February 7 - 13, 2012
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On February 12, Turkmenistan held presidential elections, with 96 percent of the electorate casting ballots and 97 percent of them voting to “re-elect” President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. The other seven candidates competing in the election split the remaining 3 percent of the votes, according to official reports.
A human rights activist from Turkmenistan, Natalia Shabuntz, recounted that there was music at the polling stations and people were cooking plov nearby; voters were greeted by young women in traditional costumes with trays full of snacks. In accordance with the announcement of Turkmenistan’s Election Committee, February 11, the day before the elections, was indeed “the day of silence” and in a rare occurrence the president’s voice and image disappeared from TV screens. However, according to Shabuntz, on February 10, TV anchors were still calling on the viewers to vote “for the leader of the nation”, and one of the anchors claimed that the use of the three types of transparent ballot boxes proves the transparency of the elections. According to “Turkmenistan Initiative for Human Rights”, the heads of Turkmen enterprises convened staff meetings and insisted that employees vote for Berdymukhamedov.
The Moscow-based International Institute for Political Expertise (IIPE) published a report about the situation in Turkmenistan on the eve of the presidential election, painting a grim picture of the Central Asian state. The report suggested that the Libyan scenario is not unthinkable for Turkmenistan, given the close similarity between both countries’ political and economical systems, as well as their resource riches. However, describing this document, the semi-official web-site Turkmenistan.ru maintained that the report noted “positive trends in the economy and foreign policy of modern Turkmenistan, with special emphasis on the economic and political risks”.
The IIPE report was the focus of a roundtable conducted on February 9 in the press-center of the RIA Novosti news agency. Turkmen participants disputed the report’s findings, with one saying its “hasty conclusions” could only have been made due to the lack of knowledge and the use of unverified sources. The Turkmen ambassador to Russia called the conclusions “biased, one-sided and fictitious,” going on to predict that Turkmenistan would transform itself into an “an industrial power.”
During the run-up to the presidential elections in Turkmenistan, the rights watchdog Amnesty International (AI) issued a report listing major human rights violations in the country, including lack of access to prisons for independent observers; forced disappearances and incarceration incommunicado; torture and other forms of ill-treatment; infringement of the freedom of speech, assembly and association, as well as the freedom of religion and consciousness; and limitation of the freedom of movement and choice of residence. The latter was proved once again when Turkmenistan unilaterally closed its border with Kazakhstan trying to beef up security for the presidential elections.
A CIS observation mission praised the presidential election campaign, saying that it was carried out in accordance with the law and “with consideration for the national mentality”. In response, President Berdymukhamedov said that Turkmenistan views the experience of the Commonwealth of Independent States as an effective mechanism of interaction among formerly Soviet republics. He also expressed support for Ashgabat’s closer cooperation with other CIS states. Ashgabat was selected to host VII Forum for CIS intelligentsia working in arts and science, and the city of Mary has been named the cultural capital of the Commonwealth for the year 2012.
Not too far from the CIS “cultural capital,” in the Dashoguz Region of Turkmenistan, Turkmen authorities arrested a 77-year-old Protestant man for writing religious poems and sent him to a police department responsible for counterterrorism and combating organized crime, where the detainee was questioned for six hours. The “intelligentsia working in arts and science” arriving to the capital of Turkmenistan, might be interested to know that in the suburbs of Ashgabat people live in pig houses, because their homes were demolished to free space for swings and other vital amenities.
With the formality of reelection out of the way, Berdymukhamedov is settling back into familiar routines. The first border patrol ship built in the country was named “Arkadag” after the President, who appropriated this sonorous title translated as “protector.” In addition, a military unit was named after Berdymukhamedov’s father “in recognition of his merits in training the younger generation.” And Berdymukhamedov’s book on the Ahalteke breed of horses was published in French; the forward to the French edition was written by the French Transport Minister.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. ELECTIONS
a. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov wins over 97 percent of votes
b. Turkmenistan held presidential elections; Central Election Commission declares Turkmenistan's presidential elections valid; Total voter turnout in Turkmenistan’s presidential elections reached 96.28%
c. A voter from Turkmenistan describes presidential elections
d. Election campaign conducted with consideration for national mentality – CIS mission
e. Workers of Turkmen enterprises are pressured to vote for Berdymukhamedov
f. Voting in Turkmenistan’s presidential elections finishes in Moscow
g. Turkmenistan closed border with Kazakhstan for presidential elections
h. Turkmenistan Election Committee declared a “Day of silence”
i. Presidential elections in Turkmenistan were accompanied by music
j. Voters in Turkmen presidential elections receive gifts
k. Azerbaijani Central Election Commission took part in monitoring elections in Turkmenistan
l. OSCE did not act as observers during Turkmen presidential elections
m. Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry held briefing for foreign journalists
n. Before presidential elections in Turkmenistan Amnesty International spotlighted gross human rights violations in the country
o. Situation in pre-election Turkmenistan: conclusions by International Institute for Political Expertise
p. Turkmenistan disagrees with conclusions of International Institute for Political Expertise
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
a. China, Turkmenistan keen to strengthen long-term strategic partnership
b. Medvedev: Diplomats are to take effective measures to protect Russians abroad
c. Turkmenistan supports closer partnership within CIS
d. Ashgabat will host VII Forum for CIS intelligencia working in arts and science
e. Belgorod to host regular Turkmen-Russian economic forum
f. Afghan drugs come to Russia and Europe through Turkmenistan more often
g. Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan discuss bilateral relations
h. Berdymukhamedov’s book on horses published in French
3. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
a. 77-year old poet protestant arrested by Dashoguz police
b. In the suburbs of Ashgabat people live in pig houses
c. Military unit in Turkmenistan named after father of President Berdymukhamedov
d. First border-patrol ship built in Turkmenistan named after the President
e. President: Turkmen national army receives the latest equipment
4. ECONOMIC NEWS
a. EBRD gave a loan to a private Turkmen logistics company
b. Turkmenistan to purchase tractors from Belarus
c. In 2011 Turkmenistan spent 250 million dollars on civil aviation
1. ELECTIONS
a. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov Wins Over 97 Percent of Votes
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/13.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15896.html
Synopsis: On February 13, at a press-conference, Turkmenistan’s Central Election Commission announced preliminary results of the presidential elections, according to which incumbent president Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov got the highest number of votes - 97.14 percent, reported Turkmenistan.ru.
b. Central Election Commission Declares Turkmenistan's Presidential Election Valid
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/12.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15887.html, http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15892.html, http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15894.html
Synopsis: On February 12, from 8 am till 8 pm, citizens of Turkmenistan voted in presidential elections, reports Turkmenistan.ru. Citizens chose among eight candidates, including President Berdymukhamedov. Voting took place at 2307 polling stations, including 29 abroad. The elections were monitored by the Mission of the Commonwealth of Independent States, consisting of 63 persons, as well as national observers.
As of 2 pm local time, 2.037.892 people or 68.22% of total voters in the country cast their votes in the presidential elections in Turkmenistan. According to the official report, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan declared the presidential elections valid. The Commission stated that the list of voters for the presidential elections totaled 2.987.324 people; and 96.28% of total voters cast their votes as the polls closed in Turkmenistan.
According to Turkmenistan’s Law on Presidential Elections, the Central Election Commission sums up the results of elections within three days after the election. The candidate receiving more than half of the votes is declared Turkmenistan's president-elect.
c. A Voter from Turkmenistan Describes Presidential Elections
Source: Turkmenistan Chronicles /12.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.chrono-tm.org/2012/02/vyiboryi-prezidenta/
Synopsys: In an article for Turkmenistan Chronicles published by “Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights”, Natalia Shabuntz describes her experience of visiting two polling stations and voting. She said there was music at the polling stations and nearby women were cooking plov and selling drinks and baked goods. Voters were met by young women in traditional costumes with trays full of snacks. At one of the stations Natalia Shabuntz was prohibited from taking photos, with no explanation given. However, photos from the other station are available on the web-site of “Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights”.
February 11th was indeed “a day of silence” and in a rare occurrence the President disappeared from TV screens, says the author of the article. On February 10, however, news anchors called on the viewers to vote “for the leader of the nation”. Speaking about democratic elections, one news anchor said that the use of three types of transparent ballot boxes proves the transparency of the elections. Similarly, the author recalled that a Turkmen economist once commented that the opening of a new market is evidence of the market economy in the country.
d. CIS Mission Evaluates Election
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/08.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15877.html
Synopsis: The CIS observation mission approved the preparations for the presidential elections in Turkmenistan and stressed that the election campaign was conducted in accordance with the law and “with consideration for the national mentality”, reports Turkmenistan.ru.
The mission included 63 observers, representing Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, the Inter-parliamentary Assembly of the CIS states, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union of Belarus and Russia, and the CIS Executive Committee.
e. Workers Pressured to Vote for Berdymukhamedov
Original title: Turkmen railroaders to unanimously vote for the honored…
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan /08.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://chrono-tm.blogspot.com/2012/02/turkmen-railroaders-to-unanimously-vote.html
Synopsis: The heads of Turkmen enterprises convened staff meetings and called on their employees to vote for Berdymukhamedov, reports “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” on its blog. At some of these meetings the enterprise executives read out the statement of the minister, stating that everybody will cast their votes in favor of the current president, and asking their employees to support him.
Such meetings were conducted in the departments of the Ministry of Railway Transportation, in the local offices of the Grain and Cereal Product Association, at the factories under the Ministry of Textile Industry, and in the offices of the Communications Ministry. The executives, who were not authorized representatives of any candidate, demanded that their subordinates “vote for the nation’s leader, great patron arkadag [protector] G. Arkadag Berdymukhammedov”.
f. Voting Ends in Moscow
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/07, 12.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15875.html, http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15895.html
Synopsis: On February 7, 2012, polling station at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Russia opened for early voting, and on February 12 for general voting in elections of the President of Turkmenistan, reports Turkmenistan.ru. According to official reports, more than three thousand people cast their votes, making up 93% of the total number of registered voters.
g. Turkmenistan Closes Border with Kazakhstan
Source: trend.az/09.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1990045.html
Synopsis: In the run-up to presidential elections, Turkmenistan unilaterally closed the border with Kazakhstan, reports trend.az, citing Kazakh custom inspections officials. Security measures at the border were strengthened in connection with the upcoming presidential elections in Turkmenistan, and during the period of February 8 – 15, entry into the country through a simplified procedure, i.e. without visas, is not possible.
h. Turkmenistan Election Committee Declares a “Day of Silence”
Source: Turkmenistan.ru / 11.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15886.html
Synopsis: The Turkmen Central Election Commission declared February 11 the “day of silence”, reports Turkmenistan.ru. Campaigning stopped one day before the presidential elections.
i. Presidential Election Accompanied by Music
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/07.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15873.html
Synopsis: On February 12, the day of the presidential elections in Turkmenistan, musical and singing performances were organized at the polling stations across the country, reports Turkmenistan.ru.
According to President Berdymukhamedov, cultural activities on the day of the presidential elections should “emphasize the special significance of this event and inspire people.”
j. Voters Receive Gifts/Swag
Source: Turkmenistan.ru /12.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15889.html
Synopsis: On February 12, at the polling station at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Russia, where votes were cast in the Turkmen presidential elections, first-time voters were given letters of thanks and presented Turkmen classic books in Russian translation, reported Turkmenistan.ru.
k. Azerbaijani Central Election Commission Took Part in Monitoring
Source: trend.az/ 09.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/news/politics/1990244.html
Synopsis: A delegation of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan participated in the presidential elections in Turkmenistan as observers. The delegation included a member of the Commission and a member of the CEC Secretariat, told trend.az the head of the PR and Media Department of the CEC, Azer Saryev.
l. OSCE Did Not Act as Observers in Ashgabat
Source: gundogar.org / 08.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000
Synopsis: On February 8, an OSCE representative, Nikolai Vulchanov, said that the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights at OSCE sent its specialists to Turkmenistan not to observe, comment on or evaluate the presidential election, but to provide expert assistance to the OSCE Center in Ashgabat in preparing a report on these elections, says gundogar.org. He stressed that the report will be descriptive rather than analytical.
m. Turkmenistan’s Foreign Ministry Briefs Foreign Journalists
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/07.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15872.html
Synopsis: On February 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan held a briefing for representatives of foreign mass media accredited in Turkmenistan on the preparations for the presidential election scheduled for February 12. The briefing was organized by the Foreign Ministry and Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan.
The briefing was attended by journalists of major news agencies, and electronic, print and other media, including the Associated Press, NCA (USA), Reuters (UK), AFP (France), Xinhua (China), Pakistan News Network (Pakistan), RIA "Novosti", "Ogonyok" magazine, the international magazine “Turkmenistan”, the e-newspaper Turkmenistan.ru, Cihan News Agency, the Anatolian News Agency (Turkey), Television and Radio Company TRT (Turkey), and the Zaman-Turkmenistan newspaper.
n. Amnesty International Highlights Rights Violations
Source: gundogar.org /10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000
Synopsis: In the run-up to the presidential elections in Turkmenistan scheduled for February 12, international human rights organization «Amnesty International» (AI) issued a report listing major human rights violations that the international community should focus on, reports gundogar.org.
These include lack of access to prisons for independent observers; forced disappearances and incarceration incommunicado; torture and other forms of ill-treatment; infringement of the freedom of speech, assembly and association, as well as the freedom of religion and consciousness; and limitation of the freedom of movement and choice of residence.
o. Pre-election Turkmenistan: Conclusions by the International Institute for Political Expertise
Source: gundogar.org/ International Institute for Political Expertise/10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://files.mail.ru/2ZF5CP
Synopsis: The Moscow-based non-commercial research organization, the International Institute for Political Expertise (IIPE), published a report about the situation in Turkmenistan on the eve of presidential elections. Research was conducted in January – February 2012 by analyzing open sources and interviewing experts from Central Asia, Russia and other countries. The experts of the Institute came to the following conclusions:
1. During his term as President of the country, Berdymukhamedov increased authoritarian rule and intensified repressive policy.
2. Any attempt to open up the country’s political system may provoke internal conflicts.
3. Turkmenistan lacks financial stability, but instead of creating favorable investment conditions the authorities routinely refuse to pay foreign contractors.
4. Governmental decision-making is not transparent and is fully dependant on the President and those close to him.
5. Turkmenistan’s pro-China policy may lead to a decrease in gas revenues and carries new political risks in the relations with the US. Restoration of cooperation with Gazprom might be advisable.
6. In case of a military campaign against Iran, the West may receive new leverage for pressuring Ashgabat and support one side or another during possible internal conflicts. Such support may then turn into open intervention. This was exactly the scenario of regime change in Libya, a state highly similar to Turkmenistan in its richness of resources, and political and economic systems.
p. Turkmen Officials Disagree With IIPE
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15885.html
Synopsis: A round table discussion called “Turkmenistan on the eve of elections” was held at the press center of RIA Novosti in Moscow on February 9, reports Turkmenistan.ru. Participants included Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia, Khalnazar Agakhanov; Director of the International Institute for Political Expertise, Yevgeny Minchenko; and others, reports Turkmenistan.ru. The discussions focused on a report prepared by the International Institute of Political Expertise, which noted “positive trends in the economy and foreign policy of modern Turkmenistan, with special emphasis on the economic and political risks”, says the report.
Chief Editor of “Turkmenistan” magazine, Michael Pereplesnin, said that “most of the round table participants know the country by hearsay, using sometimes unreliable sources of information from publicly accessible media”, and, thus, “tend to make hasty conclusions”. According to him, “only the lack of reliable data can explain an attempt to accuse Turkmenistan of unilaterally withdrawing from the agreement on dual citizenship, while in fact it was actually Russia who initiated the process of eliminating dual citizenship”. He stressed that many provisions of the report contain inaccuracies and subjectivity.
Then the floor was passed to the Ambassador of Turkmenistan to Russia, who insisted that if Berdymukhamedov wins the elections “one can be sure that Turkmenistan will take a course to turn from a predominantly agricultural country into an industrial power”, “to democratization of political life” and other positive changes. The Ambassador pointed to “biased and one-sided analyses, noting that their concerns about the economic, political and geopolitical risks that allegedly threaten Turkmenistan were largely fictitious”.
2. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
a. China, Turkmenistan keen to Strengthen Long-Term Partnership
Source: trend.az/ 10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1990622.html
Synopsis: A Chinese delegation visited Turkmenistan to participate in events dedicated to the 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, reports trend.az, citing newspaper “Neitralni Turkmenistan”. At the opening ceremony, China's Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Xiao Qinghua, said that "China pays special attention to the development of relations with Turkmenistan, in which it sees a faithful friend and long-term strategic partner”. He added that further strengthening of dialogue, friendship and cooperation with Turkmenistan is an important part of China's foreign policy strategy.
b. Medvedev: Moscow Will Take Measures to Protect Russians Abroad
Source: gundogar.org/10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000
Synopsis: On February 9, during a meeting conducted on the eve of the Day of Diplomats, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russian diplomats are to take effective measures to protect the interests of Russian citizens abroad, especially those in difficult situations, reports gundogar.org. Medvedev called on diplomats to pay more attention to problems encountered by Russians abroad and assure them that the Foreign Ministry will help them and is fully able to provide them with professional assistance.
c. Turkmenistan Supports Closer Partnership Within CIS
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/10.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15882.html
Synopsis: During a meeting with the CIS executive secretary and the head of the CIS observer mission in Turkmenistan, Sergei Lebedev, President Berdymukhamedov said that Turkmenistan views the experience of the Commonwealth of Independent States as an effective mechanism of interaction between countries of the former Soviet Union and actively supports closer partnership and the establishment of the optimal model of cooperation, taking into account national priorities and challenges of global development, reported Turkmenistan on February 10.
d. Ashgabat Will Host VII Forum for CIS Intelligentsia
Source: regnum.ru/ 11.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://regnum.ru/news/polit/1498173.html
Synopsis: During a governmental meeting, Turkmenistan’s Vice-Premier Maisa Yazmukhammedova reported on preparations for VII Forum for CIS intelligentsia working in arts and science, to be conducted in Ashgabat, says news agency “Regnum”. She said that the Forum will be attended by representatives of intergovernmental institutions, international groups and public organizations from all CIS countries. She also reported on events planned due to the proclamation of the city of Mary as the cultural capital of the CIS for the year 2012.
Berdymukhamedov said that all these international events are designed to consolidate friendly relations between neighboring countries, says the report.
e. Belgorod to Host Regular Turkmen-Russian Economic Forum
Source: turkmenistan.ru/10.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15884.html
Synopsis: At a working meeting with the leadership of the Russian-Turkmen Business Council (RTBC), Vice-President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce Alexander Rybakov said that in the future the Turkmen-Russian economic forum will be held alternately in the regions of Russia and Turkmenistan, reports Turkmenistan.ru on February 10. During the meeting it was decided to hold the next forum in the second half of 2012 in Belgorod.
f. Afghan Drugs Come to Russia and Europe through Turkmenistan More Often
Source: Fergana.ru /06.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/uzbekistan/1989813.html
Synopsis: On February 6, on the margins of a working meeting between the heads of the anti-drug departments of member states of the Central Asian Regional Informational Coordination Center, the Chairman of the Committee against Drug Trafficking under the Kazakh Ministry of Interior, Anatoly Vyborov, said that drugs from Afghanistan have begun flowing to Russia and Europe through Turkmenistan more frequently, reports news agency “Fergana”.
According to Vyborov, the preferred routing previously was from the South through Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, but now more drugs are coming through so-called northern route, through Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and further to European countries.
g. Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan Discuss Bilateral Relations
Source: trend.az/08.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/uzbekistan/1989813.html
Synopsis: On February 8, the leadership of the Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs received Turkmen Ambassador Soltan Pirmuhamedov, reports trend.az, citing press-service of the ministry. The parties noted that in 2011 trade turnover between the two countries increased by 2.3 times and reached $454.3 million. The parties exchanged opinions about possibilities for further expanding cooperation.
h. Berdymukhamedov’s Book on Horses Published in French
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/ 08.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15879.html
Synopsis: “BCSM International” printed in French President Berdymukhamedov’s book “Ahalteke - Our Pride and Glory", written about famous breed of horses, reports Turkmenistan.ru, citing the publication “Za rubezhom”. The forward to the French edition of the book was written by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of France, Thierry Mariana; the President of the French Talleyrand Foundation, Charles de d'Anzhu; and the President of the Eurasian Media Group, Vartan Toganyan. In 2008 this book was published in the Turkmen, Russian and English languages.
3. DOMESTIC DEVELOPMENTS
a. Protestant Poet Arrested by Dashoguz Police
Source: forum18 / 09.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.gundogar.org/?022500000000000000011000000, http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=1663
Synopsis: On February 3, officers of the regional Council on Religious Affairs arrested 77 year-old Protestant Begjan Shirmedov, who came to a local printing house to pick up copies of a small book of religious poems in Turkmen, which he wrote himself, reports gundogar.org, citing Norwegian human rights organization Forum 18. He was brought to a police department responsible for counterterrorism and combating organized crime, questioned for six hours, forced to write a statement, and banned from travelling outside his home region of Dashoguz in northern Turkmenistan while his case is investigated, Protestants told Forum 18. Other Protestants were also interrogated about dissemination of religious literature.
b. In Suburban Ashgabat, People Living in Pig Houses
Initial title: Life in a pig house and residence registration on the seesaw
Source: Chronicles of Turkmenistan /09.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://chrono-tm.blogspot.com/2012/02/life-in-pig-house-and-residence.html
Synopsis: Residents of the Ashgabat suburb called Rukhabat live in a building formerly used as a pig house, report “Chronicles of Turkmenistan” on its blog http://chrono-tm.blogspot.com/2012/02/life-in-pig-house-and-residence.html. Seven years ago authorities demolished a family hostel, moved people to the pig house, while keeping their former registration address, and built swings in the place of the destroyed building. The situation has not changed since.
Meanwhile, the President signed a decree on the construction of a new city Abadan on the territory of the Rukhabat district. Whether the authorities will think of those, who reside in this district in pig houses or other premises which can hardly be considered as accommodation, remains to be seen.
c. Military Unit Named After Berdymukhamedov’s Father
Source: Turkmenistan.ru/08.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://www.turkmenistan.ru/en/articles/15876.html
Synopsis: On February 8, the Turkmen Parliament signed a resolution on naming a unit of the Ministry of Interior after the father of President Berdymukhamedov, Myalikguly Berdimuhamedov, “in recognition of his merits in training the younger generation”, reports Turkmenistan.ru. On February 7, Berdymukhamedov visited this military unit and held a meeting of the State Security Council on its premises.
d. Border-Patrol Craft Named After President
Source: regnum.ru/08.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://regnum.ru/news/1496877.html
Synopsis: During a meeting of Turkmenistan’s State Security Council, it was announced that the shipbuilding factory of the State Border Control had built its first ship, reports new agency “Regnum”. The ship was named “Arkadag”, which is the title of the current President. In Ashgabat they translate this word into Russian as “stronghold, support or hope”, says the report.
e. President: Turkmen Army Getting Upgraded
Source: /08.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/regions/casia/turkmenistan/1989689.html
Synopsis: On February 8, during the meeting of the State Security Council, President Berdymukhamedov said that the National Army receives the latest modern equipment and the level of professional military personnel is steadily growing, reports trend.az. "Our military doctrine is peaceful in its essence and its nature is purely defensive," said Berdimuhamedov and added that the Turkmen government will continue to take all measures to ensure a high level of combat readiness of its Armed Forces.
4. ECONOMIC NEWS
a. EBRD Gives Loan to a Turkmen Logistics Company
Source: /08.02 .12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://en.trend.az/capital/business/1989471.html
Synopsis: The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will lend $1.2 million to Turkmen private company DGT Logistics Turkmenistan, which is operating mainly in the oil and gas sector, reports trend.az, citing the Bank. The company is planning to use the EBRD loan to purchase a range of transport vehicles and freight-handling equipment.
b. Turkmenistan to Purchase Tractors from Belarus
Source: Regnum.ru /11.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://regnum.ru/news/economy/1498175.html
Synopsis: During a governmental meeting, President Berdymukhamedov signed a resolution to purchase a large number of tractors from Belarus, reports the news agency “Regnum”, citing the presidential press-service. Information about the cost of the contract or the actual number of machines is not provided.
c. In 2011, Turkmenistan spent $250 million on Civil Aviation
Source: regnum.ru /11.02.12/ Synopsis by OSI Turkmenistan Project
Full version: http://regnum.ru/news/1498170.html
Synopsis: In 2011 Turkmenistan invested 250 million dollars in civil aviation, including 30 million on developing social infrastructure, reports the news agency “Regnum”, citing Internet publication “Turkmenistan: the Golden Age”. According to the report, new routes are being developed for international flights from Ashgabat to Munich (Germany), Paris (France), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Milan (Italy) and Novosibirsk (Russia). In the near future Turkmenistan is planning to purchase new planes, including Challenger and Boeing.
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Unless otherwise indicated, all translations have been prepared by OSI’s Turkmenistan Project.
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The Turkmenistan Project is a division of the Open Society Institute’s Central Eurasia Project. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of OSI. For more information about the Open Society Institute, visit our website at www.soros.org. For more information about the Central Eurasia Project, visit EurasiaNet at http://www.eurasianet.org. For more on the work of the Turkmenistan Project, visit us at http://www.eurasianet.org/resource/turkmenistan/index.shtml
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