VZCZCXRO3565
RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLH RUEHLN
RUEHLZ RUEHNEH RUEHPW RUEHROV RUEHSK RUEHSL RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG
DE RUEHAH #0824/01 1821209
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011209Z JUL 09
FM AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3075
INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 5381
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 3109
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2974
RUEHIT/AMCONSUL ISTANBUL 3625
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1040
RHMCSUU/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL
RUEHVEN/USMISSION USOSCE 3675
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASHGABAT 000824 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR SCA/CEN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV SCUL SOCI TX
SUBJECT:  TURKMENISTAN MARKS PRESIDENT BERDIMUHAMEDOV'S 52ND 
BIRTHDAY 
 
¶1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified.  Not for Internet 
distribution 
 
¶2. (SBU) SUMMARY:  On June 29, Turkmenistan's President 
Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov turned 52.  The country 
celebrated its leader's birthday by various festive 
events and inauguration ceremonies of a number of 
facilities, including opening a Museum of the President of 
Turkmenistan.  Welcoming Berdimuhamedov with birthday 
festivities following his return from an official visit 
to Jordan, Turkmenistan marked its leader's birthday in 
the manner of a state holiday, although it assumed a less 
visually extravagant profile than the birthday 
celebrations for former President Niyazov.  END SUMMARY. 
 
A MUSEUM AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR THE PRESIDENT 
 
¶3. (SBU) On June 29, Turkmenistan marked President 
Berdimuhamedov's 52nd birthday.  On this occasion, officials 
opened the new Museum of the President of Turkmenistan, in 
a wing of the National Museum of Turkmenistan.   Cabinet ministers, 
 
other public officials, foreign diplomats, mass media, 
culture and arts representatives, as well as youth 
participated in the event.  The museum's exhibits 
show Turkmenistan's achievements under Berdimuhamedov's 
leadership.  According to the Gundogar website, "special 
cases display items from Berdimuhamedov's inauguration - 
a white "koshma" (a wool felt rug), a "sachak" (cloth to 
wrap bread) from camel wool and a quiver with arrows. 
Not included was Niyazov's "Ruhnama" book, even though there 
was one during Berdimuhamedov's inauguration.  A special 
section of the museum was devoted to a documentary about the life 
and work of Berdimuhamedov.  The exhibit includes photographs, many 
 
extracts from his speeches, books published in 
Turkmenistan devoted to the President, as well as books 
written by Berdimuhamedov himself.  Applied art, rugs, books,and 
various souvenirs presented to Berdimuhamedov by 
representatives of foreign states are also displayed in 
the museum. 
 
¶4. (SBU) The president himself was not present at the 
museum's opening ceremony, but received birthday 
congratulations while attending another opening ceremony 
that evening - the opening in Ashgabat of a textile 
industry complex: a factory for medical and cosmetic 
cotton production, a Fashion House and two trade centers. 
Berdimuhamedov proceeded to the textile complex opening 
ceremony directly from the airport where his plane had 
returned from official visits to Croatia and Jordan. 
This was the second year in a row that President 
Berdimuhamedov chose to spend his birthday on a working 
visit to a foreign country. 
 
PUBLICATION OF PRESIDENTIAL BOOKS 
 
¶5. (SBU) On June 26, a second volume of the president's 
selected works was published.   The publication was timed 
to coincide with the President's birthday.  The book 
titled "To New Heights of Progress" includes speeches, 
interviews, greetings, addresses and photographs that 
recreate the chronology of the main State events during 
¶2008.  Turkmenistan's National Archive also planned to 
publish the second edition of Berdimuhamedov's book "The 
Chronicle of Great Accomplishments" and a book "The 
President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov - the 
Founder of the Epoch of Great Revival." 
 
FESTIVE ENVIRONMENT 
 
¶6. (SBU) Ashgabat was decorated with flags and banners on 
 
ASHGABAT 00000824  002 OF 002 
 
 
main streets to create a festive environment.  Traffic 
police, who normally wear blue uniforms, were dressed in 
white uniforms in honor of the leader's birthday. 
Turkmenistan's television and radio provided coverage of 
events devoted to the President's birthday.  Local 
newspapers published texts of congratulatory messages to 
Berdimuhamedov from local and foreign officials, public 
figures, businessmen and citizens.  In addition, various 
seminars, events and concert performances in honor of 
Berdimuhamedov's birthday were held throughout the 
country, as well as sacrificial meals for the sound health of 
the Turkmen leader. 
 
¶7. (SBU) COMMENT:  President Berdimuhamedov's birthday 
was celebrated less lavishly than was his predecessor 
President Niyazov's bithday, who designated his birthday 
as state flag day.  Opinions differ as to why he has 
spent his last two birthdays on foreign trips.  Some 
think he travels in order to avoid too much attention, even 
though the TV coverage and other events attract plenty of 
attention.  Others suggest that he wants to look modest by 
working even on his birthday.  One can assume that the festivities 
that did take place are done with Berdimuhamedov's approval. 
His birthday is an opportunity for government officials 
and citizens to show that they respect and appreciate him 
as the country's leader.  It also serves as a reminder to 
everyone that he is "the master of the house."  END 
COMMENT. 
 
MILES