Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 251287 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AEMR ASEC AMGT AE AS AMED AVIAN AU AF AORC AGENDA AO AR AM APER AFIN ATRN AJ ABUD ARABL AL AG AODE ALOW ADANA AADP AND APECO ACABQ ASEAN AA AFFAIRS AID AGR AY AGS AFSI AGOA AMB ARF ANET ASCH ACOA AFLU AFSN AMEX AFDB ABLD AESC AFGHANISTAN AINF AVIATION ARR ARSO ANDREW ASSEMBLY AIDS APRC ASSK ADCO ASIG AC AZ APEC AFINM ADB AP ACOTA ASEX ACKM ASUP ANTITERRORISM ADPM AINR ARABLEAGUE AGAO AORG AMTC AIN ACCOUNT ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU AIDAC AINT ARCH AMGTKSUP ALAMI AMCHAMS ALJAZEERA AVIANFLU AORD AOREC ALIREZA AOMS AMGMT ABDALLAH AORCAE AHMED ACCELERATED AUC ALZUGUREN ANGEL AORL ASECIR AMG AMBASSADOR AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ADM ASES ABMC AER AMER ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AOPC ACS AFL AEGR ASED AFPREL AGRI AMCHAM ARNOLD AN ANATO AME APERTH ASECSI AT ACDA ASEDC AIT AMERICA AMLB AMGE ACTION AGMT AFINIZ ASECVE ADRC ABER AGIT APCS AEMED ARABBL ARC ASO AIAG ACEC ASR ASECM ARG AEC ABT ADIP ADCP ANARCHISTS AORCUN AOWC ASJA AALC AX AROC ARM AGENCIES ALBE AK AZE AOPR AREP AMIA ASCE ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI AINFCY ARMS ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AGRICULTURE AFPK AOCR ALEXANDER ATRD ATFN ABLG AORCD AFGHAN ARAS AORCYM AVERY ALVAREZ ACBAQ ALOWAR ANTOINE ABLDG ALAB AMERICAS AFAF ASECAFIN ASEK ASCC AMCT AMGTATK AMT APDC AEMRS ASECE AFSA ATRA ARTICLE ARENA AISG AEMRBC AFR AEIR ASECAF AFARI AMPR ASPA ASOC ANTONIO AORCL ASECARP APRM AUSTRALIAGROUP ASEG AFOR AEAID AMEDI ASECTH ASIC AFDIN AGUIRRE AUNR ASFC AOIC ANTXON ASA ASECCASC ALI AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN ASECKHLS ASSSEMBLY ASECVZ AI ASECPGOV ASIR ASCEC ASAC ARAB AIEA ADMIRAL AUSGR AQ AMTG ARRMZY ANC APR AMAT AIHRC AFU ADEL AECL ACAO AMEMR ADEP AV AW AOR ALL ALOUNI AORCUNGA ALNEA ASC AORCO ARMITAGE AGENGA AGRIC AEM ACOAAMGT AGUILAR AFPHUM AMEDCASCKFLO AFZAL AAA ATPDEA ASECPHUM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
ETRD ETTC EU ECON EFIN EAGR EAID ELAB EINV ENIV ENRG EPET EZ ELTN ELECTIONS ECPS ET ER EG EUN EIND ECONOMICS EMIN ECIN EINT EWWT EAIR EN ENGR ES EI ETMIN EL EPA EARG EFIS ECONOMY EC EK ELAM ECONOMIC EAR ESDP ECCP ELN EUM EUMEM ECA EAP ELEC ECOWAS EFTA EXIM ETTD EDRC ECOSOC ECPSN ENVIRONMENT ECO EMAIL ECTRD EREL EDU ENERG ENERGY ENVR ETRAD EAC EXTERNAL EFIC ECIP ERTD EUC ENRGMO EINZ ESTH ECCT EAGER ECPN ELNT ERD EGEN ETRN EIVN ETDR EXEC EIAD EIAR EVN EPRT ETTF ENGY EAIDCIN EXPORT ETRC ESA EIB EAPC EPIT ESOCI ETRB EINDQTRD ENRC EGOV ECLAC EUR ELF ETEL ENRGUA EVIN EARI ESCAP EID ERIN ELAN ENVT EDEV EWWY EXBS ECOM EV ELNTECON ECE ETRDGK EPETEIND ESCI ETRDAORC EAIDETRD ETTR EMS EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EBRD EUREM ERGR EAGRBN EAUD EFI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ETRO ENRGY EGAR ESSO EGAD ENV ENER EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ELA EET EINVETRD EETC EIDN ERGY ETRDPGOV EING EMINCG EINVECON EURM EEC EICN EINO EPSC ELAP ELABPGOVBN EE ESPS ETRA ECONETRDBESPAR ERICKSON EEOC EVENTS EPIN EB ECUN EPWR ENG EX EH EAIDAR EAIS ELBA EPETUN ETRDEIQ EENV ECPC ETRP ECONENRG EUEAID EWT EEB EAIDNI ESENV EADM ECN ENRGKNNP ETAD ETR ECONETRDEAGRJA ETRG ETER EDUC EITC EBUD EAIF EBEXP EAIDS EITI EGOVSY EFQ ECOQKPKO ETRGY ESF EUE EAIC EPGOV ENFR EAGRE ENRD EINTECPS EAVI ETC ETCC EIAID EAIDAF EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EAOD ETRDA EURN EASS EINVA EAIDRW EON ECOR EPREL EGPHUM ELTM ECOS EINN ENNP EUPGOV EAGRTR ECONCS ETIO ETRDGR EAIDB EISNAR EIFN ESPINOSA EAIDASEC ELIN EWTR EMED ETFN ETT EADI EPTER ELDIN EINVEFIN ESS ENRGIZ EQRD ESOC ETRDECD ECINECONCS EAIT ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EUNJ ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ELAD EFIM ETIC EFND EFN ETLN ENGRD EWRG ETA EIN EAIRECONRP EXIMOPIC ERA ENRGJM ECONEGE ENVI ECHEVARRIA EMINETRD EAD ECONIZ EENG ELBR EWWC ELTD EAIDMG ETRK EIPR EISNLN ETEX EPTED EFINECONCS EPCS EAG ETRDKIPR ED EAIO ETRDEC ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ERNG EFINU EURFOR EWWI ELTNSNAR ETD EAIRASECCASCID EOXC ESTN EAIDAORC EAGRRP ETRDEMIN ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN ETRDEINVTINTCS EGHG EAIDPHUMPRELUG EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN EDA EPETPGOV ELAINE EUCOM EMW EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM ELB EINDETRD EMI ETRDECONWTOCS EINR ESTRADA EHUM EFNI ELABV ENR EMN EXO EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EATO END EP EINVETC ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EIQ ETTW EAI ENGRG ETRED ENDURING ETTRD EAIDEGZ EOCN EINF EUPREL ENRL ECPO ENLT EEFIN EPPD ECOIN EUEAGR EISL EIDE ENRGSD EINVECONSENVCSJA EAIG ENTG EEPET EUNCH EPECO ETZ EPAT EPTE EAIRGM ETRDPREL EUNGRSISAFPKSYLESO ETTN EINVKSCA ESLCO EBMGT ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EFLU ELND EFINOECD EAIDHO EDUARDO ENEG ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EFINTS ECONQH ENRGPREL EUNPHUM EINDIR EPE EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS EFINM ECRM EQ EWWTSP ECONPGOVBN
KFLO KPKO KDEM KFLU KTEX KMDR KPAO KCRM KIDE KN KNNP KG KMCA KZ KJUS KWBG KU KDMR KAWC KCOR KPAL KOMC KTDB KTIA KISL KHIV KHUM KTER KCFE KTFN KS KIRF KTIP KIRC KSCA KICA KIPR KPWR KWMN KE KGIC KGIT KSTC KACT KSEP KFRD KUNR KHLS KCRS KRVC KUWAIT KVPR KSRE KMPI KMRS KNRV KNEI KCIP KSEO KITA KDRG KV KSUM KCUL KPET KBCT KO KSEC KOLY KNAR KGHG KSAF KWNM KNUC KMNP KVIR KPOL KOCI KPIR KLIG KSAC KSTH KNPT KINL KPRP KRIM KICC KIFR KPRV KAWK KFIN KT KVRC KR KHDP KGOV KPOW KTBT KPMI KPOA KRIF KEDEM KFSC KY KGCC KATRINA KWAC KSPR KTBD KBIO KSCI KRCM KNNB KBNC KIMT KCSY KINR KRAD KMFO KCORR KW KDEMSOCI KNEP KFPC KEMPI KBTR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNPP KTTB KTFIN KBTS KCOM KFTN KMOC KOR KDP KPOP KGHA KSLG KMCR KJUST KUM KMSG KHPD KREC KIPRTRD KPREL KEN KCSA KCRIM KGLB KAKA KWWT KUNP KCRN KISLPINR KLFU KUNC KEDU KCMA KREF KPAS KRKO KNNC KLHS KWAK KOC KAPO KTDD KOGL KLAP KECF KCRCM KNDP KSEAO KCIS KISM KREL KISR KISC KKPO KWCR KPFO KUS KX KWCI KRFD KWPG KTRD KH KLSO KEVIN KEANE KACW KWRF KNAO KETTC KTAO KWIR KVCORR KDEMGT KPLS KICT KWGB KIDS KSCS KIRP KSTCPL KDEN KLAB KFLOA KIND KMIG KPPAO KPRO KLEG KGKG KCUM KTTP KWPA KIIP KPEO KICR KNNA KMGT KCROM KMCC KLPM KNNPGM KSIA KSI KWWW KOMS KESS KMCAJO KWN KTDM KDCM KCM KVPRKHLS KENV KCCP KGCN KCEM KEMR KWMNKDEM KNNPPARM KDRM KWIM KJRE KAID KWMM KPAONZ KUAE KTFR KIF KNAP KPSC KSOCI KCWI KAUST KPIN KCHG KLBO KIRCOEXC KI KIRCHOFF KSTT KNPR KDRL KCFC KLTN KPAOKMDRKE KPALAOIS KESO KKOR KSMT KFTFN KTFM KDEMK KPKP KOCM KNN KISLSCUL KFRDSOCIRO KINT KRG KWMNSMIG KSTCC KPAOY KFOR KWPR KSEPCVIS KGIV KSEI KIL KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KQ KEMS KHSL KTNF KPDD KANSOU KKIV KFCE KTTC KGH KNNNP KK KSCT KWNN KAWX KOMCSG KEIM KTSD KFIU KDTB KFGM KACP KWWMN KWAWC KSPA KGICKS KNUP KNNO KISLAO KTPN KSTS KPRM KPALPREL KPO KTLA KCRP KNMP KAWCK KCERS KDUM KEDM KTIALG KWUN KPTS KPEM KMEPI KAWL KHMN KCRO KCMR KPTD KCROR KMPT KTRF KSKN KMAC KUK KIRL KEM KSOC KBTC KOM KINP KDEMAF KTNBT KISK KRM KWBW KBWG KNNPMNUC KNOP KSUP KCOG KNET KWBC KESP KMRD KEBG KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPWG KOMCCO KRGY KNNF KPROG KJAN KFRED KPOKO KM KWMNCS KMPF KJWC KJU KSMIG KALR KRAL KDGOV KPA KCRMJA KCRI KAYLA KPGOV KRD KNNPCH KFEM KPRD KFAM KALM KIPRETRDKCRM KMPP KADM KRFR KMWN KWRG KTIAPARM KTIAEUN KRDP KLIP KDDEM KTIAIC KWKN KPAD KDM KRCS KWBGSY KEAI KIVP KPAOPREL KUNH KTSC KIPT KNP KJUSTH KGOR KEPREL KHSA KGHGHIV KNNR KOMH KRCIM KWPB KWIC KINF KPER KILS KA KNRG KCSI KFRP KLFLO KFE KNPPIS KQM KQRDQ KERG KPAOPHUM KSUMPHUM KVBL KARIM KOSOVO KNSD KUIR KWHG KWBGXF KWMNU KPBT KKNP KERF KCRT KVIS KWRC KVIP KTFS KMARR KDGR KPAI KDE KTCRE KMPIO KUNRAORC KHOURY KAWS KPAK KOEM KCGC KID KVRP KCPS KIVR KBDS KWOMN KIIC KTFNJA KARZAI KMVP KHJUS KPKOUNSC KMAR KIBL KUNA KSA KIS KJUSAF KDEV KPMO KHIB KIRD KOUYATE KIPRZ KBEM KPAM KDET KPPD KOSCE KJUSKUNR KICCPUR KRMS KWMNPREL KWMJN KREISLER KWM KDHS KRV KPOV KWMNCI KMPL KFLD KWWN KCVM KIMMITT KCASC KOMO KNATO KDDG KHGH KRF KSCAECON KWMEN KRIC
PREL PINR PGOV PHUM PTER PE PREF PARM PBTS PINS PHSA PK PL PM PNAT PHAS PO PROP PGOVE PA PU POLITICAL PPTER POL PALESTINIAN PHUN PIN PAMQ PPA PSEC POLM PBIO PSOE PDEM PAK PF PKAO PGOVPRELMARRMOPS PMIL PV POLITICS PRELS POLICY PRELHA PIRN PINT PGOG PERSONS PRC PEACE PROCESS PRELPGOV PROV PFOV PKK PRE PT PIRF PSI PRL PRELAF PROG PARMP PERL PUNE PREFA PP PGOB PUM PROTECTION PARTIES PRIL PEL PAGE PS PGO PCUL PLUM PIF PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PMUC PCOR PAS PB PKO PY PKST PTR PRM POUS PRELIZ PGIC PHUMS PAL PNUC PLO PMOPS PHM PGOVBL PBK PELOSI PTE PGOVAU PNR PINSO PRO PLAB PREM PNIR PSOCI PBS PD PHUML PERURENA PKPA PVOV PMAR PHUMCF PUHM PHUH PRELPGOVETTCIRAE PRT PROPERTY PEPFAR PREI POLUN PAR PINSF PREFL PH PREC PPD PING PQL PINSCE PGV PREO PRELUN POV PGOVPHUM PINRES PRES PGOC PINO POTUS PTERE PRELKPAO PRGOV PETR PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPKO PARLIAMENT PEPR PMIG PTBS PACE PETER PMDL PVIP PKPO POLMIL PTEL PJUS PHUMNI PRELKPAOIZ PGOVPREL POGV PEREZ POWELL PMASS PDOV PARN PG PPOL PGIV PAIGH PBOV PETROL PGPV PGOVL POSTS PSO PRELEU PRELECON PHUMPINS PGOVKCMABN PQM PRELSP PRGO PATTY PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PGVO PROTESTS PRELPLS PKFK PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PARAGRAPH PRELGOV POG PTRD PTERM PBTSAG PHUMKPAL PRELPK PTERPGOV PAO PRIVATIZATION PSCE PPAO PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PARALYMPIC PRUM PKPRP PETERS PAHO PARMS PGREL PINV POINS PHUMPREL POREL PRELNL PHUMPGOV PGOVQL PLAN PRELL PARP PROVE PSOC PDD PRELNP PRELBR PKMN PGKV PUAS PRELTBIOBA PBTSEWWT PTERIS PGOVU PRELGG PHUMPRELPGOV PFOR PEPGOV PRELUNSC PRAM PICES PTERIZ PREK PRELEAGR PRELEUN PHUME PHU PHUMKCRS PRESL PRTER PGOF PARK PGOVSOCI PTERPREL PGOVEAID PGOVPHUMKPAO PINSKISL PREZ PGOVAF PARMEUN PECON PINL POGOV PGOVLO PIERRE PRELPHUM PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PBST PKPAO PHUMHUPPS PGOVPOL PASS PPGOV PROGV PAGR PHALANAGE PARTY PRELID PGOVID PHUMR PHSAQ PINRAMGT PSA PRELM PRELMU PIA PINRPE PBTSRU PARMIR PEDRO PNUK PVPR PINOCHET PAARM PRFE PRELEIN PINF PCI PSEPC PGOVSU PRLE PDIP PHEM PRELB PORG PGGOC POLG POPDC PGOVPM PWMN PDRG PHUMK PINB PRELAL PRER PFIN PNRG PRED POLI PHUMBO PHYTRP PROLIFERATION PHARM PUOS PRHUM PUNR PENA PGOVREL PETRAEUS PGOVKDEM PGOVENRG PHUS PRESIDENT PTERKU PRELKSUMXABN PGOVSI PHUMQHA PKISL PIR PGOVZI PHUMIZNL PKNP PRELEVU PMIN PHIM PHUMBA PUBLIC PHAM PRELKPKO PMR PARTM PPREL PN PROL PDA PGOVECON PKBL PKEAID PERM PRELEZ PRELC PER PHJM PGOVPRELPINRBN PRFL PLN PWBG PNG PHUMA PGOR PHUMPTER POLINT PPEF PKPAL PNNL PMARR PAC PTIA PKDEM PAUL PREG PTERR PTERPRELPARMPGOVPBTSETTCEAIRELTNTC PRELJA POLS PI PNS PAREL PENV PTEROREP PGOVM PINER PBGT PHSAUNSC PTERDJ PRELEAID PARMIN PKIR PLEC PCRM PNET PARR PRELETRD PRELBN PINRTH PREJ PEACEKEEPINGFORCES PEMEX PRELZ PFLP PBPTS PTGOV PREVAL PRELSW PAUM PRF PHUMKDEM PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PNUM PGGV PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PBT PIND PTEP PTERKS PGOVJM PGOT PRELMARR PGOVCU PREV PREFF PRWL PET PROB PRELPHUMP PHUMAF PVTS PRELAFDB PSNR PGOVECONPRELBU PGOVZL PREP PHUMPRELBN PHSAPREL PARCA PGREV PGOVDO PGON PCON PODC PRELOV PHSAK PSHA PGOVGM PRELP POSCE PGOVPTER PHUMRU PINRHU PARMR PGOVTI PPEL PMAT PAN PANAM PGOVBO PRELHRC

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 06ASHGABAT139, UNITED WE STAND (SORT OF): ASHGABAT'S WESTERN

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06ASHGABAT139.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
06ASHGABAT139 2006-01-27 12:04 2011-08-30 01:44 CONFIDENTIAL Embassy Ashgabat
VZCZCXRO4247
RR RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAH #0139/01 0271204
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 271204Z JAN 06
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6923
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0374
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0315
RUEHFT/AMCONSUL FRANKFURT 3238
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000139 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EUR/CACEN (PERRY); FRANKFURT FOR RCO BROWN 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/27/2016 
TAGS: CVIS FR GM KFRD PGOV TX UK
SUBJECT: UNITED WE STAND (SORT OF): ASHGABAT'S WESTERN 
CONSULAR OFFICERS TALK SHOP 
 
REF: A): ASHGABAT 0053 B): ASHGABAT 0086 
 
Classified By: (U) AMBASSADOR TRACEY ANN JACOBSON FOR REASONS 1.4 B AND 
 D. 
 
------- 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
1. (SBU) On January 27, Consular officers from the U.S., 
German, British and French embassies met at the German 
Embassy in Asghabat to discuss shared consular trends and 
anti-fraud prevention measures pertinent to each embassy. 
Like the U.S. Embassy, EU embassies reported an increase in 
demand and fraud, a possible indication that more 
Turkmenistanis are eager to escape Turkmenistan's repressive 
and increasingly declining political and economic 
environment.  While all were eager to share experiences and 
information on consular and fraud trends, our German and 
French colleagues were not receptive to proposals to engage 
in consular outreach to better inform Turkmenistanis about 
our respective visa rules and regulations.  END SUMMARY. 
 
--------------------------------- 
RISING DEMAND EQUALS RISING FRAUD 
--------------------------------- 
 
2. (SBU) According to Consular Chief Vera Gebhardt (who was 
joined by her assistant Nadine Lahayne), the German Embassy 
in Ashgabat has seen a steady increase in visa issuances over 
the past three years: from 3100 visas issued in 2003 to 3,600 
issued in 2005.  Seventy-five percent of visas issued were 
for those purchasing cars in Germany to bring back to 
Turkmenistan.  The remaining recipients were those visiting 
family members, students, and businessmen.  Gebhardt added 
that very few Turkmensitanis apply for tourist visas due to 
the high cost of expenses in Germany.  The German embassy's 
14 percent refusal rate is considered high compared to other 
German embassies in the former Soviet republics. 
 
3.  (SBU) Gebhardt said that the embassy did not have any 
information as to the number of overstays of those who 
received German/Schengen visas, since most who choose to 
remain do so outside of Germany.  She did note that one group 
of concern are those applying to work as au pairs.  In 2005, 
30 Turkmenistanis went to Germany to work as au pair and only 
11 (37 percent) came back.  She added that in 2005, the 
German embassy had caught one applicant using a fake passport 
(Note: This was the first reported incident involving a 
fraudulent Turkmenistani passport.  End Note) 
 
4.  (SBU) British Consular Officer David Baugh said that he 
issues many visas to relatives of Turkmenistanis who have 
married UK citizens, as well as to maids who wish to work for 
them.  The British Embassy is very concerned with the large 
number of falsified bank documents that applicants use to 
support their applications (Note: Baugh has provided us with 
samples of these documents.  End Note.) When confronted with 
fraudulent documents, Baugh said that these banks refuse to 
officially acknowledge that they are indeed fraudulent, 
although informally they do. 
 
5.  (SBU) Baugh also said that the British Embassy has 
experienced problems with local tour agencies and visa 
facilitators, many of whom brief applicants on how to pass 
visa interviews.  Baugh informed us of three 
agencies/expeditors who are constant offenders: Alsayhat (a 
local travel agency), Oxford Vision (a UK-based company run 
by a Turkmenistani currently living in the UK), and Klara 
Asadulina, a former travel agency worker who has supported 
many bad UK student visa applicants.  (Note: In January 2005, 
Asadulina attempted to bribe post's NIV FSN, who ironically 
is also our fraud investigator.  Thanks to information 
provided by Baugh, Asadulina is currently entered into the 
CLASS system as a P6E.  End Note). 
 
6.  (SBU) French Consular Officer Sophie Guegan-Rivet said 
that in 2005 the French Embassy issued 400 visas, compared to 
563 in 2004 and 291 in 2003.  She said that French embassy 
had expected an increase in demand for visas, as well as 
fraud in 2005 with Turkmenistan Airlines' introduction of 
direct service to Paris, which did not materialize.  Most 
French visas are issued to Schlumberger employees who go to 
France for training to work in the oil and gas fields in 
Turkmenistan.  Guegan-Rivet added that she has also seen an 
increase in the number of Turkish citizens applying for 
French visas.  Baugh added that he has also seen an increase 
 
ASHGABAT 00000139  002 OF 003 
 
 
in the number of inquires from Iranians who wish to apply for 
British visas in Ashgabat.  Baugh suggested that the increase 
in third country national applications may be attempts to 
circumvent long waiting lines in countries where citizens 
must wait for British and French visas, and that they see 
Ashgabat as a quick alternative. 
 
-------------------- 
THE U.S. PERSPECTIVE 
-------------------- 
 
7. (SBU) Highlighting points mentioned in Post's recent 
anti-fraud summary (REF B), Conoff informed his European 
colleagues of the noted 20 percent increase in demand for 
visas, as well as post's observations of the constant use of 
fraudulent letters of invitation.  While Post's visa demand 
was much lower compared to other embassies in the former 
Soviet Union, we expect a continued increase in demand and 
instances of fraud to rise, as the political and economic 
situation here continues to deteriorate.  While we have 
already seen recent examples of increased sophistication of 
fraud employed to attempt to get visas, we have not 
experienced such a level of fraud as European embassies, 
largely since we do not place as high a value on bank 
statements and employment letters as EU consular sections 
must do as we are obliged to deny based upon the presumption 
of intent to immigrate. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
CONSULAR OUTREACH: US AND UK: TOGETHER (AND ALONE) AGAIN 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
 
8.  (SBU) Noting that this meeting was the first formal 
exchange of ideas and experiences with Western embassies, 
Conoff expressed great appreciation for this meeting and 
invited his EU colleagues to observe American visa 
interviewing procedures and methods, an invitation warmly 
received.  Conoff also suggested that the US and EU embassies 
explore opportunities for joint outreach, given the fact that 
our countries are highly popular destinations for work, 
travel, and illegal migration.  While Baugh expressed 
enthusiasm for such outreach, Gebhardt bluntly said that the 
German embassy does not wish to advertise its policies, 
fearing that it will attract more interest in traveling to 
Germany, ergo more work.  While the German Embassy is glad to 
promote German culture, it is not comfortable doing anything 
on the consular front. 
 
9.  (SBU)  Conoff and Baugh countered that such outreach 
should be considered as a means to better explain our visa 
procedures since as seen in the incidents of fraud, many 
people are not aware of what they can and cannot do, and 
could help combat human trafficking and illegal migration. 
In addition, such outreach, especially with GOTX 
interlocutors, could also serve as a means to elicit 
information about the GOTX, including the elusive State 
Service for the Registration of Foreigners.  Recalling his 
close working experience with EU diplomats in Belarus, Conoff 
added that it is within all of our interests to work 
together, as we all share the same concerns in our line of 
work, and that we can and should work together.  Conoff also 
offered to raise his proposal with other non-EU embassies 
whose countries are also popular with Turkmenistanis (i.e. 
Turkey, Russia, China, etc.) During this exchange, 
Guegan-Rivet sat noticeably silent, however her immediate 
cool reaction to Conoff's proposal suggests that she shares 
her German colleague's point of view. 
 
10.  (SBU) Conoff then expressed U.S. Embassy concern with 
the recently passed migration law (REF A), noting that many 
of its articles could prevent Turkmenistani citizens from 
traveling outside of Turkmenistan, including those who 
participate in USG exchanges.  While Baugh also expressed 
concern with the law, Gebhardt and Guegan-Rivet did not 
express any opinion about the law. 
 
------- 
COMMENT 
------- 
 
11.  (SBU) Our meeting marked the first time in recent memory 
that our embassies formally met to exchange ideas and 
experiences.  While nothing groundbreaking occurred, it was a 
valuable opportunity to learn more about the problems and 
similarities shared by each other's consular sections.  The 
increase in demand and instances of fraud reflect similar 
trends we have seen in our consular operations, and suggest 
 
ASHGABAT 00000139  003 OF 003 
 
 
that more and more people are eager to get while the getting 
is good.  All agreed that we would continue to work closely 
with each other and share information about various fraud 
trends, and to regularly meet (Conoff offered to host the 
next meeting). 
 
12.  (C) The German and French embassies' reluctance to 
engage the local population on consular outreach is 
indicative of each embassy's general focus on cultural events 
and business facilitation.  We will continue to engage our 
European colleagues to become more proactive in consular 
outreach, which would undoubtedly serve all of our interests, 
as well as those of Turkmenistanis eager to travel to our 
countries.  END COMMENT. 
JACOBSON