Turkmenistan Weekly Roundup

Issue 3 (2012)
January 30 – February 7, 2012

*For Breaking News See Our Blog Sifting the Karakum* http://www.eurasianet.org/voices/karakum

Turkmenistan stages a presidential election on February 12. Preliminary voting for those who will not unable to vote on the Election Day began February 2. There are still eight candidates, including the current president, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. The campaign is being observed by a CIS mission, whose leader has claimed that “all the candidates for presidency have equal opportunities for campaigning.” On February 10, the mission was joined by representatives of the Belarusian Central Election Committee. In addition, experts from the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) arrived in Turkmenistan, although they do not have any observation mandate.

Despite the busy pre-election period, President Berdymukhamedov found time to engage in some routine bullying of underlings. He reprimanded the minister of transport and the vice-premier "for the improper discharge of official duties." He also expressed dissatisfaction with the deputy prime minister and governor of Ashgabat for their lack of oversight of the construction of social facilities. At the same time, Berdymukhamedov visited a nearly-completed apartment building and displayed his finicky side, expressing dissatisfaction with the structure’s technical conditions and color schemes. Berdymukhamedov also appointed a new deputy minister of Interior and conducted a meeting where it was announced that Turkmenistan increased oil and gas production.

Not only governmental officials have faced problems in recent days. The web-site of the Turkmen opposition group “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” was attacked by hackers and stopped working on February 4. On February 6, the oppositional web-site gundogar.org became inaccessible. The authors of “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” believe that the denial-of-service attacks were orchestrated by Turkmen intelligence services. They are continuing to publish information on twitter and through their blog. Among other issues, they reported on threats against well-known human rights activist Natallia Shabunts, who recently found cross marks on her door and a blood-stained sheep’s head by the entrance to her home.

Meanwhile, Ashgabat saw a flurry of international diplomatic and economic activity. A delegation of the Russian Foreign Ministry, headed by the director of the Department of Consular Service, visited Turkmenistan to open discussions on defending the interests of citizens of both countries in each other's territories. It remains unclear, whether this dialogue can resolve the sensitive issue of dual citizenship holders in Turkmenistan, who are being forced by the Turkmen authorities to either give up one of their passports or leave the country for good. Meanwhile, President Berdymukhamedov received Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to discuss energy cooperation in the energy sector, and the Intergovernmental Turkmenistan-Turkey Commission for Economic Cooperation held a session in Ashgabat. In addition, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry hosted an Israeli Foreign Ministry delegation, and an Afghan delegation held talks with the Ministry of Construction Materials Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.

In an analysis published by Moskovskie Novosti, Arkadii Dubnov wrote that Beijing, which has made huge investments in Turkmenistan, is concerned that the situation in this Central Asian state may be destabilized if the U.S. strikes against Iran. Beijing is reportedly seeking guarantees for its investments. According to Dubnov, Turkmenistan cannot give such guarantees on its own and plans to consult Moscow on this issue.

Due to severely cold weather in Central Asia, Turkmenistan reduced gas exports to Iran from 20 to 10 billion cubic meters per day, reports Iranian news agency Mehr. According to the agency’s sources, there was no prior warning of the reduction in export levels and future cuts may be even more drastic.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. ELECTIONS

a. OSCE experts visit Turkmenistan ahead of presidential elections
b. Turkmenistan to hold early voting on February 2 ahead of presidential elections
c. Аll the candidates for presidency have equal opportunities for campaigning – head of CIS mission
d. Representatives of Belarus to observe presidential elections in Turkmenistan

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

a. China asks Turkmenistan the Iranian question
b. Cold snap halves Turkmen gas export to Iran
c. Delegation of Russian Foreign Ministry visited Turkmenistan
d. Delegation of Turkmen oil and gas sector to visit Europe
e. Turkmenistan, Turkey discuss economic cooperation; increase trade turnover
f. Turkmen Foreign Ministry receives Israeli delegation
g. Turkmenistan, Malaysia discuss energy cooperation
h. Turkmenistan and Afghanistan discuss cooperation in industry and trade
i. Islamabad and Delhi show interest in developing Turkmen gas fields
j. UNDP supports Turkmenistan's initiative on climate change
k. UN holds Ashgabat regional energy forum

3. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS

a. Opposition web-sites attacked
b. Human rights activist finds a bloodstained sheep’s head by her door
c. Turkmen automobile transport minister reprimanded
d. President criticized quality of construction in Ashgabat
e. New Deputy Minister of Interior appointed in Turkmenistan
f. Financing for social project for Turkmen servicemen increased; new military institute equipped with new technologies
g. Interdepartmental Commission on Caspian Sea holds meeting in Ashgabat

4. ECONOMIC NEWS

а. Turkmenistan increases oil and gas production

1. ELECTIONS

a. OSCE Experts Visit Turkmenistan Ahead of Presidential Elections
Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 06.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15866.html

Synopsis: On February 6, Turkmenistan’s Central Commission for Elections and Referenda held a meeting with a group of experts of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), which arrived in Ashgabat ahead of presidential elections, reports turkmenistan.ru. The experts were also received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.

During the visit, OSCE experts will meet with representatives of various governmental bodies.

b. Turkmenistan to Hold Early Voting on February 2
Source: turkmenistan.gov.tm/ 01.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project.  
Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15852.html

Synopsis: On February 2, Turkmenistan held early voting ahead of 2012 presidential elections, reports Turkmenistan.ru, citing the Central Election Commission.

According to the Law “On Elections of President of Turkmenistan”, voters who are unable to vote on the day of the election at their place of residence can cast their ballots at a designated polling station within 10 days period before the official day of elections.

c. Presidential Candidates Have Equal Opportunities – CIS Mission Head
Source: trend.az / 01.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1986873.html

Synopsis: During an interview with newspaper Neitralnii Turkmenistan, the chief of staff of the CIS Observation Mission in Turkmenistan, Yevgeniy Sloboda, said that all the candidates for presidency have equal opportunities for campaigning, reports trend.az. According to Sloboda, he came to this conclusion reading publications in the press, watching television reports, and observing the meetings with the voters.

According to the report, Sloboda also said that the meeting of the Central Election Commission observed by the CIS mission was held “openly, publicly, in the presence of representatives of public organizations and mass media, where all decisions are made collectively.”

d. Representatives of Belarus to Observe Presidential Vote
Source: Turkmenistan.ru / 02.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15860.html

Synopsis: On February 10, representatives of the Belarusian Central Election Commission will arrive to Turkmenistan to observe the presidential elections scheduled for February 12, reports Turkmenistan.ru. In their work they will join the CIS observation mission.

2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

a. China asks Turkmenistan the Iranian question
Source: Moskovskie novosti /30.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.mn.ru/world_ussr/20120130/310629497.html

Synopsis: Having built a strategic pipeline from Turkmenistan and having given it loans amounting to more than 8 billion dollars, Beijing is now concerned that this Central Asian country may become destabilized if the US strikes against Iran, writes Arkadii Dubnov in the article for Moskovskie Novosti. This question was discussed during the recent visit to Ashgabat of a Chinese delegation headed by the Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, Chen Zhili.

Apparently, according to MN, Beijing had many other questions for Ashgabat, asking about the possibility of allowing a U.S. or other foreign military contingent to be deployed in Turkmenistan, and about Turkmenistan’s readiness to receive refugees from Iran. Viewing Turkmenistan as virtually the only country in the region free from U.S. control, China is looking to Turkmenistan for several potential projects, including connecting a pipeline with Iranian gas to the Chinese pipeline from Turkmenistan and supplying Chinese ammunition to Iran. According to MN, China is also considering evacuating members of the Iranian leadership to China, through Turkmenistan, in case of critical need.

However, as the author of the article claims, Ashgabat was not able to guarantee Beijing the security of its investment and is now preparing to consult Russia on the issue.

b. Cold Snap Halves Turkmen Gas Exports to Iran
Source: trend.az / 05.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://en.trend.az/capital/energy/1988323.html

Synopsis: Turkmenistan has halved gas exports to Iran from 20 to some 10 million cubic meters per day, reports trend.az citing Mehr news agency.

The National Iranian Gas Company (NIGC) managing director, Javad Owji, stated that the reduction in export levels was due to severe cold snaps in Central Asia.

Sources informed Mehr agency that there was no prior warning of the reduction of gas exports and warned that future supplies may be cut even more drastically.

c. Delegation of Russian Foreign Ministry visited Turkmenistan
Source: CA-News /31.01.12/ Turkmenistan.ru /30.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full versions: http://www.ca-news.org/news/886651, http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15844.html

Synopsis: A delegation of the Russian Foreign Ministry headed by Director of the Department of Consular Service, Andrei Karlov, visited Turkmenistan, reports CA-News citing local press.

On January 30, the delegation was received by the Turkmen Foreign Ministry. The meeting provided a platform for dialogue about defending the interests of citizens of both countries in each other's territories, reports Turkmenistan.ru, citing the press service of the Foreign Ministry.

d. Delegation of Turkmen Energy Sector to Visit Europe 

Sourse: turkmenistan.ru / 30.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15845.html

Synopsis: An official Turkmen delegation of 15 oil and gas executives will visit Germany to attend the international conference “Turkmenistan - Europe: Prospects for Cooperation”, which will be held in Berlin, on March 14-15, 2012, reports Turkmenistan.ru. The conference will focus on opportunities for investing in Turkmen oil and gas industry.

The event is organized by the Turkmen Ministry of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources, the Chamber of Trade and Industry of Turkmenistan and British company Summit Trade Events Ltd.

e. Turkmenistan, Turkey Talk Trade
Source: turkmeninform.com /31.01.12/ trend.az / 02.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmeninform.com/ru/news/20120131/05248.html, http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1987070.html

Synopsis: On January 30, the 4th session of the Intergovernmental Turkmenistan-Turkey Commission for Economic Cooperation began its work in Ashgabat, reports turkmeninform.com. The event was attended by representatives of the Turkmen government and members of the Turkish delegation headed by the Minister of Economy, Zafer Caglayan. During the meeting the parties discussed cooperation in the fuel and energy sector, in areas of agriculture and construction, and the participation of Turkish companies in the development of the Avaza tourist resort.

From January till November 2011, the volume of trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Turkey grew by 20 percent in comparison to the same period of the previous year, and has reached 3,2 billion dollars, which makes Turkey one of Turkmenistan’s major trading partners, reports trend.az, citing a statistics report of the Strategic Planning and Economic Development Institute of Turkmenistan. Energy resources and livestock products are among the dominant Turkmen exports to Turkey.

More than 600 Turkish companies are registered in Turkmenistan. They implement more than 1,270 investment projects, including over 1,200 projects worth over $15 billion euro, and 26 projects - worth over 2 billion euro.

f. Turkmen Foreign Ministry Receives Israeli Delegation
Source: Turkmenistan.ru / 31.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15849.html

Synopsis: On January 31, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry hosted a meeting with a delegation from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, headed by Director General for Relations with International Organizations, Pinhas Avivi, reports Turkmenistan.ru.

The parties discussed bilateral relations between the two countries in the context of Turkmen foreign policy based on the principles of neutrality and peace, says the report. Among the main areas of cooperation the parties named energy, agriculture, education and healthcare. Turkmenistan expressed interest in modern Israeli technologies.

g. Turkmenistan, Malaysia Discuss Energy Cooperation
Source: trend.az /01.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1986629.html

Synopsis: On February 1, 2012, President Berdymukhamedov received Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, reports trend.az, citing the Turkmen government. The parties discussed cooperation in the energy sector and such areas as transport, telecommunications, technologies and tourism.

Malaysia's interest in the Turkmen market is primarily due to the activity of its State Oil Company Petronas Charigali, which started the industrial production and export of oil in Turkmenistan in May 2006. Raw materials are transported through Azerbaijan and Iran. Recently, natural gas production has also become possible. Natural gas may be transported both through the traditional route to Russia, and via the planned gas pipeline to Europe, through the Caspian Sea and Azerbaijan.

It is expected that the Malaysia will open its embassy in Ashgabat shortly.

h. Turkmenistan and Afghanistan Hold Trade Talks
Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 03.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15862.html

Synopsis: A delegation from Afghanistan, headed by the Director of the Chamber of Commerce of Herat province, Khatebi Haji Sahd, held talks at the Ministry of Construction Materials Industry and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, reported Turkmenistan.ru on February 3.

During the meetings the parties sides exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation, particularly in the spheres of trade, economics and construction.

i. Islamabad and Delhi show interest in Developing Turkmen Gas Fields
Source: regnum.ru / 04.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full versions: http://www.regnum.ru/news/polit/1495589.html

Synopsis: Pakistan and India are planning to approach Turkmenistan with an offer to jointly develop the Davletabad gas field, from where the TAPI pipeline (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) will originate, reports news agency Regnum, citing a statement made during a meeting between Petroleum Minister of Pakistan Dr Asim Hussain and the Afghan delegation headed by Deputy Finance Minister Mohammad Mustafa Mastoor.

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already said that Turkmenistan is not capable of developing the gas field, and contracts should be awarded to Western companies,” said the official from the Petroleum Ministry, suggesting this as the reason why Pakistan and India wanted to assume a role in developing the gas field.

The parties of the transnational pipeline project TAPI are planning to sign the contract on the sale and purchase of Turkmen gas shortly, reports regnum.ru.

j. UNDP Supports Turkmenistan's Initiative on Climate Change
Source: Turkmenistan.ru / 02.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15855.html

Synopsis: Gabriela Fisherova, Advisor on Climate Change from the UNDP Regional Centre in Bratislava, held talks at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Turkmenistan, reports Turkmenistan.ru.

The UNDP representative commended the work of Turkmenistan in the field of environmental protection and noted the importance of President Berdimuhamedov’s initiative to establish a UN Interregional Center on Climate Change in Ashgabat.

k. UN holds Ashgabat Regional Energy Forum
Source: trend.az / 02.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1987101.html

Synopsis: A regional conference was held in Ashgabat with experts and consultants from Central Asia, Russia, and Ukraine, organized as part of a joint project of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Turkmenistan, reported trend.az on February 2, citing an official Turkmen source.

The forum focused on energy saving and the generation of energy from renewable sources.

3. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS

a. Opposition Websites Attacked
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan/ 25.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/02/ocherednaya-ataka-na-sayt/

Synopsis: The Web-site Chronicles of Turkmenistan reported that it has been subject to hacker attacks since February 1, and warned that if necessary, its materials will be published on twitter http://twitter.com/chrono_tm and in its blog http://chrono-tm.blogspot.com/.

The site has not been accessible since February 4, and on February 6 it was also impossible to open gundogar.org.

b. Rights Activist Finds Sheep’s Head by Her Door
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles/04.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://chrono-tm.blogspot.com/

Synopsis: The next day after giving an interview to Radio “Azatlyk” (Turkmen Service of Radio Liberty), a renowned human rights defender, Natalia Shabunts, found a bloodstained sheep’s head by the door to her house. The writers of Chronicles of Turkmenistan believe this was done by the Turkmen intelligence services.

Natalia Shabunts has repeatedly criticized Turkmen authorities and reported about gross violations of human rights in the country.

c. Turkmen Automobile Transport Minister Reprimanded
Source: trend.az /03.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1987961.html

Synopsis: Turkmen President Berdimuhamedov has severely reprimanded the Minister of Automobile Transport of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berkeliyev, "for the improper discharge of official duties," reports trend.az, citing the Turkmen government. Vice-Premier Nazarguly Shagulyev received the same reprimand.

d. President Criticized Quality of Construction in Ashgabat
Source: Turkmenistan.ru /03.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15863.html

Synopsis: While conducting an inspection tour of Ashgabat, President Berdymukhamedov expressed dissatisfaction with the work of Deputy Prime Minister Deryageldy Orazov and Governor of Ashgabat Shamuhammet Durdylyev, suggesting they devote insufficient attention to the construction of social facilities in the city, reports Turkmenistn.ru.

The President personally visited one of the apartments in a nearly completed building and was unhappy with its technical conditions and color schemes. He was particularly critical about the state of the adjacent sports ground. The Turkmen leader ordered the elimination of all deficiencies and stated that while building residential houses, it is necessary to provide “all conditions conducive to the traditions of hospitality of the Turkmen people and peculiarities of cooking national dishes”.

e. New Deputy Minister of Interior Appointed
Source: gundogar.org /31.01.12 Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011062012010000#12080

Synopsis: President Berdymukhamedov appointed Police Major Serdar Durdyev to the post of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, having released him from his duties as the Head of theAshgabat Police Department.

Durdyev replaces Berdymukhammed Rejepov, who was fired in December 2011 for “serious shortcomings in his work”.

f. Financing for Turkmen Soldiers Increased; Military Institute Upgraded
Source: Turkmenistan.ru /30.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15841.html

At a Security Council meeting, President Berdymukhamedov said that the financing of social projects for the improvement of lives of Turkmen soldiers has increased fourfold over the past five years, as compared to previous periods, reports Turkmenistan.ru. The equipment installed in the buildings recently erected for the Turkmen Military Institute will allow students to develop their skills in using modern technologies in communication, mobile anti-aircraft missile and artillery systems.

According to the President, work will continue this year to expand the material and technical resources of the National Army and Naval Forces and noted that Turkmenistan’s military doctrine is “purely defensive”.

g. Interdepartmental Commission on Caspian Sea Meets in Ashgabat
Source: Turkmenistan.ru /30.01.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15840.html

Synopsis: A meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on the Caspian Sea was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, reported Turkmenistan.ru on January 30. The meeting reviewed the results of 2011 and set objectives for the near future.

Participants of the meeting discussed the priorities of the Commission, including the conservation and management of the Sea’s biological resources, ensuring its environmental security, and the development of fruitful regional cooperation, reports Turkmenistan.ru, citing Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry.

According to participants, “goodwill, equality, mutual respect and healthy pragmatism were among the basic principles governing the position of the Turkmen state in international cooperation.

4. ECONOMIC NEWS

а. Turkmenistan Increases Oil & Gas Production
Source: turkmenistan.ru/ 06.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project 
Full versions: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15870.html

Synopsis: In the first month of 2012, the production of oil and gas condensate in Turkmenistan amounted to 114.4 percent and the production of natural gas totaled 118.2 percent compared to January of last year, while exports of natural gas increased by 28.5 percent, reports Turkmenistan.ru. This data was cited at a routine government meeting by Deputy Prime Minister Baimyrat Hojamuhammedov, who oversees the oil and gas and chemical industries.

In the oil products industry, the highest growth rates are reported in the production of polypropylene (108%) and liquefied natural gas (111.9%), says the report.<br>

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