VZCZCXRO4361
PP RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHLO #1924 2051638
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231638Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 9272
INFO RUEHAH/AMEMBASSY ASHGABAT 0187
RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO 1228
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001924
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL - KNOX THAMES AND NANCY HEWETT
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/23/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL IAEA PGOV ZK UK
SUBJECT: CENTRAL ASIA/TURKMENISTAN: UK PRIORITIES IN
CENTRAL ASIA REFLECTED IN POSITIVE TURKMEN VISIT
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, reasons 1.4 (b/d).
1. (C) The head of Turkmenistan's National Institute of Democracy and Human Rights in the Office of the President,
Shirin Ahmedova, and the Turkmen Deputy Minister of Justice's early July visit to the UK was a result of HMG's long-term
strategy to gradually increase engagement with Turkmenistan as it opens up to reform, according to FCO Central Asia Team
Leader Niall Cullens. Cullens said the visit focused on penal and judicial reform and freedom of religion through
meetings with the Foreign and Home Offices, as well as through visits to various prison facilities. HMG's overall
objective for the visit was not to prescribe how the Turkmen judicial system should operate, but "to give the delegation
an opportunity to learn from the UK's experiences." As a deliverable, HMG is investigating options for judicial training
in Turkmenistan and has already sent an FCO officer to Ashgabat to explore options.
2. (C) Cullens said the Turkmen visit reflected HMG's priorities for Central Asia: promotion of human rights and
democracy, energy sector security, counter-narcotics cooperation, and regional stability through counter-terrorism
cooperation. He said HMG was particularly pleased that it had successfully influenced the EU's creation of a strategy
for Central Asia, which largely reflects HMG priorities and was adopted during the German EU presidency in 2007.
Kazakhstan and the IAEA -----------------------
3. (C) Discussing other specific HMG assistance to the region, Cullens said the UK has repeatedly offered Kazakhstan
assistance in its role as OECD chair, but has heard nothing in response. Cullens wondered if Kazakhstan's reluctance to
put forward its IAEA candidacy was a result of feeling overwhelmed by OECD responsibilities or concern over upsetting
other countries' bids.
Uzbekistan and Afghan Security ------------------------------
4. (C) As an aside, Cullens also said HMG does not support the Uzbeki call for a 6 plus 3 (neighboring countries plus
the US, Russia, and NATO) contact group to deal with Afghan security. He said HMG will only support an initiative that
involves the Government of Afghanistan. Visit London's Classified Website: XXXXXXXXXXXX TUTTLE