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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000140 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 
TAGS: ENRG EPET PGOV PHUM PIA PINR PREL TX
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN APPARENTLY MOVES TO RELEASE EX-OIL 
AND GAS MINISTER GURBANMYRADOV; PRESIDENTIAL SECURITY BOSS 
REJEPOV MAY RETIRE 
 
REF: A. (A) 05 ASHGABAT 491 
     ¶B. (B) 05 ASHGABAT 496 
 
ASHGABAT 00000140  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1. 
4 (B) and (D). 
 
SUMMARY 
-------- 
 
¶1.  (C) According to the usually well-informed Turkish 
Ambassador, the Government of Turkmenistan is taking steps to 
release former Oil and Gas Deputy Chairman Yolly 
Gurbanmyradov, who has been in prison since October 2005 on 
charges of embezzlement and corruption.  The ambassador also 
said the much-feared Presidential Protective Service Head 
Akmyrat Rejepov was planning to turn in his retirement papers 
"by April."  Both moves, if true, would reflect the 
consolidation of power by the ruling troika of Acting 
President Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov, Foreign Minister Rashit 
Meredov and the security forces represented by Minister of 
Defense Agageldi Mammetgeldiyev.  End Summary. 
 
Yolly's Back? 
------------- 
 
¶2.  (C) During a February 5 lunch, Turkish Ambassador Haki 
Akil told the Charge that the government was looking to 
release from prison former Oil and Gas Deputy Chairman Yolly 
Gurbanmyradov.  Acording to Akil, during the week of January 
29-February 5, Gurbanmyradov had been moved from the 
notorious Owadandepe prison to the Ministry of National 
Security detention facility in Ashgabat, where he was kept 
for five days.  He subsequently was sent to the "more 
comfortable" Bayramaly prison outside of Mary.  Akil said the 
government now was looking to find a face-saving way to 
release Gurbanmyradov, who in 2005 had been sentenced to 20 
years for embezzlement and corruption. 
 
¶3.  (C) In response to Charge's question, Akil knocked on his 
wooden table saying the table and current Oil and Gas Deputy 
Chairman Gurbanmyrat Atayev shared the same IQ.  There was no 
one, Akil said, currently available to run Turkmenistan's 
complicated and lucrative oil and gas sector, and not only 
was Gurbanmyradov the best man for the job, but he also got 
along well with Berdimuhammedov and Meredov.  Perhaps most of 
all, According to Akil, Gurbanmyradov had a unique capacity 
to deal with the western oil and gas sector, a sphere were 
the acting president felt himself uncertain.  Akil said the 
subsequent two oil and gas ministers Atamyrat Berdiyev and 
Guychnazar Tachnazar also would be released from jail. 
 
Rejepov to Retire? 
------------------ 
 
¶4.  (C) In response to Charge's surprise that Presidential 
Protective Service Head Rejepov would allow Gurbanmyradov out 
of jail, Akil said, "Rejepov's going to retire, he's already 
handed in his papers, he has enough money and he's tired." 
Akil specified that he thought Rejepov would be gone no later 
than April. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶5.  (C) Through his numerous Turkish business contacts, Akil 
usually gets it right.  Before anyone else, Akil knew that 
Berdimuhammedov would get rid of Parliamentary Chief Atayev 
in order to make himself acting president, for example.  Akil 
also can indulge in wishful thinking; ever since Niyazov's 
death he has thought that a next logical step would be to 
 
ASHGABAT 00000140  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
release Gurbanmyradov.  Berdimuhammedov, Meredov and the 
security forces represented by Mammetgeldiyev have 
successfully and peacefully transitioned Turkmenistan from 
Niyazov's rule to presidential elections.  The missing piece 
to the troika has been capacity for management of 
Turkmenistan's natural wealth, its oil and gas reserves. 
Numerous contacts both from other embassies and the business 
community have dismissed current Oil and Gas Minister Atayev 
as a "non-player."  Neither has Atayev been a part of the 
retinue that accompanies Berdimuhammedov and "the 
presdiential candidates," at the various wakes and events 
surrounding Niyazov's death.  Pending confirmation of this 
scenario, indepth discussion of the future of Turkmenistan's 
hydrocarbon resources may be premature.  End Comment. 
 
BRUSH