08/24/2002
EDITORIAL NUMBER=0-10087

TURKMENISTAN’S ONE-MAN RULE

In the past decade, several of the former republics of the Soviet Union have moved toward democracy and respect for fundamental rights. Others, including some in Central Asia, have made much less progress. Among those that have made the least progress is Turkmenistan.

The ruler of Turkmenistan is Saparmurad Niyazov [sah-PAHR-moo-rahd nee-YAH-zawf]. He became chairman of the Turkmen Communist Party in 1985 and president of Turkmenistan after it gained independence in 1991. Since then, Turkmenistan has remained a one-party state dominated by President Niyazov. The government tolerates virtually no opposition and completely controls the media.

Currently, there are no legal limits on the number of terms that President Niyazov may serve. And on August 8^th, Turkmenistan’s rubber-stamp parliament passed a resolution saying he should be president for life. Mr. Niyazov says he plans to hold a presidential election in eight or nine years.

One-man rule has become so entrenched in Turkmenistan that President Niyazov has taken the name "Akbar Turkmenbashi [turk-men-bah-SHEE]," or "the Great Leader of All Turkmen." Across the country, streets, mosques, factories, and airports are being re-named Turkmenbashi. Mr. Niyazov’s portrait appears on the country’s money and on countless banners and posters. In Ashgabat [AHSH-gah-baht], the capital, there is a golden statue of him atop a huge arch.

President Niyazov has even decided to rename the months. January will become "Turkmenbashi" and October will be named "Ruhnama" [roo-NAH-mah], or "Spiritual Revival." That is the title of a book written by Mr. Niyazov. It is required reading in Turkmenistan’s schools. Meanwhile, there are hardly any regular textbooks.

The United States is providing support to non-governmental organizations in Turkmenistan to assist their work in such areas as ecology, health, women’s advocacy, refugee rights, development of independent journalism, and civic education.

Like other Central Asian republics, Turkmenistan is on the front line in the war against terrorism. That means it is essential for the security of the region, as well as for the good of the Turkmen people, that the government move forward toward democracy and respect for human rights.

As Lorne Craner, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, put it, "A stable government that is accountable to its people and respects their rights. . .can deal more effectively with extremist elements in its society. These are the societies that we are striving for in Central Asia."