Education where he was
one of Post's more open contacts. Hopefully, Gubanov will be
approved for an Open World visit to the United States in October

2009. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) On May 27, PAO met with the Chair and Deputy Chair of the
Mejlis Committee on Education, Science, and Culture, which also
covers environmental protection, sports, tourism, youth policy, mass
media and publishing. The Chair is Vladimir Gubanov, who until the
most recent parliamentary elections had served as Deputy Minister of
Education for higher and tertiary education. The Deputy Chair is
Berdymurad Kurbanov, previously unknown to Post. PAO hoped to learn
more about the committee's plans for legal reform within the broad
mandate given by President Berdimuhamedov for the Mejlis to "create
a new legislative basis for the society and economy." In
particular, a new law on education had been planned for introduction
in May 2009, but this appears to be delayed.

THE NEW MEJLIS IN THE BIG PICTURE


4. (U) Chairman Gubanov first outlined how the 124-member Mejlis has
five committees with five permanent Mejlis members each. Other,
non-permanent members are resident in their home districts and serve
as liaisons between their constituencies and the Mejlis. Aside from
the committee he chairs, Gubanov noted the committees on Human
Rights and Democracy, Economy and Social Policy, International and
Inter-Parliamentary Relations, and Local Governance.


5. (SBU) Further Gubanov explained how his committee and others
participated in working groups with relevant ministries or state
organizations in order to develop new laws that would meet the
President's broad mandate to reform multiple areas. He noted that
discussion in the working groups was open, and even at times heated
due to the frank exchange of ideas which characterizes their work.
He also emphasized that the committee used many resources including
the Internet to research approaches to legal reform. With this in
mind, he noted his willingness to receive more information or
materials from the U.S. Embassy.

ON EDUCATION


6. (U) Gubanov noted that he and his colleagues continued to
consider which educational model to adopt in Turkmenistan and that
there were many reasons to consider the Bologna process or other
models. Without providing any additional detail, he simply noted
that like Russia, they would take their time to make a careful
decision.


7. (U) One of their current tasks, among many, is to reform the
1993 Law on Education in order to provide for professional, adult
education to enable citizens to work in second or new careers, as
well as provide secondary vocational or professional schooling. He
also noted an emphasis on making the establishment of private
schools possible. He showed a sincere interest in learning more
about educational programs in the United States, such as evening
programs, distance learning, and community colleges.

OTHER REFORM TASKS


8. (U) Gubanov also noted that his committee is working on other
legal reform or initiatives including Laws on Culture, on Protection
of the Ozone Layer, on Quarantine of Plants, on Tourism (which he
noted should help generate tourism revenue for the country),on
Sports and Physical Education.

OPENNESS TO AMERICAN INFORMATION/EXPERTISE

ASHGABAT 00000761 002 OF 002




9. (U) PAO used the meeting to explain the Open World Program, and
the proposed trip for four Mejlis members dealing with education and
science to visit the United States in October. Although the program
is waiting official approval and nominations via a proposal sent by
diplomatic note, Gubanov and his deputy both expressed an interest
in this program. However, a lengthy and bureaucratic process will
determine who from the Mejlis is actually nominated for
participation. Towards the end of the meeting, Gubanov again
expressed his appreciation for U.S. Embassy support and his openness
to American information and expertise. He also mentioned that they
could use materials on leadership skills for use on youth policy.
The Public Affairs Section will find and provide appropriate
material.


10. (SBU) PAO also mentioned a couple of problematic areas in the
current Education law, that the hoped the Committee could address:
There is no legal provision for current students or professors to
participate in exchange programs. Students must withdraw from their
academic programs before joining an exchange.


11. (SBU) COMMENT: Prior to assuming his position, Vladimir
Gubanov was one of the best contacts that Post had in the Ministry
of Education, until he left to become a Mejlis member. His new
position will hopefully yield a greater influence on the legal basis
for cooperation in education and exchange programs. However, the
committee that Gubanov heads, consisting of five members only, has
such a massive portfolio that it is unclear if they can meet the
President's expectations. Gubanov already is well informed about
many U.S. Government programs and recognizes their value for
Turkmenistan's long-term development. Post hopes that Gubanov will
be selected by the government for the Open World program in October.
END COMMENT.

MILES