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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ASHGABAT 000197 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (PERRY) 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2017 
TAGS: ENRG KZ PGOV PINR PREL TX ZF
SUBJECT: A/S BOUCHER MEETINGS WITH PRESIDENTS NAZARBAYEV, 
SAAKASVILI, RAHMONOV AND PRIME MINISTER ERGOGAN:  GO SLOW 
 
ASHGABAT 00000197  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Jennifer L. Brush for reasons 1. 
4 (B) and (D). 
 
 Summary 
--------- 
 
¶1.  (C) Presidents of Kazakhstan, Georgia and Tajikistan, in 
separate February 14 meetings on the margins of the 
inauguration of Turkenistan's new President Gurbanguly 
Berdimuhammedov, provided South Central Asia Assistant 
Secretary Boucher a uniform message on the need to go slow on 
 
SIPDIS 
pushing for democratic reform in Turkmenistan.  The three 
agreed that Berdimuhammedov was not informed enough or 
capable enough to absorb the enormous challenges he faced in 
building a modern nation state out of Niyazov's dysfunctional 
feudal kingdom.  Still all three, as well as Turkish Prime 
Minsiter Erdogan, encouraged the United States to stay 
actively engaged with Turkmenistan.  End Summary 
 
Kazakhstan a Beacon of Economic Reform.... 
------------------------------------------ 
 
¶2.  (C) Kazakhstani President Nazarbayev told Boucher that 
Berdimuhammedov clearly was not completely in control and his 
face showed it, Berdimuhammedov "didn't look happy," 
according to Nazarbayev.  He added he thought there would be 
some changes in the cabinet, but was not specific. 
Nazarbayev said he did not expect any real change anytime 
soon but said he hoped Turkmenistan would cease being such a 
recluse and would open up more to the world and its 
neighbors.   He pledged Kazakhstan's support, saying 
Kazakhstan played a unique role of providing a beacon of 
economic reform, providing a model for all in the region. 
Nazarbayev was particularly critical of the pageantry 
surrounding the inauguration, calling it "retro Soviet," as 
well as indicative of how little Turkmenistan had developed 
since independence.  Boucher noted Kazakhstan's distribution 
of its oil wealth to the people and suggested we urge 
Turkmenistan to use its oil money to create a scholarship 
program for young people to study abroad. 
 
....And Soon to be a Model of Political Reform 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
¶3.  (C) Thanking President Bush and Secretary Rice for his 
visit to the United States Nazarbayev said the US would be 
very pleased with his upcoming speech on democratic reform. 
Nazarbayev said he had received and studied the "Report on 
Democratization," and would introduce elements of the report 
in his speech, in particular support for multiple political 
parties and an independent judiciary.  Nazarbayev said 
Kazakhstan was ready to become a model in Central Asia for 
political reform as well as economic reform.  He dismissed, 
however, the need to develop a need for independent media, 
saying media in Kazakhstan already were free and independent 
and, indeed, frequently could not be trusted. 
 
Uzbeks and Russians 
------------------- 
 
¶4.  (C) Nazarbayev cited Uzbekistan and Karimov as being 
especially destabilizing for Central Asia.  He said he was 
impressed that Karimov had managed to alienate both the 
United States and Russia.  According to Nazabayev, 
Uzbekistan's decision to discontinue the transmission of 
energy to and from Tajikstan across Uzbekistan was damaging 
and unwarranted. 
 
¶5.  (C) Turning to Russian President Putin's February 11 
blast against the United States, Nazarbayev said, "if that's 
the way he talks to you, you can only imagine how he talks to 
us (former Soviet republics)."  According to Nazarbayev, 
 
ASHGABAT 00000197  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
Putin had to be handled very carefully because "he's an 
emotional man."  Nazarbayev thought Defense Secretary Gates' 
response was perfect -- both measured and appropriate. 
 
Relations with the United States 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  (C) In response to A/S Boucher's offer to send a series 
of sector-oriented delegations to Kazakhstan, and that he 
himself planned to visit the week of February 26, Nazarbayev 
said these visits would be welcomed.  (Note:  Nazarbayev's 
assistant stopped Charge after the meeting and asked that 
notification of A/S Boucher's visit be transmitted via 
diplomatic note.  End Note.) 
 
¶7.  (C) Nazarbayev said Kazakhstan welcomed U.S. assistance 
and would particularly appreciate help with industrialization 
to supplement the energy sector.  He said he was looking to 
develop Kazakhstan's food processing industry. 
 
¶8.  (C) Finally, Nazarbayev asked for US support for its 
candidacy for the World Trade Organization, as well as for 
its candidacy for Chairman-in-Office at the OSCE. 
 
Rahmonov on Turkmenistan 
------------------------ 
 
¶9.  (C)  Rahmonov's message on Turkmenistan was "don't push 
democracy too hard."  A/S Boucher laid out our intention to 
cooperate in fundamental areas like education, technology, 
information and law, as we pressed for systematic change 
towards a more open system.  Rahmonov welcomed this 
statement, emphazing technology as an agent of change.  He 
said that it was too early to predict how the leadership 
would settle out and his belief that Berdimukhamedov would 
move slowly because he has yet to consolidate power. 
 
Rahmonov on Tajikistan 
---------------------- 
 
¶10.  (C)  On Tajikistan, Rahmonov pushed speed especially on 
energy projects.  This winter is very tough, he said.  There 
is only two hours of power available a day because Tajikistan 
can't get electricity.  Uzbekistan has cut off gas supply and 
the electricity supply from Kazakhstan because the lines pass 
through Uzbekistan.  "You talk about things, we have 
seminars, but you're not doing things quickly enough." 
Boucher laid out progress on electricity exports to 
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and pledged to try to speed up work 
on bringing electricity from Kazakhstan through Kyrgyzstan. 
Rahmonov said a Tajik delegation will go to the World Bank on 
the 18th of this month.  He asked for help from the United 
States on debt and energy projects.  "You should take two or 
three billion dollars and build lines and hydro projects in 
the region."  A/S Boucher reminded him that we don't build 
big projects, but could help Tajikistan create the market 
conditions for private investment. 
 
On Russia 
--------- 
 
¶11.  (C) Rahmonov warned that "some" (i.e. Russia and 
Uzbekistan) did not want to see stability in Afghanistan or 
the region because stability would open new routes to export 
gas outside of Gazprom channels. 
 
And USG Relations 
----------------- 
 
¶12.  (C)  Rahmonov thanked the USG for its assistance with 
border security counter-narcotics efforts and noted that as 
the flow of narcotics from Afghanistan continued to increase, 
 
ASHGABAT 00000197  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
the US needed to do more. 
 
Saakashvili 
----------- 
 
¶13.  (C)  Georgian President Saakashvili said he looked for 
US support for Trans-Caspian gas exports, using the 
Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan model.  He agreed with A/S Boucher that 
the new Turkmenistan leaders were unlikely to move quickly on 
new energy export routes.  With Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan, even 
Nazarbayev didn't sign up until presented with a specific 
proposal.  We should do the same with Trans-Caspian routes 
and present them to both Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. 
 
Erdogan 
------- 
 
¶14.  (C)  Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan began by asking 
about the "Armenian genocide" resolution, which he fears 
could have serious repercussions for the strategic 
relationship between Turkey and the United States.  A/S 
Boucher told him that we were working with the Congress and 
that the Secretary and the President were personally involved. 
 
¶15.  (C)  On Turkmenistan, Erdogan emphasized that Turkey 
will be heavily involved here through government and 
business.  He stressed the need for all of us to be involved 
here in education and in moving Turkmenistan to a more open 
society and economy. 
 
¶16.  (U)  A/S Boucher has cleared on this cable. 
BRUSH