Turkmenistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

According to the Bush Administration, the United States has strategic and economic interests in helping Turkmenistan achieve political stability, independence, and integration into the global economy. The United States promotes security cooperation to combat weapons and drug smuggling that are sources of arms and funds for terrorist groups. U.S. aid for projects that address significant U.S. interests is planned for FY2005 to enhance border security, reduce drug use, improve health care, and support student and military exchanges. A State Department fact sheet in November 2003 reported that there had been a marked turndown in bilateral relations because of Turkmenistans human rights record. U.S. Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Tracy Jacobson, asserted that same month that the main focus of U.S. policy in the country is supporting democratization and human rights. This report examines U.S. foreign policy toward, and economic aid to, Turkmenistan U.S. support for grassroots democratization and advocacy for human rights in the country Turkmenistans neutral foreign policy and the makeup of its armed forces Turkmenistans halting economic and political reforms under the authoritarian leadership of President Saparmurad Niyazov and Turkmenistans relations with Russia regarding oil reserves, natural gas reserves, and their export to Western markets through Russian pipelines. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Issue Brief IB93108, Central Asias New States.