In a letter released this week, U.S. Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ) urged Turkmenistan’s Acting President to carry-out his promises of educational and information reforms and called for a free and fair election in the former Soviet-Bloc nation. 

    “I hope President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov will chart a new path for his country, as the Niyazov regime represented one of the most repressive governments in the world,” said Smith. “Ensuring that the upcoming presidential election meets OSCE standards will give the new government much-needed legitimacy.” 

    In the letter, Rep. Smith notes the Acting President—who was appointed by Turkmenistan’s National Council after the country’s dictatorial first President, Saparmurat Niyazov, died on December 21—has an “historic opportunity” to take the country “in a new direction” and offers to assist with the transition to democratic governance. The letter also calls for the release of opposition leader Nurberdy Nurmammedov, who was arrested on December 23, and expresses concern about the short pre-election period and the lack of multi-party competition.

    “During the 109^th Congress, I introduced a resolution on Turkmenistan (H.Con.Res. 486) that highlighted the many human rights abuses of the Niyazov regime and called for serious reforms,” said Rep. Smith. “With the start of a new Congress, I will be watching the conduct of the new government and deciding whether a new resolution is warranted.” 

    Rep. Smith’s letter concludes that “during President Niyazov’s era, the United States Congress and Turkmenistan had a troubled relationship.” Acting President Berdymukhammedov is urged “to begin a new chapter for Turkmenistan and ensure that the upcoming election meets all of Turkmenistan’s international commitments.”

TEXT OF LETTER

January 11, 2007

His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov
Acting President
Republic of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Dear President Berdymukhammedov:

Over the past dozen years, as I have led the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (“Helsinki Commission”) of the U.S. Congress, I wrote President Niyazov on numerous occasions, raising a variety of human rights concerns. Under his authoritarian rule, unfortunately, Turkmenistan failed to progress toward democracy and remained isolated from the international community.

As Acting President, you now have an historic opportunity to take your homeland in a new direction. Your speech last week outlining initial educational and information reforms could be interpreted as a positive step. Without a doubt the people of Turkmenistan, hopeful for greater freedoms, welcomed your pledge to develop democratic institutions.

Nonetheless, I am very concerned by some recent actions of your interim government. Especially alarming is the disappearance of Nurberdy Nurmammedov of the Agzybirlik People’s Democratic Movement on December 23. Reportedly, he was arrested when leaving his home after giving an interview to Radio Liberty. I urge you to immediately and unconditionally release Mr. Nurmammedov, as well as the individuals on the attached list.

Certainly you would agree that a key initial step toward democracy would be to hold a free and fair presidential election. It is vital for the legitimacy of Turkmenistan’s next president that the election meet OSCE standards. While new election procedures have been adopted, I am also concerned by the very short pre-election period and the lack of real multi-party competition. I therefore respectfully urge you to consider delaying the election and to implement the OSCE’s forthcoming recommendations to help ensure a fair contest. The 15-year residency requirement for presidential candidates should also be lifted, and peaceful political parties should be allowed to form and put forth candidates in the election.

During President Niyazov’s era, the U.S. Congress and Turkmenistan had a troubled relationship. Members of Congress and the international community will therefore watch closely the conduct of your interim government over the next weeks. I respectfully urge you to begin a new chapter for Turkmenistan and ensure that the upcoming election meets all of Turkmenistan’s international commitments. I would welcome the opportunity to strengthen our relations with the new Government of Turkmenistan and to assist with its transition to what I hope will be a bright, democratic future.


Sincerely,

s/

Christopher H. Smith, M.C.

Requested actions by the interim Turkmen Government

Immediately and unconditionally release Nurberdy Nurmammedov, as well as Sapardurdy Khajiev, Annakurba Amanklychev, Mukhametkuli Aimuradov, Geldy Kiarisov, Nasrullah ibn Ibadullah, and Andrey Zatoka.