TURKMENISTAN
Population
4.5 million
77% Turkmen
9.2% Uzbek
6.7% Russian
2% Kazakh
Capital City
Ashgabat
Leadership
President
Saparmurad Niyazov
Religion
89% Muslim
9% Eastern Orthodox
Turkmenistan
Ambassador
to the U.S.
His Excellency Ambassador Meret
B. Orazov
Embassy of
Turkmenistan
2207 Massachusetts
Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-588-1500
Fax: 202-588-0697
E-mail:
turkmen@earthlink.net
BIO
This region of Central Asia, largely unknown to Westerners, is sizeable compared to its
neighboring countries, but certainly not as wealthy.
Predominantly desert-covered, Turkmenistan's industry
is very much textile focused, though unexploited oil and
gas deposits offer potential. The historically nomadic
Turkmen are ruled by authoritarian President
Niyazove who has declared himself President for life
and has adopted the title of "Father of All Turkmen." In
addition to being recognized in public art and sculpture,
the Turkmen's leader requires citizens to recite a daily
oath of allegiance.
With
the government tightly controlling the
media and
fiercely monitoring any overland communication,
repression is nothing new to the people of Turkmenistan.
Religious groups must be government-registered, and
among requirements is a minimum membership of 500
local worshipers. These
outrageous requirements
prevent groups from gaining
official recognition, leaving
only Sunni Muslims and Russian Orthodox
Christians
able to obtain legal status.
