Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan: Chinese deal helps stall Trans-Caspian pipeline, deter Caspian conflict
01.12.2011.
As Turkmenistan continues to pursue its own pipeline projects -- primarily with Beijing, but also promoting the Turkmen-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline and indicating some support for the Trans-Caspian Pipeline -- Russia has become increasingly belligerent. Maybe this is just to gain a bargaining position, as there are indications that Turkmenistan's new gas deal with China will help delay the Trans-Caspian Pipeline between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan, designed to circumvent Russia.More ...
Germany's Westerwelle in Turkmenistan for talks on energy
18.11.2011.
Moscow dpa - German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle was in Turkmenistan on Thursday for talks on energy supplies and to discuss the Central Asian republic's human rights record.
Turkmenistan's possible participation in the construction of a pipeline linking Caspian Sea natural gas producers with European markets was to be a main topic of discussions between Westerwelle and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.More ...
Turkmenistan's possible participation in the construction of a pipeline linking Caspian Sea natural gas producers with European markets was to be a main topic of discussions between Westerwelle and Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.More ...
Turkmenistans Dilemma - Der Roman über das Nordkorea Zentralasiens
03.08.2011.
Zentralasien spielt in der fiktionalen Literatur immer noch eine untergeordnete Rolle. Auch wenn verschiedene russische Autoren, hier ist besonders Dostoyevsky zu nennen, eine gewisse Zeit, meist unfreiwillig, in der Region lebten, macht die Belletristik des 20. und 21. Jahrhunderts einen großen Bogen um die Landmasse zwischen Kaspischem Meer und den Himalaya-Ausläufern. Eine Ausnahme bildet natürlich der kirgisische Schriftsteller Tschingis Aitmatov mit seinen Romanen.
Eine aktuelle literarische Reflexion von Diktaturen beschränkt sich meist auf die politische und gesellschaftliche Vergangenheit in Regimen Südamerikas oder der Sowjetunion. Will man allerdings die literarische Aufarbeitung jetzt bestehender Diktaturen studieren, bleibt dem geneigten Leser nur die Lektüre mutiger Schriftsteller aus China oder dem Iran.
Zentralasiens Despotien in Usbekistan oder Turkmenistan spielten bislang keine Rolle in der internationalen Literatur. Es mag auch daran liegen, dass ein Land wie Turkmenistan ähnlich abgeschottet ist wie Nordkorea, turkmenische Dissidenten und im Exil lebende Schriftsteller zu viel Angst vor persönlichen oder familiären Repressionen haben.
Im Falle Turkmenistans ist jetzt allerdings eine Neuigkeit zu vermelden: Mit dem Titel "Turkmenka" des deutsch-russischen Schriftstellers und Zentralasien-Experten Vitali Volkov ist erstmals ein Roman zur jüngsten Geschichte des gasreichen Landes aufgelegt worden. Das Buch erschien im Frühjahr im Moskauer Verlag "Buch-Club 36.6". Obwohl Volkovs eigentliche Profession die politische Analyse von Ereignissen in der zentralasiatischen Region für Rundfunk und Printmedien ist - gerade in diesem Jahr erhielt er eine Auszeichnung als erster westlicher Journalist vom Presseverband Kasachstans für seine Reportagen bei der russischen Redaktion der Deutschen Welle -, hat er sich bereits in der Vergangenheit über die Form des Romans mit diesem Genre beschäftigt; zuletzt erschien bereits eine politische Erzählung über Afghanistan.
Zunächst eine kurze Beschreibung von "Turkmenka": In dem Roman geht es um das Leben und Leiden einer turkmenischen Journalistin in den Jahren 2002 bis 2006, beginnend mit dem sogenannten "Attentat" auf den damaligen Staatspräsidenten Niyazov, auch besser bekannt als "Turkmenbaschi" (Vater aller Turkmenen) und es endet mit dem Tod Niyazovs 2006. Die Hauptfigur des Romans arbeitet verdeckt über eine NGO als unabhängige Journalistin und beschreibt das diktatorische und teilweise ins groteskenhaft ausufernde Machtgefüge Niyazovs.Turkmenka wird instrumentalisiert von ganz unterschiedlichen politischen Kräften wie westlichen Organisationen, turkmenischem Geheimdienst und der politischen Opposition in Turkmenistan.
Nachdem von der Staatsmacht verkündet wurde, dass ein Mordanschlag auf den Staatspräsidenten verübt wurde, muß sie das Land schnellstmöglich verlassen, um nicht das gleiche Schicksal zu haben wie einige Oppositionelle, die in den Verliesen Turkmenbaschis für immer verschwanden.
Turkmenka flieht nach Westeuropa, Hauptschauplätze sind hier Deutschland und Österreich, wo sie auch vom Geheimdienst Turkmenistans weiter verfolgt wird und jederzeit um ihr Leben fürchten muß. Im Zwiespalt unterschiedlicher Interessen und der Gefahren muß sie lernen, ihre nun gefundene Freiheit zu leben. Der Roman endet mit dem überraschenden Tod Niyazovs 2006.
Die Charakterstudie Turkmenkas zeigt, trotz aller "zentralasiatischer Besonderheiten", dass sich Volkov sehr stark an den Frauengestalten der russischen Weltliteratur orientiert. Es scheint fast so, als wäre die Protagonistin eine turkmenische Anna Karenina der Gegenwart, allein gelassen, freiheitsliebend und auf sich gestellt, oft ohne Hoffnung auf eine Perspektive, wie sie ihr Leben den neuen Umständen anpassen kann.
Bei der Lektüre wird schnell deutlich, wie gut der Autor das Leben von Menschen in der turkmenischen Diktatur kennt. Ebenso wird das Machtgefüge, das groteske Herrscherverhalten von Turkmenbaschi und seines Apparates fundiert und kenntnisreich beschrieben. Gerade für den westlichen Leser, der so gut wie nichts über Turkmenistan weiß, wird ein Bild entworfen, dass trotz seines fiktionalen Charakters die Zustände im Land sehr gut darzustellen vermag.
Ebenso kann man feststellen, dass der Roman "Turkmenka" einen fundierten, gar neuen Blick auf die Realität der Auseinandersetzung zweier Welten, der des Westens und Zentralasiens wirft, in politischer, gesellschaftlicher und subjektiver Hinsicht.
Es ist dem Roman zu wünschen, dass er auch einen westeuropäischen Verlag findet, denn gerade Europäer können durch dieses Buch erfahren, mit welchem Land und politischen System die EU neue Rohstoffquellen importieren möchte, um nicht mehr allein abhängig von Moskau zu sein. Die Schlussfolgerungen von "Turkmenka" lassen darauf schließen, dass die Kooperation mit einem System wie Turkmenistan nicht dazu führen wird, politisch und ökonomisch stabilere Energieaussenpolitik zu betreiben.
Note: An English translation of the book review will be published later this week.
Eine aktuelle literarische Reflexion von Diktaturen beschränkt sich meist auf die politische und gesellschaftliche Vergangenheit in Regimen Südamerikas oder der Sowjetunion. Will man allerdings die literarische Aufarbeitung jetzt bestehender Diktaturen studieren, bleibt dem geneigten Leser nur die Lektüre mutiger Schriftsteller aus China oder dem Iran.
Zentralasiens Despotien in Usbekistan oder Turkmenistan spielten bislang keine Rolle in der internationalen Literatur. Es mag auch daran liegen, dass ein Land wie Turkmenistan ähnlich abgeschottet ist wie Nordkorea, turkmenische Dissidenten und im Exil lebende Schriftsteller zu viel Angst vor persönlichen oder familiären Repressionen haben.
Im Falle Turkmenistans ist jetzt allerdings eine Neuigkeit zu vermelden: Mit dem Titel "Turkmenka" des deutsch-russischen Schriftstellers und Zentralasien-Experten Vitali Volkov ist erstmals ein Roman zur jüngsten Geschichte des gasreichen Landes aufgelegt worden. Das Buch erschien im Frühjahr im Moskauer Verlag "Buch-Club 36.6". Obwohl Volkovs eigentliche Profession die politische Analyse von Ereignissen in der zentralasiatischen Region für Rundfunk und Printmedien ist - gerade in diesem Jahr erhielt er eine Auszeichnung als erster westlicher Journalist vom Presseverband Kasachstans für seine Reportagen bei der russischen Redaktion der Deutschen Welle -, hat er sich bereits in der Vergangenheit über die Form des Romans mit diesem Genre beschäftigt; zuletzt erschien bereits eine politische Erzählung über Afghanistan.
Zunächst eine kurze Beschreibung von "Turkmenka": In dem Roman geht es um das Leben und Leiden einer turkmenischen Journalistin in den Jahren 2002 bis 2006, beginnend mit dem sogenannten "Attentat" auf den damaligen Staatspräsidenten Niyazov, auch besser bekannt als "Turkmenbaschi" (Vater aller Turkmenen) und es endet mit dem Tod Niyazovs 2006. Die Hauptfigur des Romans arbeitet verdeckt über eine NGO als unabhängige Journalistin und beschreibt das diktatorische und teilweise ins groteskenhaft ausufernde Machtgefüge Niyazovs.Turkmenka wird instrumentalisiert von ganz unterschiedlichen politischen Kräften wie westlichen Organisationen, turkmenischem Geheimdienst und der politischen Opposition in Turkmenistan.
Nachdem von der Staatsmacht verkündet wurde, dass ein Mordanschlag auf den Staatspräsidenten verübt wurde, muß sie das Land schnellstmöglich verlassen, um nicht das gleiche Schicksal zu haben wie einige Oppositionelle, die in den Verliesen Turkmenbaschis für immer verschwanden.
Turkmenka flieht nach Westeuropa, Hauptschauplätze sind hier Deutschland und Österreich, wo sie auch vom Geheimdienst Turkmenistans weiter verfolgt wird und jederzeit um ihr Leben fürchten muß. Im Zwiespalt unterschiedlicher Interessen und der Gefahren muß sie lernen, ihre nun gefundene Freiheit zu leben. Der Roman endet mit dem überraschenden Tod Niyazovs 2006.
Die Charakterstudie Turkmenkas zeigt, trotz aller "zentralasiatischer Besonderheiten", dass sich Volkov sehr stark an den Frauengestalten der russischen Weltliteratur orientiert. Es scheint fast so, als wäre die Protagonistin eine turkmenische Anna Karenina der Gegenwart, allein gelassen, freiheitsliebend und auf sich gestellt, oft ohne Hoffnung auf eine Perspektive, wie sie ihr Leben den neuen Umständen anpassen kann.
Bei der Lektüre wird schnell deutlich, wie gut der Autor das Leben von Menschen in der turkmenischen Diktatur kennt. Ebenso wird das Machtgefüge, das groteske Herrscherverhalten von Turkmenbaschi und seines Apparates fundiert und kenntnisreich beschrieben. Gerade für den westlichen Leser, der so gut wie nichts über Turkmenistan weiß, wird ein Bild entworfen, dass trotz seines fiktionalen Charakters die Zustände im Land sehr gut darzustellen vermag.
Ebenso kann man feststellen, dass der Roman "Turkmenka" einen fundierten, gar neuen Blick auf die Realität der Auseinandersetzung zweier Welten, der des Westens und Zentralasiens wirft, in politischer, gesellschaftlicher und subjektiver Hinsicht.
Es ist dem Roman zu wünschen, dass er auch einen westeuropäischen Verlag findet, denn gerade Europäer können durch dieses Buch erfahren, mit welchem Land und politischen System die EU neue Rohstoffquellen importieren möchte, um nicht mehr allein abhängig von Moskau zu sein. Die Schlussfolgerungen von "Turkmenka" lassen darauf schließen, dass die Kooperation mit einem System wie Turkmenistan nicht dazu führen wird, politisch und ökonomisch stabilere Energieaussenpolitik zu betreiben.
Note: An English translation of the book review will be published later this week.
UN report calls out Ashgabat on rights abuses
07.06.2011.
A United Nations Committee Against Torture report released June 6 rapped Turkmenistan for maintaining a “climate of impunity,” and called on Ashgabat to address systematic human rights abuses as a “matter of urgency.” The report should complicate efforts by the European Union and United States to tighten energy relations with President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s regime.More ...
Turkmen and Uzbek Presidents Make Newsweek's Despot Index
20.05.2011.
President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has madeNewsweek's Despot Index of the top 10 dictators of the world.
With his trademark "Peter Gallagher eyebrows" and "legit pal" Prince Andrew, as well as his "intellectual pursuit" as a trained dentist, the Turkmen leader's "future prospects" are considered "very good," says Newsweek.More ...
With his trademark "Peter Gallagher eyebrows" and "legit pal" Prince Andrew, as well as his "intellectual pursuit" as a trained dentist, the Turkmen leader's "future prospects" are considered "very good," says Newsweek.More ...
Nabucco postponed, Turkmenistan focuses on Trans-Caspian
20.05.2011.
Once again as it has before in its troubled history, the Nabucco pipeline consortium has announced a postponement of construction until 2013, citing a lack of supply contracts, Robert M. Cutler of the Asia Times reports. Gas would not start pumping until 2017, Reuters reported.More ...
MEPs call for swift ratification of partnership and cooperation agreement.
09.05.2011.
Press release by MEP’s, who support the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the EU and Turkmenistan:
In order to enter into a more constructive and successful partnership between the EU and Turkmenistan, the three Members of the European Parliament from the EPP Group who participated in high-level political meetings in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat last week, called for a positive vote in the upcoming plenary vote on the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Turkmenistan. The MEPs underlined that the PCA would form the basis for a deeper and more efficient partnership with the Central Asian country. The PCA would give the EU the proper facilities to effectively cooperate with the country and help it to overcome the shortcomings it is still facing.
On April 28/29, the three EPP MEPs Elisabeth Jeggle (Germany), Inese Vaidere (Latvia) and Piotr Borys (Poland) participated in the European Parliament’s joint visit to Turkmenistan by the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Central Asia Delegation. The delegation met with the Turkmen Minister of Foreign Affairs and participated in the 2nd EU-Turkmenistan Interparliamentary meeting. Furthermore, the delegation met with representatives of the OSCE and UNICEF, as well as with European business representatives working in Turkmenistan.More ...
In order to enter into a more constructive and successful partnership between the EU and Turkmenistan, the three Members of the European Parliament from the EPP Group who participated in high-level political meetings in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat last week, called for a positive vote in the upcoming plenary vote on the ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Turkmenistan. The MEPs underlined that the PCA would form the basis for a deeper and more efficient partnership with the Central Asian country. The PCA would give the EU the proper facilities to effectively cooperate with the country and help it to overcome the shortcomings it is still facing.
On April 28/29, the three EPP MEPs Elisabeth Jeggle (Germany), Inese Vaidere (Latvia) and Piotr Borys (Poland) participated in the European Parliament’s joint visit to Turkmenistan by the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Central Asia Delegation. The delegation met with the Turkmen Minister of Foreign Affairs and participated in the 2nd EU-Turkmenistan Interparliamentary meeting. Furthermore, the delegation met with representatives of the OSCE and UNICEF, as well as with European business representatives working in Turkmenistan.More ...
On Torture and Arbitrary Detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan
09.05.2011.
Summary
The following represents a compilation produced by human rights defenders in conjunction with partners, presenting analysis and case studies on torture and arbitrary detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
This report is intended as a briefing to UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture, Human Rights Defenders, and other UN Special Mechanisms and bodies on the situation in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
It is also intended as an invitation to continued cooperation, to network building, and to strengthening civil society in both countries by encouraging increased interface on the part of Turkmen and Uzbek human rights defenders with the United Nations. Moving forward, we hope that together we can bring new information to light and take concrete steps toward ending human rights violations.
Partners in civil society find that years after the special rapporteur on torture concluded that systemic torture exists in Uzbekistan, torture in both countries continues to be a routine component of investigations and detention and is a common practice in the penal systems. Forms of torture include.
Bludgeoning with batons
Genital mutilation
Male and female rape and sodomy
Psychological humiliation and degradation
Electrocution
In particular, people linked with the Andijan events of 2005, including innocent family members, are routinely detained, brought up on bogus charges, and subjected to long years of bodily torture and psychological terror. Notably, medical personnel often play a roll in concealing evidence and fabricating fake documents which make filing charges impossible. Other at risk groups include:
Human rights defenders
Religious people
Refugees and asylum seekers who are often deported from other CIS countries back to Uzbekistan
Ex convicts used as scapegoats
Journalists
While information regarding Turkmenistan is scarce, according to our sources, the situation is the prison colonies is dire. This is exacerbated by the general weakness of civil society in Turkmenistan.
Of note have been recent studies carried out by the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, excerpts of which are contained in this report. These studies on Turkmen prisons and penal colonies detail arbitrary detention and torture as both physical and psychological daily realities.
It is our hope that this report by partners in civil society from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can be used as an ongoing advocacy tool to improve the human rights situation. The contributors of the report offer their contact information and invitations toward further discussion.
The full report can be found here.
The following represents a compilation produced by human rights defenders in conjunction with partners, presenting analysis and case studies on torture and arbitrary detention in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
This report is intended as a briefing to UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture, Human Rights Defenders, and other UN Special Mechanisms and bodies on the situation in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
It is also intended as an invitation to continued cooperation, to network building, and to strengthening civil society in both countries by encouraging increased interface on the part of Turkmen and Uzbek human rights defenders with the United Nations. Moving forward, we hope that together we can bring new information to light and take concrete steps toward ending human rights violations.
Partners in civil society find that years after the special rapporteur on torture concluded that systemic torture exists in Uzbekistan, torture in both countries continues to be a routine component of investigations and detention and is a common practice in the penal systems. Forms of torture include.
Bludgeoning with batons
Genital mutilation
Male and female rape and sodomy
Psychological humiliation and degradation
Electrocution
In particular, people linked with the Andijan events of 2005, including innocent family members, are routinely detained, brought up on bogus charges, and subjected to long years of bodily torture and psychological terror. Notably, medical personnel often play a roll in concealing evidence and fabricating fake documents which make filing charges impossible. Other at risk groups include:
Human rights defenders
Religious people
Refugees and asylum seekers who are often deported from other CIS countries back to Uzbekistan
Ex convicts used as scapegoats
Journalists
While information regarding Turkmenistan is scarce, according to our sources, the situation is the prison colonies is dire. This is exacerbated by the general weakness of civil society in Turkmenistan.
Of note have been recent studies carried out by the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights, excerpts of which are contained in this report. These studies on Turkmen prisons and penal colonies detail arbitrary detention and torture as both physical and psychological daily realities.
It is our hope that this report by partners in civil society from Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan can be used as an ongoing advocacy tool to improve the human rights situation. The contributors of the report offer their contact information and invitations toward further discussion.
The full report can be found here.
Protecting human rights is a prerequisite for closer ties with the EU
21.04.2011.
Turkmenistan's human rights record is "abysmal", and the EU should engage with it only if it makes concrete progress in protecting them, said Foreign Affairs Committee MEPs on Wednesday, ahead of an EP delegation visit there next week to ascertain whether Parliament should give its consent, in June, to an EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).More ...
A U.S. Delegation in Turkmenistan
04.02.2011.
It's rare that Turkmenistan's heavily state-controlled media has any news not covered by any other outlets. Yet on January 24, the State News Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH) carried a brief notice of a "high-level delegation consisting of high-ranking officials of the U.S. Department of State and Ministry [sic] of Defense," published under the "Cooperation" rubric of the propagandistic government website called "Turkmenistan: The Golden Age".More ...
European Parliament moves bloc a step closer to Turkmenistan
28.01.2011.
The European Parliament has given its initial green light to a partnership agreement with gas-rich Turkmenistan, aimed at bringing the Central Asian country closer to the European Union.
But the draft agreement has been criticized for risking legitimatizing a repressive regime.
The European Union and Turkmenistan signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) back in 1998, although its entry into force has long been postponed due to the uncertain political situation in the country and human rights concerns.More ...
But the draft agreement has been criticized for risking legitimatizing a repressive regime.
The European Union and Turkmenistan signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) back in 1998, although its entry into force has long been postponed due to the uncertain political situation in the country and human rights concerns.More ...
Cablegate: A TALE OF TWO BUSINESSES
02.12.2010.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Turkmenabat, Turkmenistan's second largest
city, continues its role as a transport hub and industrial
center, despite diminished regional commerce in the
post-Soviet era. A large complex that processes
locally-harvested licorice root continues to prosper due to
the availability of inputs and a healthy export market. A
machine parts factory has faced greater challenges, having
been forced to find a new product line and relying solely on
the domestic market. Unlike the licorice complex, which
pre-dates the Russian Revolution, the machine parts factory
was a Soviet creation that lacks an obvious market in
Turkmenistan's current economy. Thanks to government
subsidies, however, it does not appear that even a
struggling, Soviet era enterprise is threatened with closure.
Given its success at maintaining its production equipment,
the factory could see better days if it found the right
foreign partner interested in a low-cost metal parts. END
SUMMARY. More ...
city, continues its role as a transport hub and industrial
center, despite diminished regional commerce in the
post-Soviet era. A large complex that processes
locally-harvested licorice root continues to prosper due to
the availability of inputs and a healthy export market. A
machine parts factory has faced greater challenges, having
been forced to find a new product line and relying solely on
the domestic market. Unlike the licorice complex, which
pre-dates the Russian Revolution, the machine parts factory
was a Soviet creation that lacks an obvious market in
Turkmenistan's current economy. Thanks to government
subsidies, however, it does not appear that even a
struggling, Soviet era enterprise is threatened with closure.
Given its success at maintaining its production equipment,
the factory could see better days if it found the right
foreign partner interested in a low-cost metal parts. END
SUMMARY. More ...
Cablegate: WEAPONS FOUND HIDDEN IN IRANIAN EMBASSY SHIPMENT
30.11.2010.
1. (S/NF) A Turkmen customs official told an Embassy LES on
February 13 that an Iranian Embassy diplomatic container with
AK-47's, sniper rifles and ammunition hidden in it had been
discovered one week earlier at the Serdar Uli (Gaudan)
customs point in Ashgabat, where vehicles and containers
arriving from or bound for Iran are inspected. The weapons
were reportedly hidden underneath two Turkmen carpets that
the Iranian Embassy was shipping to Iran. More ...
February 13 that an Iranian Embassy diplomatic container with
AK-47's, sniper rifles and ammunition hidden in it had been
discovered one week earlier at the Serdar Uli (Gaudan)
customs point in Ashgabat, where vehicles and containers
arriving from or bound for Iran are inspected. The weapons
were reportedly hidden underneath two Turkmen carpets that
the Iranian Embassy was shipping to Iran. More ...
Cablegate: TURKISH AMBASSADOR CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL SHIPMENTS OF URANIUM TO IRAN
30.11.2010.
1. (C) The Turkmen Government announced earlier this month
that President Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree allowing
the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a
contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial
of radioactive waste. The waste was reportedly produced at
the Hazar chemical plant and at the Balkanabat iodine plant. More ...
that President Berdimuhamedov had signed a decree allowing
the state chemical concern "Turkmenkhimiya" to enter into a
contract with Ekomet-S of Russia for the transfer and burial
of radioactive waste. The waste was reportedly produced at
the Hazar chemical plant and at the Balkanabat iodine plant. More ...
Cablegate: IRAN POST-ELECTION
30.11.2010.
1. (C) In a conversation today with Iran Watcher, a [Source removed] in Ashgabat labeled the announcement of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s victory in Friday’s presidential election a “coup d’etat,” and called Iran’s incumbent President “another Pinochet.” [Name removed] said that based on calculations from Mousavi’s campaign observers who were present at polling stations around the country and who witnessed the vote counts, Mousavi received approximately 26 million (or 61%) of the 42 million votes cast in Friday’s election, followed by Mehdi Karroubi (10-12 million). According to his sources, Ahmadinejad received “a maximum of 4-5 million votes,” with the remainder going to Mohsen Rezai. He said that more than anything else, the huge turnout of voters on Friday was a reflection of the Iranian electorate’s overwhelming “anti-Ahmadinejad” sentiments.More ...
Cablegate: IRAN: WHERE TO GO FROM HERE?
30.11.2010.
1. (C) SUMMARY: XXXXXXXXXXXX's advised in a recent conversation with Ashgabat Iran Watcher that the U.S. would be ill-advised to begin talks with Iran, that it would be great disappointment to Iranians who have found hope in President Obama's message of change. He called Iran's leadership “untrustworthy,” and described the three main groups that he said are sustaining the regime: the “clerical establishment, the paramilitaries and the Bazaaris (merchant class).” XXXXXXXXXXXX finds little difference between any of the major figures in Iran, including most members of the opposition. END SUMMARY.More ...
Statement Energy Security and Democratic Development: the case of Turkmenistan
09.11.2010.
ETG was invited to speak about energy, security and democratic development at a conference, organised by the German Government and FRIDE.
Please find Michael’s speech below:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At first, I would also like to thank the organizers of today‘s conference here in Bonn for discussing those important questions, dedicated to the relations between the European Union and Central Asia.
When reflecting about the topic of this event, one might think that energy security would be the relevant part the European Union and its member states is interested in, while democratic development is mainly relevant for the future of the Central Asian states, in this case Turkmenistan. But in fact, democratic development is not only important and essential for Turkmenistan itself, it has an impact to stability and security within the whole Eurasian region, with direct consequences for the EU, for the OSCE, for NATO and other institutions.
The relations between the European Union and Turkmenistan are mainly based on establishing an energy dialogue. It can be described as a pragmatic approach, because it differs from the basic principles of the EU Central Asia Strategy, defined under the German Presidency in 2006, whereby the promotion of democracy and the rule of law form the basis for more intense bilateral relations.
However, a number of steps taken by Brussels over the past years seem to indicate that in the case of Turkmenistan, the Union is placing bilateral relations ahead of its ratified commitment to values. More ...
Please find Michael’s speech below:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
At first, I would also like to thank the organizers of today‘s conference here in Bonn for discussing those important questions, dedicated to the relations between the European Union and Central Asia.
When reflecting about the topic of this event, one might think that energy security would be the relevant part the European Union and its member states is interested in, while democratic development is mainly relevant for the future of the Central Asian states, in this case Turkmenistan. But in fact, democratic development is not only important and essential for Turkmenistan itself, it has an impact to stability and security within the whole Eurasian region, with direct consequences for the EU, for the OSCE, for NATO and other institutions.
The relations between the European Union and Turkmenistan are mainly based on establishing an energy dialogue. It can be described as a pragmatic approach, because it differs from the basic principles of the EU Central Asia Strategy, defined under the German Presidency in 2006, whereby the promotion of democracy and the rule of law form the basis for more intense bilateral relations.
However, a number of steps taken by Brussels over the past years seem to indicate that in the case of Turkmenistan, the Union is placing bilateral relations ahead of its ratified commitment to values. More ...
UNITED NATIONS DECLARES TURKMENISTAN’S DETENTION OF ANNAKURBAN AMANKLYCHEV AND SAPARDURDY KHADZHIEV A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW, CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
04.11.2010.
In response to a petition filed by Freedom Now and Hogan Lovells LLP (formerly Hogan & Hartson), the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention publicly released its opinion that in arresting and continuing to detain Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khadzhiev, the Government of Turkmenistan is in violation of international law. The opinion calls on the Government of Turkmenistan to release the two human rights advocates.More ...
U.S. officials in Ashgabat spin human rights message as oil executives line up for Turkmen President
18.06.2010.
A delegation of U.S. State Department officials and business executives travelled to Turkmenistan this week to launch a comprehensive program of dialogue that is to include human rights discussions as well as talks on energy security. Washington hopes to tap Turkmenistan's vast hydrocarbon riches, as well as gain Ashgabat's assistance in supplying NATO troops in the war in Afghanistan and promoting regional stability. Currently, the U.S. has a "gas-and-go" arrangement with Turkmenistan, landing planes in Ashgabat to refuel en route to Afghanistan with non-lethal freight.More ...
ETG Turkmenistan/Nabucco Roundtable
10.03.2010.
On March 5, 2010, Eurasian Transition Group hosted a roundtable discussion on the political and economical situation in Turkmenistan, its geopolitical implications and the prospects of the Nabucco project.
Please find some relevant documents and audio files below:
More ...
Please find some relevant documents and audio files below:
More ...
Energy prospecting in Ashkhabad a Bush family affair
01.03.2010.
State-controlled news outlets in Turkmenistan are reporting that former US president George H. W. Bush sent a letter to Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, extending wishes for "sound health and successes." The letter was reportedly conveyed by Neil Bush, the former president's son, who visited Ashgabat on behalf of a Houston-based oil company looking to do deals in Turkmenistan.More ...
Into the iris of insanity: dissent, psychiatry, and the true face of Turkmen totalitarianism
24.02.2010.
In a country like Turkmenistan, who is really the crazy one?
Kakabay Tedzhenov is a former inmate of a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenistan. Telling his shocking story, the 73 year-old-pensioner, now living in a small town in Russia, remembers:
It was cold during winter inside the house I lived and so were the conditions for my neighbors, in Turkmenabad, where I lived. One day I sent a petition to the local authorities demanding better heating in my house in order to put an end to the situation I faced every winter. I went on to send several petitions, but the only result was that the local authorities began to persecute me.
I didn’t give up. I went all the way the President [Niyazov]. One evening [in January 2006] men in white clothes came to my house and forcefully packed me into a car. First I didn’t know what they had in mind but then I was taken into a heavily guarded building and locked in a room with four mentally ill people. It was the infamous Boyunuzyn psychiatric hospital.
I was injected with various drugs, including Amenazin, a drug which caused me terrible pain and health problems. I got sick and was taken for surgery, after which I was returned [to Boyunuzyn]. In total, I spent ten months in Boyunuzyn. I owe my release to the intense advocacy of rights groupswho protested my detention.
Two months after Tedzhenov’s release, Niyazov suddenly died. It seemed a fitting capstone to the story. Yet, Tedzhenov was neither the first — nor the last — prisoner of conscience to be subjected to psychiatry as a form of torture.
Indeed, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes gets less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.More ...
Kakabay Tedzhenov is a former inmate of a psychiatric hospital in Turkmenistan. Telling his shocking story, the 73 year-old-pensioner, now living in a small town in Russia, remembers:
It was cold during winter inside the house I lived and so were the conditions for my neighbors, in Turkmenabad, where I lived. One day I sent a petition to the local authorities demanding better heating in my house in order to put an end to the situation I faced every winter. I went on to send several petitions, but the only result was that the local authorities began to persecute me.
I didn’t give up. I went all the way the President [Niyazov]. One evening [in January 2006] men in white clothes came to my house and forcefully packed me into a car. First I didn’t know what they had in mind but then I was taken into a heavily guarded building and locked in a room with four mentally ill people. It was the infamous Boyunuzyn psychiatric hospital.
I was injected with various drugs, including Amenazin, a drug which caused me terrible pain and health problems. I got sick and was taken for surgery, after which I was returned [to Boyunuzyn]. In total, I spent ten months in Boyunuzyn. I owe my release to the intense advocacy of rights groupswho protested my detention.
Two months after Tedzhenov’s release, Niyazov suddenly died. It seemed a fitting capstone to the story. Yet, Tedzhenov was neither the first — nor the last — prisoner of conscience to be subjected to psychiatry as a form of torture.
Indeed, the abuse of psychiatry for political purposes gets less attention in Turkmenistan than other “traditional” methods of repression, such as imprisonment and torture.More ...
Sucking up to Dictators Is Harder Than It Looks
16.02.2010.
September 21, 2009, was a day of blitz diplomacy for U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton: She had more than eight and a half hours of bilateral meetings to juggle, along with a marathon of press briefings and camera sprays at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York. But one of her sit-downs that day required particular finesse. It was with an obscure dictator whose name alone presented a challenge -- Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan. He came into the room with an immediate advantage: The United States needed his help. Clinton needed to convince him to let NATO transports through his country, a move that would ease pressure on U.S. supply lines into Afghanistan and probably save some U.S. troops. The usual approach -- money -- would not work with energy-rich Turkmenistan. It was a test of her skill as a diplomat.
More ...
More ...Invitation: ETG Central Asia Discussions 2010
16.02.2010.
Invitation:
ETG will host a roundtable discussion March 5, 2010 in Vienna.
„Turkmenistan - Western Influence: Energy Interests and Political Implications“
Topics will be:
Turkmen Gas and Nabucco
The political situation in Turkmenistan
Geopolitics
Possible strategies of EU, OSCE and US
Key Speakers will be:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group (ICG)
Arkady Dubnov, Journalist and Turkmenistan Expert
Nurmukhamed Hanamov, former Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Expert on the political and social situation
If you are interested to participate, please send us a short mail.
ETG will host a roundtable discussion March 5, 2010 in Vienna.
„Turkmenistan - Western Influence: Energy Interests and Political Implications“
Topics will be:
Turkmen Gas and Nabucco
The political situation in Turkmenistan
Geopolitics
Possible strategies of EU, OSCE and US
Key Speakers will be:
Alain Délétroz, Vice President Europe, International Crisis Group (ICG)
Arkady Dubnov, Journalist and Turkmenistan Expert
Nurmukhamed Hanamov, former Ambassador of Turkmenistan and Expert on the political and social situation
If you are interested to participate, please send us a short mail.
Not a fair deal - Turkmenistan's relations with the West
04.02.2010.
When Turkmenistan began opening up to the outside world following the death of President Saparmurat Niazov three years ago, the theory was that increased economic engagement by Western states would encourage a more general relaxation of policy in such areas as human rights and political liberties.
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with Hillary Clinton: Photo by US State Department.More ...
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov with Hillary Clinton: Photo by US State Department.More ...
Turkmen students allowed to leave the ountry
29.01.2010.
Good news: Turkmenistan’s government has finally given the green light to students enrolled at private foreign universities to continue their studies abroad, putting an end to six months of uncertainty.More ...
Turkmen Leader to End Rights Abuses
28.01.2010.
President Nicolas Sarkozy should use the upcoming state visit by his Turkmen counterpart to speak out about Turkmenistan's abysmal human rights record and to press for concrete improvements, the French League for Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights, and Reporters Without Borders said today.
More ...
More ...
You Tube and LiveJournal in Turkmenistan
20.01.2010.
Late December information was circulating on the internet that access to You Tube and LiveJournal had been blocked in Turkmenistan.
The Monitoring conducted by You Tube demonstrated that over the past 2 to 3 weeks video clips from Turkmenistan had been posted on this web resource.
We interviewed 28 respondents from Turkmenistan, both in the capital and the country's provinces. Six of them were denied access to You Tube and were unable to watch several music clips. Three opened the website but due to low connection speed were unable to watch anything.
Apparently You Tube can be accessed only in the provinces where fiber optic cable is installed and internet access depends on the quality of connection.
In addition, none of the respondents managed to get access to LiveJournal. This resource is blocked in Turkmenistan.
Source: Turkmenistan Initiative for Human Rights
The Monitoring conducted by You Tube demonstrated that over the past 2 to 3 weeks video clips from Turkmenistan had been posted on this web resource.
We interviewed 28 respondents from Turkmenistan, both in the capital and the country's provinces. Six of them were denied access to You Tube and were unable to watch several music clips. Three opened the website but due to low connection speed were unable to watch anything.
Apparently You Tube can be accessed only in the provinces where fiber optic cable is installed and internet access depends on the quality of connection.
In addition, none of the respondents managed to get access to LiveJournal. This resource is blocked in Turkmenistan.
Source: Turkmenistan Initiative for Human Rights
Russia and Turkmenistan mend their relationship
19.01.2010.
At the end of December, leaders of Russia and Turkmenistan met to discuss the future of their relationship.
First, on December 22, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov met in Ashgabat and signed an agreement to expand bilateral “strategic” energy cooperation. Then the heads of Gazprom and Turkmengaz signed an agreement on the resumption of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia with the start of 2010, amounting to 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually.More ...
First, on December 22, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his Turkmen counterpart Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov met in Ashgabat and signed an agreement to expand bilateral “strategic” energy cooperation. Then the heads of Gazprom and Turkmengaz signed an agreement on the resumption of Turkmen gas supplies to Russia with the start of 2010, amounting to 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) annually.More ...
Turkmenbashi's arch to be removed
19.01.2010.
A giant arch topped by a gold-plated statue of Turkmenistan's late leader, Saparmyrat Niyazov, is to be moved out of the centre of the country's capital.
More ...
More ...
Gas flows again to Russia
15.01.2010.
Natural gas may be flowing again from Turkmenistan to Russia, but the two countries’ pricing dispute is not over, analysts are predicting.
Turkmen gas exports to Russia resumed January 9 after a nearly nine-month hiatus, due to a pricing dispute. Under the Turkmen-Russian settlement, the Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom will only buy 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually compared to 50 bcm in previous years, and will pay in the region of $250 per thousand cubic meters (tcm), Russian news sources reported.More ...
Turkmen gas exports to Russia resumed January 9 after a nearly nine-month hiatus, due to a pricing dispute. Under the Turkmen-Russian settlement, the Kremlin-controlled energy giant Gazprom will only buy 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas annually compared to 50 bcm in previous years, and will pay in the region of $250 per thousand cubic meters (tcm), Russian news sources reported.More ...
Where is Turkmenistan’s Gas Money Going?
30.11.2009.
The Turkmen government has announced that it no longer depends solely on natural gas as a revenue source. NBCentralAsia analysts say this is unlikely to be true, and the real question is how much of the gas money makes it into the official coffers, since management of the revenues from Turkmenistan’s mineral wealth is far from transparent. More ...
EU ignores Turkmen rights abuse, seeks gas
18.11.2009.
An international human rights watchdog on Tuesday accused the European Union of ignoring rights abuses in energy-rich Turkmenistan in the hopes of securing future natural gas supplies.More ...
All That Gas?: The EU and Turkmenistan
18.11.2009.
The European Commission is turning a blind eye to corruption, lack of transparency and poor human rights in the repressive police state of Turkmenistan in a bid to secure future gas supplies, according to a new illustrated briefing paper from the campaign group Global Witness, launched on the eve of the 2009 oil and gas conference in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital.
The report, ‘All that Gas?’ represents an innovative collaboration between Global Witness and cutting-edge satirical cartoonist, David Rees, who has produced original artwork for the publication. His seven new cartoons feature EU bureaucrats discussing crude strategies to ‘get the gas’. Rees is best-known for his US cartoon series ‘Get Your War On’, published on the internet and in Rolling Stone magazine.
Downloads:
All That Gas? (11/2009) Hi-res PDF
All That Gas? (11/2009) Lo-res version
Comic Strips (in Turkmen)
Comic Strips (Na russkom)
David Rees' Comic Strips (In English, hi-res)
Gazovyi vopros (11/2009), Word, na russkom
Hemme zat gaz üçinmi? (11/2009) Word, Türkmen
Press-Release (11/2009)
Source: Global Witness
The report, ‘All that Gas?’ represents an innovative collaboration between Global Witness and cutting-edge satirical cartoonist, David Rees, who has produced original artwork for the publication. His seven new cartoons feature EU bureaucrats discussing crude strategies to ‘get the gas’. Rees is best-known for his US cartoon series ‘Get Your War On’, published on the internet and in Rolling Stone magazine.
Downloads:
All That Gas? (11/2009) Hi-res PDF All That Gas? (11/2009) Lo-res version Comic Strips (in Turkmen) 
Comic Strips (Na russkom) 
David Rees' Comic Strips (In English, hi-res) 
Gazovyi vopros (11/2009), Word, na russkom Hemme zat gaz üçinmi? (11/2009) Word, Türkmen Press-Release (11/2009) Source: Global Witness
Press Release by GCA on Turkmen Gas Fields
15.10.2009.
In a public Statement, GCA told the following:
In October 2008, Gaffney Cline & Associates announced the results of its audit of the gas resources of the South Yolotan/Osman and Yashlar fields in Turkmenistan. Following that announcement, the following pulic statement was released.More ...
In October 2008, Gaffney Cline & Associates announced the results of its audit of the gas resources of the South Yolotan/Osman and Yashlar fields in Turkmenistan. Following that announcement, the following pulic statement was released.More ...
Turkmenistan falsified data on gas reserves in the country
13.10.2009.
Vienna, 13.10.09-ETG On Sunday evening, during an emergency meeting of the Turkmen Government, it became evident what sources like „Eurasian Transition Group“ already reported back in 2008 and earlier this year and which could have an important impact on the energy policy of the Caspian region and the future construction plans of pipelines like the Nabucco project.
More ...
More ...
Turkmen Cabinet: Gas Audit results a fake
12.10.2009.
During a cabinet meeting of the Turkmen Government on October 11, 2009, it became evident what ETG already published eight months ago: all test audits in the gas industry of Turkmenistan, though conducted by independent experts, were faked.
ETG sources report that during the cabinet meeting President Berdymukhamedov announced the falsification of the independent gas drillings, saying that probably only one third of the results might be realistic.
By a decree most of the responsible directors in the gas industry were fired.
ETG will follow the situation in the country carefully.
ETG sources report that during the cabinet meeting President Berdymukhamedov announced the falsification of the independent gas drillings, saying that probably only one third of the results might be realistic.
By a decree most of the responsible directors in the gas industry were fired.
ETG will follow the situation in the country carefully.
More empty gas talks with Russia?
12.10.2009.
Turkmenistan has proven a fickle energy-export partner for all foreign companies trying to do business there. Yet, a Kremlin spokesperson’s recent statement that Russia would resume natural gas imports as soon as the end of October, confirms that hope springs eternal when it comes to the question of Ashgabat and energy.More ...
Allow access, freedom for civil society
02.10.2009.
Human Rights Watch joined the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and 13 other groups in issuing a statement today calling on governments and companies that have recently gained access to Turkmenistan to use their connection to improve the lives of the country's more than 5 million people. The groups said these governments and companies should also press Turkmenistan to allow international civil society groups and human rights organizations to work in the country.More ...
Nabucco Pipeline: Results of a survey (in Russian)
01.10.2009.
Объединенная евразийская экспертная сеть (JEEN) представляет результаты экспертного опроса по проблеме реализации проекта Nabucco.More ...
Turkmen President's Interview: "We are Criminals" he said.
25.09.2009.
(AP) — ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan - Energy-rich Turkmenistan has signed a deal with independent Russian gas producer Itera to jointly develop an offshore field in the Caspian Sea, Turkmen state media reported Monday.
In a signing ceremony overseen by the presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan on Sunday, the sides agreed to begin work next year on developing the field, which is estimated to hold 160 million tons of recoverable oil and 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas.More ...
In a signing ceremony overseen by the presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan on Sunday, the sides agreed to begin work next year on developing the field, which is estimated to hold 160 million tons of recoverable oil and 60 billion cubic meters of natural gas.More ...
Speech by Turkmen President at UNGA
24.09.2009.
The speech by Turkmen President Berdymukhamedov at the UNGA.
Are reforms back on the shelf?
23.09.2009.
Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedov is making a trip to the United States this week which includes a speech at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly and meetings with top US officials. It will be difficult for him to present himself as the hoped for reformer who is willing to take Turkmenistan out of present isolationist course.More ...
Perspectives of the Nabucco Pipeline: Interview (In Russian)
21.09.2009.
Редакция сайта Объединенной евразийской экспертной сети ( JEEN ) провела экспертный опрос по проблеме перспектив реализации проекта Nabucco. В опросе приняли участие эксперты из России и стран СНГ. На основе опроса сформирован аналитический обзор, который будет опубликован в ближайшее время на сайте Сети JEEN ( j - een . com ). Предваряя презентацию отчета, редакция сайта публикует эксклюзивное интервью с Виталием Куликом, директором Центра исследований проблем гражданского общества (Украина) по указанной проблеме.More ...
Is Turkmenistan a reliable partner for the EU? New ETG Analysis
16.09.2009.
Relations between the European Union (EU) and Turkmenistan are focused on establishing an energy dialogue. Prior to the death of President Niyazov, Turkmenistan was the most isolated country in Central Asia. Ties between Brussels and Ashgabat were poor at best. The emergence of Berdymukhamedov as Niyazov’s successor and his subsequent election to the presidency gave the EU a chance to move bilateral relations with Turkmenistan to a qualitatively new level. The initial rhetoric of the new president was promising. He appeared to identify some changes in foreign and economic policy, namely, a strengthening of the country’s orientation towards the West. This encouraged Brussels to hope for new opportunities with Turkmenistan.More ...
NATO envoy plays down Turkmen base plans
04.09.2009.
NATO special representative for Central Asia and Caucasus Robert Simmons has downplayed the controversy over Turkmenistan's plan to establish a naval base on its Caspian coast, saying it's natural for littoral states to boost border security to protect against an increasingly active transit route for illegal activities. More ...
Courting Turkmenistan
02.09.2009.
Each December, Turkmenistan celebrates "Neutrality Day," an official state holiday commemorating the reclusive country's aspiration to be the Switzerland of Central Asia. But for the first time in nearly a century, Turkmenistan is finally in play. Although the former Soviet republic has languished for decades, EU-Russian energy tensions, the war in Afghanistan, and the power politics of oil and gas have combined to fuel a new "Great Game" in Central Asia. The most coveted prize may be the hermit kingdom of Turkmenistan, which sits atop the world's fourth-largest reserves of natural gas, a huge amount of oil, and a strategic position in the heart of Central Asia. The United States, the European Union, Russia, China, Iran, and Turkey are all vying for influence in Turkmenistan. The only question is, at whose expense will future gains be made?More ...
Turkmen students studying at AUCA are not permitted to leave Turkmenistan for any reason!
21.08.2009.
This is what deputy minister of education told the parents of American University- Central Asia (AUCA) students at a meeting in the ministry held on August 18th. He also said the Turkmen government doesn’t need their liberal arts degrees. The official forgot that the Turkmen government doesn’t pay a penny for student’s education at AUCA.More ...
Turkmen, Uzbek eyes stray toward Brussels
04.06.2009.
Just a few years ago, it would have been difficult to imagine an official from Turkmenistan visiting Brussels to discuss exporting natural gas directly to the EU.More ...
Slighted by Russia, Ashgabat courts EU
04.06.2009.
Officials at the European Commission have attempted to downplay the significance of meetings this week between Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov and EU officials. More ...
The new Turkmenistan, not much different from the old Turkmenistan
04.06.2009.
This documentary gives a look behind the scenes of Turkmenistan under President Berdymukhammedov. The film was made by journalist Simon Ostrovsky, and was funded by the Norwegian Helsinki Committee.More ...
New ETG Central Asia News Digest
03.06.2009.
ETG’s Central Asia News Digest, this month focusing on Turkmenistan, has been published. Send us an email to order the electronic version.
We are still working on the abriged English version, so keep in mind that this document is in Russian.
We are still working on the abriged English version, so keep in mind that this document is in Russian.
Russia to clinch deals to hasten Europe gas link
15.05.2009.
Russia aims to speed up the new South Stream gas link to Europe by signing deals with transit states, and has rebuked the United States and former Soviet satellite states for backing a rival project.More ...
EU agrees deal on energy
08.05.2009.
The European Union has agreed on joint goals with supplier and transit states at talks in Prague aimed at establishing long-term energy and transport links with the Middle East and Central Asia.More ...
Turkmenistan needs Europe too for gas sales
23.04.2009.
Turkmenistan has told the West it sought to find new ways of diversifying its gas exports, in a snub to Russia, which wants to keep the energy-rich former Soviet republic on a tight leash.More ...
Ashkhabad wonders whether Russia still has deep pockets
03.04.2009.
It is clear that nothing happened during Turkmen leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s just-concluded visit to Moscow that could shake up a stalling relationship. Experts are still wondering, however, about what exactly occurred during Berdymukhamedov’s talks with top Russian officials, including President Dmitry Medvedev.More ...
EU Parliament postpones vote on Turkmen treaty
03.04.2009.
The European Parliament has again postponed a vote on a trade agreement with Turkmenistan, RFE/RL's Turkmen Service reports.More ...
Turkmenistan and Russia will make new gas agreements
26.03.2009.
Negotiations between presidents of Russia and Turkmenistan Dmitry Medvedev and Gurbankuly Berdymuhammedov took place in Moscow on March 25.More ...
Rights group calls on Turkmenistan to back up promises
26.03.2009.
The Turkmen government should fully implement the recommendations issued by the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the rights watchdog Amnesty International has said.More ...
“Internet monitored and controlled, even in democracies”
12.03.2009.
After joint appeal with Amnesty International for an end to online censorship, Reporters Without Borders issues report on “Enemies of the Internet” More ...
Deutsche Bank complicit in Niyazov's terror regime
12.03.2009.
A new report slams a leading German bank for allowing Turkmenistan’s former president, Saparmurat Niyazov, to stash billions of dollars in state earnings in a personally controlled account.More ...
Uzbek and Turkmen Unite on Energy, Water
12.03.2009.
NBCentral Asia observers are concerned at a proposal by Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan to demand a rigorous study of the impact of planned hydroelectric schemes in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. More ...
Another mosque is named after the president Berdymukhamedov
12.03.2009.
The main mosque of Mary, Turkmenistan, will now bear the name of Hajji Gurbanguly.More ...
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan confirm new supply outes
06.03.2009.
On February 24 and 25 Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhamedov paid a state visit to Uzbekistan for talks with President Islom Karimov. The discussions, which covered a wide range of issues, signaled a further strengthening of bilateral ties; but this was overshadowed by the confirmation by both leaders that their countries would participate in the northern supply route, assisting in the delivery of non-lethal materials to Afghanistan (Uzbek National News Agency, February 25). This is a further indication that the security dynamics in the region are rapidly changing following Russia's recent moves to undermine the U.S. military presence at Manas and activate the CSTO Rapid Reaction Forces. U.S. and NATO planning staffs are evidently engaged in a search for viable options to ensure continued supplies for the forces in Afghanistan.More ...
Russia does not protect its citizens in Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan
05.03.2009.
On March 2, the independent press-center hosted the press-conference “On the protection of compatriots’ rights in Turkmenistan. The problem in the freedom of move for citizens of Uzbekistan” in Moscow. The press-conference was attended by deputy manager of Human Rights Commissioner in Russia Georgyi Kunadze, Civil Assistance Committee chairman, Memorial human rights center Council member Svetlana Gannushkina, Memorial human rights center Central Asian program head Vitalyi Ponomarev and Vremya novostei international observer Arkadyi Dubnov.More ...
Turkmen, Uzbeks to Help NATO’s Afghan Effort
05.03.2009.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are to allow NATO freight to cross their territory on its way to Afghanistan. NBCentralAsia see this as a clear sign that both states want to cooperate with the West, and also to demonstrate a new commitment to work in tandem with one another. More ...
Ashkhabad opens airspace to US and NATO supply flights to Afghanistan
27.02.2009.
Citing a desire to help Afghanistan in "matters of humanitarian concern," Turkmenistan’s leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, announced February 25 that Turkmenistan will permit US and NATO planes to ferry non-military goods to troops in Afghanistan across the Central Asian country’s airspace.More ...
Turkmenistan now less isolated, but still repressive
24.02.2009.
It is two years since Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was elected president of Turkmenistan to succeed Saparmurat Niyazov (aka Turkmenbashi), who died suddenly in December 2006. In order to get a better understanding of whether and how the situation in Turkmenistan has changed in terms of political and civic freedoms, the media, and changes within the government, a comparison is called for between Berdymukhammedov's first and second years in power.More ...
EU weighs image, energy in relations with Turkmenistan
23.02.2009.
With immense natural-gas fields located within reach, Turkmenistan is in a prime position to provide the gas needed to make the EU's Nabucco gas-pipeline project a reality.More ...
What was the Turkmen Gas deal in Tehran?
17.02.2009.
Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov visited Tehran on February 13-14 and, following a meeting with Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad, spoke about new energy deals between the neighboring countries. More ...
President Berdymukhammedov to give an official visit to Iran
13.02.2009.
On February 13, the President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, begins two-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran.More ...
Turkmenistan: Continuing failure to fulfil promises
12.02.2009.
Politically motivated harassment, detentions and imprisonments continue unabated in Turkmenistan despite the government's promises to uphold human rights, Amnesty International said today, ahead of the government’s second anniversary. More ...
Nabucco agreements to be signed in spring
11.02.2009.
Nabucco Managing Director Reinhard Mitschek says the project's members will meet in Ankara this spring to sign agreements to implement the gas pipeline.More ...
First 2009 edition of ETG Central Asia News Digest released
25.01.2009.
The first edition of ETG’s Central Asia News Digest 2009 is available. This time we focus on Turkmenistan, discussing the health system, the energy supply in Turkmenistan, the influence of the financial global crisis on the country, reasons for Berdymukhamedov’s decision to fire members of the cabinet and the negotiations with NATO on security and further cooperation.
Again, this report is available in Russian and can be ordered.
Again, this report is available in Russian and can be ordered.
EU to expand contacts
23.01.2009.
The European Union is to expand relations with Turkmenistan by opening a diplomatic mission in Ashgabat, a source in the Turkmen government has told Trend.az. According to the Azeri news agency, the aim is to "extend mutually beneficial cooperation" between energy rich Turkmenistan and Brussels.More ...
Turkmenistan's 'gray cardinal' leaves government
23.01.2009.
With the resignation this week of a cabinet minister widely regarded as the "gray cardinal" behind its current president, Turkmenistan has lost the last of the old guard installed by the late strongman Sapamurat Niyazov. More ...
Incompetent officials hinder Turkmen reforms
23.01.2009.
Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov is engaged in a major reshuffle of his top officials, although NBCentralAsia analysts question whether simply bringing in new faces will be enough to make government more efficient.
More ...US Embassy in Turkmenistan: Improving relations
20.01.2009.
The U.S. Embassy in Ashgabat says bilateral relations have improved since Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov came to power in late 2006. More ...
Petraeus visits Turkmenistan
16.01.2009.
U.S. Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus on Jan. 15 arrived in Turkmenistan to seek cooperation in improving security in Afghanistan, The Associated Press reported. Petraeus will meet with Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimukhammedov on Jan. 16. His trip is part of a tour of Central Asian countries aimed at getting assistance for U.S. efforts to secure supply lines for troops in Afghanistan.
Death threats against journalist continue
14.01.2009.
Journalist Osman Hallyev continues to receive death threats as pressure on him and his family members continues because of his work for RFE/RL's Turkmen Service.More ...
Freedom House: Human Rights Erosion in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan continued in 2008
14.01.2009.
According to US-based Freedom House recent Freedom In The World 2009 (FITW) annual report, based on analysis of the events from January 1 to December 31 of 2009, none of Central Asia states had positively changed the situation with human right.
More ...HRW calls on the new US President to reverse the damage of the Bush years
14.01.2009.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has used its annual report to urge the incoming Obama administration to make the protection and defense of human rights the central tenant of its policy decisions on foreign and national affairs.More ...
Turkmen leader to keep lid on democracy
14.01.2009.
The first session of Turkmenistan’s new parliament suggests that President Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov plans to maintain tight control over the institution, commentators interviewed by IWPR.
More ...Is Ashkhabad's interest in Nabucco rising?
09.01.2009.
The head of Germany’s second largest electricity and gas company, RWE AG, hailed Turkmenistan’s "promising" market and expressed a readiness for "constructive interaction in the energy sphere" during a visit to Ashgabat, news agencies report. This visit is raising speculation about Turkmen intentions to participate in the long-planned trans-Caspian and Nabucco pipeline projects.More ...
Niyazov's image disappears from bank notes
09.01.2009.
The minimum wage and state pensions in Turkmenistan have increased by 10 percent as of January 1.More ...
Ashkhabad turns off the switch to Tajikistan
09.01.2009.
Turkmenistan has suspended electricity exports to Tajikistan because Dushanbe has failed to sign a transit agreement with Uzbekistan that would see Tashkent levy a 10 percent transit fee on its impoverished neighbor.More ...
Authorities intimidate journalist
07.01.2009.
A correspondent for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty working in Turkmenistan has been warned that he will face retribution, if he continues reporting for the broadcaster’s Turkmen service.More ...
Ashkhabad reveals that gas won't start flowing to China in 2009
07.01.2009.
Turkmenistan has postponed start date for exporting natural gas to China. At the same time, Ashgabat reported that work on a 7,000-kilometer transnational pipeline was proceeding at "full speed."More ...
German and Austrian "Realpolitik" concerning Turkmenistan
10.12.2008.
The global economic slowdown appears to be giving Turkmenistan’s leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a boost.
Turkmenistan’s own relative isolation has proven a benefit during these tough economic times, shielding Ashgabat from some of the worst effects of the worldwide credit crunch. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At the same time, the crisis has infused European governments, especially Germany, with a sense of urgency to conclude new deals that help embattled exporters. The fact that Berdymukhamedov’s administration seems to be one of the few governments in the world today with money to spend is prompting European states to de-emphasize Ashgabat’s troubled record on civil society development.More ...
Turkmenistan’s own relative isolation has proven a benefit during these tough economic times, shielding Ashgabat from some of the worst effects of the worldwide credit crunch. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. At the same time, the crisis has infused European governments, especially Germany, with a sense of urgency to conclude new deals that help embattled exporters. The fact that Berdymukhamedov’s administration seems to be one of the few governments in the world today with money to spend is prompting European states to de-emphasize Ashgabat’s troubled record on civil society development.More ...