TIHR Authors

Therefore, at the meeting with Mr Gul the This Turkmen-Turkish aria, known for itsPresident of Turkmenistan put his thoughts, e. artistry, hypocrisy and greediness, is likely tox. «Let the cobbler stick to his last» and «We become the final one in the political-economicwill sort out our business without your help!» show called «Nabucco» which has beenas an alluring offer for Turkish businessmen to prolonged for 8 years. It was called so after G.establish in Turkmenistan a free industry zone Verdi`s opera. It sounds nice and imposinglike one in Cairo. In 2008 in a suburb of the but it was forgotten that the opera has also aEgyptian capital a grandiose project was second name – «Nabucodonoser».launched which foresees the creation of over100 Turkish enterprises at a total of 2 mln And as unforgettable Capitan Vrungelsquare meters, which will in the long run absolutely correctly noted: «Your yacht willprovide the jobs for 30 thousand Egyptians. sail the way you name it». The year 2010, which was the last one planned by theIn other words, Berdymukhamedov offered European Commission for the implementationTurkish businessmen instead of fruitless and of the gas opera, is coming to an end. And thefree of charge dreams about the «gas bird in next year the money which were supposed tothe air» to invest two-three billions of dollars be spent for the launch of «Nabucco», will beinto the «Industrial feather in the hand» at the re-channeled for other projects. Hopefully,Field of Miracles. they will be more successful.Simple-minded Gul has taken the bait and Azhdar Kurtov: Turkmenistan sees only aupon his return to Turkey he gathered all change of heads of the Presidents`famous Turkish businessmen and called them statutes ... (5 January 2011)to actively invest into Turkmen economics, but Below is an interview with Azhdar Ashirovichnot only in the construction sector (which is Kurtov, the editor-in- chief of the journalwell-known for its bribes even in Paris) but «Problems of National Strategy» of thealso in manufacturing, mining engineering, Russian Institute of Strategic Studies,agriculture, livestock, communication and President of the Moscow Centre of Public Lawtechnology development. He has added that Studies, a well-known political analyst,as a result of his negotiations with historian and jurist.Berdymukhamedov, the Turkmen side is aboutto agree to pump its gas using the Nabucco Gas daydreams of Turkmenistan. Nabuccopipeline and then the entire Europe will carry miracleAnkara in hands while Ashgabat will be packed Azhdar Ashirovich, the project of the mostwith European money until the very roof of expensive (11,4 billion USD) gas pipeline inthe Turkish Embassy. human history or, as you correctly described it the «remake of a famous Nabucco opera inIt is a pity that nobody has captured the facesof the Turkish businessmen at the moment ofdelivering of this passionate speech.Particularly of those who has already workedin Turkmenistan.Nobody would refuse to get high profits atconstruction contracts but there are novolunteers amongst Turkish businessmen whowould wish to invest their hard-earned moneywhich will be absorbed by the hands ofTurkmen officials as Karakum sands absorbwater.50

the adapted to modern energy version», is determined by the stock exchange. Prices forreaching its dramatic culmination. In 2011 the main volume of gas (excluding spoteither work on its implementation will start, or contracts) are determined in lengthy (in termsEU money will be re-channeled to other of validity) contracts for gas supplies.projects. How important for the viability of Therefore, Ashgabat should not have highNabucco is the agreement of Turkmenistan to hopes of receiving high payments if its gas istake part in the project? channeled through the new pipe to Europe.The Nabucco project, without any doubts, was The EU is creating such a system which willlargely initiated by political rather than offer some potential competitors offinancial motives. All expert opinions confirm Turkmenistan well in advance advantages onthat Europe is not in desperate need of the gas markets in Europe. At least due to thehydrocarbons. On the contrary, being the geographical proximity to Europe of gasmost attractive market with regard to high suppliers such as Alger or Libya.fuel prices, Europe has naturally become theobject of attention for hydrocarbon It is sufficient to look at the pipeline route tomanufacturers from the entire world. understand that Nabucco itself is not orientedCurrently, thanks to the development of for gas from Turkmenistan. In principle,modern civilization, the technical delivery of Europeans made a tricky step: the project isboth oil and gas is possible from different laid through several states which can fill thecontinents. Regarding the latter case, I would pipe with their own gas. For instance, Turkeylike to note that we may say this not only which is a transit country where most of theabout pipeline but also about liquefied natural pipes would be laid, borders Iraq, Iran,gas. Azerbaijan, and Egypt (apart from Turkmenistan). All these countries have theirIt was in 2010 that the political component in own natural gas and all of them can be viewedthe Nabucco project became particularly vivid. as potential suppliers of Nabucco. Certainly,Europe has failed to overcome the economic their chances are different. However,crisis which started in the fall of 2008. objectively speaking, the chances of Iraq andMoreover, despite all measures implemented Azerbaijan, or even Egypt are much higherby the European Commission, the crisis, which than those of Turkmenistan.hit Greece hard, is spreading further withIceland, Spain and Romania currently in Turkmenistan is seen by Europeans as apossible danger. Attempts of the authorities to fallback variant. Therefore, the Nabuccoreplenish the budgets by cutting social benefits project does not foresee Turkmenistan as theprovoked waves of protests. In any case, the only source of gas for the pipe. According todemand for natural gas in Europe, which the planners, Turkmenistan will supply gas butexisted before the 2008 crisis, has not been not more than 10 billion cubic meters, i.e. onerecovered. However, European politicians third of the estimated capacity of Nabucco incontinue to lobby the Nabucco project. Why? the best case scenario. In this respect, 10 billion cubic meters of gas can always be easilyIt is clear and they make no secret of it that found in Iraq or Egypt – the countries, whichfirstly they are seeking to diversify the sources are in fact controlled by Washington.of energy products supplies. This very factalone does not allow Turkmenistan to cherish We can also note another aspect of this issue.too many optimistic hopes. The EU intends to For many years, the Turkmen authorities havecreate a system which would allow the future been arguing that soon the country willreduction of gas and oil prices by stirring up produce 250 billion cubic meters of gas percompetition artificially. This is particularly true year. We can theoretically assume that thisof gas as in contrast with oil, natural gas will be so. What will Ashgabat then get fromcannot be viewed as an exchange commodity, the pipeline capacity of 10 million cubici.e. a commodity the price of which is meters? This will comprise only 4% of the total51

production! Can this be considered a panacea pipeline that could possibly go under thefrom economic hardships and, in particular, a Caspian Sea.sufficient source of budgetary recharge? At that time, nothing came out of this ideaSurely not! Let`s recall: in late 1997 because of the disagreements Niyazov hadTurkmenistan inaugurated the Korpeje-Kurt had with the President of Azerbaijan, HeidarKui gas pipeline to Iran. The readers, if they Aliev. The latter, backed by the US, suddenlywish, may find Turkmen newspapers of those refused to follow the agreed commitments onyears and read that the launch of the above- the Trans-Caspian gas pipeline. While it wasmentioned pipeline was meant to commence a previously agreed that the entire pipelinevery different era for Turkmenistan. And capacity would be offered for Turkmen gas,where is it, this new era? It should be stressed Aliev senior started insisting that half of thethat that pipeline to Iran had a projected pumping volume should be offered tocapacity of 8 billion cubic meters. In addition, Azerbaijan`s gas. This led to a conflict whichin May 2005 Ashgabat stated that the was further complicated by then and currentlymodernization of gas compressor stations has existing disagreements with regard to whommade it possible to pump through this gas the Caspian deposits should belong to.pipeline up to 12 billion cubic meters a year. Inother words, these capacities can be The dispute between the two countries hascompared with those planned for the Turkmen further involved scholars who came to arguegas in Nabucco. However, if the miracle did as to who – Turkmenistan or Azerbaijan – hadnot happen then, why should it occur now? authored the epic «Kitabi Dedem-Gorgud» (The Book of My Grandfather Gorgud).Speaking objectively, simple facts should be Ashgabat commenced suppressing Azerbaijaniadmitted. Earlier, in the early 1990s, nationals in Turkmenistan in fact organizingTurkmenistan had a powerful pipeline the forcible deportation of the latter to Baku«Central Asia – Center» and was still far from by ferries. To cut the story short, the conflictbeing prosperous. Nowadays, Ashgabat has was heating up and the pipeline project wasthree export major pipelines – two to Iran and buried. I would like to emphasize once again:one to China in addition to a pipeline to both Turkey and the US have in fact supportedRussia. In terms of quantity, this is an Baku in that conflict, so one should not rely onachievement. Yet, it has not made the country their support today as they may «give a waghappy. Perhaps, the issue is not simply the of the tail» again.amount of pipelines?! Now a few words about the East-WestIn June 2010 Turkmenistan launched the pipeline. A couple of years ago,construction of a 2 billion dollar pipeline from Berdymukhamedov tried to convince Moscowits largest gas field South Yolotan to the shore to build this pipeline. The idea was that theof the Caspian Sea. Is this the hand, or a pipe, agreements concluded earlier on the so-calledof help to Nabucco? Or does Turkmenistan Caspian pipeline foresaw supplies of Turkmenhave its own far-reaching plans? gas along the eastern shore of the Caspian Sea through Kazakhstan to Russia. Yet, as hasIn contrast to many others, who provide been mentioned above, the west ofanalyses of today`s situation in Turkmenistan, Turkmenistan has no sufficient gas deposits toI used to do it in the mid-1990s. The idea to be exported. Therefore, the Caspian pipelinebuild such a pipeline, which would link the needed the gas of Turkmenistan`s east. Andeast of Turkmenistan with its Caspian shore, Moscow might have agreed to build the East-was born already at that time, since the West pipeline through the Karakum desert if itcompetent experts were aware that the hadn’t been for the position of the Turkmenshores of western Turkmenistan has no authorities.sufficient onshore deposits to fill the gas52

Firstly, they did not want to take into account intention. Above all, the East-West pipeline isthe changes on the European market. It was at not an export but an internal major pipeline.that time when the demand for gas in Europestarted to decrease as many industrial The development of internal infrastructure isenterprises operated by gas, were stopped. an advantage; however, the challengeEuropeans started to insist on reviewing the remains: will the money not be spent in vain?contracts earlier concluded with Gasprom. Such sad experience has been already seen in the post-Soviet territory. For instance, inThey wanted to buy less gas at a lower price. Ukraine, the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline hasTurkmenistan`s authorities, however, wished been constructed without thinking twice while«everything at once»: high prices to be paid there was no oil for its filling for several years.by Moscow for Turkmen gas and an increase The pipeline had to stay empty, rusting in thein the volume of purchases. This is an axiom: earth.when the demand decreases, themanufacturer makes adjustments to its \"We will build the gas pipeline with our ownpolicies either through the decrease of prices resources at our own expense\", Presidentfor the offered goods or through the decrease Berdymukhamedov argued. Why then do theof the volume of supplies. Otherwise, as Turkmen authorities spend 2 billion dollarsmacroeconomics argues, a crisis of from the budget while there are foreignoverproduction is unavoidable. companies crowding around who are looking forward to investing money in the gasSecondly, in negotiations with Moscow on the projects?East-West pipeline the official Ashgabat took acarpet-beggary position stubbornly rejecting It is hard to give an unambiguous answer forthe contract clause which says that upon the the reasons for such behavior. The factor ofcompletion of the project construction, injured pride of the country`s first personTurkmen gas in the East-West pipeline will be might also play a certain role: Moscow hasearmarked to fill the East-West pipeline refused but we will build it out of spite.needs. In other words, Ashgabat sought to Authoritarian leaders often act on a whim. Forkeep discretion obliging Moscow to pay for instance, let`s look at the case with thethe pipeline which would be further used by President of Tajikistan Rakhmon: while theTurkmenistan not for the needs of the Caspian budget has no sufficient money, they forcebut Trans-Caspian pipeline, by exporting gas Tajiks to buy stocks for the construction of theto the West to bypass Russia. Rogun hydroelectric station. However, it might be explained by another intention which isHowever, Gasprom specialists are not stupid quite reasonable.and did not fail to see this trick, so thecontract has not been signed. The question Until recently, Ashgabat clearly preventedwas to make Russia finance the construction foreign companies from developing onshoreand not that Ashgabat will pay Russian fields. The Caspian shelf, however, is anothercompanies for the pipeline construction matter – everybody is more than welcomed toservices. explore it. On the shore, the exception was made for Chinese only. Apparently throughTherefore, answering your question, I can the bribes (according to the Wikileaksnote that the Ashgabat authorities hope that publications) the Chinese managed to sell onfollowing the completion of the East-West Ashgabat. Yet, one can assume that thepipeline, theoretically Turkmenistan will be in Ashgabat authorities do not want to give thethe position to decide what part of the world internal pipeline network to the hands of theand, consequently, what pipeline (in the foreigners. And this cannot be viewed as adirection of Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan) it will be thoughtless act. In Russia, for instance, aable to channel its gas from the west of the similar practice exists, when the country hascountry. In this respect, this is not such a silly53

not given its pipelines to foreign hosts except them. As the history of many countries shows,for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). in times of coups and revolutions the population more often put these «palaces» onIn October 2009 the British audit company fire because for them they are the symbols of«Gaffney, Cline&Associates» has officially tyranny of the leading too prosperous lifeconfirmed that Turkmenistan ranks fourth by governments.natural gas reserves in the world. Does thismean that Turkmenistan will become a And finally, geography is a fate; you cannotprosperous «gas Kuwait», or the country will ignore it. I mean that the location of Kuwait israther turn into an arena of fighting among more advantageous than that ofthe leading world countries for the right to Turkmenistan. Kuwait is located on the shorespossess Turkmen energy resources? of the open sea, i.e. the most inexpensive transport routes – sea transport – areTo begin with, I would like to note the available. One should only pump the oil fromfollowing: it is the Turkmen official oil fields, loaded it in tankers and export itpropaganda that represents the above where you want: markets of Europe, Americamentioned British company as a well-known or Asia are open for you. The country faces noauditor. In reality, it was never known in this problems with transit states which have majorcapacity. This is a business consulting but not pipelines. Nobody shuts the valves, nobodyan auditing firm. These are two different types drills holes in the pipelines, nobody blowsof activities. Therefore, honestly speaking, I do them up, and nobody blackmails the suppliersnot have much trust in the «auditing» results by the price factor.provided by the British. Old USRR friends and new friends from ChinaRegarding the prospects to become «the What are the positive and negative factors ofsecond Kuwait», I think that this will not be the ever-growing influence of China on thethe case of Turkmenistan. The matter is not Turkmen economy?only the richness of deposits possessed by thestate but also in how rational the benefits Positive factors are obvious: China hasreceived from the export of produced natural become the major world «money grabber» -resources are spent. Speaking the language of its international reserves are the largest in theaccountants, it is important to consider both world, therefore China`s economy is beingrevenue and expenditure. For instance, the «overheated». This forces Beijing to conductSoviet Union was not poor in natural economic expansion across the world. Theresources; however, by the end of the 1980s, Chinese are buying up everything whichthe state-controlled economy and the «wise represents value for them: deposits,party governance» managed to bring the companies, stocks of raw materials, luxurycountry to a dead end that the country could goods, etc. Turkmenistan gets money andnot cope and simply collapsed. Or another investments from China. In this respect, todayexample – Nigeria which is quite a rich African China has very few competitors, includingstate in terms of oil deposits. And what is this Russia. Therefore, Moscow could notcountry know for? Reportedly, for its significantly set anything against theflourishing criminal gangs and drugs. construction of a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to China.So not everything depends upon naturalresources. One can spend some small money However, neither has Ashgabat benefitedin intelligent manner while another can waste much from this pipeline. It should be notedbillions of dollars. Why does Turkmenistan that according to recent data, only 3 billionneed so many pompous buildings? They are cubic meters of gas, i.e. 10% of its projectedmeant only to feed the sense of self- capacity has been pumped through thisimportance of the authorities. It is a mere pipeline in 2010. And if only it was known formyth that ordinary people always take pride in certain what prices the Chinese pay for54

Turkmen gas! As experts say, they pay 1,5 other countries. One can well imagine whattimes less than Gasprom pays for the same will occur in this case.gas. In other words, Ashgabat has achieved itsdream – it has diversified its pipeline system How would you estimate the prospects ofby selling its resources at little money. This cooperation between Turkmenistan andcan hardly be viewed as an achievement. Russia? Which spheres of this cooperation would you mark as priority spheres?One can also make an assessment of thestructure of the mutual trade turnover. While Despite all the difficulties and conflicts inTurkmenistan exports mostly raw materials to 1997, 1998 and 2009, as well as the recentChina, China supplies Turkmenistan with dispute with MTS, the relations between thehighly processed goods. In other words, two countries are marked by positiveTurkmenistan has in fact acquired a raw- dynamics. Ashgabat has not broken all tiesexports role of the Heavenly Empire. This with Russia: trade continues, moreover, thecould not be the other way as this is the spectrum of goods exported by Russia toexternal policy strategy of Beijing. Turkmenistan, is being extended. This includes vehicles, sea vessels, armament and manyLocal industry is dying everywhere the Chinese others. Not all is lost in the gas sphere either.go to and being replaced by industrial This already happened when in 1998 Turkmenstructures which ensure the operation of the gas exports dropped 13 times because of«world factory» as China is called today. In disagreements in the price between Moscowthis respect, a rapid escalation of relations and Ashgabat.with China largely prevents Turkmenistanfrom being developed not in a resource-based However, later it was Moscow that helpedscenario but in supporting the industrial and Ashgabat both to achieve a price increase formanufacturing spheres of economy which exported gas and receive payments for gaswould enable it to become a state with a truly supplies not at barter terms which was thedeveloped civilization. intention of Ukrainians for instance, but by hard money. I would consider promising thoseI will not mention the prospects for future. My spheres of cooperation which, with the help ofcolleague Konstantin Syroezhkin, a Chinologist Russian investors, would allow the creation offrom Kazakhstan, absolutely correctly points Turkmenistan enterprises capable ofout the danger of the change of China`s producing goods with a high degree of surplusposition in the future. How will the country, value, i.e. enterprises of advanced industries.which will become an economic giant with nomatch in the world, behave? Will this not This certainly depends upon the readiness ofnegatively affect the amicable vector of the the Ashgabat authorities to accept suchexternal policies of Beijing? Nobody can cooperation. It is easier to drill holes in theanswer this question positively. earth and pump oil and gas from them than produce TV sets.Syroezhkin is correct to argue that thegeneration of «small emperors» is entering With what country of Middle Asia, in yourthe government and business structures step opinion, does Turkmenistan have theby step in China. This is how children born «warmest» economic and political relations?under the strict state programme «one family– one child» are called in China. The only child First of all, let me specify the term «Middlein the family is, as a rule, a spoilt child; he has Asia». Classical geography defines a totallyanother psychology. He is used to getting different region under this term– Mongolia, aeverything he wishes. It might well be that the part of China, Russian Altai and only a part ofgeneration of such politicians will carry over Central Asia. However, in the early 1990s thethese behavioral trends in their relations with immensely vain leaders of former Middle Asia and Kazakhstan decided to re-name the region55

in order to become the center of the Turkmenistan has avoided ethnic and nationalcontinent at least by its name. By the way, in conflicts, as well as fratricidal civil wars. CanRussian «middle» is often a synonym of this be attributed to the achievement of the«central», as «middle» stands for «located in country`s political governance, or is thisthe center». Today the Kazakhs, puffed with related to the mentality of the Turkmenself-conceit, are trying to return to the former people?term of «Middle Asia and Kazakhstan»,making a difference between their I think none of these. If to take the position of«advanced» and «successful» country from the Soviet historiography, which connectedless «civilized», as they see it, neighbors by this with the events in the Far East as athe region. reference point, following the end of the civil war in 1922 the Soviet Union has also notThereby, in this very case under the Middle experienced such conflicts in an acute formAsian countries I tend to consider former (except for deportations which is anotherCentral Asian Soviet Republics and not issue). It took longer to catch Junaid-khanAfghanistan (which has been imposed by the while others like him were «pressed» even inAmericans as an integral part of the unified the 1930s. Why? Because the totalitarianregion). In this context Ashgabat is closer to regime cut off all impulses deriving from theUzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Firstly, they have society from the very beginning: both positiveborders which always facilitate economic and negative.cooperation. Uzbekistan imports agriculturalmachines and cooperates with Turkmenistan Undoubtedly, repressive apparatus can bein the gas and oil spheres. efficient. «Might is right», as the Russian saying goes. Everybody will vail in front of theThere are common transport projects with lord`s sword. Yet, will this interethnic andKazakhstan - the railway to Iran Uzen-Etrek- domestic peace be preserved in differentGorgan. One must also note that if it weren’t conditions? As practice in other countriesfor the jealousy of Tashkent, Ashgabat might shows, it will not. If the government of Rosahave been able to build more advanced Otunbaeva in Kyrgyzstan had had an «ironcooperation both with Tajikistan and fist», if it had controlled its armed forces, theKyrgyzstan, for instance by exporting cheaper massacre of Kyrgyz and Uzbeks in the south ofgas to these countries. However, this is not in the republic would either have not happenedthe interests of Uzbekistan, thus it does not or would have been on a smaller scale.allow this option. Can we put the question as follows:Yet relations cannot be characterized as «Turkmenistan is as rich in natural resourcesparticularly «warm». Political and economic as the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Both thepractice of Turkmenistan differs too much population of Turkmenistan and the UAE is 5from that of its neighbors. Totalitarian mln persons. Then why do we live in povertyregimes always fear active external contacts in while Arabs lead a prosperous life»?any sphere, even if they are strictly controlledby the authorities. That was the politics of the The question can be put this way. However,Soviet Union which fenced it off from the rest one should go into details. It is necessary toof the world by the «iron curtain». calculate the reserves of hydrocarbons in tonsTurkmenistan follows the same way according or billions of cubic meters per capita. Off theto what is happening on the Turkmen-Uzbek top of my head: even looking at theseborder. indicators, the UAE have better prospects than Turkmenistan. This is the first factor. Secondly,Republic of Anchuristan. The Kings stocking I have already mentioned geography as aup on «Cabbages» determining factor. Whatever you say, theDuring 19 years of independence, in contrast Arabs at Persian Gulf are more advantageouswith other post-Soviet states of Central Asia, in this respect.56

Finally, it should be admitted that the freedom of artistic expression and scientificgovernments of these Arab counties make thought follow?sure that EVERY NATIONAL OF EMIRATES hashis fair share. This is not a priority for the I can`t help saying that you exaggerate. InterTurkmen authorities. Here only from time to alia, my duty is to follow the publications oftime, by his wish and not due to endorsed the CIS experts. Scientific works are authoredlaws the Serdar can load with benefits this or not by the President alone. I regularly readthat citizen or chastise him. With this taken scientific journals published in Turkmenistan.into account, the statement that a republican There are few of them and they are far fromform of governance is always better than a those that can be called scientific publicationmonarchy becomes an arguable point. in a normal world but they do exist. In this respect, the situation of Turkmenistan is reallyBribes have long become common practice in the worst in Central Asia. Even poverty-all spheres of Turkmen society. Is it possible to stricken Tajikistan publishes quite decenteliminate corruption in a specific post-Soviet scientific works on economics.country? However, you are absolutely correct that inCorruption has little dependency on the Turkmenistan (as well as in the entire Centralsphere of external politics in the respect that Asia) both artistic and scientific workers arethis phenomenon does not derive from the infected with primitive apple-polishing andsystem of interstate relations. Therefore, toad-eating. Partially, this is the heritage oftheoretically it is possible to combat the past. Today’s regimes of the region havecorruption and win within one particular much in common with despotisms whichcountry as well. Another question is whether existed many centuries ago.the authorities have the will and desire tocarry out such a fight. In my view, With the break-up of the Soviet Union and theTurkmenistan`s authorities both under wave of nationalism as well as outflow ofNiyazov and Berdymukhamedov are Russians from the region, local science andcomfortable with the situation when bribery, culture have largely returned to the past. Justinter alia, in the government sphere, is recall Solovjov`s novels about Khodjaflourishing, while from time to time the Nasreddin. He describes in detail how the emirPresident shuffles the set of officials, thus is surrounded by a crowd of vizirs –imitating the fight for transparency for the intellectuals whose task was exclusively topopulation. worship the merits of their lord a thousand times per hour.Corruption is present everywhere in theworld; however, it is not so significant in those Currently the situation is the same. The choirscountries which have independent judicial of Turkmen or Kazakh scientists sing hymns tosystems, control of the parliament elected in the endless wisdom of Nursultan orthe free elections, and independent mass Gurbanguly at the top of their voices. Themedia, i.e. subjects of legal relations which are «salt of the nation», which is intelligentsia in atruly capable to counteract corruption. In a normal society, in Central Asia have tried sosystem, where everything depends upon the hard to soften the skin of their masters that itwill of one individual, corruption flourishes. is likely that they already have hematomas.Culture and arts in Turkmenistan are fully Therefore, there are no new Makhtumkuli incommitted to worship and exaltation of the Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan knows noPresident and his actions. Scientific works are significant scientific discoveries. Instructingauthored exclusively by the President. He is the the authors who write for the journal which Ione who makes all discoveries. What path will edit, I always say: «Science is driven bythe society with an absolute absence of doubts». A scientist is the one who puts someone`s opinion in question and looks for57

the evidence. Science is ruled by reason and V. Paramonov: There will be no winnersnot by the authority of the government. The in the «Big game» for Turkmen gas (20societies which live by the principle «the head January 2011)of the state is always right» cannot have true Exclusively for «Chronicles of Turkmenistan»science and civilization. Achievements ofculture and science are parts of human Below is an interview with Vladimircivilization. Paramonov, PhD in Political Sciences, expert on Central Asia, founder of the «CentralThe society which is deprived of these is Eurasia» projectdefective, the same way as an individual withone limb is handicapped. Since both science Vladimir Vladimirovich, will Turkmen gas go toand culture are related to intellectual process Europe bypassing Russia, or the Nabuccoand creativity, which are under the project, which has already been in place for 9competence of the brain in the human body, I years by word of mouth only by Westernwould go further in my comparison to say that diplomats and European politicians, willCentral Asian societies remind one of ignominiously pass into oblivion?«Headless Horseman». In view of the long-term needs of theAzhdar Ashirovish, what is your vision of European market in natural gas, as well as theTurkmenistan in 20 years? steady trend towards the disintegration of post-Soviet territories and a deepeningMany things have changed during the first 19 strategic uncertainty in the Russian politicsyears of independent Turkmenistan. There are and that of several other former USRRpositive changes in economics but there are republics, I think that the Nabucco project willalso negative, repressive changes in the be sooner or later implemented.political and spiritual spheres. I do not thinkthat in the next 20 years to come these trends On the one hand, this project meets thewill change significantly. I do not forecast any geopolitical interests of the US and their alliesrevolutions in Turkmenistan. It is clear already on Euro-Atlantic integration. On the othernow that Berdymukhamedov has chosen again hand, the project meets the commercialthe way of his predecessor in internal politics. interests of Europe and Turkmenistan, thoughLike in the novel «Cabbages and Kings» in the does not correspond to the long-term task ofrepublic of Anchuria, only the heads on the stabilization of Eurasia. Clearly, this is notstatutes of presidents are being changed while merely the fault of Turkmenistan since thethe politics remain unaltered. major «locomotives», who are interested in the stabilization and development of the58 continent – Europe, Russia and China are still not making sufficient and coordinated efforts to cooperate with each other but are rather continuing to compete over control on certain segments of Eurasia. Certainly, China acts as the most sustainable player; however, China alone cannot solve the problem of setting a large-scale cooperation between the different parts of the continent. During S. Niyazov`s era, Gasprom has been virtually the only importer of Turkmen energy products. With G. Berdymukhamedov`s rise to power, the gas pipeline to China has been built, the second pipeline to Iran has been launched, and the construction of the major

gas pipeline, which would connect the major further and further away from Russia. This isgas field South Jolotan with the Caspian Sea particularly noticeable in the energy sphere ...shore, is underway at high speed. Is it possibleto forecast the reaction of Russia towards such Who, do you think, will become the finallarge-scale and drastic «diversification of winner in the Big Game for Turkmen energyroutes for Turkmen gas supplies»? resources – China, Russia or the West? And what will Turkmenistan win (lose)?Essentially, by its short-sighted politics underB. Yeltsin`s presidency Russia has largely I suppose there will be no winners at all. As apushed Turkmenistan to search for alternative result, all will lose… I will explain my viewgas customers and, consequently, to the point.diversification of its transportation routes.With V. Putin and his team’s rise to power, the Firstly, Russia, China and Europe theoreticallyRussian Federation has clearly made should be interested in cooperation in Eurasiasignificant efforts to make up for these errors including Turkmenistan, not in competition.and to create more efficient mechanisms of This is particularly true about the energyinteraction between Russia and Turkmenistan. sphere – the most dynamically developing cooperation sphere taking into account theHowever, over recent years, primarily due to growing world`s need for energy resources.the world crisis and its consequences, changesin the European gas market, and a series of However, reality shows quite the oppositemistakes made by the Kremlin in the Central now: there is a needless fight underway,Asian politics, many of those achievements including that over energy resources and thehave been nullified. Furthermore, the position routes for transportation. This fight leads toof Russia in Central Asia has been weakened … an imbalance in the situation in various segments of Eurasia, inter alia in Central AsiaIn addition, Russian companies are actively including Turkmenistan.involved in the construction of theTurkmenistan-China pipeline, funded by Secondly, in fact energy resources ofChinese money. Moreover, Russia, in fact, by Turkmenistan and other states of the regionits own will has let China into Central Asia do not play and will not play a decisive role intaking into account the common strategic world energy. There are richer countries andinterests of both countries, which I consider a regions whose deposits are more significantpositive trend: above all, China is not an for the entire world. The resources ofenemy of Russia. Turkmenistan and other Central Asian countries are most demanded in the regionIn this situation, we cannot talk about a itself and in the post-Soviet countries. Lockingreaction of the Russian Federation. What can up these resources to other parts of the worldRussia do now? Prohibit it? Surely not. Offer a means depriving Central Asia itself and allnew integration project on mutual post-Soviet territories of the prospects forcooperation in the framework of the Shanghai innovative industrial development. InnovatingCooperation Organization (SCO)? This has not industrial development in the region and thehappened so far and is not likely to happen in post-Soviet territories is impossible withoutthe years to come due to an underestimation the use of the cumulative energy potentialof Russia of the vital importance of the (not only oil and gas but many other resourceseastern vectors of its foreign policy (primarily as well, including hydro resources) and settingChinese and Central Asian) and Moscow`s up efficient patterns of economic integration,Western-centered perception of the world. i.e. exchange of various resources: political, military and, certainly, energetic …Moreover, it is concerned not only withTurkmenistan but also Kazakhstan and other Therefore, essentially no one in Eurasia needscountries of the region which are moving the «Big Game» nor will they benefit in the59

long-run; on the contrary, it might provoke a should not forget the most important point: itnew cycle of crisis or even worse – is Washington that has been a «trendsetter»destabilization of large areas of the continent, in formatting Eurasia and governing thenot to mention the increase of instability of processes in Eurasia for over 20 years … Thecertain countries, including Turkmenistan … issue is that currently the US has a number of more important and acute problems thanThus, each Central Asian state should carefully Central Asia. When it comes to the region,consider and estimate its strengths before then Washington will come to grips with thisactively joining such a game on the side of one and then this will be quite a major issue forof the players or trying to balance between Turkmenistan and other countries …them… And the Eurasian players themselvesshould think whether they should play this Thus, the US factor cannot but be taken intogame at all? What will it bring in the long run? account. Geographically, the US long ago became our neighbors having stationed overThe US has a rather reserved interest to 100 thousand military group in AfghanistanTurkmenistan. Apart from topping up the US and having retaining a military presence incargo transport planes in Turkmen airports, no Kyrgyzstan. However, it is clear that Centraldynamic cooperation either in the political or Asia is not an end in itself for US geostrategiceconomic spheres is noticeable. Is this a good politics while Europe, Russia and Chinaor a bad sign for Turkmenistan? traditionally were and are the key object of the US politics. It is of vital importance forIn my opinion, this is neither a bad nor a good America not to allow them to unite.sign. However, I am confident that in reality Therefore, it is not an easy thing for such smallthe US does have a strong interest in countries as Turkmenistan to maneuverTurkmenistan. Yet, «traditional» tools of US between the global and regional powerinfluence and patterns of formatting of centers and their interests.national processes do not work in case ofTurkmenistan. Ashgabat is rather a In contrast with the rest of the post-Sovietcomplicated partner, an object for states in Central Asia, Turkmenistan has hadmanipulations and studies, in addition it has peace, tranquility and political stability over asufficient financial and other resources to period of 20 years (except for thehave its own independent external policies «assassination attempt» on Niyazov in 2002).and to stay equidistant from the major power What is the secret for this?centers. Looking from the view point of the key factorsIf there is no understanding of the essence of which affect the stability and sustainability ofthe internal and external politics of this development of Turkmenistan, in my opinioncountry, if there are too many myths and the most important are the following:simplified clichés in its perception, if there are - significant natural resources that theno sustainable mechanisms of influence, then country possesses, primarily gas, enable thewhat can Washington do? The answer is to country to receive income from export and atstudy and to wait for a suitable moment for the same time to use the same gas resourcesactive involvement, which is what the USA is as an important tool of power balancing;successfully doing now. … - paucity of population which decreases the pressure for country`s economy and socialFurthermore, I am certain that the United sphere;States has been trying to include - a relatively advantageous geographicalTurkmenistan in several of its regional location which enables the country to stayschemes and algorithms of its geopolitics for a equidistant from the major power centers.long time, as well as to influence Ashgabatmore actively via their allies and various However, all these factors would be uselessinternational organizations. Herewith, one outside the established system of the public-60

state structure which allows for the use of terms of its participation in the SCO and CIS.existing advantages in an intelligent manner One should be already thankful for this.for sustainable development. The vertical ofpower and powerful special services are the Therefore, I think that Turkmenistan might becore elements of the Turkmen structure right not to force its membership in the so-which, at the end, allow Turkmenistan to called «integration processes»: this might bemaintain its security and to develop. at a sacrifice ...Despite the numerous foreign visits andmeetings of the President G.Berdymukhamedov, Turkmenistan does notrush to join any coalitions, alliances, andtreaties. Neither in the Collective SecurityTreaty Organization, nor SCO, nor the CustomsUnion. Why is Turkmenistan so stronglyoppose to integration both at regional andinternational level?It might be that Turkmenistan is right not torush. However, on the other side, I am certainthat Turkmenistan is interested in forcingregional integration and establishing a stablesystem of the regional security. However, thisquestion should be addressed not toTurkmenistan but to Russia and China, whichare the engines of development in the CentralAsian region. It is not Turkmenistan whoopposes but large powers - Russia and Chinafail to develop a new and efficient formula ofdevelopment which would be of interest forTurkmenistan. And, in my opinion, we neverhad and we do not have any real integration.Current developments look more like aprofanation of integration, or in the best casesome commercial deals from the «merger andacquisition» series (when they want to buyTurkmenistan at less money and to sell atmore …). This is not integration in any way buta game in integration where whoever who hasmore rights is right …In order to «make» real integration, it shouldbecome the point of life for this or thatstate/a group of states, the main priority ofits/their development. Unless this happens,Turkmenistan should not be expected toactively participate in those processes whichare not understood in Russia and Chinathemselves, or understood in a different way… Ashgabat has already done a lot after 2006giving way both to Moscow and Beijing in61

ESSEN AMAN organizations and enterprises are either closed down or have to reduce the numbers ofMarket stories - Part I (25 November staff. Most of those who were fired had to2007) work as sellers at the markets because thereThe protest action staged by hundreds of was no other job.salesmen at the Dashoguz Central Market on15 November can hardly be seen as an On the other hand, the salesmen pay aextraordinary event. Even back in Niyazov`s significant amount of money for their markettimes, the sellers of this market proved to be stall, so the market administration isthe most organized community able to fight interested in increasing the number of sellers,for their rights. thus allotting each square meter without caring about sanitary norms, fire safety or theAt that time, the protest actions were aimed well-being of sellers and customers.to counter the attempts of the cityadministration to close down all city markets The city khyakimlik realised that the situationin order to engage the population (both the at the Bai-bazaar needed to be changed andsellers and customers) in the cotton decided to employ the usual administrativeharvesting. During this first organized protest measures, i.e. to close the market for a certainaction in the post-Niyazov era (from those period of time and demolish «needless»known), the reasons for protest were quite market stalls. However, they seem to onlydifferent. have had a vague idea about all the problems which have built up over the years.We have repeatedly reported about theoutbreaks of fire in the largest Turkmen People who purchased the area used formarkets this year. Many related these selling have not concluded formal legalaccidents to property redistribution which contracts with the market. Most frequently,followed the change of the regime in the this is simply a receipt of the payment for thecountry. market stall indicating the sum paid. It should be noted that the payment currently amountsThe Dashoguz central market Bai-Bazaar was to a sum equivalent to 2,000 dollars. Yet, dueset on fire on several occasions. The last time, to the absence of a contract, some sellersthis happened was on 2 November when fire believe that their places have been purchasedengines were unable to access the centre of forever while others think that this is athe fire as the market is packed with stalls and payment for a lease but nobody knows forkiosks with narrow walkways. what term. Also, there is no precise description where the stalls of this or thatThe market is located in the centre of the city, seller are located. Because of this, seriousso there is no way to make it bigger. At the conflicts frequently arise between the sellers.same time, the number of salesmen is on therise. Due to economic problems, many Apart from the amount of payment, the rest is agreed upon with the market director orally.62 However, several directors have been changed during the recent years at the Bai-bazaar, thus causing an absolute mess both with regard to the market stalls and documents. The attempt of the local authorities to solve all these problems in one go resulted in a mass action of protest. Family members of the sellers including children took part in the protest. The authorities had to give up. The market continues to operate as usual.

Interestingly, many people in the city were As became known on 12 October, theaware of the protest action being prepared. denomination of the national currency isAlready on 12 November when rumors about expected in 2009 and this was only officiallythe closure of the market appeared, the announced only a couple of weeks later.sellers’ plans were an open secret. However, Before the official announcement, there hadthe special services which normally try to been rumors about the new money. On 12employ “preventive measures” – arrests or November at the session of the Cabinet ofintimidating activists – have taken the side of Ministers, the president ordered to put an endthe observers this time that also raises to the discrepancy between the official andgrounds for suspicion. This is the subject for market (i.e. black rate) currency rates withinthe second part of the article. ten days (!). On the same day, the President signed a 10% decrease in salaries effectiveAt the moment, the local authorities should be from 1 January 2008.advised (and not only in this town as thesituation at the markets across the country is These decisions were announced in thesimilar) to sort out their legal documentation situation of the on-going repartition of theand to conclude agreements between the spheres of influence in the country (this cansellers and the market administration. Only be, inter alia, indicated by a series ofafter that, with these agreements and the outbreaks of fire in the large markets in all ofrights of the owners of these market stalls the country’s regions). The expected increasetaken into consideration, can the in salaries skyrocketed the prices of foodreconstruction of the markets be carried out. products and essential commodities. At theOtherwise, both fires and protest actions will same time, the 40% increase in teachers`continue. salaries which was promised to be in effect as of September has never been paid. WhileMarket stories - Part II (30 November teachers in the provinces have not received2007) any salary rise, the teachers in the capitalThe last article Market stories described the received only a 15% increase. Othersituation at the central market of Dashoguz, establishments and organizations also facei.e. how the premature actions on the part of delays in payment of salaries.the authorities resulted in a protest action bythe market salesmen. Now let us have a look In a word, the decisions voiced by theat the situation from a broader perspective. President landed on «fertile ground». Early on 13 November the price of the dollar on theIt should be recalled that a while before the black market (there is no free currencyprotest action, the authorities announced conversion in the country) dropped almostseveral ill-grounded decisions concerning twofold: from 23.500 manats for a dollar to 13finances. -14 thousand manats. This caused shock and panic both amongst retailers and wholesale63 traders who bring the goods from China, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and Russia. The rate of the dollar changed repeatedly during that day. The following story was told by a witness who sells his goods next to the currency traders: «I saw a man selling a large sum of «bucks» at 19 thousand and was speechlessly happy with such luck as a dollar had only been sold at 14 thousand in the morning. Yet, two hours later the rate soared to 23 thousand. I saw this person who came back to the market totally confused. He was

standing in front of the currency trader who qualified as sabotage. And this was also ahad bought his dollars and tried to explain signal but sent by the more powerfulsomething. The latter answered: this is a structures.market!» Berdymukhammedov had to react to thisDue to such a «market», currency traders signal. Four days later after the protest action,(those engaged in buying and selling dollars) on 19 November he talked in a differentearned very good money within 3-4 days manner: «Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedovwhilst the dollar was unstable. During those ordered the Minister of Economics anddays they did not sell dollars but only bought Finances to involve international experts inthem. This can be certainly attributed to the the work on adjustment of the nationalsituation which was created, apparently currency, primarily from the United Nationsunconsciously, by the President of the and the International Monetary Fund. <…>country. The problem, however, lies much The leader of the state underlined the vitaldeeper. importance of these issues which deal with the people’s interest and warned againstMarkets in Turkmenistan, including the premature, hasty and inconsiderate decisions»currency market (each large market has places («Neutral Turkmenistan» of 20.11.2007).for currency traders) are the pockets of hugefinancial streams, moreover cash. Niyzov`s Prior to these events, the President changedregime has established a system whereby the almost all the heads of the power structuresmanagement of the banks sell dollars here and most heads of the velayat`s (regional)through their «currency traders» and taking administrations. Yet, as it appears, this has notadvantage of the fourfold difference between enabled him to get control over the situation.the official and the black exchange rates have Control is in the hands of representatives ofvery high profits. Allowing for a free currency black economy. Paraphrasing a famous sayingtrade, law enforcement structures also receive «Who possesses the information possessestheir share of the pie. Tax services also get the world», one can say the following «Whogood money from the markets which land not possesses the markets possesses theonly in the state treasury but also in their own country». Yet, the new President is still not inpockets. Even the heads of local possession of the markets. And the fight foradministrations are involved in these «shady» them is going to be strong.incomes. It goes without saying that themarket salesmen (apparently the largest non- Candidates and the Turkmen elections (4formal labour community today) are also December 2007)happy to have at least such job. On 9 December elections to the velayat`s Khalk Maslakhaty (People’s Councils in theSo the fact that three days after the regions) and the Khalk Maslakhaty of thePresident’s statement on the need to adjust Ashgabat city which are local (regional)the official and market rates a mass protest representatives bodies of people’s power willaction was held in one of the largest Turkmen be held.cities blocking the busiest streets was a clearsignal to the President. It was given not by thesalesmen who came to the protest to defendtheir work places but by those who organizedor instigated it.As was mentioned in the previous article, itwas known in advance that the protest actionwas being prepared; yet, no measures wereintroduced to prevent it. According to theSoviet terminology, this incident can be64

The mass media have reported that 20 days prior to the elections, Danmyratnominations to the local bodies of power have Myratberdiyev was appointed first deputy ofbeen made by organizations such as the the khyakim of the Akhal velayat and TumarDemocratic Party, Trade Unions, the Women’s Mukhammedova – deputy khyakim of theUnion and the Youth Union. These are «public Lebap velayat. They were also not nominatedassociations» which are in practice not as candidates to the velayat`s Khalkindependent but just act as public Maslakhaty while according to the law theyorganizations. According to the Presidential should also have been elected from thedecree of 12 November, the salaries of staff representatives of the velayats` Khalkmembers of these will be raised by 10%. In Maslakhaty.other words, the work of the employees ofthese associations is paid from the state The Turkmen electorate has already hadbudget which is a clear violation of the experience during the elections to the etrapTurkmen laws. (regional) and city Khalk Maslakhaty which took place on 3 December last year.Furthermore, on 12 November when the timeof the candidates` nomination was already Then, for instance, Ovezdurdy Chashayev whoover, the President of Turkmenistan by his was not on the candidates list to the Khalkdecree appointed new khyakims (heads of Maslakhaty of the Galkynysh etrap wasadministrations) of three velayats: the Akhal appointed a khyakim of this etrap 5 days priorvelayat (M. Nurmukhammedov), the Mary to the elections and, in violation of the law,velayat (K. Gurbanov) and the Lebap velayat became a member of the etrap`s Khalk(Ch. Odeberdiyev). Apparently, these names Maslakhaty and until now works as an etrap`swill be now included in the ballots even khyakim. An even stranger thing happened tothough, I repeat, the terms of nomination the former khyakim of Turkmenabat Gaibullahave been over. As the Law on «Velayat`s Kamalov.Khalk Maslakhaty» says in Article 10, avelayat`s khyakim can be elected out of the While he was nominated as candidate to themembers of the Khalk Maslakhaty at its Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenabat (Electoralsession. District 17), he became a member of the Khalk Maslakhaty of the neighbouring Farab etrapThe name of Kakageldy Gurbanov was not (Electoral District 21). The question of how aincluded in the lists of candidates to the Khalk candidate nominated in one electoral districtMaslakhaty of the Mary velayat published by could be elected in the other should be posedthe newspaper «Mary-Shakhu-Djakhan». to the Turkmen electoral committee. As a result, G. Kamalov was appointed a khyakim ofDespite this, the velayat`s residents have no the Farab etrap.doubts that he will not only be included in thecandidates list but will also win the elections. In addition to them, a significant number of people who had not been nominated withinM. Nurmukhammedov and Ch. Odeberdiyev the time set up by the law were elected lasthad also not been nominated as candidates to year to the etrap`s and city Khalk Maslakhty.the Khalk Maslakhaty of the respective All of them are representatives of lawvelayats by the moment of their appointments enforcement bodies in the etraps and citiesas khyakims. Yet, it appears they will also be and of the Ministry of Defence.on the voting lists and further be safelyelected to the representative body and as the «At that time, Bazargeldy Charyev, a secretaryvelayat`s khyakims. The above-mentioned of the etrap`s Committee of the Democraticpersons have been appointed to their posts Party and Bagdagul Khudaiberdiyeva, anand cannot be replaced within the first month. accountant of the same Committee wereThe law is most likely to be violated at this nominated in Electoral District 3 of thepoint again. Oguzkhan etrap of the Mary velayat», a local65

resident named Sapar Kh. recalls. «I rainfall are amongst the works of Turkishremembered these names as I know these construction companies.people in person. Yet, after the elections, Isaw the name Abdyrakhman Nuryev, a head The list of examples can easily be continued.of the etrap`s department of the Ministry of The photo depicts part of a public gardenNational Security on the list of the members created in the capital this year. As is seen, itelected. However, I remember very well that has not even been one year and thehis name was not on the list of candidates pavements are already collapsing and are fullpublished by the velayat`s newspaper as it of cracks.included only two names of the persons Imentioned». Another example of Turkish construction art needs to be looked at in detail.Another example can be given from theupcoming elections. Djumamyrat Gurbanov, In the new building of the National library ofhead of the Main Tax Inspectorate and Rakhim Turkmenistan named after SaparmuratTurayev, head of the department of the same Turkmenbashi the plasterwork collapsed inInspectorate have been nominated in one of the halls after the first rain. Pieces ofElectoral District 19 (Lebap velayat). Among plaster fell down on top of people attending aother nominees are the chairman of the Lebap presentation of the U.S. Exchange Programmevelayat`s branch of the Youth Union Nepes in Turkmenistan which was then taking placeVeiisov and the head of the unit of the same in the library building.organization Shokhrat Rustamov. Suchexamples are numerous. According to the However, the librarians are more concernedTurkmen authorities, all of them are with the unique priceless books being ruinedalternative candidates. Therefore, the in the new building of the library.upcoming elections can be regarded as heldon an alternative basis, and, naturally, The main country’s library moved in to thedemocratic. new National Cultural Center after S. Turkmenbashi at the beginning of the currentTurkish quality or Turkmen requirements year. The building of the Center was founded(27 December 2007) while Niyazov was alive and completed underThe quality of the construction works carried the new President. The premises devoted toout by Turkish builders in Turkmenistan has the library clearly do not correspond to thebecome a household name long time ago. rules of the country’s main book stock storage. Metal shelve stands were put in theHigh-rise buildings with marble façades where new building instead of wooden ones. Theelevators and drainage systems are out of temperature regime in the archives is notorder, textile and garment factories which observed.stop functioning one or two years after theyare commissioned, automobile roads without The employees of the valuable books unitdrainage which turn into canals after heavy have to place buckets with water near the66 shelves in order to create the necessary humidity. By doing this, they try to save priceless books some of which are in single copy only. According to the employees of the National library, while designing the Cultural Center, the architects of the Turkish company consulted with the library specialists and made records of all issues that needed to be considered. However, none of these

recommendations were taken into account in to the operation of the corresponding gasthe final project variant. pipeline”.The library administration turned for help to In the second statement on January 13 thethe Ministry of Culture and Broadcasting of Turkmen diplomats were urged to be moreTurkmenistan. As of today, the reaction of the specific: “The completion of maintenanceMinistry remains unknown. works is also related to their funding. In this connection it should be stressed that Iran’sFor information: the National Cultural Center non-compliance with its payment obligationsafter Saparmurat Turkmenbashi includes a for the recent gas deliveries frommuseum, a library and a large concert hall. Turkmenistan hampers the timely completionThe project cost amounted to 75 million of maintenance and repair works”.dollars. This project was erected by aconstruction company belonging to a Turkish Clearly, the maintenance and repair work wasentrepreneur Akhmet Chalyk. planned. In other words, it must have been communicated in advance that at a certain *** time and in a certain area maintenance worksIn sum, it can be concluded that despite were scheduled to be carried out; and,apparent defects, all the objects erected by consequently, partners affected by this shouldTurkish companies are accepted by the have been forewarned.Turkmen side without any critical comments.It seems that such quality suits Turkmen Now it is difficult to judge whether the Iranianofficials. side was involved in the negotiations on the price increase for the Turkmen gas, but it isTurkmen-Iranian relations (15 January clear that no agreements have been reached.2008)In recent days the strained relations between Following the announcement by theTurkmenistan and Iran, carefully disguised by Turkmenistan Foreign Ministry, Iran’s Oilthe Turkmen side, have finally been made Minister Gholam Hossein Nozari said in apublic. statement that Iran would cancel the contract to import Turkmen gas if supplies are notThe stopping of Turkmen gas supplies to Iran restored. “Turkmenistan must first resume theeffectively became the climax in the dispute deliveries of “blue fuel” and only after thatbetween the two neighboring states. raise the issue of price review. Otherwise weThe first statement issued by the Turkmen will announce that we no longer have demandForeign Ministry to the mass media and for Turkmen gas” concluded the Iranianpublished on the first day of 2008 stated: “The Minister.temporary halt of gas supplies to Iran is due totechnical reasons <…> caused by the need to Back to the gas issue. In June last year Iranperform repair and maintenance work, linked refused to permit supplies of Turkmen gas to67 Azerbaijan via its territory. As a result, the lengthy negotiations on supplies of Turkmen gas to Azerbaijan were disrupted because of Iran’s standpoint. Yet, gas is not the only stumbling block in the bilateral Turkmenistan-Iranian relations. In 2004, the construction of the Friendship dam on the border of the two states was completed to make up a water basin. Pursuant to the agreement, the water to be

accumulated in this water reservoir is to be middle of June 2007 was presented as aevenly split between the two countries. “meeting of best friends”. The Turkmen citizens were only informed that aIn mid-December 2007, two weeks before cooperation agreement on quarantine andTurkmenistan halted gas supplies it became plant protection and combating plant pests,known that Iran’s Energy Ministry intended to plant diseases and weeds was signed.claim Turkmenistan’s debt in the amount of170 mln USD for the construction of the Apparently this is the only subject that IranFriendship dam. The Iranian side would have and Turkmenistan see eye-to-eye on.agreed to get Turkmen water instead ofmoney. No official response from the Turkmen Zero results in combating drugs (18side followed. February 2008) Turkmenistan has a «National Program onThere is another borderline issue, which is also Fighting Illegal Drug Trafficking and Assistancerelated to water for agricultural irrigation. to Drug and Psychotropic Substance Addicts for 2006-2010». However, is it beingRecently Turkmenistan started to supply implemented?electric power to the border districts of Iran.And, as a result of cheap electric power which In his article «For a healthy and spiritualbecame available for the neighbors, the locals generation of the new époque» published bywho are predominantly engaged in the newspaper «Neutral Turkmenistan», theagricultural production, started using electric first secretary of the Political Council of thewater pumps to irrigate their lands. Previously Democratic Party Ondjuk Musaev states thatthey could not afford this. Currently the the program is being implemented.Iranian farmers thanks to the Turkmen electricpower take practically all water from the The author refers to a series of preventiveboundary Atrek River the headstream of measures such as meetings and talks withwhich is located in the Iranian territory. For youth on the harmful effects of drugs.this reason the south-western areas of According to him, these events are arrangedTurkmenistan, where the river flows, face an by public associations which are a part of theacute shortage of irrigation water. Thus, the nationwide movement «Galkynysh» (Revival).inhabitants of the Turkmen territory were However, no specific facts and figures whichdeprived of the chance to do farming. would testify to the success of the program’s implementation are given in the article.The separation of the Caspian Sea is a major Furthermore, the events happening in theproblem as the additional water area which country show that the situation is, to put itIran is claiming would be taken from the mildly, frightening.Turkmen and Azerbaijan sectors if theseparation takes place. This is a serious issueof concern which worsens the already tenserelations between neighbors.How Turkmenistan and Iran are trying to solvethese issues is not disclosed in the Turkmenpress. As is known, it does not report aboutissues of concerns at all, and even theaforementioned statements of the TurkmenForeign Ministry were not published in theTurkmen newspapers.On the other hand, the visit of the TurkmenPresident to Iran which took place in the68

In the town of Dashoguz, a girl aged 14 and a Certainly, one cannot shift the blame on theboy aged 17 went to live with relatives in others: the father of the family should beorder not to see how their father was injecting blamed. On the other hand, drugs arehimself. Once he slipped into a coma after an currently sold virtually openly like sunflowerinjection. The daughter who saw this seeds.happening had a tantrum. Later she told hermother that if the father did not leave home This is the way the entire family from theshe would hang herself. The mother had to Kunyaurgench sell heroine. Mr. O., retired,call the police who took the husband to the residing in the street with a very symbolicnarcological dispensary. At this point, name for this case - «Gorelde» (Turkm. model,interesting details were discovered. District example), his sons, daughters in law and evenpolice officers had no money or transport to grandchildren who go to school – all aretake the drug addicts to the narcological involved in the family business: selling drugs.dispensary which is located 60 km away from In summer the old man lies on a rug under thethe town. The woman had to pay 300 shade of the vineyard and drinks tea. Clientsthousand manats in «travel expenses» to the come to him from morning until late at night.policeman. Five days later the husband He has bags under his rug ready for sale. Hisreturned home and the children went to live sons and grandsons have «work places» ofwith their relatives. How long do they as well their own: they wait for clients on the streets.as other children in similar situation have tobe confined to other places looking for shelter When they meet, they go further away fromfrom parents who are drug addicts? the house with the bag in their pocket and sell it. Even pre-school children are involved in thisIn early January 2008, a 4th grade student process!(school № 9) of the daikhan (peasant)association «Bereket» of the Kunyaurgenchsky A bag (dose) is quite expensive – 40 thousandetrap committed suicide due to actions taken manats (US$ 2). Thus, one dose is normallyby his father who was a drug addict. bought for a group of two or three persons.A former excavator operator lost his job and All people in the town are aware of this familywas unable to find a new one. Without means and of other similar «points of sale».to support a large family, the man sought However, it seems that neither law enforcersrelief in drugs. As he needed money to buy the nor «public activists» from the «Galkynysh»drugs, the father of the family made the movement know about such cases. At least,children earn money, so he could buy heroine. no publications have ever been made on this matter.An elder son transported things with a smalltrolley at the local market and collected On the other hand, lists of the convictscotton stalks from the cotton fields in late pardoned by the President were recentlyautumn and sold them at an agreed price. His published. Out of 1256 persons included in thefather confiscated all the money he earned. list, 126 persons are aged 21 and younger.However, time went by and this money was This is one tenth of all those pardoned.no longer sufficient. The father sold his small Amongst them are the two who just turned 14daughter to his remote relatives at 1 mln and three 15 y. o. teenagers.manats. Obviously, the boy could not live inthis situation anymore. Are these not those children who helped theirNo one from the nationwide movement parents to sell drugs? Or these might be the«Galkynysh» came to visit this family or other children of the drug addicts? Or perhaps, theyfamilies in similar situations either before or are drug takers themselves? Will Mr. Musaevafter the incident. be interested in their fates and the fates of thousands of their equally misfortunate69 companions?

This «spiritual generation of the new époque» According to the semi-official directiveneeds psychological or sometimes medical imposed by the Ministry of Culture, in the lateassistance. These children should be dealt 90-s and early 2000-s the volumes of fictionwith individually. Thus, true public groups and and publicist literature available in Russianorganizations should be involved in this work were ruined along with periodicals –instead of quasi NGO from the «Galkanysh» newspapers and magazines published in themovement. Quasi NGOs are only able to carry Soviet times.out quasi work as well as their leader Mr. O.Musaev. The libraries’ staff members remember the order directed by the Turkmen Society of theA non-reading nation (28 February 2008) Blind and Deaf as of 19 May 2005. № 197:Hundreds of libraries have been liquidated «Currently there is a consistent process ofover the past 16 years in Turkmenistan. Huge closing down all libraries in the velayat centerbook collections have been plundered and and in etraps. In connection with this I suggestdestroyed and thousands of books have been that you send a letter to the khyakimlikburnt to heat tamdyrs (national ovens for departments of culture requesting that allbaking bread). books, brochures, periodicals, etc. which are viewed as waste should be handed over to theThe vendors in the local markets use pages learning centres of the Turkmen Society of thetorn from the writings by domestic and Blind and Deaf. Payment for the literatureforeign classics to wrap pastries and make collected will be carried out by the learningwrappings to sell sunflower seeds. center № 2 of the Mary Turkmen Society of the Blind and Deaf. The execution of the orderA wise man said: «Libraries are the assets and should be reported to the Main Office of thefurthermore, the most valuable assets of each Turkmen Society of the Blind and Deaf by 25country». Despite the era of new Renaissance Makhtumkuli (May) 2005. Chairmanannounced by the President, the assets, i.e. Ch.Ovezov». The aforementioned enterpriselibraries and their book stocks are still facing located in the town of Mary, manufacturesdestructions. toilet paper from waste paper.Until the mid-90-s 30 libraries including According to eye-witnesses - the teachingsubsidiaries functioned in Turkmenistan. At staff, the collections from the research librarythe start of 2008, only three libraries, two at the Teacher Training Institute named afterlocated in velayats and one city library Seidi were also used to make toilet paper. Dueoperate in the velayat’s centre with a to rector’ excessive zealousness, the rarestpopulation of more than 230 thousand books, scientific works, monographs andpeople. In the eastern region dozens of city teaching manuals were destroyed.and rural libraries have ceased their existence. The old facilities of the Institute’s library were70 first handed over to the billiard room (in 2003) to be later replaced with a video rental shop. The library stocks (its remnants to be more precise) can be found in the basement of a student hostel. The library owned by the former Central Asia river shipping line, which holds the 19-20th century rarest publications with a collection of over 100 thousand items was liquidated. The library was closed in 1999, the books were thrown in the basement of the steamship company to be further misappropriated and

destroyed. The House of Culture «Water degradation. The libraries’ reading rooms aretransport worker», where the library had been empty and quiet. Readers are rare visitorslocated, was transferred to the Ministry of there.Defense, which is now home for the militaryunit. Large families are uncommon in today’s Turkmenistan (25 March 2008)During 17 years of independence not a single Whether Berdymukhammedov realizes thatspecially-designated library facility has been the rapid depopulation is underway inconstructed in the Lebap velayat as well in Turkmenistan or it is another populist move,other regions of the country. The remaining but on March 3 the law on awarding honoraryreading rooms are housed in the dilapidated title «Ene mаhri» was adopted.unequipped premises. For instance, thevelayat’s library (formerly, named after N. The award «Ene mаhri» is reminiscent of aKrupskaya) is based in the shabby premises of similar title conferred on mothers with manythe former kindergarten. A small team of children in the Soviet times. The provision tolibrarians, bibliographers, the acquisition the aforementioned law stipulates thatdepartment employees work in the unheated women, who gave birth to and raised 8 andinadequately equipped rooms. more children, are entitled to a number of benefits.The children’s library in the velayat (formerly,named after A. Gaydar) occupies the ground About 15 years ago large families constitutedfloor of the 4 storey residential building, a significant part of the country’s population.located in the south-western town suburb. A family with four or five children wasNot all schoolchildren can get there as public common place. However, the situation hastransportation does not run in this district. drastically changed since that time. At present, there are a few large families, inThe book stocks of the remaining libraries are particular with 8 or more children.not being renewed. No latest books, children’sliterature or popular editions are available. If It has been repeatedly reported and pointednew literature does appear in the libraries, the out by various sources that Turkmenistan isrenewals are limited to the writings by the seeing the population decline. The Turkmenformer and present-day country’s leaders. The Initiative for Human Rights (TIHR) has justifiedlibraries function thanks to the old stocks its conclusions on the depopulation based oncomplied during the USSR times. Due to the the fact that the majority of secondaryfact that some books by Russian and foreign schools, excluding schools in Ashgabat andwriters had been preserved, the library can other major cities, have much fewerstill help familiarize schoolchildren with the schoolchildren in the first grades than inbooks, which are included in the mandatory senior grades. The research findings arereading lists of school curriculum. Yet, thebooks are physically outdated and theirnumber is gradually decreasing. Some of themare available in single copies.The recent survey conducted by us shows thatthe overwhelming majority of Turkmenabat’sresidents do not use the library services.Furthermore, neither adults nor children areaware of the libraries’ whereabouts in the city.Experts raise the alarm: a non-reading andnon-book-loving generation is growing. Theseare the prerequisites for the nation’s71

available in the report «Education in equivalent to $250). However, the title «EneTurkmenistan» mahri» is awarded only after the eighth child has reached the age of 1 year old andThe declining number of schoolchildren has provided that all previously born children areallowed transferring several Dashoguz schools alive.to one-shift teaching schedule, which wasuncommon even in the relatively trouble-free «Today giving birth and raising three children70-80s of the last century. Then, virtually all is perceived as an act of bravery and suchschools in the republic were operating in two families should be fully supported. Ourshifts. daughters-in-law are reluctant to have more than two kids, and they are absolutely rightMany factors can be attributed to the since many of them are jobless and thedepopulation in Turkmenistan. Among the key maternity monthly allowance of 250,000reasons are migration (in particular among manats (the equivalent to $12) is a ridiculousethnic minorities) to other countries – amount of money given today’s prices. Weprimarily to Russia and Kazakhstan; drug ourselves have grown up in large families, butaddiction which is rampant among the young tell our sons and daughter not to have moregeneration; ailing healthcare system; than two kids. Now my wife, who gave birth toimpoverishment as a result of mass 4 children, does not feel well as childbirthunemployment. affects woman’s health. In fact, the title should have been awarded to those whoMost of the young men are drug addicts. They raised three and more children», believes aare not capable of supporting their families resident of the village of Farab in the Lebapand becoming fathers of healthy children. velayat.Practically the same number of men who starttheir own families leave the country searching Below is the opinion of the mother of sevenfor jobs (primarily to Turkey) in order to children: «A question arises – why eightprovide support to their parents, younger children? Don’t seven children make up abrothers and sisters. large family? I have seven children and I have absolutely no support from the state! I am notPreviously, Turkmenistan ranked among «the entitled to the maternity allowance becauseleaders» in child and maternal mortality in the my youngest kid is 6 years old and theUSSR. Presently, the situation seems to have allowance is paid until the child reaches theexacerbated by the collapse of the healthcare age of 18 months. I am out of job and mysystem, dismissals of several thousands of husband does odd jobs, sometimes we havehealthcare practitioners, abolition of many no money at all. Therefore I do not advise myrural midwifery stations and haphazard children to have many kids. In the Soviet timesimplementation of the medical insurance women were willing to have children as thesystem. government did provide real support to them.I believe that incumbent president Now my grown-up children are unemployedBerdymukhammedov, the former Healthcare and make ends meet by doing temporary jobs.Minister at that time, is fully aware of the The government does not provide subsidizedtragic situation. It is likely that the boosting of housing and consequently, families have nobirth rates by offering incentives and benefits houses or apartments to live in. We areto mothers of many children is an attempt to confined to a 4 room apartment together withremedy the situation. my sons, daughters-in-law andAccording to staff members of the social grandchildren».security department in the city of Dashoguz,the lump sum allowance to mothers, whogave birth to the eight and or following child,amounts to about 5 million manats (the72

«My eldest children are grown up and Turkmen exchange offices lack nationalmarried» says a mother of many children. – «I currency (29 March 2008)am no so worried about my sons but I am In less than 3 months after the opening ofconcerned about my daughters. The thing is exchange offices in the country they facethat my middle daughter got married and lives shortages of the national currency – a manat.in the village. She had 6 kids but only 2 ofthem are alive, the rest have died. The health «We have run out of manats. We havecare is in a very poor condition in the rural nothing to exchange dollars for (US dollars areareas. People prefer to seek help from a tabib the only currency available for exchange in(curer) as he is nearby. It is quite problematic Turkmenistan)», this answer is given to allto arrange for transportation to go to hospital. who come to the exchange offices toI lost my youngest granddaughter two years exchange dollars to manats. The situation isago – she passed away at the age of 5 months similar in Mary, Turkmenabat and other placesin the velayat’s children hospital. Medical in the eastern region of the country. Thedoctors failed to rescue her on the grounds we population happened to have more dollarshad called in medical aid too late». than manats in cash.Another woman, the mother of three grown- Apparently, the following can explain thisup children, says: «I would have given birth to situation: Turkmen citizens who left to make aeight children if the President had promised to living in Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and otherprovide good housing, but not for the countries send US dollars as financial supportprovision of existing benefits. As regards such to their relatives, who are, in most cases,welfare benefits as free public transport – unemployed.have you seen any public transport in thisarea? It is available only in the capital. How Economists argue that there is also anothercan you raise a child with the lump sum important reason. The policy of «socialpayment of 5 million manats, let alone eight support of the population» which had beenchildren?» carried out by Niyazov and which is now continued by President Berdymukhamedov isTo sum up, it should be highlighted that if the a medal that has a flipside.President really wants to encourage women tohave many children, the benefits package he In a situation when most of the population hasunveiled is not sufficient. Furthermore, 8 no job and, consequently, most citizens arechildren is unrealistic number under the reduced to poverty, salt and gas free of chargepresent-day conditions. If the requirement as well as merely symbolic fees for electricitywas to have 5 children, then certain benefits and accommodation can perhaps beand incentives might solve the issue of considered true support for the population,increasing the birth rate. However, this is particularly for those who live in misery.merely a populist move to have more groundsto amply praise the President for his concernsover the well-being of his nation.Nevertheless, it is likely that women awardedwith «Ene mahri» title will appear in thecountry next year. It is of interest whether thePresidential laws on awarding theaforementioned title will be published? In thiscase the number of mothers with eight andmore children in Turkmenistan can bedisclosed and compared with the Soviet-timefigure.73

Fixed prices for many services and food Turkmenistan's Government (2 Aprilproducts can also be referred to the above- 2008)mentioned category. For instance, a price of a The last analysis of the composition of theticket Dashoguz-Ashgabat is a bit more than 1 Turkmenistan’s government was conducted indollar. Due to a limited number of flights and a September 2007. Now we will look at thehigh number of those wishing to go to the changes which happened since that time.capital, in most cases people cover thedistance of 550 km either by taxi or mini Khodjamukhammet Mukhammedov wasbuses. The cost of such trips is 20-30 times appointed another vice prime minister inhigher even though it takes a plane 45 charge of commerce and textile industry.minutes to cover this distance while a carneeds over 14 hours due to the poor road The Ministry of Trade and Consumers`conditions. Cooperation has been transformed into the Ministry of Trade and Foreign EconomicIn fact, by offering to the population the Relations of Turkmenistan while the Ministrygoods and commodities free of charge or at of Economics and Development and thefixed prices the state has blocked a significant Ministry of Finance have been establishedsource of money proceeds to the country’s instead of the abolished Ministry of Economicsbudget. As a result, nearly all cash assets are and Finances.circulated in the markets or amonst taxidrivers, i.e. in hands of private entrepreneurs. New ministers in the government:Due to this, there are frequent delays in - Gurbanmyradov Gurbanmyrat: minister ofpayments of wages to the employees of the Economics and Development;budget-funded state – teachers, health care - Geldimyradov Khodjamyrat: minister ofworkers, military men, etc. Banks face an finances;absence of cash. The employees of - Myradov Gulmyrat: minister of culture andorganizations and enterprises in Lebap and tele- and radio broadcasting;Mary received their January and February - Khangulyev Gurbanmyrat: minister ofsalaries only in mid-March in small automobile transport;denomination banknotes: 500 and 1000 - Amanov Charymyrat: minister of the nationalmanats while common banknotes have values security;of 5,000 and 10,000 manats. - Amanmyradov Orazgeldi: minister of internal affairs.Within a short period of time (from December2007 until February 2008) the state has Also, the Prosecutor General, the Chairman ofsucceeded to reduce the market value of the Supreme Court and the Chairman of thedollar (black rate) from 24000 to 20000 Supreme Chamber of Control have beenmanats. Yet, this is not a sign of strengthening changed.of the national currency. On the contrary:during these two months the prices have Out of members of the Cabinet of Ministerssignificantly increased and the spending appointed by S. Niyazov, as of today 8 personscapacity of the manat has dropped. continue to hold their offices:There are rumors that the dollar will continueto lose its value. Therefore, people tend to getrid of dollars and go to exchange offices wherethey meet a cashier saying: «We have run outof manats».74

Meredov Rashid – deputy chairman of the Medical Sciences. In 1997 was appointedCabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Minister of the Health Care System andAffairs; Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. Since April 2001 – deputy chairman of the Cabinet ofAbilov Geldimyrat – chairman of the board of Ministers. Since 21 December 2006 - Actingthe Central Bank of Turkmenistan; President of Turkmenistan.Tashliev Garyagdy – state minister, chairman Meredov Rashid - deputy chairman of theof the state concern «Turkmennebit»; Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan. Born in Ashgabat inOrazgeldiev Esenmyrat – minister of 1960. Graduated from the Moscow Stateagriculture; University named after Lomonosov in law. Holds a master’s degree in Legal Sciences. InAkmyradov Makhtumkuli – minister of May 2001 was elected chairman of the Mejlisenvironment protection; of Turkmenistan. In July 2001 was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.Mammetgeldiev Agageldy – minister of From 2003 to 2005 worked as deputydefense; chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers ofAlovov Bairam – head of the state border Turkmenistan.guard service. Saparlyev Khadyr - deputy chairman of theApart from the chairman of the government Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born in(President of the country G. Mary in 1958. In 1982 graduated from theBerdymukhamedov), the Cabinet consists of 7 Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in engineering.vice premier ministers, 24 ministers, the Holds a master’s degree in technical sciences.Prosecutor General, the chairman of the In 2004 was appointed Minister of EducationSupreme Court, the chairman of the Supreme of Turkmenistan. Since October 2005 -Chamber of Control, the head of the Central Plenipotentiary Ambassador of TurkmenistanBank and the head of the state border guard to the Republic of Armenia. In February 2007service. was appointed Minister of Education of Turkmenistan.Out of those listed above, 27 persons are thenatives of the Akhal velayat, 3 of the Maty Tagyev Tachberdy - deputy chairman of thevelayat. 3 of the Balkan velayat, 1 of the Lebap Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born invelayat and 1 of the Dashoguz velayat. the Balkan velayat in 1955. In 1977 graduatedMoscow (Russian Federation) is indicated as a from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute inplace of birth of one of the officials and the drilling and exploitation in oil and gasdata on the birthplace of the head of the deposits. From November 2002 to OctoberCentral Bank was not possible to obtain. 2003 – Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan. In 2003The youngest among the ministers is 30 y.o. was appointed khyakim of the Balkan velayat,Gurbanmyradov Gurbanmyrat, a minister of in 2006 – General Director of theEconomics and Development. The oldest is 62 Turkmenbashi Complex of oil refineries. Iny. o. minister of defense Mammetgeldiev February 2007 was appointed state minister –Agageldy. chairman of the Turkmengas State Concern.Biographical data: Ashirov Gurbannazar - deputy chairman ofBerdymukhammedov Gurbanguly – the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.President, Chairman of the Cabinet of Born in Ashgabat in 1974. In 1995 graduatedMinisters. Born in Akhal velayat in 1957. from the Turkmen State University in physics.Graduated from the Turkmen State Medical Since August 2005 - head of the waterwaysUniversity in 1979. Holds a master’s degree in administration.75

Yazmukhammedova Maisa - deputy chairman Gurbanmyradov Gurbanmyrat - minister ofof the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Economics and Development. Born in 1978 inBorn in the city of Iolotan of the Mary velayat the Bakharly village of the Akhal velayat.in 1971. In 1994 graduated from the Turkmen Higher education. In 1999 graduated from theNational Institute of the World Languages Faculty of Law and International Relations ofnamed after D. Azadi as a qualified teacher of the Turkmen State University named afterthe Russian language and literature. From Makhtumkuli majoring in international2005 to 2007 worked as deputy khyakim of economic law. Started his carrier in 1999 as athe Akhal velayat responsible for education, main specialist of the department of theculture, health care and sports. In 2007 pricing policy of the Ministry of Economics andbecame the leader of the National Centre of Finances; later worked as a main specialist,Trade Unions of Turkmenistan and the Central deputy section head, section head, actingCouncil for Turkmenistan Women’s head of various departments in the system ofAssociation. Effective 13 July 2007 was this ministry for several years. In 2007appointed deputy chairman of the Cabinet of appointed a deputy minister of economics andMinisters of Turkmenistan. finances of Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current post in 8.02.2008.Shagulyev Nazarguly - deputy chairman of theCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born in Geldimyradov Khodjamyrat - minister ofthe village of Bagir of the Akhal velayat in finances. Born in 1965 in the Berme village of1959. In 1980 graduated from the Turkmen the Akhal velayat. Higher education. In 1989Agricultural Institute, in 1985 graduated from graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnicthe Moscow Institute of Agricultural Engineers Institute, Faculty of the Economics andnamed after V.P. Goryachkin. In 2000-2004 - Construction Management. In 2004 graduatedacting duputy khyakim of the Azatlyk etrap in from the Legal Academy of the Ukraine namedthe city of Ashgabat. From 2004 to 2006 – after Yaroslav the Wise. From 2004 to 2005 –senior engineer at the National a head of the department of supervision overHydrometeorology Committee under the the tax services operation of the Main stateCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. In 2006 tax service of Turkmenistan. Since 2005 –was appointed Chairman of the National deputy minister of economics and finances ofHydrometeorology Committee under the Turkmenistan, a national coordinator ofCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. international technical assistance toEffective 24 August 2007 was appointed Turkmenistan. In February 2007 appointed adeputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers minister of economics and finances ofof Turkmenistan. Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current post in 8.02.2008.Mukhammedov Khodjamukhammet – deputychairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Abilov Geldimyrat – chairman of the CentralTurkmenistan in charge of commerce and Bank of Turkmenistan. From June 2005 to Maytextile industry. Born in Ashgabat in 1966. 2006 – first deputy of the chairman of theHigher education. In 1993 graduated from the board of the Central Bank of Turkmenistan.Turkmen Institute of the National Economy Since May 2006 - chairman of board of themajoring in economics. During 1998-2005 – Central Bank of Turkmenistan and coordinatordeputy director and director of the for Turkmenistan at the World Bank. No otherKharytimpeks Company under the Ministry of information is available.Trade and Foreign Economic relations,director of the Gulistan state shopping center Atagulyev Nokerguly - ministry of Trade andof the same ministry. In 2005 appointed a Foreign Economic Relations. Born in 1964 indeputy head and in 2006 – a head of the State Geoktepe etrap of the Akhal velayat. HigherCommodities and Raw Materials Exchange of education. In 1995 graduated from theTurkmenistan. Appointed to his current post Turkmen agricultural university as a qualifiedin 13.11.2007. economic. Since 2006 - chairman of76

Association of the food-processing industry of In 2005 was appointed the chief ofTurkmenistan. Is deputy of Medzhlis of department at “Turkmennebitgas”Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current post Corporation. In 2007 joined the Ministry Oilin 13.11.2007. and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan as head of Procurement OfficeGeoklenova Jemal – Minister of Textile for industrial facilities of “Turkmengas” StateIndustry. Born in Ashgabat in 1959. In 1982 Concern. Effective 13 July 2007 was appointedgraduated from the Turkmen Institute of Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and MineralNational Economy in economics. From 1995 to Resources.1997 – the first deputy Minister of the TextileIndustry of Turkmenistan. From 1997 to 2002 - Tashliev Garyagdy – state minister, head ofMinister of Textile Industry. From 1999 to the Turkmennebit (Turkmenoil) State Concern.2002 – deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Born in the Balkan velayat in 1952. In 1974Ministers of Turkmenistan. From 2000 to 2002 graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic– Executive Director at the State Foundation Institute in geology. Since August 2005 –for the Development of Turkmenistan Textile acting state minister, head of theIndustry. From August 2002 to November Turkmennebit State Concern. In September2002 – Counsellor at the Embassy of 2005 appointed state minister, head of theTurkmenistan to the Russian Federation Turkmennebit State Concern.(Moscow). In February 2007 was appointedstate minister, chairman of the Turkmenkhaly Kakaev Yakshigeldy - state minister, head of(Turkmen carpet) State Joint Stock the Turkmengas State Concern. Born in theCorporation. Was awarded with medals Dashoguz velayat in 1959. In 1982 graduated“Galkynyş”, “Gurbansoltan eje”, medal of the from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in oilPresident of Turkmenistan “Garaşsyz and gas fields drilling technologies. Since 1996Türkmemstana bolan beýik söygüsi üçin”, - head of the oil and gas processing“Bitaraplyk”, “Prezidentiň Yyldyzy”, medal department of the Ministry of Oil and Gas“Watana bolan söygüsi üçin”. Effective 13 July Industry and Mineral Resources of2007 was appointed Minister of Textile Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postIndustry. in 23.02.2007.Bellieva Minever – state minister, Chairman Orazgeldiev Esenmyrat – Minister ofof the Turkmenkhaly (Turkmen carpet) State Agriculture of Turkmenistan. Born in AshgabatJoint Stock Corporation. Born in the village of in 1966. In 1991 graduated from the TurkmenTalkhan-Bazar of the Lebap velayat in 1959. In agricultural university as a qualified engineer-1983 graduated from the Moscow Technology mechanic. In December 2005 was appointedInstitute as a qualified engineer-economist. deputy Minister of Agriculture ofFrom 2000 to 2006 – deputy managing Turkmenistan. In January 2006 was appointeddirector of the Turkmenbashi textile complex Minister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan.in the city of Ashgabat. In 2007 was appointeddirector of the “Argach” wool spinning Akmammedov Myratgeldy – Minister ofenterprise. Effective 13 July 2007 was Water Economy of Turkmenistan. Born in theappointed to her current position. Mary velayat 1951. In 1976 graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as aKhodjamukhammedov Baimyrat – Minister of qualified civil engineer. Since 2005 – firstOil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources. deputy Minister of Water Economy ofBorn in the city of Ashgabat in 1961. In 1984 Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postgraduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic in 20.02.2007.Institute as a qualified mining hydrogeologyengineer. From 2003 to 2005 - Deputy Mukhammetgulyev Deryaguly – Minister ofChairman of the National Clearing Centre Railway Transport of Turkmenistan. Born inunder the Turkmenistan Cabinet of Ministers. Ashgabat in 1963. In 1995 graduated from the77

Turkmen State Institute of Transport and Khangulyev Gurbanmyrat - minister ofCommunications as a qualified mechanical automobile transport. Born in 1953 in theengineer in locomotives. In 2006 was village Gekdje of the Akhal oblast. Higherappointed the first Deputy Minister of the education. In 1979 graduated from theRailway Transport of Turkmenistan. Effective Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as a qualified21 May 2007 was appointed Minister of mechanic engineer. Started his carrier in 1971Railway Transport of Turkmenistan. as a driver, later worked at different positions in various enterprises of the transport sectorMyradov Gulmyrat - minister of culture and of Turkmenistan. Appointed to his currenttele- and radio broadcasting of Turkmenistan. post in 16.01.2008.Born in 1961 in Ashgabat. Higher education. In1990 graduated from the Makhtumkuli Akmyradov Makhtumkuli – Minister ofTurkmen State University majoring in Turkmen Nature Protection of Turkmenistan. Born inlanguage and literature. In 1992-2001 – head Ashgabat in 1962. In 1984 graduated from theof the unit, deputy editor in chief, editor in Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in 1984 inchief of the newspaper «Nesil». In 2001-2004 geology. Holds a master’s degree in geology– deputy minister of culture and information and mineralogy. In 2001 was appointedof Turkmenistan, in 2004-2007 – head of a Minister of Nature Protection ofdepartment of this ministry. Since 2007 года - Turkmenistan. Since March 2005 - Minister ofdeputy minister of culture and tele- and radio Nature Protection.broadcasting of Turkmenistan. Appointed tohis current post in 11.01.2008. Serdarov Ata – Minister of Health Care and Pharmaceutical Industry. Born in the AkhalAnnaveliev Gurbannur – Minister of Energy velayat in 1964. In 1987 graduated from theand Industry of Turkmenistan. Born in the Turkmen State Medical Institute as a qualifiedvillage of Govshut of the Kaakhkin etrap of the doctor-surgeon. Holds a master’s degree inAkhal velayat in 1961. In 1990 graduated from medical sciences. Since April 2005 – directorthe Turkmen Agricultural Institute named of Turkmendermansenagat (Pharmaceutics)after S. A. Niyazov. In 2007 was appointed association. Appointed to his current post indeputy Minister of Energy and Industry of 28.02.2007.Turkmenistan. Effective 9 August 2007 wasappointed Minister of Energy and Industry. Durdylyev Shamukhammet – Minister of Construction and Industry of ConstructionKakalyev Gurbandurdy – Minister of Social Materials of Turkmenistan. Born in the villageSecurity of Turkmenistan. Born in the Akhal of Bakharly of the Akhal velayat in 1963. Invelayat in 1958. In 1982 graduated from the 1986 graduated from the Department ofTurkmen State University in law. Since 2005 – Industrial and Civil Engineering of thefirst deputy of the Social Security Minister of Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as a qualifiedTurkmenistan. Appointed to his current post civil engineer. From 2002 to 2007 heldin 22.02.2007. consecutive positions as the chief of PMK-11 Production Office “Akhalobagurlushyk” (ruralKhodjagurbanov Resulberdy – Minister of development), deputy chief and chief ofCommunications of Turkmenistan. Born in Production Office “Akhalobagurlushyk”. InAshgabat in 1967. In 1995 graduated from the 2007 was appointed Deputy Minister ofTurkmen State Institute of Transport and Construction and Industry of ConstructionCommunications as a qualified railway Materials of Turkmenistan. Effective 9 Augustengineer-electrician. In 2000 was appointed 2007 was appointed Minister of Constructiondeputy Minister of Communications. In and Industry of Construction Materials ofNovember 2001 was appointed Minister of Turkmenistan.Communications of Turkmenistan. Annaamanov Mukhammetgeldi – Minister of78 Education of Turkmenistan. Born in Ashgabat

in 1959. Graduated from the Turkmen Russian Federation. In 2007 appointed aInstitute of National Economy in economics. rector of the Military Academy ofHolds a master’s degree in economic sciences. Turkmenistan named after SaparmuratSince 2004 – rector of the Turkmen Institute Turkmenbashi the Great. Appointed to hisof National Economy. Appointed to his current current post in 8.10.2008.post in 16.03.2007. Khodjamyradov Chary – Prosecutor General.Amanov Charymyrat - minister of national Born in 1962 in the Bakharly village of thesecurity. Born in 1966 in the Geoktepe etrap Akhal velayat. In 1984 graduated from the(Akhal velayat). Higher education. In 1990 Faculty of Legal Studies of the Makhtumkuligraduated from the Makhtumkuli Turkmen Turkmen State University as a qualified jurist.State University majoring in mathematics. In In 1998-2002– deputy head, acting head and1991-1992 – attended Supreme school of KGB later – head of the kazyet (court) of theof the USSR. Since 1992 held different Ashgabat city. From 2002 to 2006 – head ofpositions in the Ministry of National Security the kazyet (court) of the Dashogzu velayat. Inof Turkmenistan. In February 2007 appointed 2006-2007 – head of the kazyet (court) of thea deputy head of the State Service of Ashgabat city. In 2007 appointed a chairmanTurkmenistan of registration of foreign of the Supreme kazyet (court) ofcitizens, in May 2007 – head of the President’s Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postSecurity Service. Appointed to his current post in 3.03.2008.since 8.10.2008. Yaranmyrat Yazmyratov - chairman of theMammetgeldyev Agageldy – Minister of Supreme kazyet (court). Born in 1971 in theDefense of Turkmenistan. Born in the Akhal Abadan village of the Akhal velayat. In 1996velayat in 1946. Graduated from the Saratov graduated from the Faculty of Legal Studies ofMedical Institute as a qualified army the Makhtumkuli Turkmen State University asphysician. In 1997 became a deputy Minister a qualified jurist (part time). From 1997 toof Defense. In March 2002 was appointed 2007 worked as kazy (judge) of the AshgabatChief of the Border Guard Service. In city kazyet (court) and in the system of socialSeptember 2003 was appointed Minister of welfare of Ashgabat, head of the unit of lawDefense and a secretary of the State Security enforcement and military bodies of theCouncil of Turkmenistan. khyakimlik of the Akhal velayat. From 2007 to 2008– kazy (judge) of the Ashgabat cityGarryev Myrat - Minister of Adalat (Justice) of kazyet. In 2008– chairman of the kazyetTurkmenistan. Born in the Moscow oblast (court) of the Akhal velayat. Appointed to his(Russian Federation) in 1962. In 1984 current post in 3.03.2008.graduated from the Turkmen State Universityin law. In October 2002 was elected a deputy Djaparov Tuvakmammet - chairman of theof Mejlis of Turkmenistan and chairman of the Supreme Chamber of Control ofMejlis Committee for Legislation of Turkmenistan. Born in 1967 in the UzybsuvTurkmenistan. In February 2005 was elected village of the Balkan oblast. Higher education.as chairman of the Mejlis Committee on In 1993 graduated from the TurkmenHuman Rights and Liberties. Polytechnic Institute as a qualified mechanic engineer. After completion of military serviceAmanmyradov Orazgeldi - minister of internal in 1987 he continued his studies until 1991 inaffairs. Born in 1970 in the Dostluk village of Moscow Engineering Construction Institutethe Akhal velayat. Higher education. In 1992 and then again in the Turkmen Polytechnicgraduated from the Makhtumkuli Turkmen Institute. From 1999 to 2005– a leadingState University majoring in history. Since specialist of the Cabinet of Ministers of1995 held different positions in the Ministry of Turkmenistan. In 2005 appointed a deputyNational Security if Turkmenistan. In 1997- minister of economics and finances of1998 attended the FSB Academy of the79

Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current post It is a common thing: the practice of rotatingin 13.11.2007. officials and appointing them to new posts in the provinces dates back to the formerAlovov Bairam - Chief of Border Guard president. Yet, at the end of Niyazov`s reignService. Born in Ashgabat in 1969. In 1994 the laws on «On etrap and town Khalkgraduated from the Moscow Institute of Maslakhatys» and «On khyakims» wereCulture with a diploma in art history. From adopted. According to these laws, khyakims1994 to 1995 – an officer of the National should be elected from people who have beenSecurity of Turkmenistan, then until 1999 – selected to the etrap`s or town’s Khalkofficer of the Security Service of the President Maslakhaty.of Turkmenistan. In 1999 was appointeddeputy Chief of the Border Guard Service of Later, several amendments and additionsTurkmenistan. Since 2006 – acting Chief of the were introduced into these laws but theBorder Guard Service of Turkmenistan and essence remained the same, i.e. an etrap or acommander-in-chief of the border guard town should be headed by the khyakim who isforces. elected from the members of the local Khalk Maslakhaty.Bodies of non-local authorities (22 April2008) Article 9 of the law «On etrap and town KhalkThe Turkmen authorities do not stop talking Maslakhatys» is as follows: «The khyakim ofabout reforms being implemented in the an etrap or a town is selected from memberscountry, including legislative reforms. of the Khalk Maslakhaty at the session of theHowever, they continue to violate the current respective etrap or town Khalk Maslakhty bylaws. an open vote by simple majority vote».On 12 April the President signed decrees on Deputy khyakims are appointed (elected)the appointment of new khyakims in three following the same manner.etraps. A. Orazsakhedov who used to be adeputy khyakim of the Murgab etrap was The question is not whether the head of theappointed khyakim of the Oguzkhan etrap local authorities and his deputies are(Mary velayat). K. Saparov, former first deputy «appointed» or «elected». According to thekhyakim of the Lebap velayat, became law, prior to becoming a khyakim in an etrapkhyakim of the Khodjambaz etrap (Lebap or a town, a person should be elected to thevelayat). G. Yomutbaev, former head of the respective Khalk Maslakhty. And the electionsproperty management of the Dashoguz to these regulatory bodies took place on 4velayat`s khyakimlik was appointed khyakim December 2006.of the S.Niyazov etrap (Dashoguz velayat). Then on what grounds does the President80 appoint a person from one etrap to govern another etrap? If there are any regulations or by-laws, etc. which serve as a legal basis for the presidential order, then they contradict the current laws. In any case, this case involves not just legal conflicts but also moral ones. It means that out of 40 members of the Khalk Maslakhaty elected on the alternative basis (as the Turkmen press likes to point out), there is no one who is able to govern the President’s native etrap! So the President had to appoint (by violating a law) an alien person who is a

stranger to the local population. Then who Mass unemployment, elimination of pensionsneeds this circus with the elections to the local and benefits for many categories of peopleadministrations if a non-local person will be and other social problems which becomeappointed as a head in any case? more and more acute force the Turkmenistani citizens to look for a better life in otherThe laws mentioned above as well as the law countries. Thus, the repatriation program was«On gengesh» were presented by the welcomed by many people with joy and hope.Turkmen authorities as a means of developingthe local administrations and local People of different origin hope to start a newgovernment and as a step toward democracy life in Russia. According to the would-bemade by the dictator Niyazov. By violating the migrants, many of the applicants representletter and the spirit of these laws, is the the intelligentsia: teachers, engineers, healthpresent President making a step backwards? care workers. The people overcrowded the representations of the Russian FederalLast Friday it was announced that work on the Migration Service (FMS). As was said in thepreparation of the revised version of Ashgabat-based office of the FMS, it wasTurkmenistan’s Constitution was launched Let mostly unemployed who applied for theus hope that the new constitution will be program.more democratic and, as a minimum, it willstipulate a true separation of powers «We have worked very actively during the first(legislative, executive and judicial), which are, year», says Anatoliy Perevalov, the head ofin fact, merged now. the Turkmenistan`s FMS. «If one looks at the lists of all repatriates to Russia, the largestThis might ensure the establishment of portion will be surely comprised by the peopleinstitutions which will be able not only to from Turkmenistan».improve the laws of the country but also toguarantee their execution, primarily on behalf Yet, with the change of the government, newof the authorities. authorities were not so enthusiastic about the outflow of their citizens from of the country. ItTurkmens move to Russia (28 April 2008) seems to have been decided that a great many people who try to leave theDespite all obstacles created by the Turkmen Turkmenistan discredit the social reformsauthorities, the number of the Turkmens which had been launched in the country. Thewishing to move to Russia is on the rise. authorities were also concerned by a large number of migrants of Turkmen origin.Two years ago, a repatriation program to theRussian Federation has been launched in One should think that the change of theTurkmenistan in the period of Niyazov`s reign. government and the reforms launched would81 stop the outflow; yet, it does not decrease. So the authorities started to use the measures in order to reduce the migrant outflow. The FMS offices were denied in renting the offices. Following a long standing suit, the velayat`s offices of the FMS were closed down that caused indignation of people who reside in provinces. «Who was bothered with this office? Now we need to go to Ashgabat in order to obtain every document and every confirmation. And this involves additional costs and problems

with buying the plane tickets», says Svetlana The structure created by Niyazov wasM., a resident of Mary. blackmarked (21 May 2008)A resident of Turkmenabat (former Chardjou) Berdymukhamedov created the Union ofAman T says: «In February 2007 the office of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs ofthe FMS of the Russian Federation was Turkmenistan in order to liquidate theexpelled from the building in the town’s organization established by Niyazov: thecentre and removed to its outskirts. Later on, Union of Entrepreneurs.in April 2008, the FSM was closed there aswell». The decree on creation of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs ofHowever, these obstacles do not stop Turkmenistan was published on 18 March. ATurkmenistani citizens. As of today, the day after, one of the initiators and heads ofrepatriation program continues to be the new structure - the Union of Industrialistsimplemented and the amount of those and Entrepreneurs Alexandr Akhadovichwishing to leave significantly exceeds the offer Dadayev came to the office of the Union ofof the Russian side. In order to be able to Entrepreneurs which is located in the Levitanleave, the program’s participant should obtain Street in Ashgabat and demanded the officean agreement of the host side. If the Russian employees to vacate the premises.regional authorities agree to host theapplicant and are ready offer employment and Apparently, the new director of the newly-accommodation for the newcomers, the established Union did not report that theAshgabat-based FMS issues a migration Union of Entrepreneurs was a legallypermit. «We make no difficulties», A. registered organization which had beenPerevalov assures. created in accordance with the law «On public associations» back in August 1993 and that,When S. Niyazov unilaterally terminated the inter alia, it is a permanent member of theintergovernmental agreement on dual International Congress of Industrialists andcitizenship in 2002, he argued that the process Entrepreneurs.of migration from Turkmenistan to Russia hadbeen completed: according to him, all who The Union of Entrepreneurs is chaired bywished to settle down in Russian have already Kakbay Sopyev and it should be noted that hedone so. Life has demonstrated the invalidity has already done a lot of work towards theof his reason. Those with low incomes and creation of favorable conditions for thethose who have no relatives in Russia stayed sustainable operation of small and medium-in Turkmenistan, as well Turkmens who have size enterprises. He also opened anno dual citizens but who wish to leave the Informational Resource Centre, Businesshome country. This part of the population School for entrepreneurs and many others.refers to the «Putin`s» program as to the lastchance to leave the country despite the ear of However, A. Dadayev appealed the decreeGreat Renaissance. signed by «the very President!» and tried to claim the office of the Union of Entrepreneurs.Since the time the program was launched,about 2,5 thousands migration permits havebeen issued for the families which is asignificant number for Turkmenistan. Thecases of migrants` return back toTurkmenistan are not known.82

Without hesitation, Sopyev gathered the Turkmenistan was authorized to ensure thenecessary documents and filed a complaint conversion of manats necessary for paymentwith the Office of the Prosecutor General of for imported equipment and fodders by theTurkmenistan. For over two months the jurists official rate for the private enterprise «Gushof the Prosecutor's office considered the toplumi» (at that time the difference betweenappeal filed by the Union of Entrepreneurs official and black rates of the dollar was four-and had to acknowledge the fact that K. fold and there was no free conversion).Sopyev was in the right in this conflict. Another series of privileges was also foreseen for this commercial structure.Yet, many think that this was not the finalresolution of the conflict. «The confrontation At that time many asked: why was abetween the two organizations which are presidential decree which foresees suchsimilar in their purposes remains as the aims privileges issued for one commercialand the tasks to be performed by the Union of structure? And why for this very structure?Industrialists and Entrepreneurs have notbeen set up», the members of the Union of This mysterious commercial structure used toEntrepreneurs complain. be headed and continues to be headed by the person of the President - A. Dadayev.Essentially, both Unions could exist in paralleland, according to the experts, both would be The long arms of the Turkmen specialoverloaded with work to be done. Turkmen services (1 June 2008)entrepreneurs would only benefit from this 50 Turkmen officers of the Ministry ofsituation. However, one should take into National Security (MNS) rushed to go on aaccount the specifics of the political situation special assignment to Turkey in the middle ofin the country. All are aware that the Union of May.Entrepreneurs was created upon the initiativeof President S. Niyazov, while the Union of Joint raids with Turkish law enforcementIndustrialists and Entrepreneurs was initiated services raids were launched in areas ofby B. Berdymukhamedov. And, the latter is Turkey where Turkmen citizens have settled.most likely to establish itself as a leader. In This action, which is aimed at identifyingother words, the conflict reached a cruicial illegal Turkmen migrants, is being carried outpoint which will most probably lead to according to a secret understanding betweencurtailing of the activities of the Union of the two countries.Entrepreneurs created by Niyazov.In this connection, here are a few lines about Turkmen law enforcement officers arethe relations between Alexandr Dadayev and authorized to identify and repatriate all thoseGurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. who have left to earn a living in this «brotherhood» country.On 27 June 2007 Berdymukhamedov signed adecree which provided for governmentalsupport to the private enterprise «Gushtoplumi» («Poultry Production Unit»).According to this document, the CommercialBank «PresidentBank» was allowed to open atwo-year credit tranche for «Gush toplumi»using attracted funds and, when necessary,centralized funds of the Central Bank ofTurkmenistan in the volume of 70 billionmanats (at that time about 14 mln dollars)with 5 % per annum for 10 years and twoyears of exemption for principal redemptionand accrued interest. The Central Bank of83

Turkmen citizens are entitled to enter Turkey is no guarantee that you will not be fired fromfor a short stay with a visa and have no right the post after a month. The President’sto work there without a special permit. promise to create thousands of new workHowever, it is because of employment that places has remained empty.many Turkmenistani citizens go there. Therefore, those who have no job continue to«Thousands of Turkmenistani citizens, people leave for foreign countries at all costs and inof various ages and occupations – from people any manner possible. And the special servicesworking in kindergartens and doctors to continue their secret raids aimed at returningengineers and teachers have left to earn a these people to the home country.living in Turkey, Russia, Arab Emirates,England and other countries during the last 4- Prices for internal flights have increased5 years», says Meretkuli Sh., a lawyer. (4 June 2008) After numerous and unsuccessful attempts toThe flow of migrants is on the rise. People are solve the problem of the deficit of tickets fordriven by unemployment, despair and lack of internal flights by administrative commandsany prospects. made during the past several years, the authorities have finally moved to adopting«I am a qualified doctor», says Maral I., a 42 y. economic measures.o. resident of the Mary velayat. «However, Ihad to go to Turkey and work as a carer As of yesterday, the price for flights betweenlooking after an old but wealthy resident of the capital and the provinces has considerablyIstanbul. Initially I was paid 400 and then 600 increased. For instance, a ticket fromdollars a month taking into account my higher Ashgabat to Dashoguz currently costs 270education and the almost 24 hour a day thousand manats, i.e. about $20.nature of the work. The salary of a doctor is2,5 million manats ( $175), which is seriously Many years ago, a 45 minute flight frominadequate. So I, a doctor with a university Dashoguz to the capital cost $1! It should bedegree, was forced to become a carer in a noted that a road trip on the same routeforeign land». which took more than 10 hours, cost 10 times more. The fact was that auto transportation«As a qualified engineer, I had to go outside of was always the prerogative of private drivers,Turkmenistan to earn my living. After our so in this domain market mechanisms werecompany was closed down – the employed from the very beginning. The cost ofTurkmenbabat construction plant – I lost my the trip depended on the number ofjob. In order to support my family of three passengers, i.e. on the demand. The cost of achildren, I left for Turkey and agreed to do all flight carried out by the state airlinessorts of jobs. Everything I earned I sent back to Turkmenkhovaellary (and there are no othermy family», says a 39 y. o. resident ofTurkmenabat Rozymurad Ya.As is known, those returned by the Turkmenspecial services from Turkey, are required bythe MNS to give a written promise – not toleave Turkmenistan but to try to find a jobwhere they live. «Infringers» get a «deported»stamp in their passports, which prohibits themfrom leaving the country again.However, Turkmenistani citizens still fail tofind a job in their home country. One needs topay $200-600 to get any vacant post and there84

airlines in the country) was firmly fixed by the used the prices set by illicit dealers who sellgovernment. the plane tickets as a guide. These prices are, in principle, true, since the price on the blackNaturally, the demand for airline tickets market has been set in response to thealways exceeded the supply many times. The demand.number of seats available on the flight wasalso restricted. Only time will tell whether these measures will improve the situation. Generally speaking,5 flights are carried out daily from Dashoguz the fact that the authorities try to solve theto Ashgabat and 6 flights twice a week. The problem by employing market mechanismsBoeing-717 which carries out these flights has cannot but encourage.110 passenger seats. About 660 passengerscan fly on this route per day. However, for the establishment of the real market of the air transport services inside theIt goes without saying that illegal ticket sales country, the Turkmenkhovaellary should havewere flourishing in this situation: the black some competitors. Let us hope that they willmarket ticket price exceeded its official appear.equivalent 10 or more times. One could buy aticket on the black market for 200 000 - 300 No benefit from nasvai, especially for the000 manats. government officials (16 July 2008) Earlier this week Turkmenistan has introducedAll attempts of the Interior Ministry and the the administrative and criminal liability for theMinistry of National Security to combat the manufacture, purchase, possession,«aviation» mafia led to no results as this distribution, sale or consumption of nasbusiness has become highly profitable. So the chewing tobacco.police, who were called to keep order in thebooking offices often acted as middlemen in Nas (or nasvai) is a dark green powder, a smallthe purchase and sale of the tickets thereby amount of which is placed under the tongueearning good money. causing the relaxation effect. This is a common and well-spread product inThe rules introduced for the sale of tickets Turkmenistan. Unlike cigarettes, which aresuch as selling only 8 days in advance of the smoked predominately by men inflight and only in person to the passenger and Turkmenistan, nasvai has been consumed andhis family members and only to those who is still being consumed by women. Nasvai issigned a waiting list in advance did not home-made chewing tobacco, which is packedimprove the situation. in small plastic bags and sold at local bazaars.Surveillance cameras were also installed in the Late May the President issued the decreebooking offices of the Dashoguz air travel banning the use of nas. Since that time thisagency. Apparently, this also did not help. product is not openly sold. One cannotAt the 30 May government session, Kh.Gelmyradov, the vice prime minister, statedthat «rates for internal passenger and cargoair transport service which have been valid formany years no longer correspond to the actuallevel of expenses, and thus negatively affectthe financial situation in the field, requiringthat prices be reviewed».On Monday, new prices were fixed. Whenfixing them, the government seems to have85

encounter people consuming nasvai in public consistency. They do not specify that nasplaces. tobacco is a «mild» drug as it is often referred to. It is pointed out in the text of the decreeNeedless to say, this does not imply that the and even in its title that nas is a tobaccocountry’s residents who got accustomed to product. Under these circumstances, why onlyvarious bans ranging from gold teeth to using one type of tobacco has been banned?sound records and the latest fashion of Apparently the authorities assume thatwearing red men’s ties - have immediately cigarettes, mouthpiece cigarettes andstopped making, selling or using nas. All these common tobacco are not detrimental toprocesses have shifted to the domain of illegal health?business and consumption. Who has benefitedmore - the government or the residents - is On the other hand, what measures will behighly questionable. implemented in practice to fight drug abuse? The overwhelming majority of police staffOne can hardly imagine a grey-bearded old members, especially junior and middle rankingman smoking a cigarette. Yet, it is impossible officers are nasvai-addicts. Will they be willingto imagine an Aqsaqal without nasvai. The to seriously persecute the brand newconsumption of nas is not treated as a bad offenders (from a legal perspective nashabit in Turkmenistan as it has become a manufactures, sellers and users break thegenerations-old tradition. Consequently, the law), thus depriving themselves of thebans are frequently breached. opportunity to enjoy the beloved product?In the bazaars and other nasvai-selling places In sum, the nas ban has triggered a range ofthe sellers wait for the clients. Since it is a complicated and challenging issues.home-made product, no identical recipesexist. In other words, each type of nas has its As the incumbent President was strengtheningown distinctive flavour and its own admirers. his power, the control over this cash-yieldingConsequently, the sellers and buyers have business was redistributed in the country. Asknown each other for a long time, i.e. the stated by experts, manufacturing and sale ofbuyers have become regular customers. In a nas is a very profitable business. At the samenutshell, they secretly make a deal, invisible to time, fragmented and, consequently,an outsider, by selling and buying the recently uncontrolled nas production makes it virtuallyforbidden drug. impossible for the government officials and high ranking law enforcement officers toThere have been no reports that somebody obtain their «share» from the revenueshas been held accountable for violating the generated by nasvai producers.decree. The administrative and criminalresponsibility has taken effect at the start of To give a fairly complete picture it should bethe week. Now the violators of the «nasvai» highlighted that later on the same day whenlaw can be officially subjected to punishment. the aforementioned amendments were madeTypes of punishment range from a fine in the Administrative Offences and Criminalamounting to one minimum wage, pursuant Codes, the Law «On licensing selectedto the Amendments to the Administrative activities» was published. It envisagesOffences Code (Clause 422), to one-year licensing of import and sale of spirits, alcoholicimprisonment sentence, pursuant to the beverages and tobacco products. It should beAmendment to the Criminal Code (Clause highlighted that the law of the same title was3061). adopted only two months ago, taking effect on May 8. Now the previously adopted law isIt is obvious that nas consumption is considered to be null and void. Pursuant todetrimental to health. At the same time, legal the new law, it is mandatory to obtain newexperts highlight that the published licenses. Those who managed to obtain thedocuments, which ban nasvai, lack license for import and sale of tobacco86

products in May are unlikely to receive it now. The city khyakimlik generously hands out theOtherwise, why make all this fuss? land, of course, free of charge. Residential buildings are being demolished and replacedApparently, those who would be granted by new stores. Entrepreneurs are looking forpermission to import and sell tobacco new places for their shopping centers,products cherish hope that the majority of nas supermarkets, salons, cafes.consumers will gradually switch to cigarettes.The more smokers emerge in the country, the «About five years ago, here near the centralbigger revenues will be generated by tobacco market the buildings of velayat`s and citysellers and those who control the business. social welfare departments were demolished.The public health concerns reflected in the This land was also sold to an entrepreneur forLaw «On banning production, sale, use and a low price - 15 thousand dollars. Instead, aimport of nas tobacco in Turkmenistan» is just paid parking place was arranged», says aa cover which hides the vital interests of resident of a nearby house.powers that be. A two-store building surrounded by a highBusinessmen buy up Turkmenabat (24 fence has been built near the parking place.July 2008) However, according to our respondent, noThere is no law on the privatization of land in signs of life are observed behind this highTurkmen cities. Yet, more and more parts of fence. It seems that the owner of the house isthe city of Turkmenabat are being increasingly too slow to move into this mansion.handed over to local businessmen. Also, in 2006 a central city park was sold to anIn June, a city maternity clinic and adjoining entrepreneur from the Deinausky etrap. Hepremises were demolished. A two-store started his activities from cutting down allbuilding where almost all present-day trees in the park which had existed for over 70residents of the town had been born was years and planted fir trees. However, due todestroyed by bulldozers within a few days. All the local climate and ground all young plantsthe surrounding trees were also chopped of «non-local» species have died. Now there isdown. waste ground instead of the park. And a new owner of this «waste ground» has beenNow the plot of land in the center of the city building a restaurant with a fountain andnear the central market belongs to a weird sculptures for the third year already.businessman from the neighboringKhodjambassky etrap who is going to build a In the eastern region of Turkmenistan, as wellShopping Mall there. Allegedly, he paid as across the entire country, a significant$40,000 for the land. number of people have lost their jobs because of the closure of industrial and building87 companies following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Thus, almost all of them had to become private entrepreneurs. Naturally, they all need space for their business. Apartments bought out from the people who left for other countries are being transformed into shops, salons, repair shops. Private houses with adjoining yards have been turned into cafés and tea houses. The town which has a drama theatre, two museums and two book stores cannot offer a rich cultural life. Yet, it can impress with its

large number of various markets. According to station of conscripts. The price of thesome data, there are about 40 large and small prestigious duty station varies between 300bazaars. and 500 dollars.However, market sale is designed for small The placement of a conscript to a certainscale entrepreneurs. Serious businessmen buy military unit located in Ashgabat should beout large plots of the city land. We failed to paid for. It has become popular now amongfind out on what account this is being done. It the officers to ask (exactly to ask) forappears that this is being done under the computers, laptop or cell phones instead ofpretext of long term leases. However, wealthy cash. Indeed, there are parents who are readypeople settle down on the «lands of their to provide these quite expensive «toys» forown». adults. The parents are ready to do everything for their sons.By no means arguing against the privatizationof lands or objects, we would most like if all «We have paid a bribe of 250 dollars to anthis could be implemented in accordance with official of the military enlistment office onlystate laws and for the good of the city and its for putting the documents of our son frompopulation. one file to another, i.e. to transfer him from one group of conscripts to another. Now ourOfficers want computers (5 August 2008) son will serve not at the border, in the desertParents use all means – dollars, manats, but in the capital city», say the parents of acomputers and cell phones – to make sure would-be soldier from Mary happily.that their sons serve in the military not farfrom the home town or, at least, in a large city «In order to prevent our son from serving inwhere the conditions of military service are the remote places we paid money and a cellbetter than those in the remote military phone. Eventually, our son was placed to agarrisons. military unit in Turkmenabat which is not far from out home», say the parents of anotherOfficials of the military enlistment offices or conscript.officers of the army troops force the parentsto bring gifts and bribes. A 2008 spring- «We were told to pay 1,5 million mantas tosummer call-up to the Turkmen army once prevent our son to be transferred to anotheragain showed the continuing corrupt practices military unit upon the completion of the basicthat flourish among the military officers. training course. Otherwise, our son could be send to a mountainous military unit at theThe first «fee» - a bribe for a conscript to be border with Iran where we would not have apaid in dollars or manats – should be paid in chance to visit him. We did pay the money tothe military enlistment office – a recruiting the officers. And what did we have to do?»,88 says a mother who visited a military garrison near Ashgabat where her son serves. A bribe is required from a conscript to be placed to a decent military unit. However, the payments of the parents for the sons-warriors are not over at this point. Then a soldier should pay for a good placement inside the military unit. Later on, a young soldier «must» give 150 thousand manats of his monthly allowance to the commander during the first 6 months of the military service.

In sum, all relations between the soldiers (to Following the publication placed on our web-be more precise, their parents) and officers of site and later in other mass media about thethe Turkmen army are based on the money arbitrariness of the local authorities whoand presents. violate the rights of the city residents, a deputy of the Medjlis visited KunyaurgenchThe problems of the Turkmen army reflect all and tried to solve the problem. The khyakimlikproblems which exist in the country. officials promised to offer accommodation orDismissals of the high-ranking officials of the credits for the construction of houses to theMinistry of Defense will hardly improve the families whose apartments had been or wouldcurrent system. be demolished.The Turks refused to build a mosque in The building of the abandoned kindergartenKunyaurgench? (6 August 2008) located in one of the nearby villages was theAccording to the information in the Turkmen promised «equivalent» accommodationpress, the khyakimlik of the Dashoguz velayat where some of the families moved in. This oldhad invited international bids for the turnkey building had only walls and a roof. Newproject for the construction of a mosque in residents were suggested to finish building outthe city of Kunyaurgench. As it appears, the of their own pocket. As far as the credits areTurkish government which had promised to concerned, they were available only for thosepresent a mosque to this ancient city who had permanent employment. Out ofabandoned their intention. Otherwise, why to several hundreds of evictees, only fourinvite bids? persons matched this criterion.The story goes like this: in December 2007 the We mentioned about this as well. Also, weTurkish President Abdullah Gul visited the sent the information to various internationalplaces which are holy for Muslims located mass media, including Turkish ones. Wenear Kunyaurgench. He was impressed by the cannot argue that it is our information thatancient monuments preserved in the city and reached the Turkish government. There is asaid that Turkey would build a mosque in Turkish Embassy in Turkmenistan and thereKunyaurgench as a gift to the Turkmen people. are many construction and trade companies in our country, i.e. Turkish authorities had manyMunicipal authorities, hustled by senior state opportunities to follow the developments.officials, rushed to select a site for the futuremosque in the center of the city and It happened that demonstrating thecommenced destroying all houses which were unrestrained zeal, the Turkmen authoritieslocated there. A total of about 90 houses were put the Turkish President into a veryscheduled to be demolished and most of them embarrassing situation. It is true that Abdullahhave been already destroyed. Gul promised to build a mosque. However, he could not even imagine that his intended89 charity act would cause the loss of houses for hundreds of men and women, elderly people and children of Kunyaurgench. Being not an expert in the religious canons, I dare to assume that the construction of mosques instead of demolished houses will hardly be considered as a charity by the Almighty. Regrettably, it has become a common practice in Turkmenistan when authorities deprive dozens and hundreds of people of their houses in order to build a

mosque on this place. It should be noted that From the other side, any nation has moral andmost of such mosques are empty. ethical values which should not necessarily be reflected in the legislation. They simply existThe Turks do have the idea about ethics and and are passed on from generation tocharity. Our officials could adopt at least some generation. And the authorities should notof their ideas and norms. Currently, substitute for them by any ideology or pseudoTurkmenistan is ruled by the generation which religiosity.was initially brought up in the anti-religiouscommunist spirit and later in the Islamic People should build the mosques on theirtraditions deeply rooted in the Rukhnama. own. It might be a small plain adobe house in the outskirts of the village but it will be moreIt might be for this reason that our officials special for the local residents than a templeconsider the number of mosques an indication built of white marble instead of demolishedof the piety of the governors. Therefore, on houses.the place in the center of the Kunyaurgenchwhich had been cleared out from the houses, ***it was decided to build a mosque by national Below is the text of the call for bids which wasefforts. It never occurred to the authorities to published in newspapers of 31 June 2008.return this piece of land to the residents ofthe destroyed houses or to build something The khyakimlik of the Dashoguz velayat invitesmore needed, for instance a manufacturing international bids for the turnkey project forand processing enterprise. the construction of a mosque in the city of Kunyaurgench.Coming back from religious to secular canons,it should be mentioned that even the latter National and international companies whichare violated in an undisguised way by the are registered in the established order inTurkmen authorities. Turkmenistan are invited to bid.The call for bids mentioned at the beginning of You are invited to contact us on the followingthe article (the text can be found at the end of address: Turkmenistan, Dashoguz city, ul.10 yilthe page) violates both the current Abadanlyk 9, khyakimlik of the Dashoguzconstitution of the country, the draft of the velayat to:revised version of the constitution and the - submit a written application form whicheffective law «On freedom of conscience and contains complete name of the company, itsreligious organizations». As all these legal status, and documents which confirm thedocuments indicate, «Turkmenistan is a registration of the company in Turkmenistan;secular state. Religious organizations in - submit information on the completedTurkmenistan are separated from the state». construction projects in Turkmenistan in the last 3 years;Then, on what account did the khyakimlik, i.e. - acquaint yourself with the «Rules of biddingthe state itself, invite bids and is, procedures for the turnkey project for theconsequently, ready to pay for the construction of the mosque and furtherconstruction of the mosque? What is this if improvement of the adjoining territory in thenot the direct infringement of our own laws? city of Kunyaurgench of the Dashoguz velayat»;When the citizens violate effective laws, they - receive the set of bids which costs 500 (fiveare put to trial. And what should be done if hundred) US dollars.the laws are violated by the state? Nothing ismentioned about this in the revised version of The bids are to be submitted from 9.00 tillthe constitution. 18.30 (local time). The deadline for the submission of bids is 18 August 2008.90

The bank account for the funds transfer will Dashoguz velayat. Almost all the rest comebe indicated in the application form. from the Akhal velayat.Contact telephone: (+993 322) 5-49-19, 5-40- Who`s who:32, fax: 51-16-49. Berdymukhammedov Gurbanguly – President, Chairman of the Cabinet ofComposition of the Turkmen government Ministers. Born in Akhal velayat in 1957.as of 15 October 2008 (16 October 2008) Graduated from the Turkmen State MedicalSince we published the composition of the University in 1979. Holds a master’s degree inCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan in April Medical Sciences. In 1997 was appointed2008, it has undergone significant changes. 8 Minister of the Health Care System andnew ministers appeared, including the Medical Industry of Turkmenistan. Since AprilChairman of the Central Bank and 3 new vice 2001 – deputy chairman of the Cabinet ofprime ministers. Ministers. Since 21 December 2006 - Acting President of Turkmenistan.The number of ministries is also on the rise. Aswas last reported, two new ministries were Meredov Rashid - deputy chairman of theestablished on the basis of the Ministry of Cabinet of Ministers, Minister of ForeignEconomy and Finances: Ministry of Economy Affairs of Turkmenistan. Born in Ashgabat inand Development and Ministry of Finances of 1960. Graduated from the Moscow StateTurkmenistan. University named after Lomonosov in law. Holds a master’s degree in Legal Sciences. InOn 14 April the same thing happened to the May 2001 was elected chairman of the MejlisMinistry of Construction and Industry of of Turkmenistan. In July 2001 was appointedBuilding Materials. It was re-structured into Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.two new ministries: Ministry of Construction From 2003 to 2005 worked as deputyand Ministry Industry of Building Materials. chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.The number of vice prime ministers also rosefrom seven to nine persons. At the moment, Saparlyev Khadyr - deputy chairman of theTurkmenistan has 22 ministries and several Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born inState Concerns governed by officials in Mary in 1958. In 1982 graduated from theministerial rank. Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in engineering. Holds a master’s degree in technical sciences.Now the government, including all vice prime In 2004 was appointed Minister of Educationministers, security, law and defense ministers of Turkmenistan. Since October 2005 -and the chairmen of the State Concerns Plenipotentiary Ambassador of TurkmenistanTurkmenNeft and TurkmenGas increased to to the Republic of Armenia. In February 200740 persons. Out of these, 6 persons are the was appointed Minister of Education ofnatives of the Balkan velayat, 4 – the Mary Turkmenistan.velayat, 1 – the Lebap velayat, and 0 – the91 Tagyev Tachberdy - deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born in the Balkan velayat in 1955. In 1977 graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in drilling and exploitation in oil and gas deposits. From November 2002 to October 2003 – Minister of Oil and Gas Industry and Mineral Resources of Turkmenistan. In 2003 was appointed khyakim of the Balkan velayat, in 2006 – General Director of the Turkmenbashi Complex of oil refineries. In

February 2007 was appointed state minister – Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. In 2006chairman of the Turkmengas State Concern. was appointed Chairman of the National Hydrometeorology Committee under theGeldimyradov Khodjamyrat – deputy Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan.chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers. Born in Effective 24 August 2007 was appointed1965 in the Berme village of the Bakharly deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Ministersetrap. Higher education. In 1989 graduated of Turkmenistan.from the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute,Faculty of Economics and Construction Mukhammedov Khodjamukhammet – deputyManagement. In 2004 graduated from the chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers ofYaroslav the Wise Law Academy of Ukraine. In Turkmenistan in charge of commerce and2004 - 2005 acted as a head of the textile industry. Born in Ashgabat in 1966.department of tax services supervision under Higher education. In 1993 graduated from thethe Main Tax Service of Turkmenistan. Since Turkmen Institute of the National Economy2005 – deputy minister of the economy and majoring in economics. During 1998-2005 –finances of Turkmenistan, national deputy director and director of thecoordinator on international technical Kharytimpeks Company under the Ministry ofassistance rendered to Turkmenistan. In Trade and Foreign Economic relations,February 2007 appointed minister of economy director of the Gulistan state shopping centerand finances of Turkmenistan. In February of the same ministry. In 2005 appointed a2008 – minister of finances of Turkmenistan. deputy head and in 2006 – a head of the StateAppointed deputy chairman of the Cabinet of Commodities and Raw Materials Exchange ofMinisters on 14 April 2008. Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current post in 13.11.2007.Yazmukhammedova Maisa - deputy chairmanof the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Akmammedov Myratgeldi – deputy chairmanBorn in the city of Iolotan of the Mary velayat of the Cabinet of Ministers. Born in 1951 inin 1971. In 1994 graduated from the Turkmen the Rakhat village of the TurkmenkalinskyNational Institute of the World Languages etrap of the Mary velayat. Higher education.named after D. Azadi as a qualified teacher of In 1976 graduated from the Turkmenthe Russian language and literature. From Polytechnic Institute as a qualified civil2005 to 2007 worked as deputy khyakim of engineer. In 2003-2005 worked as a head ofthe Akhal velayat responsible for education, the department of industry, construction andculture, health care and sports. In 2007 mechanization under the Ministry of Waterbecame the leader of the National Centre of Management; director of theTrade Unions of Turkmenistan and the Central Gunbatarsuvhodzhalik building association,Council for Turkmenistan Women’s Dostlukkhovdangurlyshyk building board.Association. Effective 13 July 2007 was Since 2005 года, appointed first minister ofappointed deputy chairman of the Cabinet of the water management of Turkmenistan. InMinisters of Turkmenistan. February 2007, appointed minister of water management of Turkmenistan. AppointedShagulyev Nazarguly - deputy chairman of the deputy chairman of the Cabinet of MinistersCabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan. Born in on 21 July 2008.the village of Bagir of the Akhal velayat in1959. In 1980 graduated from the Turkmen Orazov Deryageldi - deputy chairman of theAgricultural Institute, in 1985 graduated from Cabinet of Ministers on construction. Born inthe Moscow Institute of Agricultural Engineers 1962 in Ashgabat. Two higher educationnamed after V.P. Goryachkin. In 2000-2004 - diplomas. In 1983 graduated from theacting duputy khyakim of the Azatlyk etrap in Turkmen Institute of the National Economy; inthe city of Ashgabat. From 2004 to 2006 – 1996 – the Turkmen State University namesenior engineer at the National after Makhtumkuli. Qualified accountant-Hydrometeorology Committee under the economist and jurist. In 2004 - 2007 worked as92

a khyakim of the Kopetdagsky etrap of the Geoktepe etrap of the Akhal velayat. HigherAshgabat city. In 2007 appointed chairman of education. In 1995 graduated from thethe State Committee on Tourism and Sports of Turkmen agricultural university as a qualifiedTurkmenistan, and later – khyakim of the economic. Since 2006 - chairman ofAshgabat city. Appointed deputy chairman of Association of the food-processing industry ofthe government on 15 August 2008. Turkmenistan. Is deputy of Medzhlis of Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postKhodzhamammedov Byashimmyrat – in 13.11.2007.minister of economy and development. Bornin 1966 in Ak Oba village of the Balkansky Metekov Khodzhamuyrat – minister of textilevelayat. Higher education. In 1990 graduated industry. Born in 1963 in the Kirovskyfrom the Turkmen state institute of economy gengeshlik (Kaakhkinsky etrap). Higherand management as a qualified economist. In education. In 1991 graduated from the1993 - 2008 worked in the Central Bank of Turkmen agricultural university named afterTurkmenistan in various positions (including S.A. Niyazov as a qualified economist andmanagerial ones) in the department of accountant in agriculture. In 2001 – 2007,accounting and reporting and the auditor head of the department and the head of theservices division. In 2008 appointed deputy control service on the quality and technologyminister of economy and development of of the cotton production; head of processingTurkmenistan. Appointed minister on 12 unit; acting chief engineer of theSeptember 2008. TurkmenPagta State Concern. In 2007, appointed first deputy chairman of theGochyev Annamukhammet – Minister of TurkmenPagta State Concern . AppointedFinances. Born in 1973 in the Bendesen village minister on 15 August 2008.of the Serdar etrap (Balkan velayat). Highereducation. In 1995 graduated from the Bellieva Minever – state minister, ChairmanTurkmen Institute of the National Economy as of the Turkmenkhaly (Turkmen carpet) Statea qualified economist. In 2001 - 2007 worked Joint Stock Corporation. Born in the village ofas a head of the department of finances and Talkhan-Bazar of the Lebap velayat in 1959. Ineconomy of the Land Resources Service under 1983 graduated from the Moscow Technologythe Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, Institute as a qualified engineer-economist.chief auditor-inspector of the auditing office From 2000 to 2006 – deputy managingunder the Ministry of Economy and Finances, director of the Turkmenbashi textile complexhead of the office for defense, law in the city of Ashgabat. In 2007 was appointedenforcement and governmental bodies under director of the “Argach” wool spinningthe Minister of Economy and Finances of enterprise. Effective 13 July 2007 wasTurkmenistan. In February 2007 appointed appointed to her current position.deputy minister of economy and finances; inFebruary 2008 – deputy minister of finances of Deryaev Annaguly – minister of oil and gasTurkmenistan. Appointed minister of finances industry and mineral resources. Born in 1973on 18 April 2008. in the Ekerem village of the Esengulyisky etrap (Balkan velayat). Higher education. In 1994Gyoklenov Guvanchmyrat – chairman of the graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnicboard of Central Bank of Turkmenistan. Before Institute as a qualified mining engineer. Sincehis appointment to present post on 14 April 2002 – head of the drilling department of the2008, worked as a board chairman of the central office of the Turkmennebit StateState Bank for the Foreign Economic Activities Concern; deputy chairman, first deputyof Turkmenistan. No other information chairman of the aforementioned concern.available. Appointed minister on 13 October 2008.Atagulyev Nokerguly - ministry of Trade and Tashliev Garyagdy – state minister, head ofForeign Economic Relations. Born in 1964 in the Turkmennebit (Turkmenoil) State Concern.93

Born in the Balkan velayat in 1952. In 1974 Turkmen State Institute of Transport andgraduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Communications as a qualified mechanicalInstitute in geology. Since August 2005 – engineer in locomotives. In 2006 wasacting state minister, head of the appointed the first Deputy Minister of theTurkmennebit State Concern. In September Railway Transport of Turkmenistan. Effective2005 appointed state minister, head of the 21 May 2007 was appointed Minister ofTurkmennebit State Concern. Railway Transport of Turkmenistan.Kholdzhamukhammedov Baimyrat – Myradov Gulmyrat - minister of culture andchairman of the TurkmenGas State Concern. tele- and radio broadcasting of Turkmenistan.Born in 1961 in Ashgabat. In 1984 graduated Born in 1961 in Ashgabat. Higher education. Infrom the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as a 1990 graduated from the Makhtumkuliqualified engineer-hydrogeologyst. In 2003 – Turkmen State University majoring in Turkmen2005 - deputy chairman of the National language and literature. In 1992-2001 – headClearing Center under the Cabinet of Minister of the unit, deputy editor in chief, editor inof Turkmenistan. In 2005 appointed head of chief of the newspaper «Nesil». In 2001-2004the department in the Turkmennebitgas – deputy minister of culture and informationCorporation. In 2007 employed in the system of Turkmenistan, in 2004-2007 – head of aof the Ministry of the oil and gas industry and department of this ministry. Since 2007 года -mineral resources of the country; appointed deputy minister of culture and tele- and radiohead of the supply office responsible for broadcasting of Turkmenistan. Appointed toindustrial facilities of the TurkmenGas State his current post in 11.01.2008.Concern. On 13 July 2007 appointed ministerof the oil and gas industry and mineral Annaveliev Gurbannur – Minister of Energyresources. Appointed to present position on and Industry of Turkmenistan. Born in the27 August 2008. village of Govshut of the Kaakhkin etrap of the Akhal velayat in 1961. In 1990 graduated fromOrazgeldiev Esenmyrat – Minister of the Turkmen Agricultural Institute namedAgriculture of Turkmenistan. Born in Ashgabat after S. A. Niyazov. In 2007 was appointedin 1966. In 1991 graduated from the Turkmen deputy Minister of Energy and Industry ofagricultural university as a qualified engineer- Turkmenistan. Effective 9 August 2007 wasmechanic. In December 2005 was appointed appointed Minister of Energy and Industry.deputy Minister of Agriculture ofTurkmenistan. In January 2006 was appointed Kakalyev Gurbandurdy – Minister of SocialMinister of Agriculture of Turkmenistan. Security of Turkmenistan. Born in the Akhal velayat in 1958. In 1982 graduated from theYazmyradov Annageldi - minister of the water Turkmen State University in law. Since 2005 –management. Born in 1965 in the Zakhmet first deputy of the Social Security Minister ofvillage of the Babadaikhansky district (Akhal Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postvelayat). Higher education. In 1988 graduated in 22.02.2007.from the Turkmen agricultural universitynamed after S.A. Niyazov majoring in Khodjagurbanov Resulberdy – Minister ofirrigation. In 2005 - 2007 worked as a head of Communications of Turkmenistan. Born inthe Abadan Gurlushyk Onumleri enterprise of Ashgabat in 1967. In 1995 graduated from thethe association of building, repair and Turkmen State Institute of Transport andindustrial services under the Ministry of Water Communications as a qualified railwayManagement of Turkmenistan. Appointed engineer-electrician. In 2000 was appointedminister on 21 July 2008. deputy Minister of Communications. In November 2001 was appointed Minister ofMukhammetgulyev Deryaguly – Minister of Communications of Turkmenistan.Railway Transport of Turkmenistan. Born inAshgabat in 1963. In 1995 graduated from the94

Khangulyev Gurbanmyrat - minister of Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as a qualifiedautomobile transport. Born in 1953 in the civil engineer. In 2002 – 2006, chief engineervillage Gekdje of the Akhal oblast. Higher of the Marygurlushyk Trust. In 2006 appointededucation. In 1979 graduated from the deputy khyakim of the Mary city, in 2008 –Turkmen Polytechnic Institute as a qualified deputy khyakim of the Mary velayat onmechanic engineer. Started his carrier in 1971 construction, later in 2008 – khyakim of theas a driver, later worked at different positions Bairamali city of the Mary velayat. Appointedin various enterprises of the transport sector minister of industry of building materials onof Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current 23 June 2008.post in 16.01.2008. Annaamanov Mukhammetgeldi – Minister ofAkmyradov Makhtumkuli – Minister of Education of Turkmenistan. Born in AshgabatNature Protection of Turkmenistan. Born in in 1959. Graduated from the TurkmenAshgabat in 1962. In 1984 graduated from the Institute of National Economy in economics.Turkmen Polytechnic Institute in 1984 in Holds a master’s degree in economic sciences.geology. Holds a master’s degree in geology Since 2004 – rector of the Turkmen Instituteand mineralogy. In 2001 was appointed of National Economy. Appointed to his currentMinister of Nature Protection of post in 16.03.2007.Turkmenistan. Since March 2005 - Minister ofNature Protection. Amanov Charymyrat - minister of national security. Born in 1966 in the Geoktepe etrapSerdarov Ata – Minister of Health Care and (Akhal velayat). Higher education. In 1990Pharmaceutical Industry. Born in the Akhal graduated from the Makhtumkuli Turkmenvelayat in 1964. In 1987 graduated from the State University majoring in mathematics. InTurkmen State Medical Institute as a qualified 1991-1992 – attended Supreme school of KGBdoctor-surgeon. Holds a master’s degree in of the USSR. Since 1992 held differentmedical sciences. Since April 2005 – director positions in the Ministry of National Securityof Turkmendermansenagat (Pharmaceutics) of Turkmenistan. In February 2007 appointedassociation. Appointed to his current post in a deputy head of the State Service of28.02.2007. Turkmenistan of registration of foreign citizens, in May 2007 – head of the President’sDurdylyev Shamukhammet – minister of Security Service. Appointed to his current postconstruction of Turkmenistan. Born in 1963 in since 8.10.2008.Bakharly (Akhal velayat). Higher education. In1986 graduated from the Turkmen Polytechnic Mammetgeldyev Agageldy – Minister ofInstitute, Faculty of Industrial and Civil Defense of Turkmenistan. Born in the AkhalConstruction as a civil engineer. In 2002 - 2007 velayat in 1946. Graduated from the Saratovworked as a head of PMK-11 of the Medical Institute as a qualified army«Akhalobagurshyk» industrial office, deputy physician. In 1997 became a deputy Ministerhead and head of the «Akhalobagurshyk» of Defense. In March 2002 was appointedindustrial office. In 2007 appointed deputy Chief of the Border Guard Service. Inminister of construction and industry of September 2003 was appointed Minister ofbuilding materials of Turkmenistan. In August Defense and a secretary of the State Security2007 appointed minister of construction and Council of Turkmenistan.industry of building materials ofTurkmenistan. Appointed minister of Garryev Myrat - Minister of Adalat (Justice) ofconstruction on 14 April 2008. Turkmenistan. Born in the Moscow oblast (Russian Federation) in 1962. In 1984Khommadov Yazmyrat – minister of industry graduated from the Turkmen State Universityof building materials. Born in 1965 in the in law. In October 2002 was elected a deputyPeshanaly village of the Mary etrap. Higher of Mejlis of Turkmenistan and chairman of theeducation. In 1989 graduated from the Mejlis Committee for Legislation of95

Turkmenistan. In February 2005 was elected village of the Balkan oblast. Higher education.as chairman of the Mejlis Committee on In 1993 graduated from the TurkmenHuman Rights and Liberties. Polytechnic Institute as a qualified mechanic engineer. After completion of military serviceAmanmyradov Orazgeldi - minister of internal in 1987 he continued his studies until 1991 inaffairs. Born in 1970 in the Dostluk village of Moscow Engineering Construction Institutethe Akhal velayat. Higher education. In 1992 and then again in the Turkmen Polytechnicgraduated from the Makhtumkuli Turkmen Institute. From 1999 to 2005– a leadingState University majoring in history. Since specialist of the Cabinet of Ministers of1995 held different positions in the Ministry of Turkmenistan. In 2005 appointed a deputyNational Security if Turkmenistan. In 1997- minister of economics and finances of1998 attended the FSB Academy of the Turkmenistan. Appointed to his current postRussian Federation. In 2007 appointed a in 13.11.2007.rector of the Military Academy ofTurkmenistan named after Saparmurat Alovov Bairam - Chief of Border GuardTurkmenbashi the Great. Appointed to his Service. Born in Ashgabat in 1969. In 1994current post in 8.10.2008. graduated from the Moscow Institute of Culture with a diploma in art history. FromKhodjamyradov Chary – Prosecutor General. 1994 to 1995 – an officer of the NationalBorn in 1962 in the Bakharly village of the Security of Turkmenistan, then until 1999 –Akhal velayat. In 1984 graduated from the officer of the Security Service of the PresidentFaculty of Legal Studies of the Makhtumkuli of Turkmenistan. In 1999 was appointedTurkmen State University as a qualified jurist. deputy Chief of the Border Guard Service ofIn 1998-2002– deputy head, acting head and Turkmenistan. Since 2006 – acting Chief of thelater – head of the kazyet (court) of the Border Guard Service of Turkmenistan andAshgabat city. From 2002 to 2006 – head of commander-in-chief of the border guardthe kazyet (court) of the Dashogzu velayat. In forces.2006-2007 – head of the kazyet (court) of theAshgabat city. In 2007 appointed a chairman Extra urgent election (21 October 2008)of the Supreme kazyet (court) of Elections to the Mejlis (Parliament) ofTurkmenistan. Appointed to his current post Turkmenistan are scheduled for 14 December.in 3.03.2008. The current deputies of the legislative bodyYaranmyrat Yazmyratov - chairman of the were elected in December 2004 and wereSupreme kazyet (court). Born in 1971 in the supposed to work for one more year.Abadan village of the Akhal velayat. In 1996graduated from the Faculty of Legal Studies of Why not hold the elections upon completionthe Makhtumkuli Turkmen State University as of their legal term of office? What is all thea qualified jurist (part time). From 1997 to rush about?2007 worked as kazy (judge) of the Ashgabatcity kazyet (court) and in the system of socialwelfare of Ashgabat, head of the unit of lawenforcement and military bodies of thekhyakimlik of the Akhal velayat. From 2007 to2008– kazy (judge) of the Ashgabat citykazyet. In 2008– chairman of the kazyet(court) of the Akhal velayat. Appointed to hiscurrent post in 3.03.2008.Djaparov Tuvakmammet - chairman of theSupreme Chamber of Control ofTurkmenistan. Born in 1967 in the Uzybsuv96

On 26 September a revised Constitution was also be prepared and approved. These lawsapproved, which increases the Parliament in are very much needed as they are extremelysize, from 50 to 150 members. On 15 October, important for the holding of democratica Law «On Election of Deputies to the Mejlis» elections. The aforementioned laws werewas adopted, so the authorities have a formal never adopted throughout the history ofreason for early dissolution of the current independent Turkmenistan.Parliament and the call for new elections. However, it appears that the wish toIt should be noted that the Law on Elections maximally secure themselves from possiblehas been amended in accordance with the undesired incidents lies behind the haste ofrevised version of the Constitution. the Turkmen authorities to hold the election.It is also true that the authorities announced Certainly, I do not think that the adoption ofthe preparation of the draft law which would the law «On Political Parties» would facilitatereinforce the legal status and powers of the the appearance of the legal opposition in theNational Security Council. Despite the fact that country. For instance, despite the existing lawthis body was spelled out in the current «On Public Associations», NGOs are not beingConstitution (Article 58 «If, for any reason, the registered and their operation is thwarted.President of Turkmenistan is unable toperform his duties, until the election of the However, the adoption of this law could be atnew President, responsibility will pass to the least welcomed by the internationaldeputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers community.by virtue of a decision of the National Security In the absence of this, no matter how muchCouncil»), it had no legal status. the authorities talk about the forthcoming democratic and alternative election, a newHowever, from a legal view point, a situation Mejlis of Turkmenistan will be single-partywhere the military (members of the Security similar to the current one.Council) decide who will govern the country, isfar from democratic. Yet, this is not the point Presently, at least until the end of 2013,now. Turkmenistan, or to be precise its government, will not have to face multi-partyIn other words, certain gaps in the legal parliamentary elections. This means that thesphere have been filled. Turkmen political opposition will have no chance to get a tool, even a formal one, forThen, following this logic, the Law «On influencing the country’s authorities.Political Parties» also has to be prepared. TheConstitution refers to the term «political Force majeure (10 December 2008)parties» on numerous occasions. For instance, From the Rules of Rendering Services to MTSArticle 93 states: «The right to nominate the clients in Turkmenistan: «Restrictions imposedcandidates belongs to political parties, public by the authorized state bodies ofassociations and <…>». Turkmenistan which may affect the conditionsThe legislators seem to have forgotten aboutthis small point and scheduled the elections -which, according to the Constitution, shouldbe held on a multi-party basis – in the absenceof a legal framework for a multi-party system.In principle, the current Parliament could workuntil the end of 2009 lawfully. During thistime, the laws «On Political Parties», «OnTrade Unions», and «On Mass Media» could97

of service are equated with the circumstances documents, etc.) which spread racial hatredof force majeure». and/or provide instigation to violence, terrorism in all its manifestations and otherFrom the election campaign of G. actions which contradict international andBerdymukhamedov: «To provide free Internet Turkmen legislation. In the case of theaccess for all». Subscriber accessing the abovementioned sites, and/or disseminating the above-The Russian company OAO «Mobile mentioned but not limited to this list of prohibited materials, as well as carrying outTeleSystems» (MTS) has been operating in other illegal actions, the Operator has the right to switch off the service of dataTurkmenistan since 2005. At that time, it transmission.purchased Barash Communications The rules do not specify what exactly is meant under «Restrictions imposed by theTechnologies, Inc. (BCTI) which had been authorized state bodies», and what other «list of prohibited materials» exists. However, onworking in the communications sphere in the basis of current practice, certain conclusions can be drawn.Turkmenistan previously. Both the clients of «Turkmentelekom» and MTS visiting the Internet cannot access thePrior to its arrival on the Turkmen market, sites run by the Turkmen human rights and opposition leaders even though the latterMTS had had experience of operating in neither disseminate nor propagandize pornography, erotic materials, drugs, intimateclosed countries. Since 1991, it has been services etc. All these sites are unavailable in Turkmenistan.operating in Uzbekistan, since 2002 – in This means that the «authorized state bodies»Belarus. Apparently, the MTS management restrict – equally with pornography –access to information published by foreign-basedwas well aware of the serious restrictions websites which contain criticism, by blocking these Internet resources; so MTS, consciouslyimposed by the Turkmen authorities. or unconsciously, follows the requirements of the authorities. By cooperative efforts, theyHowever, business is business. disconnect «dishonest subscribers» from «negative» information.«Mobile TeleSystems» accepted theconditions imposed by the Turkmen side. They Currently, all cell phones of the Radio Azatlykagreed with the edition of the Rules of correspondents as well as of otherRendering Services. Below are just two items «dishonest» citizens (some of themfrom these rules which regulate the relations subscribers of MTS) are blocked inbetween the Operator and the Subscriber and Turkmenistan. This preventive measure of theare binding. Turkmen special services is related to the upcoming parliamentary elections in mid-Article 18. Responsibility of the parties December. This is a frequently used practice18.6. The party which does not discharge or and MTS is a part of it. At least, the personnelunduly discharges its obligations under the of the Russian company either do not react tocontract, bears responsibility if it fails to prove the complaints of those whose phones arethat due discharge was impossible because of disconnected, or send them to the offices offorce majeure (i.e. it was urgent and the Turkmen mobile operators.unavoidable in the given situationcircumstances), which lay beyond the controlof the parties and directly affected thepossibility of the obligation discharge.Restrictions imposed by the authorized statebodies of Turkmenistan which may affect theconditions of service are equated with thecircumstances of force majeure.18.7. By connecting and using the service ofdata transmission, the Subscriber bearspersonal responsibility for visiting Internetsites which propagandize (disseminate)pornography, erotic materials, drugs, intimateservices as well as offer materials (articles,98

In fairness it should be noted that MTS rents Reasons for postponing of the Elders`long distance connections and part of its Council meeting (7 January 2009)equipment from «Turkmentelekom». Perhaps, Despite the fact that the pace of constructionthe rather poor quality of the services was increased, the Turkish builders failed toprovided by MTS can be attributed to this fact. complete the white-marble palace «Ruhyet»According to our information, the blocking of on time. It was supposed to be the venue ofwebsites and cell phones is done outside of the Council (Maslakhat) of Elders lastcompetence of the Russian company, i.e. in December.the zone which is controlled by the«authorized state bodies». The President was well aware of this; however, Berdymukhamedov could not justifyHowever, this does not remove the moral the postponing of the regular meeting of theresponsibility of MTS before the subscribers Council of Elders – which is consideredwho were promised free access to the politically very significant by the government –Internet by the Turkmen President. And the by the slowness of the authorities of theTurkmen authorities have not reiterated these Lebap velayat.moral principles for a long time. Officially, at the sitting of the Cabinet ofAs Turkmenistan.ru reports, quoting Dmitry Ministers on 5 December, the PresidentShukov, Director General of «MTS suggested postponing the Maslahat to MarchTurkmenistan», «an innovative decision of 2009 in order to have enough time to prepare«MTS Connect» will offer the MTS subscribers a set of documents on reforms in thein Turkmenistan a unique opportunity of free agricultural sector to be adopted by theaccess to the Internet from their PCs in any elders. «It would be very symbolical to holdplace and at any time». the Maslakhat before the sowing campaign starts, on the eve of Novruz – an age-oldThe Rules of Rendering Services remained holiday which is traditionally associated withunchanged. This means that this «innovative the beginning of the new crop year, the timedecision» will neither overcome the of laying the foundation for the future«restrictions imposed by the authorized state harvest», the President said.bodies», nor shorten the «list of prohibitedmaterials». All this is equated with «the Though it would be logical to adopt suchcircumstances of force majeure». documents in advance and not right before the sowing campaign, this has become theAs I see it, in this case, force majeure is not so main reason to postpone the Maslakhat.much represented by the Turkmen statebodies who, by all means, oppose freedom of At the same time, the President could not butexpression and the right to information. Force express his dissatisfaction with themajeure for MTS is a resistless impulse to gain management of the eastern region of theprofit. Unfortunately, we have another country. During the sitting of theexample when in the relationship of ethics abovementioned Cabinet of Ministers, whichand business, the latter wins. And the was broadcast on TV, BerdymukhamedovTurkmenistani citizens – MTS subscribers mentioned the problems in the Lebap velayatdeprived of their basic right, the right to free «which has all the prerequisites for yieldingaccess to information - lose. large harvests. However, cotton harvesting has still not been completed here. This99 situation requires a comprehensive analysis and impartial assessment». Charyjarguly Odeberdiev, khyakim of the Lebap velayat and Dashdurdy Rozyev, khyakim of Turkmenabat city, who were responsible