>Конгрессмен-республиканец Кристофер Смит обратился с письмом к исполняющему обязанности президента Туркменистана Курбанкули Бердымухаммедову, в котором призвал его выполнить предвыборные обещания: реформировать систему образования, открыть доступ жителям Туркменистана к сети Интернет и провети свободные честные выборы.

"Я надеюсь, что президент Курбанкули Бердымухаммедов выберет новый путь для своей страны, в то время, как режим Ниязова был одним из самых репрессивных в мире, - заявил Смит. - Если грядущие выборы будут соответствовать стандартам ОБСЕ, это обеспечит новому правительству необходимую легитимность".

В своем письме Кристофер Смит также призвал временное правительство и и.о. президента Туркменистана предоставить беспрепятственный доступ представителям Международного комитета Красного Креста к Батыру Бердыеву, Борису Шихмурадову и другим осужденным по делу 25 ноября 2002 года, и немедленно освободить из заключения Нурберды Нурмамедова, Сапарурды Хаджиева, Аннакурбана Аннаклычева, Мухаммедкули Аймурадова, Гельды Кяризова, Насрулла ибн Ибадулла и Андрея Затоку.

***

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.

Provide unfettered access for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to Batyr Berdyev and Boris Shikhmuradov and other accused of involvement with the November 2002 assassination attempt, in compliance with its mandate.

***

^For Immediate Release: January 12, 2007
Contact: Patrick Creamer (202) 225-3765

Поступило от -
Knox.Thames@mail.house.gov