U.S. Assistance to Turkmenistan - Fiscal Year 2002

In the area of civil society development, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is offering increased training, particularly to non-political community groups. Civil Society assistance has become increasingly focused on organizations that demonstrate a willingness to improve services for communities. The democracy program also supports a legal information center and law library at Turkmen State University.

Emphasis remains on exchange programs designed to promote long-term generational change through academic and professional exchanges. Since 1993 over 1,100 citizens of Turkmenistan have come to the U.S. on USG funded exchange programs. This year, the State Department plans to increase funding for exchange programs that focus on the education of young people such as the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX) for high school students and the Teaching Excellence Awards. In addition, the State Department will be cooperating with the American University of Central Asia in Kyrgyzstan to provide scholarships for promising students from Turkmenistan. The new USAID Basic Education Sector Strengthening program will help train teachers in more interactive teaching methods and increase parent and community involvement in schools.

The Internet Access and Training Program sponsors two free Internet access sites in Ashgabat, with an additional site scheduled to open in Dashaguz. In December 2001, President Niyazov signed a decree that ended the Turkmen exit visa regime. This has had a direct and positive effect on Turkmen participants in U.S. exchange programs.

Due to the difficult business environment, USAID has discontinued its micro-credit activities in Turkmenistan. The remaining economic development program provides technical assistance and training to entrepreneurs, agricultural producers, and self-governing associations. USAID also supports seminars on commercial law to lawyers, law students, and entrepreneurs.

Turkmenistan is benefiting from $5 million from the Emergency Response Funds for Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) assistance. The EXBS program provides support for the Turkmenistan Border Guards and other border security organizations to ensure interoperability and enhanced control of Turkmenistan’s borders. The goal is to prevent the transit of weapons of mass destruction, proliferation-related technology, and other illicit weapons trafficking. In addition the U.S. has allocated $450,000 in International Military Education and Training for FY 2002.

Anti-crime training and technical assistance will build on current counter narcotics efforts and improve detection, interdiction, and enforcement capabilities. Specifically, assistance will support establishment in Turkmenistan of units with enhanced counter-narcotics capabilities.

Humanitarian Programs for Turkmenistan include the provision of commodities through the Department of State Humanitarian Transport Program. Under this modest program, which is expected to provide nearly $5 million in donated humanitarian commodities, the Department of State is shipping and distributing medical supplies, clothing, and food to the most needy people.

The Government of Turkmenistan is providing strong support for assistance to improve the delivery of health services. The program focuses on efforts to control tuberculosis and reform primary health care. USAID is providing technical assistance to Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Health and Medical Industry in implementing the World Health Organization-recommended Directly Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS) strategy for tuberculosis control in Ashgabat.

The Government of Turkmenistan is supportive of assistance for improved water management. Significant progress has been made towards establishing a communication system that would collect and distribute hydrological data throughout the region. Officials from Turkmenistan’s hydro-meteorological agency have participated in a number of regional training courses promoting a cooperative approach to data management within Central Asia.

Six Peace Corps volunteers are working in the areas of education and health. Forty-eight more volunteers were sworn in on November 6, 2002.