MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Turkmenistan
Index
Government: Many Soviet-era officials still in place,
1996; constitution of 1992 stipulates democratic separation of powers, but
presidency sole center of actual power under Saparmyrat Niyazov.
Legislative branch, fifty-member Milli Mejlis, has same ratification
functions as Soviet-era Supreme Soviet. Judiciary very weak--judges
appointed by president; Supreme Court reviews constitutionality of
legislation. Sixty-member National Council with advisory function,
actually subsidiary to presidential power.
Politics: Constitution guarantees political freedom,
but former Communist Party, now Democratic Party, dominates and retains
same structure and propaganda machine as in Soviet era. Niyazov's cult of
personality provides further domination. Small, weak opposition groups
concentrate on single issues; some groups outlawed.
Foreign Relations: Basic policy "positive
neutrality"--noninterference and neutrality toward all countries and
attempts to establish relations as widely as possible. Marketing and
transport of natural gas and oil given priority in foreign economic deals.
Remains independent of other Central Asian and CIS countries when
possible, but maintains strong bilateral military and economic ties with
Russia.
International Agreements and Memberships: Member of
United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank,
Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Islamic Development Bank, and CIS.
Data as of March 1996
|
|
