VZCZCXRO3885
PP RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN RUEHLZ
RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #1087/01 2321305
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 191305Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1381
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY 4181
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING PRIORITY 1993
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO PRIORITY 1858
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL PRIORITY 2429
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0866
RHMFIUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE PRIORITY 2794
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 001087 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN; 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI TX
SUBJECT: INSIDE TURKMENISTAN'S DISCOTHEQUES -- HITCH UP 
YOUR TRADITIONAL DRESS 
 
REF: ASHGABAT 1076 
 
¶1.  (U)  Sensitive but unclassified.  Not for public Internet. 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY:  Turkmenistan's clubs represent an 
opportunity for young people to dress and act more liberally. 
 At the same time, youth maintain a sense of modesty and do 
not seriously challenge cultural traditions.  Many Turkmen 
are too worried about finding work to consider going out 
regularly.  Politics and other sensitive topics are rarely 
discussed at the discotheques.  Prostitution is endemic to 
most major clubs in the country and is likely to grow as the 
country attracts more foreign businessmen.  END SUMMARY. 
 
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING IDLE 
 
¶3. (SBU)  A minority of Turkmenistan's youth regularly go to 
the discotheques.  Those that go to clubs are likely to be 
from more affluent families or hold steady jobs.  Although 
one might expect the percentage of people going to clubs to 
rise markedly because of a more relaxed atmosphere under the 
new regime, many Turkmen are preoccupied with finding work or 
are content to simply drink in private.  For less affluent 
young men, it is very popular to simply find a place to drink 
alcohol with their buddies.  Young women generally are 
expected to remain at home and help with household chores. 
 
INSIDE TURKMENISTAN'S CLUBS 
 
¶4. (SBU)  The "Florida" nightclub in Ashgabat is generally 
considered the best club in Turkmenistan, although many 
hotels that cater to foreigners, such as the Nissa and Ak 
Altyn, have some sort of dance hall or discotheque.  More 
prestigious clubs charge around 100,000 manat (about $70) as 
an entrance fee.  However, the fee is usually waived for 
foreigners who are more likely to buy drinks and spend money. 
 Periodically, smaller clubs are closed to the general public 
when they are rented out to wealthy (usually Russian or 
Turkish) patrons.  Each club generally has a dance floor and 
sitting area with a bar and plays a combination of Russian 
and Euro-pop and American top-40 hits, often uncomfortably 
loudly. 
 
PROFESSIONAL LADIES OF THE EVENING 
 
¶5. (SBU)  Prostitution, mostly catering to foreign 
businessmen, is endemic in Ashgabat's clubs.  Many 
prostitutes have at least a rudimentary knowledge of English. 
 Prostitution is somewhat less prevalent (though certainly 
still present) in smaller clubs around the country that are 
frequented mainly by students.  Club owners will generally 
make some attempt to ensure that girls who are too young 
(below 18) are not allowed in. 
 
MODEST BY DAY? ROLL YOUR STOCKINGS DOWN AT NIGHT 
 
¶6. (SBU)  Turkmenistan's conservative culture discourages 
revealing clothing among its ethnic Turkmen population. 
However, many young women wish to dress in the latest Western 
fashion and use an outing to the nightclub as an excuse to 
wear slinky dresses and bare their shoulders.  Frequently, 
these women will change back into traditional Turkmen dresses 
as soon as they return home. 
 
LOOK BUT DON'T TOUCH 
 
¶7. (SBU)  Although a growing number of Turkmen are eager to 
dress and act in a more "Western" manner, there is still a 
sense of modesty and propriety even on the dance floor. 
Public displays of affection are rare, although increasing. 
In contrast to Western dancing, men and women will often not 
hold hands or maintain prolonged body contact with one 
another.  It is also customary for groups of young women to 
 
ASHGABAT 00001087  002 OF 002 
 
 
dance in a circle and for young men to form their own, 
separate circle of dancing. 
 
WHY TALK POLITICS WHEN YOU CAN DANCE? 
 
¶8. (SBU)  Many young people are not well informed politically 
and rarely talk politics at the discotheque, preferring 
lighter topics.  Those that do discuss politics are heavily 
influenced by Russian media and generally take a pro-Russia 
stance, for example on the conflict in Georgia (reftel). 
Those working for transnational corporations or in 
professions that deal with many foreigners are more likely to 
expound nuanced positions. 
 
¶9. (SBU) COMMENT.  Turkmenistan's nightlife is rife with 
contradiction.  While young people see the discotheques as an 
engine of counterculture, there are still cultural boundaries 
very much in place, and sensitive topics are rarely broached. 
 Importantly, the clubs do function as a form of escapism for 
a generation of young people struggling with high 
unemployment and limited opportunities.  Prostitution remains 
the biggest problem in these clubs and is likely to thrive by 
catering to the increasing numbers of foreign businessmen. 
END COMMENT. 
CURRAN