Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT824
2009-07-01 12:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:
TURKMENISTAN MARKS PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S 52ND
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000824
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MARKS PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S 52ND
BIRTHDAY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000824
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MARKS PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S 52ND
BIRTHDAY
1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 29, Turkmenistan's President
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov turned 52. The country
celebrated its leader's birthday by various festive
events and inauguration ceremonies of a number of
facilities, including opening a Museum of the President of
Turkmenistan. Welcoming Berdimuhamedov with birthday
festivities following his return from an official visit
to Jordan, Turkmenistan marked its leader's birthday in
the manner of a state holiday, although it assumed a less
visually extravagant profile than the birthday
celebrations for former President Niyazov. END SUMMARY.
A MUSEUM AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR THE PRESIDENT
3. (SBU) On June 29, Turkmenistan marked President
Berdimuhamedov's 52nd birthday. On this occasion, officials
opened the new Museum of the President of Turkmenistan, in
a wing of the National Museum of Turkmenistan. Cabinet ministers,
other public officials, foreign diplomats, mass media,
culture and arts representatives, as well as youth
participated in the event. The museum's exhibits
show Turkmenistan's achievements under Berdimuhamedov's
leadership. According to the Gundogar website, "special
cases display items from Berdimuhamedov's inauguration -
a white "koshma" (a wool felt rug),a "sachak" (cloth to
wrap bread) from camel wool and a quiver with arrows.
Not included was Niyazov's "Ruhnama" book, even though there
was ONE during Berdimuhamedov's inauguration. A special
section of the museum was devoted to a documentary about the life
and work of Berdimuhamedov. The exhibit includes photographs, many
extracts from his speeches, books published in
Turkmenistan devoted to the President, as well as books
written by Berdimuhamedov himself. Applied art, rugs, books,and
various souvenirs presented to Berdimuhamedov by
representatives of foreign states are also displayed in
the museum.
4. (SBU) The president himself was not present at the
museum's opening ceremony, but received birthday
congratulations while attending another opening ceremony
that evening - the opening in Ashgabat of a textile
industry complex: a factory for medical and cosmetic
cotton production, a Fashion House and two trade centers.
Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the textile complex opening
ceremony directly from the airport where his plane had
returned from official visits to Croatia and Jordan.
This was the second year in a row that President
Berdimuhamedov chose to spend his birthday on a working
visit to a foreign country.
PUBLICATION OF PRESIDENTIAL BOOKS
5. (SBU) On June 26, a second volume of the president's
selected works was published. The publication was timed
to coincide with the President's birthday. The book
titled "To New Heights of Progress" includes speeches,
interviews, greetings, addresses and photographs that
recreate the chronology of the main State events during
2008. Turkmenistan's National Archive also planned to
publish the second edition of Berdimuhamedov's book "The
Chronicle of Great Accomplishments" and a book "The
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - the
Founder of the Epoch of Great Revival."
FESTIVE ENVIRONMENT
6. (SBU) Ashgabat was decorated with flags and banners on
ASHGABAT 00000824 002 OF 002
main streets to create a festive environment. Traffic
police, who normally wear blue uniforms, were dressed in
white uniforms in honor of the leader's birthday.
Turkmenistan's television and radio provided coverage of
events devoted to the President's birthday. Local
newspapers published texts of congratulatory messages to
Berdimuhamedov from local and foreign officials, public
figures, businessmen and citizens. In addition, various
seminars, events and concert performances in honor of
Berdimuhamedov's birthday were held throughout the
country, as well as sacrificial meals for the sound HEALTH of
the Turkmen leader.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: President Berdimuhamedov's birthday
was celebrated less lavishly than was his predecessor
President Niyazov's bithday, who designated his birthday
as state flag day. Opinions differ as to why he has
spent his last two birthdays on foreign trips. Some
think he travels in order to avoid too much attention, even
though the TV coverage and other events attract plenty of
attention. Others suggest that he wants to look modest by
working even on his birthday. ONE can assume that the festivities
that did take place are done with Berdimuhamedov's approval.
His birthday is an opportunity for government officials
and citizens to show that they respect and appreciate him
as the country's leader. It also serves as a reminder to
everyone that he is "the master of the house." END
COMMENT.
MILES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN MARKS PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S 52ND
BIRTHDAY
1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for Internet
distribution
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: On June 29, Turkmenistan's President
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov turned 52. The country
celebrated its leader's birthday by various festive
events and inauguration ceremonies of a number of
facilities, including opening a Museum of the President of
Turkmenistan. Welcoming Berdimuhamedov with birthday
festivities following his return from an official visit
to Jordan, Turkmenistan marked its leader's birthday in
the manner of a state holiday, although it assumed a less
visually extravagant profile than the birthday
celebrations for former President Niyazov. END SUMMARY.
A MUSEUM AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR THE PRESIDENT
3. (SBU) On June 29, Turkmenistan marked President
Berdimuhamedov's 52nd birthday. On this occasion, officials
opened the new Museum of the President of Turkmenistan, in
a wing of the National Museum of Turkmenistan. Cabinet ministers,
other public officials, foreign diplomats, mass media,
culture and arts representatives, as well as youth
participated in the event. The museum's exhibits
show Turkmenistan's achievements under Berdimuhamedov's
leadership. According to the Gundogar website, "special
cases display items from Berdimuhamedov's inauguration -
a white "koshma" (a wool felt rug),a "sachak" (cloth to
wrap bread) from camel wool and a quiver with arrows.
Not included was Niyazov's "Ruhnama" book, even though there
was ONE during Berdimuhamedov's inauguration. A special
section of the museum was devoted to a documentary about the life
and work of Berdimuhamedov. The exhibit includes photographs, many
extracts from his speeches, books published in
Turkmenistan devoted to the President, as well as books
written by Berdimuhamedov himself. Applied art, rugs, books,and
various souvenirs presented to Berdimuhamedov by
representatives of foreign states are also displayed in
the museum.
4. (SBU) The president himself was not present at the
museum's opening ceremony, but received birthday
congratulations while attending another opening ceremony
that evening - the opening in Ashgabat of a textile
industry complex: a factory for medical and cosmetic
cotton production, a Fashion House and two trade centers.
Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the textile complex opening
ceremony directly from the airport where his plane had
returned from official visits to Croatia and Jordan.
This was the second year in a row that President
Berdimuhamedov chose to spend his birthday on a working
visit to a foreign country.
PUBLICATION OF PRESIDENTIAL BOOKS
5. (SBU) On June 26, a second volume of the president's
selected works was published. The publication was timed
to coincide with the President's birthday. The book
titled "To New Heights of Progress" includes speeches,
interviews, greetings, addresses and photographs that
recreate the chronology of the main State events during
2008. Turkmenistan's National Archive also planned to
publish the second edition of Berdimuhamedov's book "The
Chronicle of Great Accomplishments" and a book "The
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - the
Founder of the Epoch of Great Revival."
FESTIVE ENVIRONMENT
6. (SBU) Ashgabat was decorated with flags and banners on
ASHGABAT 00000824 002 OF 002
main streets to create a festive environment. Traffic
police, who normally wear blue uniforms, were dressed in
white uniforms in honor of the leader's birthday.
Turkmenistan's television and radio provided coverage of
events devoted to the President's birthday. Local
newspapers published texts of congratulatory messages to
Berdimuhamedov from local and foreign officials, public
figures, businessmen and citizens. In addition, various
seminars, events and concert performances in honor of
Berdimuhamedov's birthday were held throughout the
country, as well as sacrificial meals for the sound HEALTH of
the Turkmen leader.
7. (SBU) COMMENT: President Berdimuhamedov's birthday
was celebrated less lavishly than was his predecessor
President Niyazov's bithday, who designated his birthday
as state flag day. Opinions differ as to why he has
spent his last two birthdays on foreign trips. Some
think he travels in order to avoid too much attention, even
though the TV coverage and other events attract plenty of
attention. Others suggest that he wants to look modest by
working even on his birthday. ONE can assume that the festivities
that did take place are done with Berdimuhamedov's approval.
His birthday is an opportunity for government officials
and citizens to show that they respect and appreciate him
as the country's leader. It also serves as a reminder to
everyone that he is "the master of the house." END
COMMENT.
MILES