Turkmenistan Weekly Roundup

The current focus of Turkmen politics is on the February 12 presidential elections. The registration of candidates has been completed, and eight people, including incumbent President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, are registered. Few, however, doubt the outcome of the elections. Indeed, OSCE shares this opinion and considers it pointless to send observers to monitor the voting. Some regional analysts say the election campaign is a farce and label the race as “Wolf and Seven Goats” (after the name of a Russian fairytale) and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” (a mocking reference to Berdymukhamedov’s passion for the color white).

Meanwhile Berdymukhamedov has been busily developing foreign relations. In January, he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai, as well as top Chinese, Iranian and Belarussian officials. In addition, a Turkmen delegation received a warm welcome in Britain. Meanwhile, India and Pakistan claimed they have moved closer to signing the agreement on TAPI (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) pipeline, a route designed to facilitate Turkmen gas exports to southwest Asia.

A number of foreign dignitaries were received by the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. Among them was a delegation from Finland; the Regional Representative for Central Asia of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Saber Azam; and the Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Central Asia, Yves Arnoldy. During a meeting with the latter it was noted that Turkmenistan and the ICRC intend to develop cooperation in such areas as human rights and international humanitarian law.

A recent report from “Human Rights Watch” calls the human rights situation in Turkmenistan a “nightmare”. Reinforcing this view, the democratization watchdog Freedom House has listed Turkmenistan among the nine states with the worst civic freedoms record, and “Reporters Without Borders” has ranked Turkmenistan as one of the three worst countries for media freedom, describing Berdymukhamedov’s administration as “an absolute dictatorship.”

The dire human rights situation may be a factor deterring Turkmen students who study abroad from coming home. Many are concerned with the risk of harassment upon return to Turkmenistan. Perhaps not coincidentally, it is becoming more difficult to leave. Turkmen authorities are taking active steps to prevent students from participating in foreign educational programs. During the testing period for Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), administered by the US Department of State, the Turkmen government organized English language competitions at schools and directed teachers to ensure students attend.

In addition to erecting new educational barriers, Turkmen authorities are hampering access to health care. Citizens in northern regions of Turkmenistan are experiencing an outbreak of viral hepatitis. Forced to pay for their stay, food and medication in hospitals, many cannot afford to be treated.

Meanwhile Turkmen authorities are busy expanding their national cellular communication system and plan to purchase equipment from such companies as China’s Huawei Technologies Co.Ltd, Nokia Siemens Networks OY and Russia’s Prima Telecom.

a. Voters in Turkmenistan amount to 2.9 million

b. Registration of presidential candidates completed, meetings with voters began

c. The CIS observer’s mission started work in Turkmenistan

d. Turkmen Leader Gets Help From his Challengers

a. Turkmenistan Still Human Rights Nightmare – Watchdog

b. «Freedom House» rated Turkmenistan among the nine World's Most Repressive Societies

c. “Reporters without borders: Turkmenistan – “an absolute dictatorship”

d. Institute of International Relations of Turkmenistan and ICRC sign memorandum of understanding

e. Ashgabat to host International Conference on Refugees

f. Pakistan, India Report Progress On TAPI

g. Turkmenistan and Irun discuss Caspian issues

h. Turkmen-British Trade and Industry Council met in London

i. President of Afghanistan visits Turkmenistan

j. Ashgabat and Minsk agree to implement new joint projects

k. Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry receives delegation of Finland

a. New obstacles for those willing to sell their homes

b. Turkmen authorities prevent students from participating in US State Department exchange program

c. Foreign Study Provides Escape for Turkmen Students

d. Hepatitis breaks out in the north of Turkmenistan

e. Another Jehovah’s witness is sentenced

а. Ministry of Communications of Turkmenistan to sign another contract with Russian company “Prima Telecom”

b. Turkmenistan taking steps to extend cellular communication system

с. Turkmenistan-China trade turnover exceeds US $ 10 billion

Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 18.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15807.html

Synopsis: According to turkmenistan.ru, the number of voters with the right to vote in Turkmenistan exceeds 2.9 million people. This figure was made public at the meeting of the Central Commission for Elections and Referenda of Turkmenistan held on Tuesday.

Currently, there are 2307 polling stations in the country, more than ever before, including 29 polling stations abroad, says Turkmenistan.ru.

Source: turkmenistan.gov.tm/ 18,20.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project.

Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/?id=581

http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=390

Synopsis: According to the official web-site of the Government of Turkmenistan, turkmenistan.gov.tm, on January 16 the Central Commission for Election and Referenda of Turkmenistan held a regular meeting to discuss the issues regarding the preparations for the February 12th presidential election.

The registration of presidential candidates was completed and eight candidates obtained official registration. These include the current President of Turkmenistan, G.M. Berdimuhamedov; Dashoguz Velayat Deputy Khyakim in charge of the agricultural sector, R. Bazarov; Head of the Marygazcykarys Department of the Turkmengaz State Concern, K. B. Abdyllaev; Head of the Nebitgazduypliabatlayis Trust of the Turkmennebit State Concern, G. Mollanyyazov; Minister of Water Industry, A. Yazmyradov; and Head of the Lebapgurlushyk Production Association of the Ministry of Construction of Turkmenistan, E. Gayypov. They were nominated by public organizations and associations. Director of the Geoktepe cotton spinning factory, S. Batyrov, and Minister of Energy and Industry of Turkmenistan, Ya. Orazgulyev, were nominated by citizen initiative groups and collected more than 10,000 signatures in a timely manner.

Candidates began conducting meetings with their constituencies and introducing their election programs.

Source: regnum.su / 27.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://regnum.su/news/polit/1492773.html

Synopsis: According to Regnum news agency, the CIS observers' mission has started its work in Turkmenistan. The mission arrived at the invitation of Turkmenistan to monitor the forthcoming presidential election on February 12, 2012, reports the agency. The mission is headed by the chief of staff of the CIS observer mission, Yevgeny Sloboda.

Ashgabat has invited the UN, OSCE and CIS to send their observer missions to the upcoming presidential elections. However, OSCE representatives said that they see no point in observing elections whose outcome is already obvious, reports Regnum.

Source: News Briefing Central Asia (NBCA) / 24.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://iwpr.net/report-news/turkmen-leader-gets-help-challengers

According to News Briefing Central Asia, despite the broad coverage of the election campaign in Turkmen media and the large number of candidates, Turkmen voters will have little real choice. Analysts point to the close similarity of election programs proposed by quasi-alternative candidates and their obvious desire to please and help the current President. They tout his achievement instead of making campaign promises as is the custom for candidates in election campaigns.

Source: eurasianet.org / 24.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64889

Synopsis: The Turkmenistan summary in Human Rights Watch’s new annual report<http://www.hrw.org/reports/2012/01/22/world-report-2012> offers few surprises, says EurasiaNet.org. According to the report “President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s authoritarian rule remains entrenched, highlighting Turkmenistan’s status as one of the world’s most repressive countries”. The document lists violations of human rights in the country, including torture and ill-treatment, enforced disappearances during custody, strict limitation of access to information and freedom of movement, and the prohibition of activity of unregistered organizations, among others.

Source: gundogar.org / 20.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000

Synopsis: The US-based non-governmental organization «Freedom House» published its annual report “Freedom in the World”, where it rates the level of political and civic freedoms in different countries, says gundogar.org.

Turkmenistan was included in the list of nine states with the worst civic freedoms record, along with North Korea, Uzbekistan, and others.

Source: gundogar.org / 26.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000

International non-governmental organization “Reporters without Borders” (RWB) published its regular Press Freedom Index 2011-2012 (http://en.rsf.org/press-freedom-index-2011-2012,1043.html), reports gundogar.org.

The index ranks Turkmenistan 177 out of 179, that is, as one of the three worst countries for media freedom. It is followed only by North Korea and Eritrea. These three states have been known as suppressors of freedom since 2005 and were referred to as “absolute dictatorships”.

Source: turkmenistan.ru / 19.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15812.html

Synopsis: On January 19, the Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Central Asia, Yves Arnoldy, arrived in Ashgabat on a working visit and held talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, reports turkmenistan.ru.

During the meeting the parties expressed their intentions to develop cooperation in such areas as human rights, international humanitarian law, analysis and the implementation of international humanitarian law into national legislation. Following the talks, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to systematize the cooperation between the ICRC and the Institute of International Relations of the Turkmen Foreign Ministry.

Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 19.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15811.html

Synopsis: Saber Azam, the Regional Representative for Central Asia of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), who was in Ashgabat on a working visit, held a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan on January 18, reports Turkmenistan.ru.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the current cooperation and discussed preparations for an International High-Level Conference on Refugees and Displaced Persons, to be held in Ashgabat in May 2012, says the report.

Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/27.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project/ Reprinted with permission of radio Free Europe/ radio Europe.

Full version: http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan_india_report_progress_tapi_pipeline/24463492.html

Synopsis: After negotiations held in New Delhi on January 25 between Indian Oil Minister S. Jaipal Reddy and Pakistani Oil minister Asim Hussain, it was announced that India and Pakistan are moving closer to an agreement on a pipeline to import Turkmen gas through Afghanistan (TAPI), says Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

Hussain said “a joint strategy" is evolving between India and Pakistan, and that the issue of transit fees is being discussed with Afghanistan. The pipeline to transport some 33 billion cubic meters of Turkmen gas annually to Fazilka, India, promises to bring Afghanistan tens of millions of dollars in transit fees yearly and to benefit the regions of Afghanistan along the pipeline route.

Source: gundogar.org / 24.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000

Synopsis: On January 23, in Ashgabat, President Berdyukhamedov met with the Special Representative of Iran on the Caspian Sea, Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzade, says Gundogar.org. The report does not indicate whether any specific agreements were reached during the meeting.

During the visit to Ashgabat, Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzade also held meetings in the Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry.

Source: British Embassy in Turkmenistan / 23.01.12/ turkmenistan.ru/ 16.01.12/

Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15800.html

http://ukinturkmenistan.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/working-with-turkmenistan/tuktic-meeting

Synopsis: On its official web-site, the British Embassy in Turkmenistan reported on the successful conclusion of the second meeting of the Turkmenistan-UK Trade & Industry Council (TUKTIC), which took place in London on January 16 and 17, 2012. The delegation from Turkmenistan was led by Deputy Prime Minister Deryageldi Orazov, and included the Director of State Agency for Management & Use of Hydrocarbon Resources, Yagshygeldy Kakayev, as well as the Mayor of Ashgabat, Shamuhammet Durdylyev. Their program included meetings with the British Minister for Europe, David Lidington, and Minister for Energy, Charles Hendry, and – at a reception in the Foreign & Commonwealth Office – His Royal Highness The Duke of York.

In covering this meeting, the Turkmenistan.ru web-site stated that the first meeting of the Turkmen-British Trade and Industry Council was held by the two governments in 2010. In October of last year, a British business delegation headed by the Council Co-chair Ronald Neshem visited Turkmenistan for talks. British businessmen will pay another visit to Ashgabat in March 2012.

Source: gundogar.org / 25.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full versions: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000

Synopsis: According to gundogar.org, on January 24, the President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, arrived in the Turkmen city of Turkmenbashi for an official visit.

The agenda of the talks included such issues as strengthening ties between the countries, construction of the TAPI pipeline (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) and the railroad between the countries, as well as the possibility of Turkmenistan’s participation in developing gas fields in the north of Afghanistan, reports Afghanistan.ru, citing the press-service of the Afghan president.

Source: belapan.com / 16.01.12/ turkmenistan.ru/ 18.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://belapan.com/archive/2012/01/16/522938/_ http://www.turkmenistan.ru/ru/articles/36926.html

Synopsis: According to News agency “Belapan”, citing press-service of Belarusian government, on January 16 – 17, Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich visited Turkmenistan.

During the talks President Berdymukhamedov and Prime Minister Myasnikovich discussed the prospects of further cooperation, and in particular, the possibility of opening in Turkmenistan construction companies similar to those operating in Belarus; supplying Belarusian tractors and machinery to Turkmenistan; establishing in the country a Belarusian-Turkmen school; and organizing educational exchange tours to Belarus for Turkmen specialists. This was reported by turkmenistan.ru.

Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 18.01.11/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15808.html

Synopsis: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan received a delegation of Finland, headed by Ambassador of Finland to Turkmenistan Tuula Yurelya, reports Turkmenistan.ru, citing the press service of the Ministry. Tuula Yurelya stressed that major Finnish companies would like to participate in new projects implemented in Turkmenistan.

During its visit, the Finnish delegation will hold a meeting at the National Institute for Democracy and Human Rights under the President of Turkmenistan.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan/ 25.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/01/eshhe-odna-komissiya/

Synopsis: As of January 1, 2012, all selling of apartments and registering property gift deeds have been suspended in Turkmenistan. This is due to the fact that a new real estate evaluation commission has been established whose permission is obligatory for selling a house or an apartment, reports Chronicles of Turkmenistan. For their services the new commission demands 3 percent of the total cost of a property.

This new requirement is perhaps most disturbing for those who have decided to leave Turkmenistan for good. Many people who have already found a buyer for their privatized apartment and sent containers with their belongings to Russia simply cannot sell their home. It is unclear how long this situation will last.

Source: «Хроника Туркменистана» /12.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.chrono-tm.org/en/archives/307

Synopsis: In early January, the testing for Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), administered by the US Department of State, and designed for students of high and secondary school began in Turkmenistan, reports Chronicles of Turkmenistan. It provides 15-17 year old school students the opportunity to spend a year in the US staying with American host families and going to a local high school.

In order to prevent students with a good knowledge of English from participating in the testing of the program, Turkmen authorities organized English language competitions on the very same day and instructed teachers to ensure their students attended. Their efforts were not in vain: the number of those willing to be enrolled in the FLEX program is decreasing year after year. In previous years, approximately 400 schoolchildren took part in the first round of the selection process, whereas this year just over 120 participated.

FLEX has been active in Turkmenistan since 1993. Since that time the program has enabled hundreds of Turkmen students to study abroad.

Source: News Briefing Central Asia (NBCA) /13.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project.

Full version: http://iwpr.net/report-news/foreign-study-provides-escape-turkmen-students

According to News Briefing Central Asia (NBCA), an increasing number of Turkmen students who manage to go abroad to study are refusing to come home. Two thousand Turkmen students went abroad to study on official exchange programs during 2011 in countries including Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Ukraine, as well as China, the United States and Europe, according to official statistics.

Furthermore, many other students arrange to study abroad privately. Their numbers are not reflected in the official statistics, but according to an official from the Ministry of Education, who spoke on the conditions of anonymity, there are more than 40,000 Turkmen students currently studying abroad. According to the official, the number of those who choose to return home after obtaining a diploma in a foreign university, is decreasing. Those who study abroad are afraid of facing pressure back at home and reluctant to return to the country where they have no future.

Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan /19.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/01/gepatit/

During the fall and early winter, people in the northern parts of Turkmenistan suffered from an outbreak of viral hepatitis. Family doctors of all three clinics of Dashoguz registered up to 10 – 12 cases of the infection per day only among schoolchildren alone, says Chronicles of Turkmenistan. Among those who contracted the disease are many pregnant women and children.

In the hospitals patients are required to pay for their bed, food and medication. Many simply cannot afford to be treated, says the article.

Source: gundogar.org / 26.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000

Synopsis: According to gundogar.org citing «Forum 18», on January 18, in Ashgabat, in a closed-door session the court examined the case of a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 39 year old Vladimir Nuryllaev, and found him guilty of disseminating pornographic materials. The court sentenced him to four years of imprisonment.

Members of Jehovah’s Witnesses community consider the charges to be fabricated and insist that he was prosecuted by intolerant authorities for his religious beliefs.

Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 15.01.12/ tasstelecom.ru/ 14.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15793.html, http://tasstelecom.ru/news/one/7283

Synopsis: Russian telecommunications company “Prima Telecom” has completed the laying down of a fiber-optic link between the new TV tower in Ashgabat and “Orbit” workshop, constructed RRL-communication systems, a compression system for 6 channels, and designed an antenna-feeder, reports Turkmenistan.ru.

The company has also received a contract to supply and install equipment for Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Communications. “Turkmenistan is creating all conditions to ensure that every citizen has access to Internet and modern communication technologies. We attach great importance to the rapid development of telecommunications,” said Berdimuhamedov.

Source: turkmenistan.gov.tm / 28.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=424

Synopsis: Turkmenistan is taking steps to extend the national cellular communications system and to enhance the quality of services, reports the official web-site of the Turkmen government, Turkmenistan.gov.tm. In accordance with a presidential resolution, the Ministry of Communications is to conclude contracts for the purchase and installation of equipment for the Altyn Asyr mobile communications system with Huawei Technologies Co.Ltd. (China) and Nokia Siemens Networks OY (Finland). The technical assistance contract is to be concluded with Vostochny Veter corporation (Russia).

Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 15.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project

Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15794.html

Synopsis: According to Turkmenistan.ru, the Turkmen-Chinese trade turnover amounted to about U.S. $10 billion in the first 11 months of last year, placing China in a leading position in the list of major trade partners of Turkmenistan. This was discussed at the meeting between President Berdimuhamedov and the Special Envoy of the President of China, Chen Zhili, who recently visited Ashgabat as the head of a delegation.

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Unless otherwise indicated, all translations have been prepared by OSI’s Turkmenistan Project.

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