Turkmen's inborn democracy is philosophical throughout
Topic: Turkmen Culture
All possible truth and revelation, all that our imperfect mind can comprehend is contained in living language at any moment of its existence. Being aware of it, any professional writer surrenders oneself to the word without looking back and only through the word comes to the sense and comprehension. It is not the author who creates the text, but the text creates the author getting over author’s inborn stagnation, or as specialists call it, “Maugly complex”. “The cart”, thanks to Allah, is always in front of “the horse”.

And now let’s extract from the element of the language three words that are key for our topic: Turkmenistan, Turkmens, Democracy.

“At first sight of the country it becomes clear that …”

It’s a good beginning, isn’t it? Anyway it’s “risk free”. An experienced PR-specialist will have no trouble in putting finish to it. I will stop at three dots, not because of clich? (trite expression) but by the reason of impossibility to discover Turkmenistan having looked at it just several times. Here are palaces, fountains, avenues! One can’t tear oneself from them, so wonderful they are. I’m talking about another thing. The question is about national way of life, about innocence and cordiality invisible to strange look. Non- prejudice is a rare, lucky gift. As for sinners like we are, we have to take away bedding of negative empiricist stratum after stratum for to name unselfish as unselfish, sincere as sincere, kind as kind. That we, at last, learn to interpret life in favor of life, as well as man in his favor. Should one manage to do so, one turn the next sight to oneself being accreted with the way of life of the country one tried to comprehend with a swoop.

That’s an astonishing thing. It’s astonishing so long as Turkmenistan is the text that creates both the author and the reader. In the composition plan of this transforming text all small-minded is blessed with indivisible logic far from vulgar, trivial determinism. I can add – arbitrary determinism for nobody knows its original cause. But we participate in the Most High’s intention and we comprehend whether our deeds conform to His intention.

Just this inward sense of some vertical line recognizes, in particular, invisible harmony of Turkmen Renaissance. Immediately after that one comprehends deep essence of national Renaissance with its wings extended on both sides of the time. Continuity is principal spiritual object of Turkmen. The past and the future closing up in the point of the present form the flight energy, exactly that vertical line …
Vertical line! If I were a poet I would call Turkmenistan “the fifth part of the world”. But I have another status so I will object to myself – construction of new being (existence) models is not peculiar to Turkmen mentality. And so in Turkmen view the past and the future are equal in rights. They interpret ideal things as satanic temptation, as original sin. Many years ago one old Turkmen men hardly speaking Russian won my heart by lapidare wording. I put it down.

“There is only one miracle – he said – it’s life. Allah created it. Another miracle may exist only in morbid mind”.

Isn’t it a solution of the nation’s ineradicable optimism, its inexhaustible tolerance? Turkmen can, and always could surrender to fate not waiting for another miracle except life. And they disposed of this gift in full. An outstanding archaeologist Viktor Sarianidi explains the phenomenon of unprecedented ethnic longevity of Turkmen this way: “They have a good ear for history. Think over – the culture where nothing disappears and nothing becomes old is at the same time an open system. Isn’t it staggering? Yes, it’s really staggering. One can be impressed by nation’s power that created immortal works of human soul and hands at the dawn of life. Ancient history calls seven miracles of the world amazing contemporaries with scope and splendor as well as human abilities equal to God’s ones. “Ak bugday (white grain)” can be easily referred to that list, can’t it? Thousands of years before “pendent gardens”, temples and colossus Turkmen forefathers sowed fields with white grain. After hard work they had a rest on the carpets woven by their wives, those carpets protected their houses from cold, heat and wind. Did ancient carpet-makers wish to amaze the world when they were making up complicated ornaments and binding thousands of many-colored yarn knots? Certainly, they did not. They had been creating the beauty for themselves and did not know that their handicraft would be kept in original condition in tens of centuries. Perfection can be achieved only through experience and customs when everything verified by hundreds of generation and therefore is absolutely expedient. Unique skill of Turkmen women will be the summit of colors, talent and mastery harmony both today and tomorrow and always.

At that far time wonderful Ahal-Teke horse first hoofed Turkmen land. Enemies didn’t bare invade a country of peaceful farmers, as they knew – it’s hard work to defeat a man who saddled the horse as fast as idea.

There are no beginning and no end to the world, and this world is being decorated with three great Turkmen miracles.
By the way, it was Viktor Sarianidi who brought into scientific use the notion of the fifth hearth of ancient civilizations – Margiane. The kingdom that he found in the delta of the Murgab river – the country of Margush four thousand years ago was one of the greatest cultural centers of the East. Nomadic power of Oguz-Han, Parfia, Empire of Great Seljuks announced about themselves much more later. Then there were long centuries of historical anabiosis . But anabiosis is not a death as well as it is not a dissolution in other ethnic groups. As if in fairy-tale Turkmen woke up (just 15 years ago) and took its only place between the East and the West.

Isn’t it incredible? Not at all. Turkmen simply can wait for, they can surrender to the need. Their natural democracy is philosophical throughout. There are no melancholic Turkmen as well as there are no bald Mexicans. Turkmen are definitely free. Policy of foreign dictation can’t be applied to them. Although they had been threatened with celestial punishment for 70 years, everyone from the Communist Party First Secretary to the simple farmer had been doing circumcision to their sons. It was neither act of heroism and challenge to the authority nor religious stoicism. It was calm, even serene self-realization under on principal invariable conditions. Turkmen democracy admits only dictate of need. Today and forever this need is sovereign state. State value is unquestionable for Turkmen. They express civil position through it. Turkmen are deaf to dictation but they are sensitive to authority. The West is not able to comprehend this subtlety as its democracy regenerates into dictate of consumption. Even freedom is an object of consumption here. They “sympathize” aggressively with those who receive less freedom according to the western standards. However, Turkmen are not consumers, they, figuratively speaking, inherit the freedom like they inherit hair and eyes colour. Of course, some of Oguz-Han offspring are far from being noble and high moral standards, but Turkmen proverb says – “let nobody know that your soul is black”. It’s a shame to be bad. Even black soul is ringing with honor imperative giving rise to morbid discord.

I believe that this state of affairs is genuine democracy. It’s just the contrary of the democracy of absurdity that includes, for example, right to be vicious. Society of identical individuals produces clones with set of consumer pretensions and full absence of cultural wealth. Personality becomes a black sheep. Social resonators of high idea and heartfelt word are being destroyed.

I write with a sense of bitterness as I’m sincerely attached to the west-eastern country I live in, to its people who deeply feel the catastrophic situation. Just this circumstance made me have a talk with editorial staff and readers – I argue with nobody as well as refute nobody. I can’t reproach myself in being engaged. Yes, I failed to avoid pathos, but it’s pathos of love and hope. Notes aim is modest – to understand myself, to interpret life in favor of life, to name unselfish as unselfish, sincere as sincere, kind as kind, and to call Turkmenistan – let me smile- the fifth part of the world. Let everyone tell this way about his holy land, everyone out of six billion world population.

Alexander MONAKHOV, Western Europe

“Turkmenistan” magazine (Moscow), ? 3, 2005

Turkmenistan: a Partner in the World Energy Market
Topic: Economy & business
10.06.2005

Considerable progress has been achieved since Turkmenistan and the European Union established co-operation in the energy sector 10 years ago. Turkmenistan and the EU maintain long-term partner relationships including those developed within the framework of the INOGATE Programme elaborated in collaboration with the EU’s TACIS Programme and aimed at working out investment projects, providing assistance in concluding contracts and realising the potential of co-operation in the sector.

According to the European Commission, Turkmenistan’s abundant energy resources is of special importance for achieving the sustainable economic and social development that creates necessary prerequisites for maintaining the peace, stability and prosperity throughout the region.

Turkmenistan’s depths contain a great amount of active reserves, and the entry to the new consumer markets will serve as a powerful stimulus for further promotion of foreign investors. The stable and reliable legal basis protecting the investors’ interests as well as providing the wide opportunities to establish long-term business partnership and the present favourable economic and investment climate attract more and more foreign partners and the leading oil and gas companies in Turkmenistan.

Turkmenistan’s oil and gas industry, including the transport infrastructure of the base sector of the national economy, are developing in accordance with the National Programme Strategy of Economic, Political and Cultural Development of Turkmenistan till 2020. At present, the international companies such as Petronas, Maersk, Burren Energy, Dragon Oil and Mitro International Ltd are successfully operating and making investments in the oil and gas industry of Turkmenistan. According to the latest statistical investigations, the foreign partners have considerably increased their share in the total investment volume taking the wide opportunities of realising Turkmenistan’s energy potential into consideration.

During the years of independence Turkmenistan made its foreign-economic activity more active being integrated in the world economy and pursuing the open-door policy proclaimed by the head of the Turkmen state. The open-door policy promoted establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial co-operation with all the international bodies. Over 100 contracts for oil products supply with more than 60 companies, most of which are the long-term partners of our country, were concluded in 2004.

Occupying the leading positions in energy production Turkmenistan also ranks among the largest ‘blue fuel’ producers and exporters and possesses substantial potential for increasing gas production and export. Therefore, under the tendency towards increasing hydrocarbons and by-products consumption observed at the present times, the special importance is attached to increase in export of Turkmen oil and gas in the world markets.

The fuel exporters as well as consumers are interested in enhancing Turkmen energy transit to foreign countries. It is the field of application mutual actions where it is necessary to seek the progressive mutually acceptable forms and conditions of co-operation.

The realisation of Turkmenistan’s huge potential as an exporter of hydrocarbons depends on the availability of the long-term investment contracts and agreements on transportation of Turkmen raw materials through the territories of the neighbouring countries, in most degree. The main task is to implement the projects contributing to increase in the supply and reliable transportation of energy resources.

The issues of export of Turkmen energy resources to the international markets were considered at the round-table discussion held in Ashgabat on 2-3 March 2005. The representatives of the Energy Charter Secretariat, European Union, European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, the world-famous companies operating in the Turkmen oil and gas market, the leaders of the concerns and corporations of the domestic fuel and energy complex and some diplomats accredited to Turkmenistan participated in the international forum.

The participants of the forum also discussed the prospects of expansion of mutually beneficial international co-operation and considered the variants of the supply of Turkmen hydrocarbons in the international markets, the investment-related provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty aimed at the creation of the appropriate investment climate in all the Energy Charter’s member states.

The participants of the forum noted that considerable increase in the supply of ‘blue fuel’ to Europe provided the good opportunities for the new suppliers including Turkmenistan as the EU’s long-term and reliable partner.

Investments in the energy resources production and infrastructure as well as the market entry are issues requiring more serious and thorough understanding and a constructive approach. In this context the Energy Charter Treaty is a multilateral instrument, dealing specifically with inter-governmental co-operation in the energy sector. Turkmenistan was among the countries, which were the first to sign and accede to the Treaty. At present Turkmenistan is the Charter’s participating state.

The Energy Charter takes much effort to facilitate the transit of energy on a non-discriminatory basis consistent with the principle of freedom of transit. The Charter’s participating states have looked to enhance the Treaty’s provisions on transit through the elaboration of the Transit Protocol. The Transit Protocol is a functional legal document aiming to develop a regime of the commonly accepted operative principles covering the transit flows of energy resources. Most of the Charter’s participating states recognised the necessity of adoption of this document.

The point is to reach the new stage in realisation of the huge potential of regional and international co-operation in the energy sector.

Turkmenistan: the Golden Age

Turkmen Pupils Win Bronze Medals at International Physics Olympiad in Spain
Topic: Health, Education, Social
13.07.2005

Good news came from the Spanish city of Salamanka. A solemn ceremony of awarding the winners of the International Olympiad in Physics among the pupils was held. Among its main winners are the senior pupils from Turkmenistan Mekan Arazmedov, Islam Hydyrov and Eziz Allaberdiev who won bronze medals and diplomas.

As the Ministry of Education of Turkmenistan comments, the Turkmen team consisting of five pupils worthily represented independent and neutral Turkmenistan at the Olympiad as the country with great scientific and intellectual potential. The profound knowledge in physics and other exact sciences, preparation and talent of the Turkmen pupils were highly appreciated by the competent international jury. Certainly, it was a result of the reforms in the educational sphere the experience of participation in the similar competitions. It should be acknowledged that at present the traditions of the national mathematic school have been formed in the country. It allows the pupils to gain prizes at the international Olympiads. The success of the young biologists and chemists is greater and greater. But the success of the young physicists was not so great so it was necessary to work out new approaches of choosing and teaching the participants of the competitions. As a result, the names of the Turkmen pupils were announced among the winners in Spain.

The solemn ceremony of their honouring will be held after their coming back to Ashgabat. In 2006 the young physicists will participate in the Olympiad to be held in Singapore.

State Information Agency of Turkmenistan (TDH)

Indo-Turkmenistan Relations and the Formation of Cultural Heritage of Turkmenistan in Middle Ages
Topic: Turkmen History
R.L.Hangloo (India)

In Indo-Central Asian relations the Turkomen have played very important and historical role that constitutes the most significant aspect of cultural heritage of both these countries in Middle Ages.

Although contacts between India and Central Asia go back to antiquity but it was with the onset of 13th century when Delhi Sultanate was established in India that new processes were set in motion to nourish a vibrant relationship between India and Turkmenistan despite the immensity of distances. There is hardly any area of Indian civilization which did not register the Turkoman influence. In establishing the Sultanates of Delhi, Bengal, Kashmir and Deccan the Turkomen played a significant role in politics, administration, military, judiciary, architecture, art forms, literature, poetry and in'various other institutions like Sufism. Even though the Turkoman established large Sultanates in various regions but they were deeply rooted in to the Turkmenian culture. They always patronised streams of people from their territory to assist them in maiming their affairs. Be it Turkish-Chahalgam in Delhi, Shahmirs in Kashmir, or the Qutb Shah is in Deccan, their contributions in varied fields is very much living even to this day. Similarly the Great Turkomen Bairam Beg Khan who laid the foundation of the mightily Mughal Empire in India and the contribution of his son Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Kanan occupies an impol1ant place in the cultural heritage of both these countries. Hafiz Shirazi once said, . It bespeaks of the cultural synthesis that took place between the two countries at the popular level as well.

The contacts between Indians and Turkomen in various fields of material culture and art and architecture at popular level facilitated by various Sultans and also been a source of great historical progress in formation of the cultural heritage of Turkmenistcan in medieval times. For example Sultan Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah who was from the Qara Qoyunlu tribe of Turkoman founded the City of Hyderabad in Deccan and was also a great poet and the author of rich collection of nearly 50000 couplets comprising ghazals, rwzm, masnavis, qasidas, ruboies and fytas. He is the founder of urdu language in Deccan which he did by blending Persian and Hindi.

There is plentiful of evidence to illustrate various elements which played an important role in formation of cultural heritage of Turkmenistan and its historical progress in Middle ages. All these details are focused very authentically in this paper by the author.

From presentation at the International Conference
"Cultural Heritage of Turkmenistan".
October, 2000. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

Posted by countryturkmenistan at 1:48 PM

Share This Post

Permalink

U.S. Company Wins a Bid to Construct a Sturgeon Breeding and Caviar-Producing Facility in Turkmenistan
Topic: Economy & business
Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov approved a decision made by a tender commission on the results of an international tender on designing and constructing a sturgeon breeding and caviar-producing facility in Kiyanly settlement of Balkan region.

As the Ashgabat correspondent of Turkmenistan.ru reports, the “sturgeon” tender was announced in January 2004. According to the tender terms, it called not only for construction of this facility in Balkan region but also for construction (purchase) of a multi-purpose small fishing-boat with special equipment for transportation of fishermen, whitebait and conducting research expeditions in the Caspian Sea as well as construction of various mini work-shops.

The head of state signed a resolution approving the decision of the tender commission of the State Fishery Committee of Turkmenistan on declaring the US Florida Sturgeon Engineering company the winner of the international tender.

The State Fishery Committee of Turkmenistan is authorized to sign a 16.9m-dollar investment contract with the US Florida Sturgeon Engineering company on the design and construction of a complex, the first facility of such kind in Turkmenistan, with the annual capacity to produce three tons of caviar, 100 tons of sturgeon fish as well as 5 mln sturgeon fry, including financing of the project by the U.S. side. The project is due to start as of September 2005 and finish by December 2006.

Internet newspaper Turkmenistan.Ru