Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry Issued a Press-release on Alleged Turkmen Militants
Turkmenistan's Foreign Ministry issued the following statement:
“On June 23 and 24, 2013, Russian TV channels “Russia – 1” and “Russia – 24” repeatedly broadcasted a report prepared by a correspondent E. Poddubni and entitled “Syrian Jihad is Turning Opposition into Radicals.” The report contained video footage showing a certain Ravshan Gazakov, who alleges to be a Turkmen citizen. In response, the Foreign Ministry states that such reports are based on false information and do not contribute to developing Turkmen-Russian relations. The Foreign Ministry suggested the report to be in violation of basic norms of journalistic ethics and considers the report to be an attempt to mislead the public.”
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Video of Alleged Turkmen Militants Arrested in Syria Uploaded on Web
Video footage of the interrogation of alleged jihadists from Turkmenistan and detained in Syria, including Ravshan Gazakov, appeared on YouTube on June 14, before Russian TV reported the incident. The captured alleged commander of the demolition squad of Al-Qaeda, Ravshan Gazakov, gave evidence suggesting that he completed his primary training at an Islamic camp near Ashgabat under the command of Sheikh Murad, and only later was sent to Istanbul and then to Syria. Russian media reported that while the Turkmen Foreign Ministry accuses the media of defamation and disinformation and officially denies that the person in question was in fact from Turkmenistan, intelligence agencies in Turkmenistan are actively looking for anyone who could in any way be associated with Gazakov. According to Russia’s Regnum news agency, at the last closed meeting of the Turkmen Security Council, Berdymukhamedov instructed the Council’s head to identify and prosecute anyone associated with Gazakov. There are also unofficial reports claiming that a special group was created to investigate Turkmen citizens who have left for Turkey and failed to return upon expiration of their visas. Reports also claim that another group was established to follow and analyze comments appearing on religious web-sites. The online Fergananews publication has received reports on the presence of Turkmen militants in Afghanistan, but their connection with Turkmen militants in Syria has not yet been determined.
Sources: fergananews.com, novgaz.com, regnum.ru
Statement by the Press Service of Turkmenistan's Embassy in Russia Regarding Dual Passports
The Press Service of Turkmenistan’s Embassy in Russia issued the following statement:
“On June 24, 2013, Nezavisimaya Gazeta published an article entitled "A Russian passport as a Pass in the Eurasian Union," which included incorrect and misleading comments on the issuing of new Turkmen passports to dual Turkmen-Russian citizenship holders. The article cites opinions of so-called “experts” who question whether Turkmenistan’s entry to the Eurasian Union will be “only formal or informal.” It is hard to imagine something further removed from the truth. Such arguments are particularly inappropriate in light of the positive reaction to the decision of Turkmenistan’s authorities to give new Turkmen passports to dual Turkmen – Russian citizenship holders. [text omitted]. It is obvious that such publications have nothing in common with people’s real interests or with realities of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and Russia, based on friendship, cooperation, and respect of mutual sovereign rights in internal and external policy.”
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Not All Dual Nationals Can Receive New Passports in Turkmenistan
According to the online publication Fergananews, Turkmen authorities are issuing new Turkmen passports to those dual Turkmen – Russian nationals who have received Russian citizenship before June 22, 2003, and telling those who received Russian citizenship after that date that “the decision of issuing new passports to this category of citizens has not been made yet.”
Source: fergananews.com
Jennifer Lopez Sings To 'Oppressive' Leader
Jennifer Lopez sang "Happy Birthday" to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov at a concert dedicated to his birthday and hosted by the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation. The concert was attended by the Turkmen leader in person. Subsequently, in response to criticism from human rights organizations, the US star's publicist said she would not have performed at the show if she had known there were human rights issues in the country. The birthday serenade was a last-minute request made by the China National Petroleum Corporation to Lopez before she took to the stage, and she "graciously obliged," the statement said.
Sources: news.sky.com, bbc.co.uk, policymic.com, rferl.org
President of Turkmenistan holds talks with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State
On June 27th, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov received US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake Blake conveyed a message from the US Secretary of State John Kerry to the President of Turkmenistan, wishing him happiness, health and success in state activities and that the US government attaches great importance to the comprehensive development of constructive dialogue with Turkmenistan.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Presidents of Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Ukraine and Turkey congratulate Turkmen president on his birthday
President Berdymukhamedov held telephone conversations with the President of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, the President of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, and the President of Turkey Abdullah Gul, who congratulated the Turkmen leader on his birthday and wished him happiness, health and success in state activities.
Berdymukhamedov also received congratulatory messages from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenka.
Sources: Turkmenistan.ru, news.mail.ru, youtube.com
President of Turkmenistan Received Secretary General of UN World Tourism
On June 28, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov received the Secretary General of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai to discuss prospects of partnership with a focus on Turkmenistan’s potential to attract tourists to its unique natural reserves, ancient historical and archaeological monuments included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and monumental buildings, many of which are included in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
Turkmen Sportsmen Arrive in Incheon, Korea
A delegation of Turkmen sportsmen arrived in Incheon (South Korea) for the opening of the IV Asian Indoor Games and Martial Arts. Turkmen athletes are performing in seven sports - swimming, billiards, kurash, kickboxing, Muay Thai, futsal and kabaddi. The upcoming Asian Games include a total of 12 different sports.
Source: Turkmenistan.ru
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