Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASHGABAT909
2009-07-20 10:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ashgabat
Cable title:  

TURKMENISTAN FY 2010 IVLP PROPOSAL

Tags:  OIIP OEXC SCUL KPAO TX 
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VZCZCXYZ0022
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAH #0909/01 2011050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 201050Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3167
UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000909 


SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/A/S/A (ATTN: MATHILDE ANDRADE, COLLEEN FLEMING),
SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP OEXC SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN FY 2010 IVLP PROPOSAL


I. (SBU) SUMMAQ Post is pleased to submit its project nominations
for the FY 2010 International Visitors Leadership Program, as
selected by Mission's IVLP selection committee and approved by the
Charge d'AffaiQ. Post proposes seven (7) programs with 24 slots
for FY 2010. END SUMMARY.

II. The list of approved projects in chronological order:

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 000909


SIPDIS

STATE FOR ECA/A/S/A (ATTN: MATHILDE ANDRADE, COLLEEN FLEMING),
SCA/PPD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP OEXC SCUL KPAO TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN FY 2010 IVLP PROPOSAL


I. (SBU) SUMMAQ Post is pleased to submit its project nominations
for the FY 2010 International Visitors Leadership Program, as
selected by Mission's IVLP selection committee and approved by the
Charge d'AffaiQ. Post proposes seven (7) programs with 24 slots
for FY 2010. END SUMMARY.

II. The list of approved projects in chronological order:


1. Education, focus on adult education, community colleges four (4)
slots, approximate date November 2009
This project, designed for academic administrators, civic leaders,
student advisors/counselors, and ministry officials involved in
education issues, will examine the variety of programs and services
offered by community colleges, universities, vocational schools, and
other institutions geared to the needs of adult learners.
Participants will examine the role of community colleges and adult
education networks in meeting the needs of a diverse population
seeking continuing education, language learning, skill development,
or retraining. Through school visits and meetings with curriculum
designers, social scientists, and economists, participants will
examine curriculum models that aim to serve the changing needs of a
population facing an increasingly competitive global economy.


2. Preservation of National Historical Sites - three (3) slots -
December, 2009
Turkmenistan is home to a host of World Heritage sites that are
languishing from lack of attention and visitors. This program would
bring Turkmenistan's administrators of national historical sites to
the US to meet with federal-level officials, such as those from the
Department of the Interior, to discuss budgeting for preservation,
followed by visits to several U.S. national historical sites to see
how U.S. sites balance preservation and access. Use of private
contractors/vendors to provide services that make the visitors'
experience more pleasant would also be an issue of discussion. This
program should be designed for Turkmen representatives of the
Ministry of Culture and cultural workers dealing with preservation
of ancient historical sites.


3. Traffic planning - three (3) slots - February 2009
Ashgabat and other regional capitals are growing into urban centers.
However, growth without a plan leads to unmanageable chaos and isQtimately unsustainable. Some negative Qsequences are traffic

jams, pollution and lack of adequate utility service to support the
growth. This program would take national officials and local
offQals/planners to the U.S. to meet with their counterparts, for
example, in the Washington, DC area or other metropolitan areas such
as Los Angeles and Kansas City to discuss rational, long-term growth
plans, while also looking at how to facilitate the flow of people
and traffic through the city via traffic light timing, one-way
streets and the like.


4. Public-Private partnerships or contracts in managing major public
facilities, airports, and buildings, or services provided in
National Parks - four(4) slots - March, 2010
This program would inform Turkmenistan about U.S. practices in
administering government-managed, long-term service contracts for
publicly-owned facilities. A broad overview of the benefits of
public-private business relationship should be an integral part of
the program -- perhaps with input from a university or business
council - due to Turkmenistan's relative inexperience with such
arrangements. Other training might include working-level contract
training, including the basics of public remuneration and
"profitability" contract design, with the National Park Service,
similar-sized city airport authority, stadiums or other public
venues, for the provision of concessions, transportation, lodging
and other services through private contractors.


5. Small business development program - four (4) slots - April 2010
This multi-regional project, designed for entrepreneurs, small
business owners, government officials promoting economic
development, and others involved in promoting small business
development, will highlight the social, economic, and political
factors that influence and encourage the development of private
enterprise in the U.S. The program will provide examples of small
businesses in the U.S. and will explore the growth of business
opportunities created by the Internet and the expansion of the
global marketplace. This MRP would provide a template for Turkmen
entrepreneurs to apply on a local market.


6. Stock/commodities/merQtile exchange program - three (3) slots -
May 2010
The President has stated the goal several times of increasing the
private sector's Qre of the economy to 70 percent by 2020, due to
the SovietQperience and isolation, there is little capacity in the
country to make this goal a reality. As a result, Turkmenistan's
State Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange displays the same
commodity prices on television day after day. However, young
up-and-comers at the Exchange suggested this program themselves,
indicating that the will is there to see how Western-style trading
works. This visit could also include a visit to the Mercantile
Exchange in Chicago and visits with regulatory agencies in
Washington, DC.


7. Emergency medical services - three (3) slots - June 2010
This project will enable Turkmen emergency medical personnel to
learn about the procedures in place in U.S. hospitals and in use by
emergency teams. This program would be specified for emergency call
teams, emergency room doctors, nurses and other personnel.
Nominations would include representatives from the Ministry of
Health and other health offices.

III. Please contact Education Program Assistant Maysa Niyazova with
questions.

MILES