VZCZCXRO7755
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #1389 3551216
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 211216Z DEC 07
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9927
INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 3143
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 0958
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 0832
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 1406
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 2027
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC

UNCLAS ASHGABAT 001389 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN 
AID/W FOR EE/AA (WALLIN) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PREL TX
SUBJECT:  TURKMENISTAN:  SUPREME COUNCIL OFFERS TO HOST USAID'S 
INTERNET ACCESS AND TRAINING PROGRAM 
 
¶1.  (U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) SUMMARY: In a very positive development on December 13, 
representatives of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology 
(SCST) verbally agreed to a proposal for cooperation with the 
USAID-funded Internet Access and Training Program (IATP).  As a 
first step, the project would establish an Internet center in 
Ashgabat on the premises of the SCST.  Additional pilot centers in 
Dashoguz and Turkmenbashy cities are planned within three months of 
concluding an agreement.  From these centers, USAID's implementing 
partner, International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), and the 
SCST will promote the use of new technologies for education, 
science, and research in Turkmenistan through a variety of 
approaches.  END SUMMARY. 
 
STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH TO INCREASED ENGAGEMENT 
 
¶3.  (U) IREX previously had identified the Supreme Council for 
Science and Technology as a potential partner but had been unable to 
establish official relations with this influential and recently 
empowered entity.  As an outcome of USAID's first official meeting 
with representatives of the Supreme Council on October 17, the 
Supreme Council agreed to host a presentation by IREX on potential 
new opportunities for cooperation. 
 
¶4.  (U) On December 5, visiting IREX officials made an introductory 
presentation to an audience of over 30 representatives from the 
SCST, the Mejlis (Parliament) and the Institute for Democracy and 
Human Rights.  (NOTE:  These three bodies seem to be emerging as the 
Berdimuhamedov-empowered centers for reform.  END NOTE.)  In 
addition, state television crews were on hand to film the beginning 
of the event.  Although the Deputy Chairwoman of the Supreme 
Council, following the presentation, said she had expected greater 
detail on IREX's capabilities, she asked IREX to submit a proposal 
for cooperation. 
 
¶5.  (U) In the follow-up meeting on December 13, the Supreme Council 
agreed to IREX's proposal to establish an Internet center in 
Ashgabat and offered space for this center on its premises.  The 
proposal also included an offer to establish additional pilot 
centers in Dashoguz and Turkmenbashy cities within three months of 
concluding a formal agreement.  Each center will be equipped with 
five computers and related equipment and staffed by a qualified 
expert in the field of technology education.  To build on the pilot 
effort, IREX and the SCST will continue to explore new ways to use 
technology for education, science, and research in Turkmenistan. 
 
¶6.  (SBU) COMMENT: President Berdimuhamedov has repeatedly expressed 
a desire to increase Internet access and to introduce international 
standards across the education, science, and health sectors.   The 
Supreme Council, which fell under Berdimuhamedov's former portfolio 
as Deputy Chairman for Health, Education, Science and Technology, 
has been tasked by the president with implementing important parts 
of these objectives.  To this end, the SCST already oversees the 
EU-funded NATO Virtual Silk Highway program, which has established a 
network of 53 scientific and research institutions with high-speed 
internet access.  The USG can contribute to this goal by working 
with bodies like the Supreme Council to help ensure that new 
technologies like the Internet are not only accessible in 
Turkmenistan, but also that citizens and government alike are able 
to take full advantage of such tools.  This agreement is an 
important step toward greater cooperation with this influential 
entity.  If we are serious about our policy of desiring to expand 
the information space in Turkmenistan, we need to put our money 
where our mouth is.  END COMMENT. 
 
HOAGLAND