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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [December 12, 2013]
"When Turkmenistan gained independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, the former republic's president and head of the Turkmen Communist Party, Saparamurad Niyazov, retained power. He was reelected president in another uncontested race in 1992, and a referendum in 1994 extended his term until 2002. Before facing reelection, however, constitutional amendments approved in 1999 proclaimed him president for life. The country's May 1992 constitution granted Niyazov overwhelming powers to rule by decree as head of state and government. According to several assessments, he was among the world's most authoritarian rulers, and his regime was highly corrupt and responsible for serious human rights abuses. Following the death of President Niyazov in December 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was elected president in early 2007. A new constitution approved in 2008 reaffirmed Turkmenistan as a 'secular democracy' with a powerful president able to rule by decree. The constitution included an impressive list of individual rights, but emphasized that the exercise of rights must not violate public order or damage national security. An early legislative election was held in December 2008. International observers assessed the election as not free and fair. The next 'Mejlis' election is scheduled for December 2013.According to some observers, the Berdimuhamedow government has retained many authoritarian features of the previous regime, and the human rights situation has deteriorated after an initial improvement at the time of the political succession."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2013-12-12
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [August 17, 2010]
"Following the death of President Niyazov in December 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was elected president in early 2007. A new constitution approved in 2008 reaffirmed Turkmenistan as a 'secular democracy' with a powerful president able to rule by decree. The constitution included an impressive list of individual rights, but emphasized that the exercise of rights must not violate public order or damage national security. An early legislative election was held in December 2008. International observers assessed the election as not free and fair. The next Mejlis election is scheduled for December 2013.According to some observers, the Berdimuhamedow government has retained many authoritarian features of the previous regime, and the human rights situation has deteriorated after an initial improvement at the time of the political succession. […] In Congressional testimony in late July 2012, Assistant Secretary of State Robert Blake praised Turkmenistan for providing some humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and for constructing or planning rail and energy links to the country, including the prospective Turkmenistan- Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. He stated that such projects illustrate that Turkmenistan has the potential to be a leader in regional economic development. At the same time, he cautioned that to reach this potential, Turkmenistan must address its human rights problems. He reported that the United States would continue to offer assistance to help Turkmenistan democratize and respect human rights. Cumulative U.S. assistance to Turkmenistan has amounted to $351.55 million over the period FY1992-FY2010 (all agencies and programs). U.S. foreign assistance amounted to $11.01 million in FY2011 and an estimated $9.89 million in FY2012. The Administration has requested $6.73 million for FY2013 (these latter amounts include 'Function 150' foreign assistance programs and exclude Defense and Energy Department funding)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2012-08-17
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [May 26, 2011]
"When Turkmenistan gained independence with the dissolution of the Soviet Union at the end of 1991, the former republic's president and head of the Turkmen Communist Party, Saparamurad Niyazov, retained power. He was reelected president in another uncontested race in 1992, and a referendum in 1994 extended his term until 2002. Before facing reelection, however, constitutional amendments approved in 1999 proclaimed him president for life. The country's May 1992 constitution granted Niyazov overwhelming powers to rule by decree as head of state and government. According to several assessments, he was among the world's most authoritarian rulers, and his regime was highly corrupt and responsible for serious human rights abuses. The regime increasingly restricted contacts by citizens with the outside world. Following the death of President Niyazov in December 2006, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow was elected president in early 2007. International observers viewed the election as putting into place some institutional features that might in the future lead to a free and fair election. A new constitution approved in 2008 reaffirmed Turkmenistan as a 'secular democracy' with a powerful president able to rule by decree. The constitution included an impressive list of individual rights, but emphasized that the exercise of rights must not violate public order or damage national security. An early legislative election was held in December 2008. International observers assessed the election as not free and fair. According to some observers, the Berdimuhamedow government has retained many authoritarian features of the previous regime, and the human rights situation has deteriorated after an initial improvement at the time of the political succession."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2011-05-26
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [August 13, 2010]
"This report examines the political, economic, and foreign policies undertaken by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who came to power in late 2006. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance and provides basic facts and biographical information. […] Immediately after the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, the Turkmen foreign ministry stated that Turkmenistan's policy of neutrality and its friendship with the Taliban precluded cooperation in a U.S.-led military campaign. After Russia's then-President Vladimir Putin acceded to an expanded U.S. military presence in Central Asia, however, former Turkmen President Saparamurad Niyazov on September 24, 2001, gave his consent for ground transport and overflights to deliver humanitarian aid to support U.S.-led antiterrorism efforts in Afghanistan because 'evil must be punished.' Turkmenistan also permitted refueling privileges for humanitarian flights and reportedly sold and transported jet fuel by rail to Afghanistan. Land transport reportedly was ramped down or ended in recent years. In February 2009, President Berdimuhamedow agreed in principle that the country would again facilitate the land transit of humanitarian cargoes to Afghanistan. There have been reports that authorities have blocked or hampered some NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] overflights to Afghanistan. In late August 2009, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan reportedly refused permission for German Airborne Warning and Control System (AWAC) aircraft to transit to Afghanistan."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2010-08-13
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [September 10, 2009]
"This report examines the political, economic, and foreign policies undertaken by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, who came to power in late 2006. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance and provides basic facts and biographical information. It may be updated. Related products include CRS Report RL33458, Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2009-09-10
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [March 8, 2007]
"This report examines the political, economic, and foreign policies of Turkmenistan, where a leadership succession unfolded in late 2006. The report discusses U.S. policy and assistance and provides basic facts and biographical information. It may be updated. Related products include CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report RL33458, 'Central Asia: Regional Developments and Implications for U.S. Interests.'"
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2007-03-08
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Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests [Updated June 21, 2006]
"This report examines the political and economic policies of Turkmenistan's authoritarian President Saparmurad Niyazov. It discusses U.S. policy and assistance and provides basic facts and biographical information."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Nichol, James P.
2006-06-21
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