VZCZCXRO7419
OO RUEHDBU
DE RUEHAH #0322/01 0870941
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 280941Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8573
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO PRIORITY 0232
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 0254
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD PRIORITY 1931
RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 0674
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 0728
RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL//CCJ2/HSE/CCJ5// PRIORITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC//DHO-2/REA/NMJIC-J2// PRIORITY
RHEBAAA/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
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RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0482
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 1737

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000322 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, EUR/CARC 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/28/2017 
TAGS: PREL PHUM PARM TX IR AZ KZ GG UN
SUBJECT: TURKMENISTAN FM REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO THE "NEW 
PAGE" 
 
REF: STATE 37801 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Ambassador Richard E. Hoagland f 
or reasons 1.4 (B) and (D). 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY:  On March 27, First Deputy Chairman and 
Foreign Minister Meredov touched on recent regional visitors, 
emphasized Turkmenistan's adherence to non-proliferation 
regimes and desire to work more closely with the OSCE, and 
signaled concrete interest in working with the UN on 
religious freedom and human rights.  Though it's extremely 
early in Turkmenistan's opening to the world, Ashgabat does 
indeed seem to be moving in the right direction.  An 
invitation from Washington for Meredov to visit, sooner 
rather than later, would likely receive serious consideration 
here.  END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (C) Acting Charge called on First Deputy Chairman and 
Foreign Minister Rashit Meredov March 27.  Meredov stated the 
Government of Turkmenistan values its growing relationship 
with the United States and has appreciated the recent steady 
stream of visitors, both high- and expert-level.  A/Charge 
reaffirmed Washington's belief a page has turned in 
U.S.-Turkmenistani relations; we want to be helpful, and will 
work closely to cooperate.  A primary goal of the new 
relationship is to support Turkmenistan's independence and 
sovereignty, not to provoke Ashgabat's other partners, 
including Russia.  We believe sovereign countries have the 
fundamental right to make their own decisions.  A/Charge 
noted that it would be very well-received in Washington and 
elsewhere if the Government of Turkmenistan would remove the 
exit-visa requirement for its citizens who want to travel 
abroad.  Meredov took the point but made no immediate 
commitment. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Meredov repeated his government's desire for 
U.S.-Turkmenistan relations to grow at all levels.  He 
affirmed Turkmenistan's desire to work closely with the OSCE 
and was awaiting concrete details from OSCE for enhanced 
cooperation, especially assistance and training for 
elections.  He expressed full openness to learn how other 
countries conduct elections according to international 
standards.  He also noted Ashgabat had invited the UN Special 
Rapporteur for freedom of religion to visit Turkmenistan this 
year, and expected a UNCHR visit in May. 
 
FOLLOW-UP TO TURKMENISTAN-AZERBAIJAN PRESIDENTIAL TELCON 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Meredov reaffirmed that the March 13 telephone 
conversation between President Aliyev in Baku and President 
Berdimuhammedov in Ashgabat had been friendly and in the 
spirit of cooperation.  He said no dates have been set for 
reciprocal presidential visits, but planning is under way 
through diplomatic channels.  When asked if such visits might 
happen in the first half of this year, Meredov replied that 
presidential schedules can be difficult to coordinate but 
that his government is committed to making it happen. 
 
GEORGIA, KAZAKHSTAN VISITS:  CONSTRUCTIVE FOR REGIONAL 
COOPERATION 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Meredov characterized the recent visits by Georgian 
Prime Minister Noghaideli and Kazak Minister of Energy and 
Mineral Resources Izmukhambetov as working visits, but 
hastened to add they had been very constructive with real 
mutual understanding and agreement to work together more 
closely.  When A/Charge teased Meredov for his overly 
cautious diplomatic language, Meredov laughed ) but didn't 
elaborate on the contents of the visits not reported in the 
media.  He did, however, reemphasize that they were "a 
beginning" and evidence of a mutual desire for enhanced 
regional cooperation. 
 
 
ASHGABAT 00000322  002 OF 002 
 
 
IRAN:  DID PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMMEDOV REALLY SAY THAT? 
 
¶6.  (C) A/Charge noted Washington had paid close attention to 
the March 16 visit of Iranian Foreign Minister Motaki to 
Ashgabat.  He asked if Berdimuhammedov had really said, as 
reported by Iranian media, he strongly supports Iran's 
nuclear program and believes it is for peaceful purposes, or 
if journalists had exaggerated the president's views.  A bit 
uncomfortable, Meredov commented journalists "always play 
with words," but he did not answer the question directly. 
Instead, he reaffirmed Turkmenistan's membership in and 
strict fulfillment of international non-proliferation 
agreements.  He said, "We not only observe non-proliferation, 
we also practice it."  He noted specifically Turkmenistan's 
participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative and 
said, "Anytime you give us actionable intelligence, we will 
act on it." 
 
UNSCR 1747 
 
¶7.  (U) A/Charge delivered summary of demarche (ref) and 
urged the Government of Turkmenistan to report to the UN 
Sanctions Committee the steps they have taken to implement 
the resolution's provisions.  He noted Embassy Ashgabat would 
deliver the full text of the demarche and a summary of its 
key provisions.  Meredov replied that Turkmenistan fulfills 
its international obligations. 
 
OTHER BUSINESS 
 
¶8.  (SBU) A/Charge previewed the upcoming CODEL Hoekstra. 
Meredov affirmed Ashgabat's full cooperation to make the 
visit successful.  A/Charge also raised outstanding USAID 
visa issues, the need for a foreign ministry letter so the 
American Corner in Turkmenbashy can reopen, and a 
humanitarian travel case of a LES who needs medical attention 
in Moscow but is on the "no travel list."  Meredov instructed 
America's Desk Director Serdar Bashimov to note these 
requests and said, "These issues will be resolved." 
(COMMENT:  But he didn't say when.  However, the following 
day, Bashimov affirmed to A/DCM he was working these 
problems, and, specifically, that the LES would likely be 
able to travel to Moscow for her medical attention.  END 
COMMENT.) 
 
¶9.  (C) COMMENT:  Meredov was relaxed and attentive 
throughout the meeting.  Though not especially forthcoming on 
the substance of recent regional visitors, this was, after 
all, an initial courtesy call.  Meredov made a special point 
to emphasize Turkmenistan's adherence to non-proliferation 
regimes, desire to work more closely with the OSCE, and 
upcoming UN visits on religious freedom and human rights. 
Though it's essentially only "five minutes past midnight," 
Ashgabat does indeed seem to be moving in the right 
direction.  We believe an invitation from Washington for 
Meredov to visit, sooner rather than later, would receive 
serious consideration here.  END COMMENT. 
HOAGLAND