The OSI Turkmenistan News Brief features a digest of the week's news from a spectrum of sources, with an analysis of recent developments. It is distributed free of charge every Friday in English and Russian. Subscribe or unsubscribe to the Turkmenistan News Brief using the email entry box located on the left of this page.

Read this week's analysis directly below, or download the complete issue as a pdf in English or Russian.

Analysis

In an uncustomary display of public unrest this week, angry Turkmen citizens torched gasoline stations in various parts of the country to protest the government's unpopular gas price hike. Such violent outbursts are practically unknown in Turkmenistan, although media restrictions have prevented a full picture of the public's reaction to government policies. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov decreed that prices would rise from roughly 16 US cents to 60 cents a gallon, although the first 120 liters will be available for free to motorists. Such gas rationing was a stark blow to Turkmens, accustomed to a state that has offered scant consumer goods or economic opportunities but has at least provided free or heavily subsidized gas, electricity, and staples.

Another presidential pardon of prisoners proved disappointing, as well-known political prisoners, such as former foreign minister Boris Shikhmuradov, who has not been heard from since 2002, were not included in the list. Internationally renowned horse breeder Geldy Kyarizov was released, although only two months before his sentence was due to expire anyway. Human rights groups had long appealed for clemency for Kyarizov, who is in poor health. Activists Annakurban Amanklychev and Sapardurdy Khajiev, imprisoned since June 2006 on apparently fabricated charges, were also not mentioned.

The region continues to grapple with an energy crunch due to unseasonably cold weather. Turkmenistan appears ready to increase electricity deliveries to struggling Tajikistan; supplies will be boosted by Iran's decision to forego its own share of Turkmen power in favor of Tajikistan.

Relations with Iran remain tense, as the Iranian Foreign Ministry summoned Turkmenistan's top diplomat in Teheran to protest what it said was mistreatment of Iranian drivers during the current gas station turmoil. Iran continues to indicate that Turkmenistan will accept payment for gas delivery in euros, but Turkmenistan has not yet publicly consented.

Ukraine cancelled its contracts with RosUkrEnergo, a Swiss-registered company through which it obtained Turkmen gas. An official said Ukraine hopes to obtain the fuel directly from Turkmenistan in the future, although all of Ukraine's share of Turkmen gas is currently slated to go through Russian intermediaries. Ashgabat has made no comment on a possible deal with Ukraine, but is seeking to improve ties in other ways, approving two high-profile Ukrainian construction projects and the restoration of direct flights to Kyiv.

The Russian company Stroytransgaz has won the bid to build the Turkmen part of a Chinese-sponsored pipeline from Turkmenistan to China, slated to export 30 billion cubic meters annually for 30 years. The move illustrates the Turkmen government’s continued policy of keeping Russia closely involved in its energy infrastructure projects. A Turkmen-Russian business council began meeting this week to try to resolve obstacles such as long visa waits and high fees for businesses. Despite such difficulties, Russian export to Turkmenistan has increased some 57 percent in the last year.

Moscow looks likely to remain Ashgabat's partner of choice in geopolitics and trade, even as Turkmenistan diversifies its contacts with other players. Turkmenistan intends to sign a $9.2 million agreement with the German company Nokia Siemens Networks to add 100,000 mobile customers, while several Russian companies complained that they are barred from the Turkmen market, with the exception of MTS, the current leader. The Omani-Canadian company Buried Hill Energy is preparing to launch seismic explorations of the Caspian shelf, Turkmen state media reported.

Digest

Many of the primary news and information sources that inform the above analysis are noted (with weblinks) in Part 2 of the Turkmenistan News Brief, available for download below. This week's digest includes the following:

International Relations

a. Turkmenistan to Boost Electricity Supply To Tajikistan

b. Iran Summons Turkmenistan Envoy

c. Angered at Turkmen Gas Cut, Iran Still Hoping for Imports

d. Turkmenistan Resumes Air Flights to Ukraine

e. Ukraine Hopes to Hold Talks With Turkmenistan on Direct Gas Supply

Domestic Developments

a. Turkmens Torch Gas Stations to Protest Gas Price Hikes

b. Turkmen President’s Amnesty Leaves Out Political Prisoners

c. Outcome Uncertain on Turkmenistan's Work to Amend Religion Law

Economic News

a. Russian Company Wins Tender to Build Part of Turkmen Pipeline to China

b. Buried Hill Energy to Drill in Turkmen Caspian Shelf

c. Nokia Siemens Networks to Supply Mobile Phone Equipment to Turkmenistan