TURKMENISTAN: "NUMBER 1 IS HAPPY" ABOUT THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000773

SIPDIS

STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EEB

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2019
TAGS: PGOV PINR ELTN ETRD TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN: "NUMBER 1 IS HAPPY" ABOUT THE
DELIVERY OF HIS NEW BENTLEY

REF: ASHGABAT 673

Classified By: Charge Richard Miles, reasons 1.4 (B) and (D).


1. (C) SUMMARY: As reported reftel, the general manager of
the official Mercedes-Benz dealership in Turkmenistan
traveled to the United States under heavy pressure from the
Presidential Apparat to take delivery of President
Berdimuhamedov's new armored Bentley. Upon his return, the
manager reported that "Number one is happy" and plans to
order some 300 new E-class vehicles as an incentive to the
heads of ministries and associations. This businessman
represents the new generation of Turkmen entrepreneurs who
blur the lines between government and private business here
and see it as their patriotic duty to fulfill the whims of
the government. END SUMMARY.

PRESIDENT'S BENTLEY ARRIVES IN ASHGABAT


2. (C) The General Manager of Turkmenistan's Mercedes-Benz
distributor "Turkmen Awto Merkezi," Shamamed Annayev (please
protect),called Post on June 4 to request an expedited visa
because Deputy Chairman for Trade and Textiles, Hojamuhammet
Muhammedov, ordered him to go to the United States to monitor
the completion of the President's new Bentley Continental
Flying Spur Speed (reftel). (NOTE: Muhammedov is also chief
of the Presidential Apparat. END NOTE.) After a ten-day
stay in the United States, Annayev called on June 18 to thank
Post and the Turkmenistan Desk for the extra services
provided during the visa application process and for liaising
with Customs and the Bentley dealer, adding that "Number 1 is
happy" -- referring to, of course, President Berdimuhamedov.

IN SPITE OF THREATS, WILL STAY AT THE DEALERSHIP


3. (C) In a meeting on June 19, Annayev said that the car
arrived in Ashgabat on June 13 via charter plane. The
government would pay a $515,000 fee for the charter flight --
which would have been $360,000 if Annayev had sent the plane
one day later. Annayev paid a $128,000 fee for canceling the
first charter plane. Muhammedov and the President apparently
forgot their many threats, which were so severe that Annayev
had feared that he would soon suffer serious health problems
such as heart damage. He said that he couldn't imagine what
punishment might have awaited him if the car had arrived
later than it did or if he couldn't get it at all. Annayev
said that he had been ready to walk away from the dealership
if necessary -- a serious proposition since he is also one of
its co-owners. In cases like this, he said, it is better to
"walk away from the stage" because it is so embarrassing to
fail in front of everyone, but for now he is planning to
stick it out.

PRESIDENT'S OFFICE THOUGHT HE WAS LYING, BUT ARE NOW GRATEFUL


4. (C) Annayev said that he sent photos tracking the
vehicle's progress every day to the Deputy Chairman to prove
the car's existence, because "they thought that I was lying
and the car didn't exist." Upon Annayev's return to
Ashgabat, Muhammedov offered Annayev vacation time and
offered to help Annayev with any problems.

GOVERNMENT ORDERED 300 NEW MERCEDES E-CLASS VEHICLES FOR THIS
YEAR


5. (C) Annayev said that the government ordered just under
300 new Mercedes-Benz E-class cars which will arrive in time
for Independence Day celebrations in October to remind
ministers, governors, heads of associations, editors of
newspapers, and other leaders of government enterprises "to
keep working hard." Annayev helped the government negotiate
good prices on a direct contract with Daimler, which came to
about 6-7 million euros ($8.3-9.7 million). Usually the
government orders about 200 cars every two years to refresh

ASHGABAT 00000773 002 OF 002


the fleet, and this year's order -- the first under President
Berdimuhamedov who has been in office for two years and four
months -- is larger than orders placed under the late
President Niyazov because Berdimuhamedov wants all heads of
official associations across the country to receive a vehicle.

ATTITUDES OF A YOUNG, EDUCATED BUSINESS OWNER ABOUT THE
PRESIDENT


6. (C) According to Annayev -- who is 34 years old, attended
university in Germany and speaks fluent English and German --
President Berdimuhamedov is looking for young,
European-educated men to fill the ranks of government
positions. Despite the threats he received from the
Presidential Apparat, Annayev said that he likes the
"reformative" President's policies very much. Annayev said
that Turkmenistan's top issues are managing the relationship
with its neighbors -- Iran and Afghanistan -- and improving
education. He sees the decree allowing the opening of
private schools as an important sign that the President is
serious about educational reform. He said that "Turkmen need
more education and they don't understand democracy," which
will take 30 years or more because it will take time to raise
capacity levels. Annayev underscored this by noting that
while in the U.S., he was amazed to see protests take place
in front of the White House, noting that this would never
happen in Turkmenistan because it would quickly get out of
hand and turn violent.


7. (C) COMMENT: Annayev illustrates the kind of Turkmen
entrepreneur who sees his job very differently than Western
entrepreneurs do. Several times he said that he was "a
patriotic guy" and that he would do anything for his country,
so much so that he was prepared to leave his private business
because of the shame involved with failing in the eyes of
Turkmenistan's top leadership. He will pay the cancellation
fee for the first charter plane himself, because he is too
embarrassed to admit a problem with the U.S. freight
forwarding company. Entrepreneurs often fill a
quasi-governmental role, especially when the state represents
90 percent of a company's business as in this dealership's
case. The lines are also often blurred. Annayev arrived at
the Embassy in a Mercedes bearing green plates, which
designate the vehicle as a government-owned car. END COMMENT.
MILES