BERDIMUHAMEDOV MAY SUFFER FROM DIABETES

C O N F I D E N T I A L ASHGABAT 000150 SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/CEN E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/01/2020 TAGS: PGOV PINR TX SUBJECT: BERDIMUHAMEDOV MAY SUFFER FROM DIABETES REF: 09 ASHGABAT 1107 Classified By: Charge Sylvia Reed Curran for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) One Embassy source, a well-connected Ashgabat resident, reported that President Berdimuhamedov suffers from type 2 diabetes and hinted that he may be suffering some of the long-term medical effects associated with the disease. In a conversation about the overall government structure and speculation about who would take over if Berdimuhamedov were to die, an Embassy source indicated that Berdimuhamedov may not be as healthy as the state media depicts. According to our source, Berdimuhamedov suffers "from the same disease that struck down Turkmenbashi (former President Niyazov) - type 2 diabetes." The source's relatives were privy to medical information about President Niyazov and President Berdimuhamedov that indicated that Berdimuhamedov receives "treatment" for diabetes. Additionally, the source maintained that near the end of his life, due to complications related to diabetes, President Niyazov nearly had his legs amputated and at times could barely walk. ¶2. (C) COMMENT: Given President's Berdimuhamedov's weight problems, love of Coca Cola Classic (see reftel),and general appearance, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes seems entirely plausible. Furthermore, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure are not uncommon ailments among middle-aged Turkmen. END COMMENT CURRAN