From: Justin Burke (JBurke@sorosny.org)
Date: Thu Jan 10 2002 - 09:47:09 EST
Turkmen leader on Russian interests, Caspian summit, pipelines
After a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov in Asgabat on 9
January, Turkmen President Saparmyrat Nyyazow said Russia's interests in
Central Asia did not threaten the country's independence and relations with
other countries. Nyyazow told journalists that there was trust in
Turkmen-Russian relations. Speaking about plans to hold a summit of the
Caspian Sea littoral countries this year, Nyyazow said the summit was
unlikely to solve the dispute over the sea's legal status and called on the
countries involved to refrain from any oil extraction work in the disputed
sectors of the Caspian Sea. The following is excerpt from report by Turkmen
TV on 9 January:
[Presenter] Turkmen President Saparmyrat Turkmenbasy Nyyazow met this
morning Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov.
[Passage omitted: they were to discuss Nyyazow's forthcoming visit to
Moscow; the two held a news conference; video shows them talking to
journalists]
[Nyyazow] Let me note that there are no disputes between Russia and
Turkmenistan and no misunderstanding concerning foreign policy issues. Our
views coincide in many areas and we also hold consultations and coordinate
our positions on most issues. Therefore, there is trust in relations
between Russia and Turkmenistan.
[Passage omitted: praises Russia's support to Turkmenistan during the
transitional period; the Caspian Sea issue to be discussed at Nyyazow's
forthcoming meeting with Putin]
We highly respect Russia's national interests in Central Asia. There are
such interests and they are integral elements of Russia's national
security. All international events are interrelated, therefore we take into
account Russia's strategic interests in Turkmenistan and in the region as
well. These interests do not conflict with our independence, nor do they
conflict with our relations with other countries.
[Passage omitted: Ivanov explains the concept of terrorism referring to UN
documents; Nyyazow again takes floor and expresses the hope for peaceful
solution of the Indo-Pakistani dispute]
Every country should maintain peace and tranquillity within its own
boundaries to prevent emergence of terrorist groups in this or that country
and everyone should fight against it. There is should be joint war against
the international terrorist groups, which emerged during the last decade.
There can be different definitions of this phenomenon [terrorism] depending
on each other's views, but there is a general approach based on ensuring
the freedom of the individual in order not to allow any actions against
people. I think that many [countries] have adjusted their positions in line
with the UN resolution. Some new criteria are being adopted and assessment
is being made by international organizations concerning terrorism and we
think that this will take some time.
[Passage omitted: Nyyazow to discuss regional security and economic
relations with Russia in Moscow]
We do not think that the Caspian Sea status will be defined at a summit of
the littoral countries. We must have an exchange of views on the issue and
make our positions clear. However, we must work out a unified position on
just one issue, that is not to use force in resolving disputes over the
Caspian Sea, and not to carry out any extraction or development work in any
of the disputed sectors of the Caspian and to halt such work until final
resolution of the issue.
[Passage omitted: repeats Turkmenistan's position on the dispute that there
should be internationally accepted median line]
I think that we can set a date for a [Caspian] summit during our meeting
with Vladimir Vladimirovich [Putin] as well as during our talks with Iran's
President Khatami, who is due to pay a visit to Asgabat in March [2002].
There will also be consultations between the littoral countries' leaders,
so we can set a date for the summit. However we should not limit ourselves
to any predetermined date as there must be no hurry. The main thing is that
there should be a common position and understanding.
[Question] There are several possible routes for Turkmen gas exports to
foreign markets. Are there any negotiations under way on any of them and
which one you consider a priority?
[Nyyazow] The existing gas pipeline which goes via Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan
to Russia, and further, to Ukraine and Europe, has now become a bit
obsolete - its sections in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Its initial [annual]
capacity was up to 100bn cubic metres [of gas], but at present it does not
cope with such volumes, unless some investment will be made to repair this
obsolete pipeline and some gas pumping units as well. Its present capacity
can be increased to some 70-75bn cubic metres. So, currently we are
transporting 50bn cubic metres of Turkmen gas through it. Of this, 40bn
goes to Ukraine and another 10bn to Russia.
[Passage omitted: known gas export figures; there are discussions about the
TransCaspian and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline projects;
gas can be exported via Iran to Turkey and Armenia; Nyyazow thanks
journalists]
Source: Turkmen TV first channel, Asgabat, in Russian 1400 gmt 9 Jan 02
BBC Mon CAU 090102 bb/mn
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