TIHR Authors

will find solid arguments over who is right. by name. He did not even give me a chanceThere are laws which guarantee the rights of speak out and confused me when I was givingall family members when marital relations are evidence, despite the fact that I should haveover. Yet, these laws are easily violated if avoided any nerve-wrecking experiences duesomeone is ready to pay for it. to my health condition – all medical records were submitted and witnesses from my sideAfter living together for nine years and having were simply silenced and ignored”, – Oksanaa joint household for seven years with his says bitterly.spouse Petr Shlein, Oksana Shlein brought anaction for a partition of residential property to One can understand Oksana’s condition fromthe Azatlyk etrap court, but had a car accident the list of the injuries she sustained: brainand spent two months in the intensive care edema of the 2nd degree, temporal boneward with severe injuries. fracture, dislocation of vertebra, multiple pelvis fractures, skin ruptures all over theThe claim was reviewed and granted in her body, ruptured spleen and its subsequentabsence, since her interests were represented splenectomy, partial abdomen rupture,by her daughter from the first civil marriage hematoma of the left side of the face…and the attorney. The prosecutor’s office wasrepresented by H. Charyev, who agreed with After 4-hour session, which lasted for 2 days,the legitimate court’s verdict. He was also not pursuant to the court verdict the marriagesatisfied with the defendant’s arguments and was acknowledged as fraudulent and invalidcounter arguments. Yet, some pressure was despite the “revised” records, where someapplied and the municipal court revoked its testimonies were not recorded and someruling. The husband submitted an action for were added, the following facts wereannulment of marriage to the Azatlyk court. confirmed:The judge Jepbarov with the participation ofthe aforementioned Prosecutor H. Charyev - from July 2001, before the officialgranted the motion. This time Petr Shlein’s registration of marriage (in January 2002) toarguments, no longer a defendant but a May 2008 Oksana and Petr had a commonplaintiff this time, were convincing for the household;Prosecutor. - During the marriage registration in JanuaryAt that time Oksana was at home in a critical 2002 Oksana took her spouse’s last name;condition. She did not only lose her job butpaid 7600 manats (equivalent to 2700$) for - The spouses had sexual relations (I amher stay in the trauma unit, surgery and a omitting the details), which was alsocourse of treatment. The person found guilty confirmed by the plaintiff;in the car accident paid only 2000 manats andOksana was urged to run into debts. - In January 2002 Oksana and Petr not only registered their marriage but invited guests toHer health condition required further medical their wedding celebration;treatment but since she had no cash she wasreleased home from the hospital. Her motion - The fact that they had a normal family isto postpone the court hearing until the witnessed by the plaintiff himself: “Inspired bymoment she is able to at least walk on starting the family, I made arrangements withcrutches was rejected. She had to rent an the housing administration in order to obtainambulance at her expense to be transported residence registration in his apartment for theto the court building on a stretcher. She was defendant and finally, in 2005 he granted hergiving testimony while lying on the floor. a permanent residence registration”. (Oksana submitted the documents for residence“The judge listened attentively to the plaintiff, registration in 2003, a year after thewho in everybody’s presence called the judge marriage);300

- Even the plaintiff’s relative confirmed that of “stakeholders” since the court “failed to“the defendant and the plaintiff had good identify the physical place of residence”! Itrelations”. should be mentioned that the sick women on crutches and her daughter did not leave theThe plaintiff is trying to accuse the defendant apartment they are registered in. On 23of marrying him only because of the residence September the court of the Azatlyk etrapregistration and apartment. However, Oksana returned a verdict to evict them.had her residence registration in Ashgabatbefore meeting her spouse. He also argues Omnipotent defence attorney Sagirovathat in 2007 without his consent the Oksana’s attorney for the defence O.defendant signed her daughter Galina Vishar Priyatkina performed her responsibilities atin his apartment, but Oksana received the court hearing held on 16 and 17 March,residence registration in 2005 together with but after the first break she kept silent and didher daughter who was signed in her mother’s not fulfil her functions as a defence attorney.passport before reaching adulthood and when Later she refused to represent the interests ofobtaining her own passport in 2007 the exiting Oksana and her daughter. When otherresidence registration was stamped. defence attorneys found out that the plaintiff’s interests were represented byNevertheless, the court declared the marriage Sagirova, they refused to have any businessnull and void. contacts with them. I managed to find out from my sources that the main feature andI (a non-lawyer) am surprised by the legal strength of Sagirova is that “she charges veryilliteracy of the court records and the court high fees and knows how to distribute theverdict with all its errors, lack of arguments money to get a positive result”.behind the verdict, discrepancies, “copy andpaste” testimonies of four witnesses which “Turkmenistan as a rule-of-law state”are almost identical. Yet, for some reason the Oksana Shlein and her daughter Galina Visharjudicial officials of various levels, who were contacted all courts of higher jurisdiction.reluctant to take into consideration Their applications to the State Commission forarguments and grounds of Oksana and her residents’ applications with regard to thedaughter, did not accept written evidence of operations of law-enforcement agenciesthose witnesses whose testimony was under the President of Turkmenistan anddeliberately omitted and distorted in the personally to the President are forwarded tocourt. those agencies they are complaining about.Cancelled residence registration They did not receive any replies to the lettersPetr Shlein contacted various authorities with addressed to the Mejlis members A. Kazakov.,a request to annul the residence registration G. Gulgeldyev and the Mejlis Chairman A.of Oksana and her daughter but it was Nurberdyeva. The Institute for Human Rightsrejected. He was also turned away in the did not show any interest in this case either.department for housing recording,distribution and registration in the municipal The OSCE office did not provide any help onkhyakimlik’s office. Then he submitted a claim the pretext that the lawyer is constantly busy.to the aforementioned office to the court ofthe etrap named after Niyazov, but lost the The appeals to the chief of the Presidentialcase. Yet, again the mystical powers interfered administration, H. Mukhammedov were leftand pursuant to the ruling of another court unanswered.hearing as of 18 August 2010, the plaintiff’sclaim was satisfied and the department was On 11 February, on the day the President wasinstructed to cancel the residence registration re-elected, Oksana Shlein sent anotherfor Oksana Shelin and Galina Vishar. Besides, telegram: “Honoured President ofthe court considered the case in the absence Turkmenistan, Mr Gurbanguly301

Berdymukhammedov! In the run-up to the hard-working inhabitants. City residents havesignificant historic event – the Presidential cultivated green areas which are needed in aelections where we wanted to be actively hot climate. These are “the lungs” of concreteinvolved, I kindly ask you to become familiar residential areas where both adults andwith numerous letters and telegrams children escape from the summer heat. This isaddressed to you, which we believe do not where neighbours get together for chit-chat.reach you. We receive non-committal replies In recent years such “green areas” have beenwhich testify that the officials do not consider consistently wiped away, to be replaced withit necessary to read the materials pertaining plant stubs and garbage. No trees have beento our case as a result of which my daughter replanted after plants were cut down.and I became homeless and are deprived ofresidence registration, accommodation and On 13 November, after 10 a.m. when manycivil rights. We sincerely believe in you and had left for work, workers and machineryrely on your understanding and support”. were sent to house № 25 (residential neighbourhood Mir 2-4), where recentlyOver three months passed but the President porches on the ground floor had beendid not respond. The only reaction to the demolished and air-conditioners had beentelegram was that Oksana was summoned to dismantled without any notification. Theythe passport department in the khyakimlik’s started pulling down everything: the fruitoffice of the Kopetdag etrap where she was trees, shrubs and vines were cut down, tablestold that they feel sorry for her, but could not and benches and tamdyr stoves wereprovide any help. She was recommended to dismantled as well as neatly-kept parts of theapply to the General Prosecutor’s office. The neighbouring house. The perennial shady pearcircle has been closed again. tree was cut down and the vines on the corner of our house were bulldozed. From theBreaking is not making, cutting down is window of my apartment I watched withnot growing (2 December 2012) horror the “punitive operation” – the previousThe mass destruction of trees and plants is view from my window had been a feast for thewell underway in Ashgabat. Complaints by eye and boosted my spirits.inhabitants about faulty heating or waterpipelines are ignored whereas employees of Men in black suits, who were managing thepublic utilities services and house campaign, took turns. I started askingadministrations are engaged in cutting down questions and received the following answers:trees and shrubs. “this is state-owned land and nobody has the right to plant trees or use it”, “this area will beShrubs and broad-leaved trees are chopped covered with asphalt”, “the houses cannot bedown, not only near residential areas but also seen because the greenery hinders security”.in “green areas” which have been cultivatedon waste land for many years by caring and This cavalier attitude towards residents and the negligence is not only surprising but also302 horrifying. Having come home from work, the inhabitants of house 25 were appalled to see the results of their long years of labour in ruins. Moreover, employees of public utilities services removed metal supports from vineyards and poles for drying clothes – metal is expensive. Some managed to reclaim their property, literally, by snatching it from the hands of zealous public utilities workers. I saw men crying… They were appeased: “Houses are being demolished, not only vegetable gardens …”

I have repeatedly heard that only foliage trees(for some reason they are referred to asRussian trees) were to be stumped whereasperennial foliage trees are left.Several years ago the local authorities inBalkanabad stumped perennial foliage treeswhich are so natural in this climate and werereplaced with coniferous trees whichwithered. Now the city resembles picturesfrom The Apocalypse. Recently the Dashoguzauthorities were instructed by Ashgabat toprune broad-leaved plants and immediatelystarted to execute their barbarian plan in azealous manner.People in Ashgabat fatalistically say that thedecision to “transfer” the Botanical garden istantamount to the destruction of a uniquegreen nature reserve in the very centre of theTurkmen capital. A huge park with beautifultrees, which used to be located behind theRed Cross hospital, has been virtuallydestroyed.I am writing this article hoping to stop thebarbarism. Sadly, it has become an everydayphenomenon in Turkmenistan.303

FARID TUHBATULLIN Let me tell you what it is like. People live in fear and in silence. They dare not expressTurkmenistan and Europe (23 November dissent; the few who do find themselves in2008) jail. There are no democratic institutions.An article published in International HeraldTribune (IHT) President Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov tookAs the Soviet era ended, my country, power two years ago promising reforms. TheTurkmenistan, gained independence. But West would like to believe that he has carriedpersonal freedom did not come with freedom out his promises, but the changes have beenfrom the Soviet yoke. I became increasingly mostly cosmetic.involved in working for human rights, whichled me to jail, persecution and to exile in There are still travel restrictions and heavyAustria, where I continue my work. constraints on worship. Activists andAnd so, as I have seen Europe cozying up to journalists are not allowed to speak out. Nothe repressive government in my home independent nongovernmental organizationscountry recently, I have become increasingly or media are allowed to exist. The few humanconcerned. Turkmenistan very much wants rights defenders in Turkmenistan are forced toties with the West. The West, with a hungry work secretly. The president's party is still theeye on Turkmenistan's large natural gas only one allowed to exist and it is kept underreserves, thinks that is a good idea. Now there strict control.is an effort to complete a trade agreementwith the European Union. Turkmenistan wants a trade agreement, andBut unless Europe sets some tough conditions, that gives Europe leverage. The EU shouldit would violate Europe's commitment to insist on genuine democratic reforms as ahuman rights. The people in Turkmenistan condition for any agreement. It should requireremain among the most oppressed in the Turkmenistan to allow activists andworld. nongovernmental organizations to operate freely, to release all political prisoners and to304 stop intimidating its citizens, its press and other institutions. If Europe turns its back on our people, we have little hope. In the long run, it is very much in Europe's interest to have an open democratic partner in Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan has been pardoned. But will Turkmenistan show mercy? (24 April 2009) Yesterday, on April 22, the story which had lasted for 11 years, came to an end in Brussels. The European Parliament voted on concluding a temporary trade agreement between the EU and Turkmenistan. Last year and early this year, members of the European Parliament postponed the decision on this issue after failing to find any evidence demonstrating a “significant improvement in the humanitarian situation in Turkmenistan”.

This time the representatives of the Turkmen innovations – security is betterConservatives, Socialists and Liberals in the than freedom (29 June 2009)European Parliament decided that positive Up until now, the proclaimed legislationchanges in Turkmenistan can be anticipated if reform was presented by the Turkmena temporary trade agreement is concluded. authorities as a step toward democracy andThe Greens and extreme leftists who voted improvement of human rights record.against it believe that tangible positive However, the comment of the lawyer,changes need to be implemented in the published in the official press, questions thedomestic policy of the Turkmen authorities, compliance of at least one recently adoptedand only afterwards can such an agreement law with the democratic norms.be concluded. In the article titled «Innovative transitionThis aside, the European Parliament made toward strengthening of reign of law in theconcessions to Turkmenistan and now it is up country», published in the daily «Neutralto the Turkmen side to demonstrate their Turkmenistan» of 23 June, the author – V.commitment in words and actions. Zherdev, a lawyer, – comments on a new Law «On counteraction to laundering of proceedsIn this connection, will the Turkmen President from crime and terrorist financing».bring something else except gas for Nabuccoto the Eastern Partnership summit, scheduled The author, who is a qualified lawyer, agues:to be held in Prague on May 7-8? «there is a marked contradiction between the principles of «freedom» and «security» in theAccording to our sources, the country is international community. And it should bepreparing for another amnesty initiative, noted that many countries have already set towhich is timed to coincide with the Victory supplementary measures to ensure theDay. It seems that this time the number of citizens` security, which seems to bethose pardoned will be significantly higher necessary in the nowadays situation,than during previous amnesties. This is linked strengthening the control over the movementto the fact that the reinforced fight of the of citizens, cargo, financial flows, andTurkmen law-enforcement officers against important state information. Our country hasdrug-dealers led to a catastrophic also followed the principle, and this can beovercrowding in the country’s penitentiary proved by the new law».institutions. «To ensure the security of the citizens byHowever, it remains a burning issue if those strengthening the control over the movementwho are considered by the international of citizens», the legal wording sounds odd, tocommunity, including the European put it mildly.Parliament, as political prisoners and prisonersof conscience, will be put on the pardon list, The article does not imply but clearly statesespecially given the present circumstances. that the principles of freedom and securityHopefully, as a reciprocal move and takinginto consideration the high profile of theupcoming summit, the President ofTurkmenistan will demonstrate to Europe andto the word as a whole his repeatedlyproclaimed commitment to humanism byreleasing from imprisonment not severalprominent convicts as had already happenedunder Niyazov’s Presidency, but a much highernumber.305

thwart one another, and Turkmenistan has would contribute to the drop of the criminalchosen the path to follow the principle of rate in financial sphere.«security». And in the next paragraph, thenotion of «freedom» is compared by the If the journalists had a right to publish theauthor with «carelessness»: «The measures, facts of the corruption and then, based onstipulated by law, will no longer allow for the these publications, criminal cases weresituation, when the so-called «simplified», and initiated, the level of corruption and crimes,to be more precise careless deals of our related to it, would drop considerably.entrepreneurs-beginners, made them thevictims of swindlers». However, yet the task of the Turkmen press is to present the laws, which have been adoptedA person with the university degree, like V. to follow the principle of security to theZherdev, is apparently aware that all detriment of freedom, as the moves towarddemocratic countries (and according to the the democratization of the country. There isTurkmen government our country wants to be little innovative in this; the same occurredcalled like this), freedom and security are under Niyazov; and the situation in thecoexisting together strengthening each other. countries with similar political regime is alike.And on the contrary: in the countries, whichare far from the principles of democracy, the Non-free press in a non-free country willauthorities prefer security to freedom. Above always indoctrinate their readers in the beliefall, personal security. that «security» is more important than «freedom».It would not be appropriate to remind theauthor and the newspaper editor’s office the Travel ban (16 August 2009)words of Benjamin Franklin «People willing to The fight of the Turkmen authorities againsttrade their freedom for temporary security their own citizens – enrolled and aspiringdeserve neither and will lose both». This students seeking admission to foreign schoolswould be merely pointless. of higher education – is still underway bringing the situation beyond common sense.The author was tasked with providing apositive comment on this, in substance, Hundreds of young people seeking to benegative law. He made his best to do so. admitted to higher educational establishments abroad and continuingHowever, the point is neither the author, nor education at foreign universities who arethe article and even nor the law; but in the staying at home during the summer holidayspriorities the Turkmen authorities are driven are being prevented from leavingby. Very regrettably, but freedom is not on the Turkmenistan. Following the whims of publiclist of the priorities. officials rather than on legal grounds, the authorities decided that TurkmenistaniThe above law stipulates for the establishment citizens are allowed to study abroad only inof another supervising body, which, according state-run universities. They are not entitled toto its developers, would contribute to the study in other educational establishments.struggle against corruption. In Turkmenistanas in many totalitarian countries, where all I will not elaborate on the fact that thespheres are regulated by the state, the present moves by the authorities violate thegovernmental agencies, including law Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This isenforcement and other power structures, are self-explanatory. Moreover, they are not incorrupted the most. line with the proclaimed statements and decisions made by the country’s leaders.It would be not a new controlling authoritybut the freedom of speech and press that According to Berdymukhammedov, the educational reform, initiated by the new306

President after his rise to power was supposed expertise among teaching staff are rampantto breed a new generation of highly-educated ....”;Turkmen young intellectuals and thus resolvethe shortage of highly skilled workforce. The “Hello, I am a Turkmen citizen. I came toreform envisaged a maximum increase in the Turkmenistan for my summer holidays fromnumber of students including study-abroad the city of Penza in Russia. I would like to askTurkmen students. Amendments to the you to solicit assistance from the UN and theConstitution envisage that “state-run and non- European Union. Please help. I cannot leavegovernmental organizations as well individuals the country”;are allowed to offer educational services on afee-paid basis”. In other words, the “This is nonsense! How do they dare to act likeestablishment of non-governmental this? I was planning to come home ineducational institutions is permitted! September. Now I have changed my mind”;This resulted in the present absurd situation. “My husband is of Turkmen ethnicity, I amIn Turkmenistan it is permitted to set up Georgian by background. We are living inprivate educational institutions but the Turkey. I am 8 weeks pregnant. He left forresidents of Turkmenistan are barred from Turkmenistan to obtain a new passport, butstudying in non-governmental universities he cannot go back due to this stupid ban. I amabroad. an expectant mother and I do not see a solution. He is not allowed to leave theTraditionally, there were no official reports country. I do not know what to do ... Thereabout the upcoming changes. Out of the blue must be a provision in the migration lawhundreds of young boys and girls holding visas which would regulate such situations. Iand tickets to leave the country to pursue apologize, I am a Georgian citizen, but if aeducational opportunities were stopped from Turkmen female resident was in my place andleaving the country. They were held up by the her husband was banned to leave, how wouldborder personnel who referred to the the rights of this woman be protected ininstructions they had received. Every passing Turkmenistan? There is no future for theday the number of those prevented from country if such laws exist ...”;traveling abroad is on the rise. All of a suddenthe expectations and hopes cherished by “This is absolutely outrageous! KIMEP andyoung people and their parents were crushed. KAU are prestigious universities and theirThe authorities did not provide any graduates are reportedly in demand all overexplanatory comments on the situation in the the world except Turkmenistan. This ismass media. At the same time, the Turkmen ridiculous!”;television reiterates the following: “InTurkmenistan, people are the most valuable “I completed three years of studies at a higherassets to the society and state”. educational establishment in Kazakhstan. I am now not permitted to go back. I rent anAfter a series of publications posted on our apartment there and have already paid mywebsite and the TIHR statement, we have rent. All my belongings and documents arereceived numerous feedback and requests for there… Indeed, if my knowledge, skills and myassistance to help people leave the country. diploma are not needed in my home country, IBelow are some excerpts (uncensored): could then find a job in another country. This is my right! I pay the tuition fees out of my“The qualified teaching staff was abolished own pocket”.and now they want us to study in our homecountry… For instance, tuition fees are much “All organizations should be called upon tolower in Russia and the quality of education is draw their immediate attention to the absurdmuch better than in the local state-run move initiated by the Turkmen government ...universities where bribery and a poor level of307

According to my sources, about 1000 students should “grease a palm” and pay 10 to 15cannot cross Turkmenistan’s border”. thousand dollars in bribes. As is evident, the demonstrational reprimand of a bribe-taker byThere are dozens of similar messages like the President in the National Institute ofthese. One can imagine the indignation of World Languages did not remedy the problemhundreds of young people who were found of corruption in education. For this reasonguilty but did nothing wrong. To be more most parents of school graduates believe thatprecise, according to the country’s leaders it is considerably cheaper for their son orthey are being blamed for seeking educational daughter to study in a private universitypossibilities abroad, though at their own abroad and pay tuition fees than in a state-runexpense. Turkmen higher schools.According to our sources, this story surfaced The trouble is that the authorities do notin May. Back then, before the end of the agree with the above-mentioned reasons.academic year, the commissions from the After receiving the shocking information thatregional offices of the Education Ministry local school graduates prefer foreignconducted a survey among school graduates. universities, the Ministry of Education gotAccording to the results, out of those who alarmed.intended to seek admission to institutes ofhigher education, only one fifth wished to Needless to say, the efforts of the Ministry ofstudy in Turkmen educational establishments, Education alone would be sufficient towhereas the remaining school leavers (about prevent the young people from leaving the80%) preferred to study abroad. country. The initiative belongs to them. In their turn, higher ranking authorities involvedThere are several reasons behind this: the border personnel, Migration Services and- In the present academic year the Turkmen later on the Ministry of Defense in theirhigher schools will be enrolling only 4275 attempt to “resolve the issue”.applicants (excluding military schools), and inaddition 1698 persons will be admitted to This resulted in a situation which would neversecondary special and vocational schools. occur in a civilized country where laws areAccording to official statistics, about 115 respected and the interests of the state arethousand graduates finished secondary taken into account.schools this year. Moreover, there are schoolgraduates from previous academic years who Those students, who did not go home for thefailed to be enrolled before but are willing to summer holidays, are considered lucky. Thebe admitted this year. In other words, the majority of them decided not to return toTurkmen educational establishments are able Turkmenistan, at least before they completeto admit only an extremely limited number of their course of study and receive a diploma.students; To some extent those who intended to enter- Low level of expertise among the teaching state-run universities abroad were alsostaff in Turkmen schools of higher education fortunate. After several nerve-wracking days,and consequently poor academic knowledge contacting numerous offices, standing inamong students; hours-long lines to obtain relevant documents - Corruption. A bribe of 20 thousand US and changing tickets’ dates they finallydollars is required to be enrolled in the State managed to exit the country.University or National Economy Institute. Theamount is slightly lower in other universities. Those who are currently studying in private universities abroad or plan to apply forTo be able to secure a spot at a vocational admission were not so lucky. They were noteducational establishment (teacher training or allowed to leave and had to stay at home withmedical vocational schools) the applicant308

a question which remain unanswered - “Why change. These promises — and the severaldid our home country punish us?” positive steps of the new Turkmen leadership — have made Turkmenistan's internationalOnce Berdymukhammedov’s predecessor, S. partners optimistic that real change is on theNiyazov, referring to the study-abroad way.students said: “Those people are no longerpart of our community. They are ignorant of Every time a dictatorial governmentthe Rukhnama.” Afterwards, several measures undertakes such an initiative, optimists rushhad been taken to urge the youth to attend to say that these are steps toward democracyuniversities in the home country or stop them and human rights. Then internationalfrom studying elsewhere. One such measure organizations remove sanctions, renewwas not acknowledging diplomas issued by cooperation treaties or, in the case offoreign universities. Turkmenistan and the European Union, approve an important trade agreement.Niyazov feared that the young Turkmenresidents when abroad would feel the taste of Once they achieve that \"recognition\" andfreedom, be exposed to democracy and obtain certain benefits, these governmentsbecome skeptical about the policy pursued by either freeze the movement towardthe Turkmen authorities. democracy or renew their totalitarian policies.What do the present-day authorities of After initial promises and reforms, theTurkmenistan fear by imposing an exit ban on Turkmen leadership has backslid considerably.students pursuing educational opportunities The international community, and particularlyabroad? Do they fear the same thing Niyazov the United States, should make awas afraid of? corresponding shift in its approach to the country.Yet, the main question is still open: What arethe boys and girls who were seeking to get an One Step Forward, Two Backeducation abroad at their own expense being The government initially promised to broadenblamed for? Internet use. The first step was to open more Internet cafes and make it possible for peopleTurkmenistan: Still Waiting for the to connect to the Web from their homes. TheSecond Step (19 October 2009) second step should have been to allow non-An article published in Foreign Policy In Focus state entities to become Internet providers so that Internet access could spread around theLeading officials in Turkmenistan began a country.series of meetings this fall with leaders ofdemocratic countries and international But instead, the government's second steporganizations, starting with the UN General was to introduce total control over theAssembly in New York. After the death of the Internet by blocking many websites, requiringdictator and \"president-for-life\" Saparmurat visitors to present their passports at InternetNiyazov, the new leaders declared a cafes, and continuing to monitor electroniccommitment to fundamental change. But all communications. Instead of opening webthey took was a few first steps before access, it introduced new, more restrictiveeveryone declared Niyazov's successor, rules for contracts between Internet users andGurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, a reformer. the state Internet provider.Turkmenistan isn't the only country in the Another first step toward freedom ofworld with a totalitarian government that information was to allow ministries andpromises its people and international partners government agencies to subscribe toalike that it will embark on democratic specialized foreign periodicals, which are much in demand but banned under Niyazov.309

People expected that the second step would never bothered to even make any promisesbe to allow everyone to subscribe to foreign regarding this, let alone take any first steps. Sonewspapers and magazines. despite the promises, Turkmenistan isn't moving forward with democratization. Even inBut this never happened, and the situation got the rosiest light, it's standing still.worse. Private newspaper salesmen onceimported foreign periodicals from neighboring Recent indications that Turkmenistan's naturalUzbekistan and sold them at markets. Now gas reserves are perhaps not as large asborder guards confiscate all foreign printed initially advertised could persuade energy-matter. Merchants can only sell media hungry Western countries to close their eyespublished in Turkmenistan. The government to the human rights violations. But the Obamaalso cracked down on private satellite administration has also indicated it wants toantennas, which people used to watch foreign do the right thing. Washington should thinktelevision stations. about inviting Turkmenistan's leader for a high-level and high-profile visit, while settingIn education, Berdymukhamedov's \"first step\" out certain human rights prerequisites beforewas to lengthen the required number of years the visit would take place. Another incentiveof study in secondary and higher education could be promising to support Turkmenistaninstitutions, which had been reduced during in its difficult regional relationships withthe Niyazov era, and to slightly increase the Russia and Azerbaijan.number of slots in higher education andspecialist establishments. The government This kind of pressure — by the United States,also indicated it would establish relations with other foreign governments, and internationaleducational institutions abroad, an essential organizations that are Turkmenistan's mainmove given the piteous state of the education partners — can push the country towardsystem under Niyazov. taking those \"second steps\" on the path to human rights.But as its second step, the authorities put upseveral obstacles to initiate a European Union Traducers (22 December 2009)program to modernize Turkmenistan's During the days when the Turkmen Initiativeprofessional education, even denying visas to for Human Rights celebrated its 5thEU staff working on the program. Over the anniversary, we received many letters withsummer, the government barred hundreds of congratulations and warm greetings and,young men and women from leaving the certainly remarks such as - how could we docountry to study abroad in foreign private without this service? – including appeals touniversities. put an end to the smearing of Turkmen relics from the «Great Renaissance» époque. WePolitical Freedoms Curtailed would like to thank everyone for their kindAfter Niyazov's death, the governmentreleased a few political prisoners and victimsof miscarriage of justice. Among them was theformer mufti, or religious leader, ofTurkmenistan. But there continues to be noinformation about others who may have beenunjustly imprisoned, no effort to re-examinethe cases against them, and no access toplaces of detention for internationalmonitoring groups.As for other civil and political freedoms, likethe development of political, religious, andtrade union organizations, the government310

words and to reply to those who call us At the OSCE conference held early December“traducers”. in Athens, a representative of Turkmenistan vetoed the document on freedom of InternetAccording to the authors of such messages, and other mass media. Does this action of athe publications placed on the «Chronicles of Turkmen diplomat contribute to the creationTurkmenistan» website, intentionally distort of a positive or negative image of the country?reality; thus working to the disadvantage of Until now, providing access to the Internetthe positive image of Turkmenistan in the was represented by the authorities as one ofinternational community. They argue that the the most significant moves toward theinternational community gets a false democratization of society.impression about the democratic reformsunderway in the country when they read our It should be noted that out of 56 participatingwebsite. states of the OSCE, only Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan voted against the «freedom ofIt goes without saying that the remarks about Internet» document. Did the representativesthe Chronicles of Turkmenistan having such a of the rest 54 countries need to read thegreat impact on the opinion of the «slanderous» articles on our website in orderinternational community flatter me as website to be disappointed by the policies of themanager. In reality, it is far from truth. It is Turkmen authorities?true that our publications are being cited,being referred to and re-printed. However, it At the end of September, the Turkmenis not the publications in the press but moves authorities unexpectedly denied the entry ofof the Turkmen authorities that create the 50 Peace Corps volunteers, even though theyimage of Turkmenistan. already had Turkmen visas. Did the authorities do this to improve their self-image in the eyesAnd we do not call black white and vice versa. of the volunteers and managers of this largeFirstly, because this will never make black organization, as well as in the eyes of the USwhite and white black. And secondly, we will administration?simply lose the trust of our readers who arevery important to us. And finally, the In August, following the spontaneous andChronicles of Turkmenistan does not produce inexplicable decision of the authorities,the events; it just reports on them. It is the several hundreds of young girls and boys couldcountry’s leaders who produce the events not leave the country to continue their studies(«black» or «white»), thus creating the in foreign universities. In addition, the namesrespective image of Turkmenistan. of these, now former, students, were included on the lists of those banned from travellingWould you like some examples? outside of Turkmenistan. Was this step meant to improve or to worsen the image of theIn the middle of December, an international country? Surely to worsen, and not only in theorganization «Doctors without borders» eyes of the international community but alsoannounced that it would cease operations in in the eyes of the citizens of Turkmenistan,Turkmenistan due to the repeated rejection of the majority of whom in any case, cannot visitits project proposals by the government. our website or any others.Whose fault is this that this organization,which has been operating in the country for I have only referred to some cases, thoughmany years and has saved the lives and health one could also recall the case of Andreiof many Turkmenistani citizens, decided to Zatoka, the ban on air conditioners in bakingleave the country? They do not claim that the hot Ashgabat, the mass forced mobilization ofdecision was taken due to the smear citizens to the field for cotton harvesting. Andcampaign run by our and other websites. They many other things described by us and otherrefer to other reasons. colleagues from other organizations.311

However, all this was done not by us and not knowledge and experience could have been ofby other organizations; we just reported on it. service to the current ministers and khyakims.And it is the Turkmen authorities who are It might be that state officials of various ranksdenigrating themselves, and they are very fear that they will look unattractive againstgood at that. And there is no point in the «former» officials who are still respectedcompeting with them. by the population.They cannot become ministerial officials The three generation check(29 January 2010) The policy of checking people’s TurkmenRecently Turkmenistan experienced a new a origin up to the third generation, establishedseries of government shakeups, which shows back in Niyazov`s times, when the candidatesdiscontent of the Turkmenistan`s President by for the managerial posts were selected on thethe appointed officials. This article, as its title principle of «purity of origin», continues. Inimplies, will deal not with appointees but with other words, special services collect and checkthose, who have been not appointed ministers up the data of all family members of aor regional leaders by the President. potential manager, including those, who went to a better world. If discovered that aThe Turkmen leader has repeatedly pointed candidate has a close or remote relative, whoout the lack of qualified staff in the country. has record of conviction, this person becomesIndeed, one may think that there are no an underdog candidate.qualified managers in Turkmenistan, given themass emigration of educated and gifted Even the fact that the «clean» ministers,individuals and retirement age of those who selected in this manner, were charged withstayed. The country is in need qualified theft and corruption sometime later andmanagers. imprisoned, did not stop the practice of the checking the candidate’s origin up to the thirdHowever, this assumption is only partially generation.true. Turkmenistan is not as large as othercountries that need dozens of thousands of Over the twenty years of Turkmenistan`swell-trained managers. It has sufficient independence, there is hardly a family withoutnumber of people able to create a prosperous a family member, who has never been instate. custody or under examination. Thus, only very few people can show the «purity of origin»At the same time, since Niyazov`s era the off.country established a certain practice ofmanagers selection when the representatives However, «purity» is a precondition of…of some categories, even as wise as Solomon, personal loyalty, and here the gifts andcannot compete for the executive posts in the knowledge of an individual play not the majorministries, departments or regions. role. National minorities«Dismissed» or «Former» There are no non-Turkmens among theAfter the death of Niyazov, people were ministers, velayat`s and etrap`s khyakims andhopeful that experienced and well-educated heads of large enterprises. Even in places oftop level officials, who had been fired in the compact Uzbek settlements, there are noearliest days of independence, would be able municipal managers of Uzbek origin.to return to their posts. Many of them couldstill be of benefit to their home country. National minorities constitute a rather largeUnfortunately, this did not occur. They were (according to different sources up to 20%)not offered even the lower posts; yet, their portion of population. Certainly, many of them can become effective managers.312 However, perhaps the authorities fear that by

appointing a non-Turkmen manager they will many of them can be referred to severalacknowledge the inability of the titular nation categories, outlined here.to govern its own country, which is absurd.Representatives of national minorities are the However, what do you think will be the totalequal citizens of the country like ethnic amount of this people? Absolutely right: I alsoTurkmens and have not only the same rights think that it will be more than enough to turnbut the same talents. Turkmenistan into a prosperous state.Businessmen Yet, they will not be offered the posts in theAnother «domain», where hundreds of highly government or municipal administrations.qualified specialists had to «emigrate», isprivate entrepreneurship. In the situation of Because if they are offered, the others willthe «controlled» economy, it is rather hard to also head for the country; those who wasrun a private business. However, some forced to leave Turkmenistan in order to makemanage to do this, and they are doing it quite use of their gifts and abilities in other parts ofsuccessfully. the world. And in this case it will be a different, unfamiliar for the world and its ownHowever, no matter how successful a private population, Turkmenistan.entrepreneur is, the way to the stateadministration is closed for him. He is a They cannot become deputies (9 Februarystranger. If appointed, he will look out for 2010)private business, i.e. the majority of the In December 2008, in accordance with thepopulation, as he is aware what obstacles, laws «On Mejlis of Turkmenistan» and «Oncreated by the state, are faced by the election of the deputies of Turkmenistan`sbusinessmen. According to the opinion of the Mejlis» adopted this year, elections to thePresident’s palace, a manager should observe country’s Parliament were held. Shortlythe interests only of a small circle around the before, Abdurakhman Bayramov, head of thePresident, who currently hold the power. Ilkindjiler public group, who tried to nominate himself as a deputy of the TurkmenForeign diplomas Parliament, was arrested and then convicted.Only three current Turkmen state officials Abdurakhman Bayramov, a qualified jurist,have graduated from non-Turkmen headed a private farming enterprise and wasuniversities, and this was back in Soviet times. an active public activist in the BiramaliiskyThose, who received a foreign diploma in the etrap of the Mary velayat in Turkmenistan. Hepost-Soviet time, are apparently considered was very popular among his countrymen and,politically unreliable. undoubtedly, could have sidestepped any election rivals in his electoral district.Too bad, as I think that there are many peoplewho have graduated from Turkish, Russianand EU and US universities and have a higherintellectual and educational level than presentday ministers and khyakims.However, the perception of most of theforeign universities graduates of how theauthorities should treat their citizens is totallydifferent from what the President’sadministration would like to see.What do we haveI roughly grouped potential managerial staff inTurkmenistan into five categories. Certainly,313

However, this would have happened if the As has already been reported, under pressurecountry`s elections had been conducted in line from the Ministry of National Security, awith the Constitution and the citizen who applied to the district electoralabovementioned laws. In reality, as the official commission №51 in the Boldumsaz etrapTurkmen mass media reported, «The (Dashoguz velayat), refused to stand.nomination of candidates was conducted bythe Democratic Party of Turkmenistan and The Turkmen press reported that he was notpublic organization-members of the taking up the seat that he was elected to onNationwide Movement “Galkynysh”. 14 December 2008 in district №101 in the Oguzkhan etrap (Mary velayat) due to familyThe only political party in the country reasons. This situation causes particular(Democratic) and public organization- concern. The refusal to accept took place onmembers of the Nationwide Movement the day when the results were announced.“Galkynysh” was created and financed, Neither name nor workplace of this individualcontrary to all existing laws, by the state. were reported.According to the authorities, only they cannominate candidates to stand as deputies. It should be noted that during the previous election of the Mejlis deputies (in the times ofThe Ilkindjiler public group was not a member S. Niyazov`s reign), the central press publishedof the Nationawide Movement “Galkynysh”». the names, short biographical data andIn addition, it actively collaborated with summaries of the electoral programs of allUSAID, which is viewed by the Turkmen candidates. Before the 2008 election, even thespecial services as working against the state. names of the candidates to the deputies wereFurthermore, in March 2007 А. Bayramov not published.«dared» to send the President his vision of thenew laws «On dainakhs (farmers) ***associations» and «On dainakhs economy», In 2009 there were four amnesty acts and awhich fundamentally disagreed with the total of 7879 prisoners were freed.authorities` plan on reforming the agricultural Abdurakhman Rakhmanov was not included insector. this number and continues to serve his sentence.This candidate, who enjoys the support of thepopulation, and who has an independent The Turkmen Initiative on Human Rightsopinion, did not suit the regime. A lawsuit was appeals to human rights organizations, as wellinitiated against Bayramov: he was charged as the UN Human Rights Council and UNwith failing to pay taxes several years ago. Committee on Human Rights, the European Union, European Parliament, and the OSCE toAs a result, Abdurakhman Rakhmanov was consider А. Bayramov`s confinement assentenced according to some sources to 8, politically motivated and to do all possible toand to other sources to 15 years urge the Turkmen authorities to free him.imprisonment. Bayramov`s family is afraid toprovide any details on Abdurakhman.The USAID representatives did nothing to helpthe public activist nor did they inform theinternational community about his arrest andconviction.A. Bayramov`s case is not the only one wherespecial services hindered the attempts ofcitizens to register as independent candidatesfor the election.314

We are homeless now (17 February 2010) fact that some of the residents did not haveOn February 2 2010, demolishing of houses in registration of residence there.the Karakumgydrostroi village (the name waskept from Soviet times), which is located 30 As was decided by the administration of thekm away from Ashgabat, has commenced. Rukhabadsky etrap, who is in charge of thisSome residents of the village, who lost hope territory, all houses located in the village,to find justice in Turkmenistan, requested us except for 27 (the documentation for thesefor assistance. cannot be questioned), will be demolished. The decision was already executed with«We believe that if the information on dozens regard to 31 houses where about 40 familiesof families being forced out of their were living.apartments in winter frosts in the epoch ofthe great renaissance reach the international These families, who stayed without shelter incommunity, the Turkmen authorities will have the cold winter days, addressed the residentsto treat us in a human manner!», the victims of the neighboring village of Kepele for asay. permission to settle down within the limits of their territory. The residents of the KepeleThe Karakumhydrostroi village was village, who were not authorized to act likeestablished as a subsidiary holding of the that and fearful to infuriate the municipalhydraulic engineers in the mid-1980s. People administration, or, to be more precise, thewere invited to live and to work here. They President of Turkmenistan, refused to issuebuilt a cow shed and purchased 200 highbred such a permission.cows. There were also large plantations withvineyards areas. During the period of They still remember the story of theTurkmenistan’s independence, the subsidiary demolished Derveze village in the center ofholding fell to decay and was transferred to the Karakums and the village of Sarykol nearthe supervision of other organizations. The to it. The situation is worsened by the fact thatpeople lost their jobs and were mainly their status with regard to the residenceemployed in the agricultural sector. They were registration is still not settled, to put it mildly.forgotten by the authorities. Their ancestors were living for centuries here in sands, which are hardly suitable for normalThis village had 161 houses with 250 families life, not knowing of what residenceliving in them. Local authorities explained the registration is. Therefore, they are very muchdemolition by the absence of the khyakimlik`s afraid of this word, so are all the residents ofpermission for building the houses there Turkmenistan.(when the village was established, the notion«khyakimlik» was still not existent) and by the «Unfortunately, assurances of the present President not to demolish residential houses315 (as was the practice under S. Niyazov), or to provide the residents of the houses, subject to demolition, with a fair compensation, were the same bluff, as many of his other promises», say the people, who lost their homes, in despair. Indeed, the practice of demolishing of private houses in the country continues. In 2008, about 90 residential buildings were demolished in the center of Kunjaurgench in the Dashoguz velayat, which the authorities decided to replace a new mosque. Currently,

175 houses in the Pristan-Farab village of the The authorities should cancel propiska –Lebap velayat are being demolished. The forced residence registration in the place ofhouses are being ruined in Keshi, Garadamak living. Since the government cannot provideand in the central farmstead of the former all country’s residents with decent housing, itLeningrad kolkhoz in the Akhal velayat. Private is essential to legalize all private residentialhomes in the villages of Avaza and Tarta in the houses, built, for instance, over 10 years agoBalkan velayat have been fully demolished. and not registered as private property. InThe list of similar cases can be continued. other words, there is a need of «housing amnesty». Furthermore, the entire legislationThe situation is further aggravated by unclear with regard to private property for housinglegislation, which is enforced in the country. and land property for private constructionsLaws and regulations, adopted in the Soviet should be reviewed and improved.times, and legal norms of the post-Soviet era,are often contradictory. It leads to the All this requires time and the will of thesituation when many people, whose houses authorities.have been demolished, cannot receive a justcompensation for the loss of their homes and Before the Turkmen authorities start solvingstay without housing and residence this problem, we express our commitment toregistration. establish the Fund of Support to Turkmenistani`s citizens, who lost theirThis is to the advantage of the municipal and housing. If this idea is supported by legalrural officials. For an official, a word entities and individuals, all money received by«residence registration» is a failure-free the Fund, will be channeled to the familiesinstrument of extortion and punishments of forced out of their homes. Collection and userebels, which is widely used. of money will be fully transparent.«It could be understood when he (the The Turkmen law on political parties, or aPresident) was destroying the houses in Avaza two-party system (18 May 2010)to set up a recreational zone. In Ashgabat and During the Elders’ Council session, which wasother cities he is doing this to widen the roads recently held in Dashoguz and viewed by theor build palaces-hotels. But our village is authorities as significant, the President oflocated in the sands; why was it in his way?! Turkmenistan once again touched upon theWhy could the authorities not wait until introduction of a multi-party system.spring? Why were we not offered any However, he was only referring to the newalternative houses? Is it our fault that the Daikhan (farmer’s) party. Taking into accountnational authorities cannot adopt normal that only one political party operates in thelaws, which would protect the interests of the county and from now onward there will beTurkmen citizens? Why should we, who have two, I would refer to it as a political systemlived here over 20 years, suffer fromsomeone’s carelessness?» ask the formerhouse owners.Mass house demolition is underway. Citizensof Turkmenistan are in fact deprived of theright to housing. Even if the housing isprivatized, there is no guarantee that itsowner will receive (in case of housedemolition) fair compensation, as there is norecognized housing market, which woulddetermine the price of the building.316

with limited number of parties rather than a multi-party system the internationalmulti-party system to be more precise. community was expecting?The authorities are eager to introduce a However, the Turkmen authorities, like our“multi-party system”. Addressing the audience neighbors from Uzbekistan, have their ownin his speech at the aforementioned session, perception of what a multi-party systemthe President instructed the Mejlis to prepare means.a draft law on political parties and mentionedthat “establishing a Daikhans’ party meets the Hopefully the law, which is being drafted, willpresent-day requirements”. not include the President’s message, which calls on parties “to explain and implement theUnder this context, the introduction of a state agricultural policy (or – as an option - another “sought-after” policy – the Avazamulti-party system is not a “present-day” construction project)”.requirement, but the requirement imposed by Nothing unusual will happen if the second political party will emerge with the help of theinternational, including financial same recipe used for the first one. However, given the requirements of the present day ororganizations, which play a pivotal role in the the requirements imposed by somebody else, the authorities should take into considerationeconomic well-being of the country and its that the party should be responsible for protecting the interests and rights ofleadership. agricultural workers and rural residents, not “explaining and implementing” the stateIn turn, the President is concerned about policy.preserving the autocratic system initiated byNiyazov when adhering to the requirements Besides, the “specialization” of political partiesset forth by international organizations. Hence is not the best way to diversify social andthe Turkmen-style multi-party system political life. This role – protecting the rights ofcomprised of two parties, none of which can people employed in different sectors shouldbe called opposition in the true sense of the be performed by trade unions. But alas, theword. The head of the state has already law on trade unions is also non-existent in thedetermined the tasks for an unregistered country.party - “to explain and implement the stateagricultural policy”. It appears that the So, Turkmen-style multi-party systemremaining policy will be communicated to the comprised of two parties is about to emerge.country’s residents by the Democratic Party of We are looking forward to another episode ofTurkmenistan, which has been functioning for a TV series, which has been broadcast for twoover twenty years not guided by any law. decades featuring the democratization of Turkmenistan. It is up to the country’sIt goes without saying that the law on political authorities to decide whether it will beparties will be adopted and the Daikhans’ devoted to trade unions, mass media, theparty (only this party) will be registered. I can rehabilitation of those wrongfully convicted oreven assume that the prominent Turkmen sheep farming.poultry farmer, the Chairman of the Union ofIndustrialists and Entrepreneurs and at thesame time, close friend of the President,Aleksandr Dadaev, will become one of theparty’s key representatives, if not the party’sleader.The Daikhan party is guided by the top-downprinciple, its executives will be chosen amongthose who the President trusts, it will beengaged in the projects specified by thePresident. This is as clear as day. But is this the317

The son for the father (9 June 2010) In the meantime both my sons - Ruslan (bornOn Sunday, June 6 I received information from in 1985) and Eldar (born in 1987) are holdingDashoguz (a city in the north of Turkmenistan refugees’ status and residing together with mewhere I resided before my immigration), that in Vienna, Austria. Both are studying at thethe staff members of the Dashoguz velayat’s Vienna University.office of the National Security Ministry (MNS)paid visits to local schools in an attempt to My sons help me with my human rights andfind out where and when my sons studied and dissident activities. Under their supportwho were their classmates. satirical cartoons featuring the Turkmen leaders, which are posted onAs was found out, this “campaign” by the TurkmenDissidentTV, are produced. RuslanTurkmen authorities was launched on June 5. also runs the forum, launched on our websiteThe day before, on June 4, I was making a “Chronicles of Turkmenistan”.presentation in Washington D.C. in the NEDoffice (the National Endowment for It is difficult for me to judge what reasonsDemocracy) titled “From Turkmenbashi to the were behind such committed efforts on partpresent Turkmenistan” devoted to the of the special services towards the memberspolitical situation in the country and the of my family – whether it was my operationsexisting kinship-based managerial style in or Ruslan’s and Eldar’s work. Yet, there is allTurkmenistan. The full version of the report evidence that the system of collectivewill be published shortly. punishment, created by Niyazov, still persists.On Sunday I could not reach by phone my What happened in recent days did not comemother Khalida Izbastinova residing in as a surprise to me. The special services areDashoguz. On Monday I managed to reach trying to “have a way” with everyone who isher, she was very agitated and concerned and actively advocating viable reforms inconfirmed that the special services are paying Turkmenistan. Regrettably, they areincreased attention towards her grandsons, succeeding in this initiative as the number ofi.e. my sons. Turkmen activists, including those living in exile, is decreasing.According to her, the MNS staff members paidvisits to the principals of the former Russian- Judging by the MNS active involvement, I amspeaking schools in Dashoguz and were deeply concerned that many of my formersearching for any data related to “the friends, classmates, my sons’ teachers, whoTukbatullins, born in 1985 and 1987”. They did not have any contacts with them for ninewanted to find out about my sons’ classmates, years, and most likely, are not aware of theirfriends, acquaintances and teachers. activities, might be persecuted.318 I am worried about my mother, my brother and his family. All of them live in Turkmenistan. Even though my sons live in Vienna, Austria, I am also concerned about their security. I have been involved in social (environment protection and human rights) and dissident activities (journalism and satire) for about 20 years. Under S. Niyazov’s rule, in 2002-2003, I was deprived of liberty and my brother lost his job. Yet, back then my children were not harassed.

Some people state that the political regime in fundamental criterion for selecting amy home country is getting milder. managerial style.Apparently, as soon as the authorities succeedin cracking down on all country’s disloyal Niyazov appointed non-family members tocitizens, the regime in Turkmenistan will high-ranking positions and a year or two laterbecome very liberal. would put them in jail if he wanted. He was fighting against cronyism and nepotism. UnderFrom Turkmenbashi to the Present: his Presidency the law was adopted whichProspects for Change in Turkmenistan (17 barred relatives from occupying high-rankingJune 2010) positions in an organization. He startedWe would like to bring to your attention an appointing persons from other provinces asadapted and abridged version of the report heads of the regions. Basically this was spresented on June 4 at the National reasonable approach as viewed by Niyazov,Endowment for Democracy office in which did not only take into account theWashington, D.C. Turkmen mindset, but ensured Niyazov’s personal security. A close-knit group of anyThe purpose of this report is to demonstrate kind, whether they are like-minded individualsthe most obvious differences in governing the or family members, might pose a threat to thecountry between the former and incumbent one-man dictatorship.Presidents of Turkmenistan.The system, created by Turkmenbashi, is still Berdymukhammedov has many relativespreserved under the leadership of President whom appoints to high-ranking posts. In otherBerdymukhammedov. People’s lives are still words, he is doing what his predecessor wastotally dependent on the country’s leaders fighting against. Yet, Berdymukhamedovand the residents are unable to have an cannot put in jail the relatives he appointed asimpact on the authorities. In this respect there they are members of his family.is no difference between the former and thenew Presidents. Analyzing the composition of the government, one can easily get the impression thatThe main difference is selection criteria for Berdymukhammedov is preserving certainappointing senior executives, imposed by the equilibrium between the provinces whenincumbent President. Indirectly but discernibly appointing members of the government. Fiveenough, this principle affects the situation people are natives of the Balkan velayat, fourpertaining to private entrepreneurship. come from Mary, four from the Lebap velayat, none come from Dashoguz and the rest (overThe point is that unlike the new President, 20 people) are originally from Akhal.Niyazov did not have any relatives. In themeantime it turns out that this is quite a Almost all heads of the law enforcement agencies are natives of Akhal. Interestingly319 enough, the Defense Minister, Attorney General and the Chairman of the Supreme Control Chamber (who was recently appointed as the Ministry of Agriculture) are natives of the Bakharly village. The Minister of Construction also comes from the same village. Being a member of the President’s family is a key advantage when being selected as a candidate for a high-ranking position. Let’s illustrate this with several examples.

The head of the London-based representation However, these and other high-rankingoffice of the state agency on management and officials are not afraid of Berdymukhamedov’suse of hydrocarbon resources is displeasure. In the worst case scenario, theyBerdymukhammedov’s brother-in-law — could be down-graded, but still not be put inDovlet Atabaev. prison. To punish a member of your family means to poison the minds of some relativesMaisa Yazmukhammedova, the President’s against yourself, i.e. sow discord within familycousin, was appointed the Deputy Prime relations.Minister. This might be dangerous for the President.Before being appointed to his current post, People who are appointed on the kinshipMinister of Automotive Transport Khangulyev principle, and who are not afraid ofdid not have any managerial experience, punishment, will stop needing their patronwhereas the Minister of Commerce and over time.Foreign Economic Relations Abaev does nothold a higher education diploma. What This was not possible under Niyazov. While hisprinciples was the President guided by when protégés were also corrupt, they were awareappointing them to high-ranking posts? of the strict punishment that Niyazov couldNeither Khangulyev nor Abaev had an impose on them at any time and so wereopportunity to demonstrate their outstanding bounded by certain limits.organizational skills or intellectual abilities toprove their efficiency as Ministers. Yet, they There is another reason why the Presidentare close to the President, which is now more may have problems because of his relatives.valuable than skills and talents. His numerous nephews are already gettingWhat is the managerial style of senior hold of the most successful Turkmenexecutives appointed in such a way? businesses. Businessmen cannot stand against them as it makes no sense to file complaintsDeputy Prime Minister Khodjamukhamedov with the law enforcement agencies or with thewho oversees the fuel and energy sector courts against the President’s relatives. Therepublicly promotes selected companies as are already legends about the greediness andcontractors in implementing large-scale impudence of his nephew, Shamyrat, whoprojects in Turkmenistan, for example Vizor, takes away houses, cafés and restaurants thatwhich is registered in Turkey. The company belong to entrepreneurs.has already received profitable contracts toconstruct residential houses for the fuel and The attention of “nephews” is also drawn toenergy sector. Most likely, it will obtain cell phone stores which generate considerablecontracts to build chemical industry objects in revenue. Several such stores in Ashgabat andthe cities of Mary and Turkmenabat. Mary are already owned by them. Shopping centers is another profitable business. ForAlso, several foreign companies are supported instance, “Yampash”, built in Ashgabat by theby Minister of National Security Amanov. Turkish company, is now owned by hisAmong those are the Turkish company Sekhil “nephews”.(Amanov’s close relatives are employed in thiscompany) and Khayat (which is registered in However, the issue goes beyond the fact thatTurkey but operated by Turkmens). The most the Turkmen businessmen cannot rebel andinteresting is the support given to the Iranian organize protests and riots (although thisPars Energy. This company, as well as other cannot be excluded).Iranian companies operating in Turkmenistan,is controlled by Iran’s special services. And the Under Niyazov, businessmen were allowed toMinister of National Security surely knows grow rich up to a point. The level wasthat. determined either by Niyazov himself or by320

state agencies such as the MNS, Interior The Turkmen opposition will have a goodMinistry, Prosecutor`s Office, and Tax services. chance to succeed if they re-adjust themselvesNiyazov was afraid that a person that became and get some fresh blood in. Yet, this is thetoo rich would demand certain freedoms, topic for another report.especially those freedoms that could helpfoster his or her business. From enemy No. 8, Or we are not welcome there (3 August 2010)The officers of the special services were quite Reports on “black lists” compiled by thehappy with this system as they also received Turkmen authorities of undesirabletheir own share from the new rich organizations and individuals, who arebusinessmen. The latter were forced to buy unwelcome in Turkmenistan, have beenoff the authorities continuously and this posted on the internet.became a source of regular income for thespecial services, something the officers got The lists contain quite detailed data – theaccustomed to. names of organizations, names of selected individuals and their number, which points toNow, if all successful businesses are taken a certain accuracy of information. At the sameover by Berdymukhamedov’s “nephews,” the time the fact that the document allegedlypunitive structures will not dare to inspect, or, adopted at the session of Turkmenistan’smoreover, ruin the businesses of the Security Council was circulated to a smallPresident’s relatives. human rights group from the Uzbek province, prompts certain questions.The officers will lose their customary income.As time goes by, this will inevitably cause How come Najot could access the documentdiscontent. Special services are mostly staffed which is likely to have a certain level ofwith loyalists to the regime, but they are loyal classification?only as long as the regime allows them to robbusinessmen with impunity. Apparently this may have been an intentional leakage of information arranged by theUntil now, I have intentionally avoided Turkmen special services to instill fear intomentioning the Turkmen citizens and their Turkmen “outcasts” and other untrustworthyattitudes to these possible developments. individuals so that they will abandon hopes to come to Turkmenistan.It is true that Turkmen are more patient thanour Kyrgyz neighbors. However, if events Yet, such alarm bells already rang back indevelop in line with what I have suggested, i.e. 2007. At that time, one of the “outcasts” -all power and business are concentrated in Gulgeldy Annaniyazov – had run the risk andthe hands of one family (not even a tribe), this returned to his home country believing in thewill draw immediate parallel with Kyrgyzstan promises made by the new President aboutunder Bakiev’s rule. the upcoming democratic reforms in the country. He was immediately arrested andBerdymukhammedov will be urged to invent a sentenced to 11 (!) years imprisonment. Aftermechanism which will allow him to keep a this, exiled Turkmen citizens abandoned anytight leash on his presumptuous relatives, who illusions of returning to their home countrywent too far as government officials and safely without persecution.entrepreneurs. Otherwise, the presentstructure of power which differs from the one International human right organizations andbuilt and governed by Niyazov for 20 years will foundations had repeatedly contactednot be stable enough and thus less Embassies of Turkmenistan to apply for visas,predictable. but each time were denied entrance. Thus,321

they are not cherishing any hopes to enter the “Azatlyk” (Turkmen radio service of Radiocountry. “Liberty – Free Europe”), as well as letters we receive.Needless to say, it was clear without the Najotpublication that such lists exist. I believe that the report about these lists– regardless of whether this was a deliberateAccording to this publication, my humble information leakage or whether this happenedpersona is reportedly placed at number 8 on as a result of competitive struggle betweenone of the lists. There is a lot of be proud of. various groups within special services,Apparently if I make an announcement that I demonstrated one thing. Wishing to instill fearam joining the political opposition’s fight into those who potentially could be includedagainst today’s Turkmen political regime on these lists, the authorities demonstrated(which I refrain from doing in the meantime) it that they are also afraid of them.is likely that my name would jump severalrankings. Or on the contrary, if I slow down This is obviously the right thing to do.my operations and cease my activities, I wouldgo down number 130 in the “unpopular” Gratitude to the Turkmen Foreignranking on the list. Ministry (27 October 2010) It is an open secret that human rights activistsI am not asking who has been placed on the try to use every possibility to convey theirtop of the blacklists or virtually, the lists of points of view on the human rights situation inenemies. This is not about rankings, soroses, their home country to the internationalponomaryovs or tukhbatullins. Anyway, the community. Regrettably, these opportunitiestruth is enemy number №1 for the Turkmen are limited. But sometimes, veryauthorities. unexpectedly, those who have previously opposed the activities of human rightPeople and organizations, familiar with defenders in every possible way, renderTurkmen reality, which does not meet the assistance.image presented by the state-run mass media,reproduce the facts rather than fabricated The OSCE review conference was recently heldinformation in their documents. As a result, in Vienna. The conference room in thethey automatically end up on the list of Hofburg palace, the conference venue,enemies. accommodates approximately 250 people. The majority of conference participants areIn view of varying interests, foreign diplomats preoccupied with the issues their regions areand entrepreneurs who do not publicly constrained with and Turkmenistan is of littlecriticize the policy pursued by the Turkmen interest to them. If I had been registered as aauthorities are not included on the black lists. conference participant on the first day and needless to say, had criticized the TurkmenThere are no doubts that similar lists in oneform or another had existed before and stillexist. It is likely that as time goes by theyundergo some changes. This does not,however, alter their purpose – ensuring themaximum personal security of the powers-that-be.However, despite all their efforts, the peoplewho are not afraid to tell the truth aregrowing in number, including those insideTurkmenistan. This is witnessed by numerousappearances of Turkmen residents on radio322

authorities, then no more than several dozens December in Astana. The summit bringingof people would have heard me. together the Presidents of the OSCE memberRepresentatives of some foreign delegations states is timed to coincide with this event. Imay have been taking notes and may have am registered for the Astana conference, too.used them in their work. As time goes by, I am wondering whether the Turkmenhowever, the minutes of my presentation President will follow the example of thewould have gathered dust together with Ambassador and leave the summit if I attendthousands of other papers. the conference. Or perhaps he will simply not go?However, Turkmenistan’s Ministry of ForeignAffairs interfered and things took a different Honored leaders of Turkmenistan, let us notpath. Their requirement to deny admission to make the situation look so absurd. Startthe representatives of the Turkmen Initiative interacting with civil society in a civilized way.for Human Rights resulted in a serious Respond to the criticism rather than critics. Indiscussion, if not to say a scandal. This caused this case you will probable hear not onlya stir among all 250 participants in the panegyrics learned by heart by schoolchildrenconference room, including those who were exhausted with rehearsals, but sincere wordsnot thinking about Turkmenistan at all. of gratitude from residents of our home country.Yet, this was not enough for the Turkmendiplomats! When eventually the OSCE The point of no return (15 Decemberleadership decided to admit the Turkmen 2010)activists to the conference, the Ambassador of Many still remember the elderly FinnishTurkmenistan left the conference room. diplomat Martti Ahtisaari paying Niyazov numerous «historical» visits and later assuringThis immediately became a topic of discussion the whole world that dialogue is underwaynot only for the conference participants, but and Turkmenistan will see democratic changesfor the mass media. My audience, from a soon… No changes followed.potential 250 people, increased to severalmillions. The Austrian «Kronen Zeitung» alone Something like changes started only once M.has a circulation of 2 million. There were Ahtisaari retired and his Turkmen vis-s-via –dozens of other interviews in print media, disappeared into oblivion.radio and television, let alone interneteditions. However, the current year has shown that the changes, which commenced in 2007 andThus, thanks to Turkmenistan’s Foreign reached the politically “prospect-less” level ofMinistry millions of people learned about the «dialogue being underway», which makesincident at the conference and about our already one`s tongue sore, first slowed downhome country as well as violations of and then went clearly and rapidly backwards.fundamental human rights there. Perhaps,from now on I will include the TurkmenForeign Ministry among the sponsors of ourorganization. So far no foundation hasrendered us such support!Seriously speaking, sure enough the Turkmenforeign ministry has nothing to do with this.They are just bluntly executing the will ofhigher-ranking authorities.One more thing. The follow-up of thisconference is scheduled to take place early323

Domestic policy aspect - An appeal of the President addressed to theG. Berdymukhamedov merely needed the heads of special services and published in theimitation of reforms to strengthen his power. Turkmen media to fight slanderers andNot to mention some results of the stated additional information on a physical massacrereforms, one can hardly see any thoughtful being prepared with regard to a Turkmensteps targeted at their implementation which activist forcibly residing abroad;would demonstrate the conscious consistency - The demand of the Turkmen authorities notof the authorities. Therefore, the activities to allow participation of dissidents andundertaken by the country`s leadership can be opposition leaders at OSCE events.seen as imitation of reforms only but not atrue reformation of the system established by This is just a short list of those steps whichNiyazov. Thus, there are no and cannot be any have been truly implemented by the Turkmentangible positive outcomes either in authorities over the past 1,5-2 years. It is thisagriculture or in the education system or with strict attitude towards its own people and theregard to freedom of Internet – alleged lack of fulfillment of the promised democraticreformation of these very areas enabled new changes which is a characteristic of the«Ahtisaaris» to have new hopes about the current political regime in Turkmenistan.democratization of Turkmenistan. This is a profound mistake, to put it mildly, toContrary to these hopes, the very opposite assume that fighting against disloyal citizens,outcomes have emerged: «suspicious» associations and «non-- Bans on the exit of young people to study in traditional» religious groups, the authoritiesforeign universities; are ensuring stability in the country. In order- Curtailing or cutting of many educational to guarantee stability, one should solve socialprograms; problems instead of holding a session of the- Repressions against public activists including Security Council where the Minister of theexit bans and arrests; National Security reports to the President on- Repressions even against citizens who are «the work undertaken in the country tonot politically active but used to study abroad support and further strengthen the public andon various exchange programs; political stability». I do not think it is necessary- Repressions against religious minorities, to explain why it is the prerogative of the MNSincluding lengthy sentences in prison; and with what means it strengthens the- Repressions against citizens disloyal to the stability in the country.authorities and their family members;- De facto elimination of civil society in the However, a façade of loyalty of the entirecountry. While a small number of NGOs population is being created during numerousmanaged to implement small-scale projects celebrations, receptions and visits of theunder Niyazov, no such activities are possible President. Everybody, including schoolchildrennow; and students, have to stand in the heat or in- Extension of «black lists» containing the deep frost for hours on end, pretending to benames of those who are banned from leaving happy. In order to make the happiness appearTurkmenistan. According to the recent data, genuine, people are distracted from theirthese lists include about 18 thousand people studies and work and are being trained for(under S. Niyazov the amount was below 4 several days and even weeks. And all this isthousand); represented by mass media as an all-nation- The ban endorsed personally by the love to the President and universal support ofPresident (published in the Turkmen media) his policy. In reality, such events can provokefor bringing printed press from abroad under nothing but hatred of the citizens toward thethe pretext that Turkmenistan produces Presidents and officials.sufficient number of print media (thePresident preferred not to mention theirquality and diversity);324

Social aspect working and getting paid, they and theirThe population does not need free water, gas families will have (increase) the demand forand salt (and now also sewage systems), but goods and services, which, in turn, will give anrather employment and the chance to get a impulse for the development of privategood salary in order to pay their everyday entrepreneurship. This, in turn, will stimulateliving costs. the development of normal, not a command and control economic system.Why did a total of 15 men aged between 19and 35 commit suicide in the city of Dashoguz Business and politicsonly over the last month? Three out of them However, the top of the Turkmen authoritiesdid this on 8 and 9 December! They were not fear that economics will start developing by itsdrug addicts, they were ordinary people. The own laws and not by the will of the powerspeople, who chose to leave life due to that be. The hopes of Western diplomats thathopelessness, having found no job, failed to the growing number of foreign entrepreneurs,continue education after school or military who visit Turkmenistan to set up profitableservice and failed to leave the country to earn businesses, will lead to a gradual mitigation ofmoney. Many fail to leave the country not economic politics first and then to aonly because of a lack of money to pay for the withdrawal of the totalitarian methods of theticket but also because of the visa regime country leadership are useless.introduced by Turkmenistan with all countries,including CIS states. Without having an One may suppose that the bitter experience ofinvitation for work or studies abroad, it is the Russian MTS on the Turkmen market willvirtually impossible to obtain a visa. teach a lesson to foreign businessmen and bring down to earth the foreign politiciansMeanwhile, almost all the revenues from the who have a rosy-colored view. It should be«unlimited wealth» of hydrocarbons are spent noted that many well-known companies hadby the authorities on building hotels, palaces feared to invest into our country prior to theand tourist zones which stay empty most of story with MTS.the year. It is true that foreign companies,which receive contracts for these multimillion The country is already being ruled not by theconstruction projects, do hire Turkmenistani President alone but the entire family clan. Andcitizens. However, as soon as the project is if under Niyazov one could agree on largecompleted, all local residents become projects with him directly, now even notunemployed. ministers but their deputies think they are almighty. And certainly they are laws andIt is not difficult to solve the issue of international agreements in themselves.unemployment which affects, according todifferent estimations, from 40 to 60 per cent It is useless to expect that the President willof the able-bodied population. It will be be able to restrain the appetites of hissufficient to restore (in the époque of Great relatives, who have greedily fallen uponRenaissance!) those repair and construction powers. During the first years of his rule,depots which used to exist with the when Berdymukhamedov shuffled theinvolvement of state, private and, why not, government, consistently eliminatingforeign investments. The country has appointees of the previous President andthousands of schools and hospitals, thousands trying not to destroy the structure of powerof kilometers of roads, communication lines, built up by Niyazov, who had been foundedgas pipelines and power transmission lines (as many experts argue) at the «Blessedwhich have not been repaired for years. And Trinity» - Umnov, Khramov and Zhadan – herural citizens still live with unpaved roads and managed to keep the management system.without a water pipe system. All this opens noend of work and dozens of thousands of Now, there is no particular need in these threepotential jobs! And if these thousands start as well. Umnov was suspended from work, his325

nearest friend in office – now already former There are no longer special hopes for Nabuccodeputy head of the state tax service Mr either.Prjanichnikov – is in fact under investigation.There is information that other «Umnov`s In addition, as history shows, dictators leavepeople» have been arrested as well. while oil, gas, diamonds and other VERY useful mineral deposits will stay.It appears that soon invisible to the humaneye but still influential advisors and It might be that countries-chess players –attendants of Berdymukhamedov, who tried since our region is called a Grand Chessboardto give a civilized look to the activities of the – do support (or at least do not interfere in)present-day government, will be suspended. Berdymukhamedov`s politics out of the fearThere will remain those employed by the that otherwise neighboring «flash point» -President back in the times of the «deficit of Afghanistan – may turn into a flash blot. Inqualified staff» as the President put it at the addition, it is unknown what will happen tobeginning of his career. another of Turkmenistan`s neighbors – Uzbekistan – in the nearest future.The staff was found quite soon out of thenumber of relatives and friends, although It goes without saying that the chess players –nobody remembered about the USA, China, Turkey and, perhaps, Russia do«qualification» requirement. It should be not need a «flash blot». However, there is alsomentioned that they have a very special idea Iran which at a certain moment will takeabout prosperity and renaissance of advantage of the situation if the powerTurkmenistan. players have to solve more acute problems in this region than Iranian atom program.The problem of spreading corruption which iswell noticed by the representatives of foreign Coming back to Turkmenistanbusiness companies is another serious issue; Until now, the powers, who are not loyal tohowever, the experience of Georgia shows the Turkmen regime, even thoughthat this evil can be successfully tackled. One fragmentary, were acting or at least tried toshould only wish; however, this should not be act within civilized frameworks. Having noexpected from the Turkmen authorities, as means to affect directly the decisions adoptedsure as a gun. by the authorities, they appealed to the international community. Now, theForeign policy aspect opposition, dissidents, human rightsThose, who replaced Martti Ahtisaari, are defenders and representatives of religious andunwilling to see all these irreversible national minorities have lost hope in any«changes». When you talk to diplomats from «external political pressure» which OSCE, EUthe international organizations or certain and UN can exert as mechanisms to resolve atcountries about the above-mentioned things, least some of the small problems.they shift glances and their favorite expressionis as follows: «the dialogue is underway»… Will this super cautious deja vu politics – leading an eternal and meaningless dialogue –The first explanation to the fact why these not push the Turkmenistani citizens to radicalpoliticians – defenders of democracy and activities? Or this is what it is meant for?human rights - are so humble with respect tothe Turkmen authorities is the simple desire of In other words, we arrive to a point whereEurope to get gas. However, it might be not so either the «chess players» have to unite andsimple as it seems. The importance of gas force Berdymukhamedov to follow the rules ofcannot be overestimated. Yet, it is clear that the game or this will be Turkmens who willBerdymulhamedov preferred Iran and China unite. And then the game will continueand now Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. without any games…326

As of now, the Turkmens prefer to commit your people as insiders, persecuting disloyalsuicide, one by one. However, their blood, as country’s residents in Turkmenistan. However,well as the blood of those who died in prisons, as the experience of your colleagues from asentenced back in Niyazov`s times, can be number of Arab countries demonstrates,already attributed to the hands of the current times have changed. It turned out that theregime. people can rebel without a leader! It turned out that it is impossible to split those whoThe point of no return has passed. Everybody have no other goal than toppling down theunderstands this. Yet, not everybody regime which has been in power for too long!understands what to do with this now. These leaders with twenty, thirty, forty yearsFor whom mubaraks toll - The letter to in power proved to be unprepared for such athe Turkmen President (25 February turn of events. Some of them preferred to flee2011) while others are still resisting their “belovedThe Turkmen mass media do not report about nation” by generously targeting bullets andthe knock-on effect of revolutions which are bombs at them. Some are trying to coax theiroccurring in the Arab countries. There is nationals with belated reforms and evenevidence that the authorities are concerned money…about more enjoyable things. For instance, theVice Prime Minister headed for China to learn From the very beginning you also positionedabout their experiences in organizing yourself as a reformer. However, time passesrecreational and cultural events. Apparently it by and many have come to realize that theseis beyond the comprehension of the Turkmen promises are nothing but deception. Theyleaders that crowds can organize themselves were tailored primarily for those who arewithout the government’s involvement and easily deceived and prefer to be deluded. Ifor occasions which are far from being festive. mean, selected representatives of international organizations and foreignI am greeting you, President! diplomats.How are you feeling? Are you calm? Do you For how long can you deceive your ownsleep well? You are not disturbed by people? They say you can deceive one personnightmares such as vengeful crowds, are you? for a long time, deceive everybody for a short time, but it is impossible to deceive everyoneBy all appearances it seems you do not rely on for a long time.your special services. You are absolutely right.What are they capable of? Since Niyazov’s You promised to implement reforms in ruraltime, they were focused on achieving concrete areas. Then you checked what it would take toobjectives– discrediting opposition members, bring all villages to order and started thinkingsplitting opposition groups abroad by placing like the saying– “Is it easier to wash them or make new ones?” Instead you decided to327 build 5-6 new villages from scratch. The remaining hundreds of villages remained “unwashed”, without roads, without water (sorry, I did not dare to write “water supply”), without any hope for the future. Do you think that after this the rural inhabitants will buy in and believe your pledges about reforms? Let me raise the issue of water supply. 10 months ago you held a grand opening of the drinking water plant in Dashoguz. The festive event was broadcast on TV for several days. It

should be mentioned, however, that so far had announced. Imprisonment terms of 10 tothere is still no drinking water in the water 18 years are rampant!supply pipes. May be you are not aware ofthis? The TV does not cover such unimportant Besides, I have recalled one incident withnews. regard to the Mejlis. In March 2007, at the OSCE conference in Vienna I had aI will not even mention the promises about conversation with an official from thedemocratic reforms in Turkmenistan. Turkmen Embassy. Back then I wanted to believe in your promises about upcomingWhy am I reminding you of all these? Some of reforms. Among other things, I asked him: “Ifyour colleagues now deeply regret that they the new President speaks abouthad been swindling their people. They could democratization, why do the Turkmenhave equally implemented real reforms and newspapers covering the Cabinet sessions, saywould have remained in history as respectable that the Chairman of the Mejlis REPORTED toand honorable leaders. What fate do you the President about this and that? Accordingprefer? As you see the choice is quite limited. to the Constitution the Parliament’s head is not subordinated to the President”. SinceAll you have been doing so far will trigger then, the newspapers state that the Chairmanundesirable results for you and your family. of the Mejlis BRIEFED the head of the state”.Yes, your family members, sisters andnephews, are digging a pit for you, totally As I deliberately did not mention that theunaware of what they are doing. By Supreme judge is also not subordinated to theconfiscating someone’s business and finding President according to the Constitution, heother cash-yielding jobs they demonstrate to still REPORTS to the President. Needless tothe citizens who the country’s master are. You say, watching television broadcasts aboutare indulging their whims. Do you think you Turkmenistan’s Cabinet sessions, it becomesare enhancing your power this way? obvious that everybody, including the Parliament’s Chairman, the Supreme Judge letWho did you hire as the government members alone ministers and khyakims obedientlyand aides? Was it them who recommended REPORT standing to attention.you to lay a wreath under the flag on the Dayof State Flag? For your and their information, Let me say a few words about the lawwreaths and flowers are laid to commemorate enforcement officers who should besomebody or something. The flag is still there. committed to defending the law, or defendingIt is true that Niyazov’s birthday used to be you to be more precise. I am getting thecelebrated on that date, but if you wanted to impression that they have long beenpay tribute to his memory, you should have defending only their own interests. Seizing aslaid it to under one of your predecessor’s many people as possible they try to squeezenumerous monuments. out as much as possible from them (needless to say, money-wise).Who did you hire in Parliament? They adoptlaws and you sign them. Several weeks later Thus they are contributing to an increase inamendments to these laws come into effect. the number of residents disloyal to theApparently legal advisers start raising alarm authorities.after familiarizing themselves with the alreadyendorsed document. May be it would make If some time ago pro-active civil societysense to hand over the draft laws to experts activists journalists, parishioners, who choseand then sign them? I am not convinced, the wrong religious affiliation, holders of dualhowever, that this would help. For instance, citizenship (not only Turkmen but Russian,only a few prisoners felt first hand that the Turkish etc.), residents who marriedCriminal Code had been made milder as you foreigners, people who travelled abroad on various exchange programs, relatives of the328

aforementioned individuals along with family I am, on the contrary, accustomed to bemembers of political prisoners and prisoners ironic.of conscience were considered to be disloyal(or suspicious) to the regime, whereas now Good bye. Keep in touch. The address is thethis list is added by artists, scientists, selected same: [email protected], representatives of sexualminorities and so on and so forth. “For my friends, anything. For enemies, the law!” (29 April 2011)Thus it turns out that your special services The penal system has existed for centuries allthemselves produce those who are over the world. It is designed not only todiscontented with your performance. punish a criminal but primarily to demonstrate to the society that defendants will be heldWhat else? The army? Indeed if a Tunisian or responsible for the crime they committed. InEgyptian scenario takes places, maybe the Turkmenistan this system functions in a bitarmy will be defending you for some time. different way.Bear in mind that soldiers are the children of“your beloved people”. It is very likely that The penal system or, in modern parlance, ayour sons and the sons of your family prevention measure to combat crimes, wasmembers are not serving in the military. the reason for building zindans in the center of cities. Moreover, executions were carriedIn a nutshell, the opposite to what you have out in central squares in the presence of abeen saying has taken place so far. This is the large number of people. Not without reasonsystem which had been created long before the authorities believed that these measuresyou became the President. It is outdated. You helped to reduce crime rates in their country.have to change it. For this you need to:1. Replace your team. Invite people selecting Besides, public executions are stillthem by their professional expertise rather commonplace, for instance in China, orthan their personal loyalty or kinship; announcements about the pending death2. Release from prisons those who were penalty of a criminal condemned to death aresentenced on political charges; published in mass media, for example in3. Set free business from oppression of your selected states in the U.S.family members;4. Release your people from the pressure of In Turkmenistan death penalty had beenthe special services; abolished, however, but judging by its use, the5. This will bring you happiness. penal system is pursuing other objectives.I have not invented this advice. The leaders of In Turkmenistan the crime rate is extremelythe countries where revolutions broke out high. The so-called imprisonment rate in(Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and others) Turkmenistan (the number of inmatehave come to understand these simple ideas.However, it was too late. Yet, these“mubaraks” are still tolling. They are tolling forthe people like you.Be careful and do not postpone this asanything can happen. In the meantime it isbetter to postpone cultural and recreationalevents. They also irritate people.For the time being, I am saying good bye. Iapologize for the frivolous style of the letterand the treatment you are not accustomed to.329

population in a selected country per 100,000 It should be emphasized that ininhabitants) is several times higher than in Turkmenistan’s judicial practice there are nocountries in Western Europe and is cases when a person is sentenced to severalconsiderably higher compared to the months in prison. A minimum term ofneighboring countries. Last year it amounted imprisonment is 12 months but more commonto 534. To compare, in Kazakhstan this figure are terms of 5 years and more.is 348, in Kyrgyzstan - 285, in Europeancountries – 80-90 persons. As a result of acts of pardon which are held 4- 5 times a year and designed to demonstrateThe reasons behind are rampant the President’s humanism (as is covered byunemployment, wide-spread drug addiction, the Turkmen mass media), thousands ofpervasive corruption and… numerous pardons people who committed crimes are grantedof convicts and mass amnesties initiated by amnesty after spending two to six months inthe Turkmen President. prison.It is the last of the above-mentioned reasons Certainly, we are happy for those who werewhich distorts the existence of the penal released from prisons. However, what signalsystem– punishment might be unavoidable, do the residents get from such use of thebut amnesty is unambiguously inevitable. penal system?Last year several people including real estate Before answering this question, mentionagents, notaries, staff remembers of house should be made of another side of theadministration and khyakimlik offices were problem. These acts of humanism are notconvicted in Ashgabat. They confiscated applicable to those inmates, who had beenapartments from retirees, disabled, alcohol convicted on political charges – politicaland drug addicts by sending the latter to prisoners, dissidents, representatives ofretirement homes, substance-abuse religious minority groups, public activists andtreatment clinics and selling their apartments. other residents disloyal to the present-dayApartments in the capital are expensive and authorities.consequently, huge profits were generated. Below are the opinions of Turkmen residentsYet, several months have passed after the trial on how the penal system is used by theand the defendants convicted for lengthy authorities:terms of imprisonment were released. Forinstance, one of the former inmates, let us call “In Turkmenistan one can steal, take and giveher Elena, was sentenced to a 9 year bribes, make use of their status for personalimprisonment term. Yet, during the act of advantage, be engaged in fraud and thefts etc.pardon in connection with the Day of state In the worst case scenario you will have to goFlag held on February 19, Elena was in the list through a short nerve-wrecking experience,of those pardoned and was granted amnesty. return a part of what “have been earned honestly”, spend a couple of months in prisonNow a similar trail is underway in the Turkmen and then you are free!capital. Similar criminal proceedings havebeen initiated against some 39 people. They Yet, it is not worth the trouble to confront theare also likely to be sentenced to lengthy regime, at least in minor things, for instance,imprisonment terms, but they will be released send a complaint against a public official or aduring a new act of pardon. police officer. You will rot in prison and will never be included in the list of thoseObviously, the same fate awaits several pardoned. Regardless of the article of thedozens of former executives of various levels criminal code pursuant to which you havefrom the holding “Turkmenpagt”, who are been sentenced, you will get a black mark. Thescheduled to face the trial soon.330

“black mark will be put literally, which means Hoping that the world print media which– “subject to no amnesty or pardon”. focused on covering the Abadan tragedy, would switch to other “sensational” topic, theThus, the system of punishment is also used President made an announcement aboutby the Turkmen authorities as a preventive inviting the opposition to take part in the nextmeasure. However, it is targeted against year’s Presidential elections and his plans of“political prisoners” rather than designed to introducing a multi-party system.combat crimes. This political (!) statement was made at theOne should not cherish hopes that the Cabinet session devoted to the summing up ofhumanism demonstrated by the Turkmen the mid-year results. In other words, at thePresident several times a year will result in a session devoted to economy-related issues ofdecreasing crime rate in the country. Similar the past rather than political issues for theacts of pardon have been held for over 10 next year. Yet, distracting the attention ofyears but the number of criminal offences is foreign mass media from Abadan admitted noon the rise. delay and there was no time to find a more suitable “venue”.Rephrasing the famous adage supposedlyauthored by Benito Mussolini, used in the title It appears that being under time pressure, heof the article, it may be stated “for criminals, did not carefully think about what topic topardon, for political prisoners – jail”. Needless choose for the “global sensation”. By invitingto say, criminals are not perceived by the the opposition to take part in elections, theauthorities as friends but they do not hinder President apparently did not take into accountthe authorities unlike unpredictable political the law “On Presidential elections”, endorsedprisoners which are treated as adversaries. as recently as on 1 June 2011, which prevents those who have not resided in TurkmenistanA new wide-scale act of pardon is expected to over the past 15 years and have a criminaltake place in May, in the run up to the record from taking part in elections (article 27,Constitution Day. clause 2). The leaders of Turkmen opposition groups do have these “sins”.On the conduct of Turkmen Presidentduring the Abadan tragedy, or you What if opposition members would addresscannot hide a pig in a poke (11 July 2011) the Turkmen president with an open letterApparently, being scared by the Abadan and state their readiness to come to theincident, instead of addressing the residents country, provided their security iswith words of compassion and support, G. guaranteed? If the President does not keep hisBerdymukhammedov instructed his promise and they are denied entry to thesubordinates to prevent any information country, what would happen then? In thisleakage about what had happened. In every case foreign mass media would pour muchpossible way he tried to mislead both his more severe criticism which would makeresidents and the international community by current publications pale in comparison.belittling the scope of the tragedy andclaiming no casualties and inconsiderable The second reason for which I consider thedestructions due to fireworks explosion. topic, chosen by the authorities for the “sensation” to be disappointing, is the factEven when the information about explosions that the President’s announcements withbased on eyewitnesses accounts, documented regard to introducing a multi-party system arephotos and videos, eventually leaked outside made once in 3 to 4 months. This isthe country, the authorities continued to insist reminiscent of a fairy tale about a shepherdon their version of events which did not stand boy who often alarmed his fellow-villagers byup to criticism. shouting “there is a wolf!” so in the end the latter stopped reacting to this…331

Berdymukhammedov first made these education did not improve. The residents triedstatements back on January 24, 2007. He to secure places for their children in privatereiterated them on February 18, 2010, on May Turkish schools as well as in classes with14, 2010, on 14 October 2010 and eventually Russian as the language of instruction inon July 8, 2011. Well, there is still no law on exchange for bribes. In other words, thepolitical parties. It has not been adopted yet. population “votes with their feet” by demonstrating to the authorities that theIn a nutshell, the sensation voiced by the quality of Turkmen education is considerablyTurkmen President is not the best move of the lower than in universities abroad.Presidential team, who decided to conceal theAbadan tragedy. The authorities did not bear the unflattering comparison. Turkish schools were closed andWhat is to be done? Or what has been the students were barred from traveling todone? (25 January 2012) Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan (it turned out thatTaking advantage of the fact that he is not just several thousands of Turkmen citizens area Presidential candidate but the person who is doing a course of studies there). Thoserunning for his second term in office, applying for student exchange programs areBerdymukhammedov could well submit a prevented from doing so. The reform was notreport summing up his accomplishments over implemented. Apparently, the comprehensivethe previous five years instead of presenting restructuring program was not even designed;his election agenda to showcase that he is not“all talk and no trousers” and that he fulfilled - declared the provision of Internet access. 15what he had promised.. internet cafes were opened but rigid visitation rules were introduced. A visitor is obliged toLet’s have a look and make an assessment as show ID and register in a logbook indicatingvoters. Internet surfing time. The main provider of Internet services, the Russian-based companyAt the beginning of his Presidential career MTS was forced to curtail its operations andBerdymukhammedov: shut down business. Rigid censorship and- prohibited the involvement of children in all virtually a total control of electronickinds of festivities. “Do not arrange a grand correspondence are rampant. Low speed andred-carpet welcome with the participation of not easily accessible Internet is available. Thekids for me. Five to six yashuli are enough” – promise was partially fulfilled;he said. So what?! Hundreds of children arebrought from all schools and kindergartens in - announced that the practice of demolishingthe summer heat and winter cold urged to line residential houses would cease. The houses inup waiting for the President for hours. The many districts of Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi andpromise was not fulfilled; other towns are still being demolished. The villages of Tarta and Avaza were totally torn- promised to develop tourism. “Welcome to down. The residents, whose houses wereTurkmenistan!” Commercials with this slogan subjected to demolition, arranged an act ofwere broadcast on Russian channels for protest in Ashgabat and the initiators wereseveral months. For some reason no visitors arrested by the police. The houses werecame. A Turkmen who is waiting for the knocked down. The promise was not fulfilled;guests, ties a dog to a short leash. Maybe theunleashed dog is the reason for the shortage - declared the need to create political parties.of tourists? Anyhow, the promise was not Five years later only the law on parties wasfulfilled; adopted. Political parties have not been set up or registered. Despite the fact that the law on- proclaimed education reform. The length of NGOs had been long endorsed, but during fivestudy was extended but the quality of years the incumbent has been in power only one non-government public association (the332

society of guitar players) was registered, let goods and services, inducing those which hadalone parties. The promise was not fulfilled. been previously subsidized from Turkmenistan’s state budget.Shall we give more examples to the President?The program to improve social and living In early July prices for flour and breadconditions in rural areas deteriorated to the increased two to three fold whereas this is theconstruction of six Potemkin villages… What main food product in the Turkmen diet. Theelse? so-called “allowances” – the rationing system of selling flour at reduced prices was alsoThe Abadan tragedy is without doubt an abolished. These “allowances” wereexceptional case. Yet, the President behaved introduced back under Niyazov’s presidency.in the manner unsuitable for me and incontradiction to Turkmen traditions. We will The quotas for free petroleum werenot blame him for what has happened, but the introduced under the leadership of theincident demonstrated his managerial skills. incumbent president. However, starting from 1 July, this social support initiative was alsoEverybody is aware of his publicized abolished.worldwide pledge to invite the opposition tostand for elections … Airfares have considerably gone up. Fares for international flights have risen 2 to 2.5 times.The only accomplishment highlighted by the Since Turkmenistan has no passenger railroadPresident in his election program is the setting and automobile service with foreign countries,up of the first (and only!) private newspaper even neighboring states, airplanes remain the“Rysgal”. Indeed, very little has been only type of transport connecting theaccomplished during five years. country’s residents with the outside world. Now trips to pursue educationalPerhaps it is not too late to include other opportunities, to visit to family members anditems in his election agenda (and subsequently undergo medical treatment as well asimplement them!), which will bring tangible personal or business trips will be much moreresults and help radically improve the expensive.situation in the economic, social, domesticand foreign policy spheres … As a result of a 12% price increase for domestic flights coupled with cancelled freeTurkmen-style shock therapy (19 July petrol quotas the drivers involved in2012) passenger and cargo transportation onThere is a shock but no therapy is available. intercity routes inflated their fares. Queues atThe second half of 2012 began with a chain of the railway booking offices form as early as 5unpleasant surprises for the Turkmen a.m.residents – soaring prices for food, consumer The price hike for transportation services333 triggers soaring prices for consumer goods and food. Ashgabat is the major center for incoming imported goods from abroad which are subsequently delivered across the country. Then the goods and food are sold at local bazaars taken into account increased transportation costs… Needless to say, transfer to real market mechanisms in economy requires decisive actions, including shock measures. Yet, such an approach also requires many other

prerequisites, for instance, competitive This is a shock. Instead of therapy on 8 Julyenvironment and legislative framework. the president of Turkmenistan demanded thatMoreover, if a decision is made to shift to the the executives of fuel and energy complexmarket economy, prices need to be reduced “commission the largest gas field “Galkynysh”rather than increased to the rates established and other hydrocarbon deposits located onby the authorities. Otherwise it turns into a the country’s territory as soon as possible”.state-planned economy. The authorities realize that if they fail to putNone of the aforementioned measures have into operation these gas fields, this mightbeen implemented and even scheduled. come as a shock for the government.Furthermore, the 2012 budget envisaged that“76,7% of funds will be allocated for the Letters that would not be read, butdevelopment of social sphere”. In other nevertheless should be written (14words, expenditures for social services were August 2013)increased compared to the 2011 budget. This letter starts a cycle of some sort of recommendations concerning pain points;“The 2011-2030 Turkmenistan’s social and their addressee is known though not named.economic development program” and “the The letters will express both my own opinionnational program to reform social and living and extracts from letters sent by our readers.conditions in villages, rural areas, towns of theetraps and etrap centers up to the year 2020” Letter One. Memoryalso make no mention of reduced funding for You often say that it is necessary to preservesocial expenditures. On the contrary, they run the culture of Turkmen people. Sorry, butthat the scope of social support to the what about the memory of by-gone celebritiesresidents provided by the state will increase. in culture, arts, sciences, sports who glorify Turkmenistan? Are we ever going toThe current measures undertaken by the remember them?authorities to reduce social spending arenothing else but spontaneous steps designed I think modern history of our country has gotto fill gaps in the budget. enough people who deserve being remembered by their descendants. Why notOver the past years, staff members of foreign name streets, schools and universities, parks,and international organizations based in theaters after them?Turkmenistan have argued that the revenue ofTurkmenistan’s budget is fulfilled not more We should also think about memorial buststhan by 40 to 50% and put together a set of and tablets. As far as I know, there are peoplerecommendations to our government to ready to write books about distinguishedimprove the situation. citizens of our country, if only it is permitted.However, “Avaza” and other “sparkling”expenditures until the mid-2012 allowed thecountry’s leaders to ignore the criticism andproudly state that “today’s Turkmenistan is amassive construction site with 2447 objectsbeing currently under construction and theinvestments amounting to 48 billion USdollars”.It appears that the government officialssuddenly came to realize the situation. Yet,they decided to save on social expendituresrather than the aforementioned 48 billion.334

Or according to the tradition established by Please, think of it.your predecessor you will proceed naming ourstreets, villages, towns and cities after And I’ll prepare next letters with questionspresidents and their relatives? And write and proposals.books about them only? Letter two. On supporting domesticWith all due respect to your own ancestors I manufacturers (24 August 2013)think that in our country there lived andworked much more dignified people. I’m From the series “Letters which are unlikely tocertain that our web-site readers will easily be read but need to be written”name them in their comments. The decision that from now on TurkmenOr you may be afraid that your image will dim construction companies will be allowed toand fade against the fame and popularity of engage in selected construction projects iswell-known writers, artists, actors, sportsmen, sparking controversial sentiments in me.scientists? May be that was the reason whyduring your government Turkmenfilm Needless to say, this should be done.company lost Alta Carliev name which it has However, there are several ”BUTs”.been awarded since 1974, and is named afterOguzkhan since 2007. In particular, our companies reportedly will be in charge of constructing facilities on theIs it better that Turkmen people should seacoast. Specialists and relevant equipmentremember about semi-legendary/semi- are needed for such construction projects.mythical persons from faraway ancient times Moreover, it is also important that they holdand completely forget of their licenses for building such construction sites.contemporaries? Even if they act as a primary contractor who will be hiring foreign companies asNowadays it’s not only impossible to name subcontractors, a primary contractor isstreets after them. You even do not allow to obliged to be licensed as they are heldpublish obituaries on the death of any accountable.prominent persons. Are you sure they do notdeserve it? Another “but” is the bidding process. Historically, all entrepreneurs were obliged toMemory of by-gone great compatriots is one join the Union of Industrialists andof criteria to estimate the cultural level of Entrepreneurs. Your friend made efforts topeople. And first of all to estimate your make this happen. Now Dadaev has urgedcultural level as the leader of the state. them to join his party (this is a topic for a separate letter). Who is going to bid in theLet’s return to our topic. Rather often you doexpress your sympathies when there perishpeople in some countries. You are completelyright. But where is your mourning when yourcompatriots lose their lives? Unfortunatelyaccidents, fires, destructions also happen inour country leading to many victims. Is it reallydifficult to express your sympathies to theirrelatives, through mass-media, at least? Letalone that in fact you should visit theemergency site yourself and personally meetsufferers as well as encourage the bereavedfamilies and render them real help.335

construction tenders? The right and left hand Think about this.of our friend? In the meantime, I am preparing my nextI do understand Dadaev’s aspiration to stand letters with questions and proposals, includingclose to the budget’s “stream” and secure those from our readers.contracts for expensive objects. But shouldn’tTurkmenistan’s Union of Industrialists and Letter three. On sports (27 SeptemberEntrepreneurs get involved in more pressing 2013)tasks – such as the renovation andreconstruction of social facilities and From the series “Letters which are unlikely tocommunications in the provinces? be read but need to be written”Kindergartens, schools and hospitals in rural You are a big sports fan. Moreover, you are anareas have not been renovated for 20 to 30 amateur who could easily be ahead of theyears. Inhabitants of the rural areas will tell professionals. Sometimes, at the risk of youryou in detail about the condition of their own life, but… Nevertheless, I have decided toroads, bridges, power lines and water supply write about the accomplishments in domesticsystems if you have the courage to meet them sports in general rather than focus on yourand start a conversation. You don’t have to go personal achievements.far, it is sufficient to drive just forty kilometresfrom the capital. It must be admitted, however, that you do have personal accomplishments in certainThe situation is no better when it comes to sports, where the managerial system is not sothe networks of canals and sewers starting important. Where talent and determination offrom in-house facilities as well as hydraulic an athlete and a coach are of significance.engineering structures. Do you happen toknow that the land alongside the roads In team sports where a lot is dependent oncovered with salt is cleaned before your arrive organizational and managerial issues, you arein the provinces? Sometimes equipment is not particularly good.sent but more often people are deployed tomanually turn over the top slice with the help Indeed, at the competitions held inof spades. It should be noted though that, as Turkmenistan, where there is an opportunitytime goes by, the salt re-emerges… The to “influence” the situation, medals and cupsproblem is easier to conceal than to resolve, are awarded to Turkmen teams. However, aisn’t it? Your subordinates think so. Daihans hockey tournament where, in violation of(farmers) are urged to grow “heavy” crops of sports ethics, the Turkmen team is comprisedcotton and wheat on such soil. of athletes from Belarus, Ukraine and Russia does not demonstrate the development ofYes, you said that the rural areas needed to be national hockey. Foreign players had beenrevived and you even built three or four newvillages from scratch. In 2008 the entire etrapRukhubelent was built in the Dashoguz velayatwith a school for 360 schoolchildren. Now itaccommodates less than 40 students. Whywaste money (this is another topic for anotherletter) while hundreds of villages have notbeen included in the “renewal” program andare still stagnating?Apparently Dadaev and his fellow partymembers should focus more on revivingTurkmen villages?336

“contracted” for only one tournament after All media outlets are trumpeting about “thewhich they returned to their home countries epoch of power and happiness” andand did not stay to help Turkmenistan to “increasing glory of Turkmen sport in thefoster the development of this exotic sport. international sports arena”.Why was this done? To make sure the Sports, as well as culture, art and evennewspapers described the Turkmen hockey education has turned into a propaganda tool.team as the coolest? As this trend continues, sports “accomplishments” will take place only atNow the youth soccer tournament is being various President’s cups and in theheld and, as in the previous year, footballers newspapers.aged 20 and older play in our national team,whereas other national teams are made up of To make the achievements real-life rather17-year old boys. Apparently, this than propaganda-related, you should hireachievement of becoming a tournament sports experts not only for a singlefinalist will be presented as “yet another tournament, but offer them full-time jobs.victory of Turkmen sports”. Think about it. Also, think how assistanceAt the official competitions, however, where provided by foreign experts could help usone cannot affect the result and everything is succeed in other areas – culture, educationtransparent, there are almost no and healthcare….achievements. Let us take junior soccer as anexample. In the meantime, I am preparing my next letters with questions and proposals.In late April 2013 a qualifying tournament forthe Asian club junior football championship I would like to thank those who send theirwas held in Mashhad. It brought together comments suggesting topics for upcomingnational teams from six countries including letters.our junior team, not 20-year olds but boys ofthe same age as other football players. Below Letter four. Generation 'Ch' (11 Octoberare the results of which you may not have 2013)been informed in order not to upset you. Our What generation is being raised in the epochteam lost 0:3 to the national Indian team, 0:11 of power and happiness? What problems are(!) to Iran, 0:1, to Philippines and only with the authorities creating for children and whattheir peers from Kyrgyzstan tied the game— problems can children cause for the country?1:1. One can ask a dozen of questions and try to answer all of them. Yet, it is not possible toSuch a result is explicable. Neither a properly cover everything in one letter.functioning system nor rational funding isavailable. Due to financial problemscompetitions in the first football leagues havevirtually been curtailed. In the Premier Leaguethe entire Dashoguz velayat failed to present ateam for several consecutive seasons, againdue to the above-mentioned financialproblems.The overwhelming majority of sports facilities,ranging from stadiums to recently built sportsgrounds, are not functioning. In the provincesofficials prefer to keep sports facilities lockedfearing that kids can break or damagesomething.337

A significant percentage of today’s kids and Female students from the medical college,teenagers are children of drug addicts. Many who are already aware of the female body andof them are physically or mentally disabled. women’s health, believe that many of themThe other, more numerous and less won’t become mothers and give birth toproblematic group, represents those children healthy children. Girls wearing light dresseswho have been living with their grandparents made from synthetic fabric spend hours sittingor family members for years as their parents on cold benches in the stadiums and chantingleft abroad to earn a living. They are virtually loudly “Arkkadag shokhrat!” under the TVleft to their own devices and are quasi- cameras. They are not allowed to put pillowshomeless. or blankets under their seats because “it will not look good on TV screens”. As a result, girlsProbably you have more or less precise get frozen and get sick…statistics. Now you can see that for the pastcouple of decades the rate of population Fatal incidents happen in all types of chyare.growth has plummeted and the death rate has You are probably informed about them, aren’tincreased. The majority of the population, you? Such cases were recorded in the path towhich is growing in number, is the health near Ashgabat. In the Dashoguz velayataforementioned children. Is this a problem? the bus which was transporting children toAbsolutely! participate in another chyare, fell from the bridge. Childrendied.What is the solution? Highly qualifiedpsychologists are needed but there are none What is this done for? Do you believe thatof them. At least the number of psychologists residents demonstrate their love to you? Thiswho are capable of rendering assistance at affection is displayed by khyakims and otherleast to the majority of children with problems short-lived officials rather than ordinaryis limited. Are there any school clubs or NGOs people.working with children? They used to befunctioning before. Let us recall that in early 2007 you said that children shouldn’t be involved in large-scaleFor several years that Dashoguz events. These were the right words but wereenvironmental club was operating, hundreds quickly forgotten.of children were involved in the natureconservation process. They went hiking, Most of today’s children are not healthy andstudied the Turkmen wildlife, participated in the remaining part is getting sick due tointernational conferences, organizing summer endless festivities. What generation ofcamps and so on and so forth. They grew up Turkmen residents will you leave behind?to become wonderful open-minded What should the country expect from such aindividuals. Similar groups were functioning in “policy”?Ashgabat, Turkmenbashi and Turkmenabad.Where are they now? Your “zealous” special Can you give an answer at least to yourself?services have totally destroyed them all. Havethese clubs been replaced with any The education system, which is beingalternatives? reformed by you for the second time and is still targeted at ideological propaganda ratherInstead you are offering CHYARE! This is than children’s cognitive development, has“entertainment” for relatively healthy (for the remained outside this letter. Hopefully, thistime being) children. will be a topic of another letter soon.Hours-long lining up under the sun, in rainy or P.S. I would like to thank the readers whowindy weather… Daily marching and helped me to compose this letter. Lookrehearsals, which are exhausting for forward to new ideas.vulnerable children’s bodies.338



VITALIY VOLKOV Welle, the Faryab Province police chief Nabijan Mulahel said that alleged militaryFaryab is near (21 May 2013) operations had been deployed in threeThe authorities of Turkmenistan are very districts in Faryab province, namely in Qaisarintimidated by outbreaks of discontent from District. The main point that the Afghanthe country’s residents and are undertaking official highlighted was that the major strikingrigid measures towards those who may have force on the side of the militants were foreignany connections with political opposition insurgents, primarily Chechens and Uzbeksgroups abroad and western media outlets. who are members of Islamic Movement ofHowever, Ashgabat may have overlooked a Uzbekistan (IMU). Apart from them, Afghanmuch greater danger, which is poised close to Tajiks, Uzbeks, Turkmens and Pashtuns wereits borders, behind these concerns. Groups of involved in the fights against the local police.militants from Central Asia countries and from The militant squads formed by them attackedthe Russian part of North Caucasus are those villages which had police units. Defensecongregating on the territory of Afghanistan in volunteer squads failed to confront theFaryab province; there are also intensifying militants and the villages were occupied. Themilitary operations of the Taliban movement Faryab police chief drew attention to the factand its allies which are developing in close that the insurgents were accompanied byproximity to the Turkmen borders. cameramen making video recordings. According to military experts this may indicateIn late April the Taliban disseminated a the intention to use the videos during astatement about launching its spring offensive planned propaganda campaign. Moreover, thein Afghanistan and highlighted their intention video recordings are more typical of Al-Qaedato carry out operations in the country’s north type extremist organizations than the Talibanwhere the pathways of the Northern as well as militant groups which stemmedDistribution Network for the International from the IMU in recent years.Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are located.Subsequently the Afghanistan media According to statements by representativespublished reports about fighting in Faryab of Afghanistan authorities government troopswhich was initiated by the Taliban against ousted the militants from Qaisar by 7 May.local defense volunteer squads (there were no However, the latter did not leave Faryab butnational police or foreign military forces in this moved to and settled in mountain villagesprovince). where they can be safe from being persecuted by the troops. In other words, a fortified areaThen the BBC reported that the Taliban had of the IMU militants is being set up nearinvaded some villages near the border of Turkmenistan. Before, a similar fortified areaTurkmenistan and thousands of local was established in Badakhshan, Afghanistan atinhabitants were urged to flee their homes. the border with Tajikistan (media outletsOn May 8, in an interview with Deutsche reported at length on this last year). A source in the Afghanistan special services confided to340 the Chronicles of Turkmenistan that this does not mean that “the IMU militants are “migrating” from Badakhshan to Faryab, but rather establishing a second area populated by squads different from those which settled in Badakhshan”. The authorities of Faryab Province assume that the militants hit in accordance with a plan prepared by the Taliban in Quetta, Pakistan. The Faryab Province police chief Nabijan Mulahel emphasized the choice of location for the attack as it contains a water resource, vital

for water supply in Faryab, close to issue using a simple method – “no man – noTurkmenistan and Uzbekistan. problem”.In simplistic terms this is objective reality. At least Nurmukhammed Khnamov thinks so.How should it be assessed from the “Many ethnic Turkmen reside on the territoryperspective of regional security? This is the where the fighting broke out. According tofirst question. The second question is how is it media outlets, thousands of people have leftevaluated by the Turkmen authorities who are their homes. It remains unknown where theynearer than others to the place where the are heading for. Turkmenistan would be theevents unfolded? most secure and the closest option for them but Ashgabat would not let this happen andLet us start with the first question. The leader the border would not be open for them.of the opposition Turkmen Republican Party in During the first years after Turkmenistanexile, Nurmukhammed Khanamov, believes obtained independence the borders werethat events in Faryab should be treated very open to ethnic Turkmen from Afghanistan andseriously. According to him, fighting near the Iran and there was a big influx of migrants.Turkmen border had happened before. But at Niyazov got scared, closed the border andthat time the clashes broke out between those who had entered the country (severalethnic groups over the dominance in certain settlements were established) were forciblyterritories. In particular, they were led by the placed in special trains and deported from theDustom squads (primarily comprised by the country via Kushka. At that timeUzbeks, Tajiks and Pashtuns). Until recently Berdymukhammedov was first a minister andthis region was considered to be quite then deputy head of the government. He keptpeaceful and no clashes which seriously in mind Niyazov’s fears that the Afghanbothered civilians from both sides of the Turkmens could be not as obedient as locals.border were recorded. Thus refugees have to move to either Iran or other, more peaceful regions of Afghanistan”,Not only the residents of the border zone but – an opposition leader believes.the entire Central Asia region are veryconcerned about what is going on there today. However, if the residents of Faryab had been“Based on the reports we have, the fighting intimidated by the “Taliban special task forcebroke out near the border with Turkmenistan squad”, Ashgabat would have been appeasedand some small and large villages on the by another fear, more intimidating for theAfghan side were invaded by the Taliban, not authorities – that sooner or later after gainingonly in Qaisar”, – Khanamov says. According strength in the north of Afghanistan, theto his sources, local inhabitants fear the Taliban would dare to move to themilitants who invaded this district; moreover neighboring countries. Many experts in Russiathey appear to be very well trained and very argue that Taliban aggression will not targetwell armed task force soldiers with Chechens Central Asia, especially Ashgabat, which wasand Uzbeks predominating. For this reason on friendly terms with mullah Omar in thethey were nicknamed the “Taliban task force hard “Taliban” times in Afghanistan, supplyingsquad”. fuel to him and constantly reminding his close circle about the promise made by the leaderHowever, there is a tricky inaccuracy in this of “outrageous” mullahs to send a largename. It conveys the impression that the number of his soldiers to Ashgabat if needed.actions of these squads, or as the Afghan According to experts, even if the Talibanpolice officers clarify, several independent regain their positions of power in Afghanistansquads, follow orders from the Taliban and after 2014, they will be addressing domesticserve to implement their plans. If this was the problems, and solving a range of controversialcase, the concerns of the Turkmen authorities issues with Pakistan and Iran, not with Centralover their operations near the border might Asia. It is quite a different story for groups likehave been limited to the problem of potential the IMU, where the Taliban are onlyrefugees and Ashgabat is ready to address this temporary allies as long as it comes to341

Afghanistan’s plans but the “special task force Nevertheless, an analysis of the actions bysquadron” has an independent political network Islamist organizations over the pastprogram towards Central Asia in which fifteen years proves the opposite: theynorthern Afghanistan plays a strategic role. consistently strive to set up “dormant” unitsThe Russian crisis expert Lev Korolkov where their main political interests areattributes events in Faryab to the fact that this focused in the so-called “arc of crisis” coveringis a part of the overall disposition prepared by much more extensive areas. The IMU, which isthe Taliban and designed to aggravate tension primarily committed to toppling the secularin those regions in the north and west of regime in Uzbekistan as well as establishingAfghanistan which used to be quite trouble- the Islamic group Turan (or Turkestan),free. “Several competent experts believe that according to incoming new reports, sooner orthe main objective of this plan is to create later would have taken advantage of theconditions in the run-up to the decisive opportunities offered by the Turkmen bordernegotiations with ISAF to get more benefits area. Previously, there was also a contingentduring these negotiations where the roles in recruited from neighbors offended by thethe future governance of the country will be Turkmen regime and now the conditions havedistributed”, – Lev Korolkov says. been created to set up military units and to deploy insurgents.According to him, the Taliban are nowredeploying their troops from Helmand and If funding from the IMU sponsors becomesother provinces, which are made up of available, members of the movement will bemilitants who are ethnically fit for military infiltrating Turkmenistan to set up squads andoperations in the northern provinces at the via the territory of Turkmenistan reachborders of Central Asia countries which are Uzbekistan and especially Kazakhstan, wherelocated in the northern NATO withdrawal the IMU and other organizations close to itroute. In the relatively untroubled Faryab have been very active since 2009-2010.there are few government security forces and Russian crisis expert Lev Korolkov believesfew ISAF troops. The militants are now that the Turkmen security forces areconducting reconnaissance and in case large absolutely unprepared to resist this threat. Angovernment troops are deployed here, they episode in 2008 comes to mind when thewill easily “disappear”. ISAF and Kabul troops Turkmen special task forces failed to deal withare stretching down from Badakhshan up to two armed criminals and despite its positionthe Iranian border. However, this is only one not to inform anybody about its domesticside of the coin. IMU leaders are coordinating affairs, Ashgabat had to seek assistance fromoperations of the Taliban and the IMU at the Moscow.borders of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, inareas which are mostly populated by Uzbeks The words of the Russian expert werebut which also have a significant number of indirectly confirmed by a source in the specialethnic Turkmen. These Turkmens are very services of Afghanistan. He emphasized thedifferent in their mindset from Turkmen fact that in Kandahar and Helmand IMUresidents as they are more suitable to be militants are unable to carry out subterfugerecruited for operations in Turkmenistan and military operations and are urged to keep aCentral Asia as a whole, the expert believes. low profile as they are highly visible. In Badakhshan and Faryab they are now trainedSome observers in Central Asia countries, to do so; moreover, both areas have highincluding Tajikistan, argue that the threat of mountains. Furthermore, they can cross thean invasion by Islamist militants from border as it is very important for their tactics.Afghanistan to the region is being exaggeratedby the Russian political strategists in an They used to leave Kandahar and Helmandattempt to frighten the authorities of these and head to Pakistan where they had a basecountries and urge them to seek help from to recharge and avoid a direct attack by theirMoscow. adversaries and now they have set up an escape route to Tajikistan. Most likely, they342

will try to settle in Turkmenistan, bypassing a However, emerging powerful groups ofwell-guarded border with Uzbekistan from militants with their own infrastructure andtwo sides. According to an informed source, skill of obtaining fake IDs and sending theirhis colleagues take as a premise that a new militants to the territory of neighboringoutbreak of military operations may be countries changes the situation – reportsexpected in Badakhshan in the upcoming about the current situation are insufficient;months in its Tajik territory. Field commanders border measures and a well-trained army arereceive funding there as a result of drug needed”, – Khanamov says.trafficking. Yet, our interlocutor believes thatin this respect Turkmenistan is no worse than Khanamov believes that Turkmenistan isTajikistan since drug trafficking between absolutely unprepared for the turn of eventsAfghanistan and Turkmenistan during similar to those which are already underway inNiyazov’s presidency has grown to a Badakhshan. “The Turkmen border is easier tocommercial scale. Moreover, the IMU can cross than the Tajikistan border in terms offormally insist on being offered reciprocal terrain (although there are hard-to-accessmilitary aid by the Taliban when conducting spots with chasms closer to Uzbekistan) and inmilitary operations in all Central Asia countries Soviet times it was quite securely guarded butwithout exception, since there are military the barbed wire now has holes andinstallations used by NATO, including in checkpoints are poorly manned despite theTurkmenistan. fact that they are quite well equipped. Border patrols are self-dependent and even have toWhat about the authorities in Ashgabat? graze cattle and grow grains to feedNurmukhammed Khanamov argues that themselves.providing military airfields in Maymana for useby the US appeases the country’s leaders. Unlike the Tajik army, the Turkmen troops“There are no reports from Ashgabat about have no fighting experience and there aremilitary preparations close to the border. virtually no trained personnel. It is quite easyHowever, if the situation continues to unfold to escort groups of militants with fake IDsin the same direction as it is now, from Afghanistan via Turkmenistan taking intoBerdymukhammedov would first demonstrate account the bribery among special servicesreadiness to oppose the threat on his own or and police officers. Further, there is a poorlyin case the situation becomes too scary, he guarded border with Kazakhstan which can bewould go cap in hand to Russia. On the other crossed unhampered by motorbike across thehand, it is likely that he hopes to solicit desert”, – Khanamov argues.support from the US since the latter use thefacilities of Turkmen airdromes to transport At the same time, Ashgabat should not behumanitarian supplies to Afghanistan”, – reproached for total negligence of theKhanamov thinks. situation. “In late March the heads of border guard services from Central Asia republics metAccording to him, Berdymukhammedov fears in Kazakhstan and one of the main issues onthat those who are discontented with the the agenda was defending the borders of theTurkmen regime, including ethnic Turkmen in region close to Afghanistan. The closer NATOAfghanistan and those who were offended at withdrawal becomes, the greater the concern.some point by Niyazov, could form groupsnear the border. The youth from It should be highlighted that Ashgabat, whichTurkmenistan and other Central Asia countries used to avoid participating in collectivewould be trying to join them. This fear multilateral consultations with other CISincreases as people have weapons there. countries, has this time taken an active part in“According to the reports I get from those the meeting”, – Khanamov adds.areas, the Turkmen special services activelyhire informers to monitor the situation and toidentify those who should be barred fromentering the country under any circumstances.343

The corruption level in Turkmenistan corruption are reflected in the Kazakhstanremains one of the highest in the world mass media even though they resemble a(15 July 2013) soap opera. In Uzbekistan President Karimov’sOften people who have lived or live in daughter may seem ridiculous as a pop divaTurkmenistan are surprised by what western but at least she is in the public eye. Inexperts say about this country. They allegedly Turkmenistan, however, the authoritiesreiterate commonly known facts and are managed to take the President’s family out ofsurprised to notice things, which are obvious the focus of public attention. A similareven to blind men in Turkmenistan and are situation occurred during Niyazov’slimited to publicly available facts. Well, if the presidency. His son Murad, daughter Irina andcountry were more open, the observers would her husband Vladimir Sokolov lived in Europe,have more food for thought and speculation. totally outside public attention in Turkmenistan. The only time they seemed toHowever, after WikiLeaks publications it appear on local TV was at their father’sbecame obvious that western diplomats based funeral. Murad was allegedly involved inin Ashgabat are nevertheless much more business but no information about hisaware of the situation than it seemed. In entrepreneurship is available. Similar thingsparticular, they are aware of the scope of can be said about Berdymukhammedov’scorruption in the country. These publications relatives.now serve as a basis for analysis undertakenby various NGOs, for instance GlobalWitness According to top confidential messages of the(GW) and Eurasian Transition Group (ETG). We US government, as disclosed by Wikileaks, hehave asked experts from both these has two daughters and a son. One of hisorganizations, Tom Mayne and Michael daughters lives in Paris, another used to live inLaubsch, to compare the corruption levels London where her husband worked in theunder Niyazov’s presidency and representative office of a state-run agency onBerdymukhammdov’s rule. the use and management of hydrocarbon resources under the President ofTom Mayne believes that at present, under Turkmenistan.Berdymukhammdov’s rule, Turkmenistanlooks even more corrupt than under Niyazov’s As far as I am aware, however, this agency isleadership. now closed. According to the aforementioned messages, the son-in-law was recalled from- Turkmenistan ranks 170th out of 176 London because he had purchased far toocountries in the 2012 Corruption Perceptions much real estate there.Index assessed by TransparencyInternational,worse than Iraq, Congo and Zimbabwe. During Berdymukhammedov’s nephews, especiallythe last year of Niyazov’s rule in 2006, the his sister Anabat’s son is reportedly a bigcountry scored 142 out of 163. For instance, in player in Turkmen business but we have failedKazhakhstan where corruption is rampant and to find out more specific details about him sofacts about corrupt practices of the ruling far. There are rumors that the President’sfamily are well known, a free private sector family plays a pivotal role in the entireand the emerging middle class which creates Turkmen economy. Yet, since they keep a lowjobs does exist. This is non-existent in profile, doubts in this are raised, – the GWTurkmenistan since there are no available jobs expert believes.and the country is stagnant. The only tangiblesource of jobs is a gas agreement with China, – His colleague from a Bonn-based NGO “ETG”Tom Mayne argues. Michael Laubsch sees the situation from a slightly different perspective. He recalls that- Another difference between Turkmenistan according to wide evidence of Turkmenand Kazakhstan, for instance, is that the insiders, Murad Niyazov used to run a large-problems related to the ruling clan and scale tobacco business since he had been granted virtually exclusive rights to tobacco344