| U.S. Government Assistance to and Cooperative Activities with Eurasia -FY 2004 Released by the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs January 2005 II. Country Assessments and Performance Measures - Turkmenistan U.S. STRATEGIC INTERESTS Turkmenistan’s proximity to countries of security concern to the United States, including Afghanistan and Iran, warrants the U.S. Government’s sustained, active involvement. Turkmenistan serves as a valuable assistance corridor to Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan’s cooperation will be critical in reducing the threats to regional stability, especially the transit of illicit narcotics, the continuing threat of terrorism, preventing the transit of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and trafficking in persons. During the year, Turkmenistan’s repressive government has taken a few cautious steps forward in terms of democratic development, economic reform, and security cooperation, though all three areas remain more backward than in the rest of Eurasia. The country’s stability and the potential of its people to achieve a prosperous, democratic future remain in jeopardy. The USG (USG) will remain engaged with Turkmenistan to promote stability and security throughout the region. OVERVIEW OF U.S. GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE In FY 2004, the USG provided an estimated $10.71 million in assistance to Turkmenistan (including $30,000 in FY 2003 FREEDOM Support Act funds):
In FY 2004, some 125 Turkmen citizens traveled to the United States on USG-funded training and exchange programs implemented by USAID and the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and State, bringing the cumulative number of Turkmen participants to over 1,500. U.S. ASSISTANCE PRIORITIES Democratic Reform Programs: In FY 2004, the main priorities of USG democratic reform assistance included civil society development; advocating for registration of NGOs; providing legal education programs; and promoting improved access to objective information through Internet access and independent media. Turkmen journalists traveled to the United States on the International Visitors Program to learn about the role of journalism in the United States. USG-funded exchange programs to the United States and scholarships to attend the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek enabled the USG to reach out to the next generation of Turkmen leaders. The Peace Corps also played a vital role in promoting democracy and civil-sector reform in rural and urban areas of Turkmenistan. The USG pursued a two-track approach, advocating for democratic reform with the Government of Turkmenistan while at the same time familiarizing Turkmen citizens with the benefits of democracy and providing the citizenry with the basic tools for small-scale advocacy. This remains a risky and difficult field to navigate. Economic and Social-Sector Reform Programs: In FY 2004, USG economic and social-sector reform programs focused on private-sector development, infectious disease control, and the improvement of primary health care delivery. The Turkmen Government remained reluctant to engage meaningfully in market-based reform, and as a result USG assistance in this area was limited to training in such fields as international accounting and legal standards and a modest financial reform project with the Central Bank. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Cochran Fellowship Program reestablished itself as a training option for farmers after the fall of the exit visa regime in February 2004. The Turkmen Government continued to cooperate and engage on health care programs, and the USG has successfully implemented HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) programs, and provided training for family doctors. USG assistance in education is aimed at improving the quality of basic education through in-service teacher and school principal training, distribution of teaching materials featuring modern methodology, promotion of parent and community involvement in education, and pilot activities in education finance, however, assistance in this area has been limited to teacher training to date as a result of the Government’s unwillingness to engage with the project. Education is tightly controlled by the regime and used as a tool for developing the President’s cult of personality. Security, Regional Stability, and Law Enforcement Programs: In FY 2004, USG security-related assistance in Turkmenistan was geared toward preventing trafficking in narcotics and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) through training programs and donation of equipment such as tools, search equipment, and a forensic laboratory. The USG also provided assistance to help Turkmenistan combat trafficking in persons. In addition to providing Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to counter the threat posed by WMD, the USG sent members of the Turkmen military on U.S.-based training under the International Military Education Training (IMET) Program. Over the past year, there was a notable increase in cooperation between the Turkmen Government and bilateral and international partners working in this sector. The USG embarked on a new outreach program to engage community and religious leaders in the region. The goal of this initiative is twofold: to incorporate the viewpoints of religious leaders into USG programmatic decision making and activity implementation, thereby strengthening the effectiveness of USG assistance; and to raise awareness of and support for USG assistance at the community level. Turkmen religious leaders are not allowed to build relationships with USG officials, as the President strictly controls this sector. Additionally, the USG is addressing potential sources of community-based conflict by identifying vulnerable communities, working with them to build a sense of community, and then tempering those sources through community infrastructure and social projects. SECTORAL ASSESSMENTS Democratic Reform Turkmenistan made modest improvements in its human rights record in FY 2004, following a year in which human rights abuses intensified in the wake of a coup attempt. Under the threat of Jackson-Vanik sanctions, the government repealed its exit visa requirement in January 2004. In the spring of 2004, under the threat of designation as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom, the government reduced registration requirements for religious minorities and registered 4 religious groups. Under international pressure, the government removed criminal penalties from the law on NGOs, but has still registered only a handful of truly independent organizations. By law, all foreign assistance must be registered with the Ministry of Justice or the State Agency for Foreign Investment and coordinated through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. So far this step has been bureaucratic but not restrictive for our grant programs. The role of the Parliament remains greatly weakened and the President continues to be head of the supreme legislative body of the country – The People’s Council. Parliamentary in December 2004 did not meet international standards. USG assistance efforts in Turkmenistan focus on providing the tools for citizens to promote and advocate for their rights. Much of the USG’s democratic reform efforts are designed to counter negative political and social trends by exposing the future generation of Turkmen leaders to democracy, free-market systems, and models of society where basic human rights are respected. In FY 2004, USAID’s civil society program focused on strengthening a network of four Civil Society Support Centers in the regions, which in turn provided a full range of services including training, grants, legal and project consultancies, information support, and internet access to local advocates. Due to few associations being registered under the new NGO law, USAID shifted its civil society program from focusing on the support of NGOs to working with community-based organizations, such as schools and libraries, using them as a venue for citizen outreach and participatory discussions on key issues of concern at the local level. This shift to more community-based development tools, grants, and the facilitation of a public community forum resulted in a substantial increase in the level of community activism. For example, eight local officials from non-urban areas of the country joined with community activists to define community issues in a nationwide Community Leaders Forum. They built trust and designed coordinated work plans to implement together to tackle important social challenges. A farming community in Mary used advocacy skills provided by USAID to launch a campaign to be reimbursed for erroneously charged agricultural fees. As a result, the community received a payment of 400 million mantas ($77,000 at the official rate) from the local government. In another example, the local government in Lebap banned the activities of school sports trainers attempting to set up a Tennis Club, claiming they had no right for public activities, since all public activities should be government-sponsored. After consultations with a Civil Society Support Center lawyer, the sports trainers were able to cite the provisions of the NGO law allowing for professional workers to conduct public activities outside of business hours. The local government not only stopped its interference, it later funded a workshop for the group. The League of Radio-Fans in Turkmenabat enlisted the assistance of a USAID civil society support center lawyer to help implement tax-exempt status for rent tax. Following recommendations of the lawyer NGO leader met with tax authorities and showed the NGO law, which said that NGOs are released from paying rent taxes. Local tax authorities exempted the NGO from tax payment. Support for registered NGOs and those interested in registering continued in FY 2004. A cadre of lawyers were hired and placed throughout the country in the Civil Society Support Centers to provide support to civic leaders wanting to register their NGOs. As a result, 21 NGOs applied for registration, 3 of which received it. The denied organizations plan to reapply for registration after thoroughly analyzing their application materials and the reasons given by the Ministry of Justice. Our lawyers are active in assisting with this analysis. A total of 380 legal consultations to date, and five workshops on the specifics of Turkmen law this year, have been provided to civil society activists. Grant making (suspended for several months during FY 2004) restarted after the new NGO legal framework was clarified. Ten community grants totaling $36,287, in advocacy, social partnership, community mobilization, and volunteerism promotion, were distributed and legally registered. The USG’s rule of law program, which focused on legal education and developing the next generation of legal professionals, ran into several roadblocks this year. Critical thinking training for law professors and teachers was planned but the Turkmen State University rector and Ministry of Education did not approve it. Government restrictions prohibit foreigners from delivering international law training at the University, and sending students and professors out of the country for such training is also prohibited. USAID contributed to the development of a Young Lawyers Association, but it was ultimately not registered under the new NGO law. Despite the difficulties, there was some progress. After the Government refused permission to conduct the Jessup International Moot Court competition, an alternative competition was conducted in-country, using lawyers from the Red Cross and the Red Crescent Society of Turkmenistan. The event was a rare opportunity for law students not only to sharpen their trial and analytical skills, but also to be exposed to areas of international law, including an updated analysis of Turkmenistan’s obligations under international law. The USAID-supported Legal Resource Center (LRC) associated with Turkmen State University continued to be a valuable source of information to the legal community in Ashgabat, providing legal materials and computer access to over 7,000 citizens, law students, and academics; as many as 490 students attended LRC-organized seminars on criminal legislation, legal protections for women under national law, labor, and environment law. USAID established a partnership with a private law-firm in Ashgabat to open the first ever-legal clinic, a major milestone in legal education in Turkmenistan, where opportunities for practical education are slim. Law students now have a practical venue to practice their skills, while indigent clients can access legal assistance on a broad range of commercial laws issues such as on taxes, property, land, agricultural production, commercial entity registration procedures, and commercial contracts. The Community Action Investment Program (CAIP) was to be the centerpiece of USAID's conflict prevention initiative in Turkmenistan. In FY 2004, USAID was forced to cancel the program for lack of cooperation from the Turkmen Government. The government was suspicious of the true goals of the program and was not willing to allow pilot projects to go forth. This paranoia is increasingly common in the Turkmen working environment. In FY 2004 the USG expanded democracy outreach programs to Turkmenistan by distributing more than $120,000 in Democracy Commission grants to local civil society organizations. Grant funding included support for projects that increased Internet access for rural populations, expanded educational opportunities for disabled and minority groups, and educated citizens and youth on democracy. The Embassy opened two new Internet Access and Training Program (IATP) sites and continued to expand its American Corners Program throughout the country. As a result, citizens may now access IATP and American Corners in every region of Turkmenistan. FSA funding has enabled the Embassy to focus its democratic outreach on equipping the citizens of Turkmenistan with necessary tools to advocate for their own human rights and reform in their country. Through people-to-people exchange programs, funding for exchange program alumni activities, the Democracy Commission grants program, and American Corners outreach, the Embassy has successfully supported the expansion of civil society across Turkmenistan. FSA democracy programs are vital to USG long-term interests in pressing Turkmenistan to abide by its international commitments and to move out of isolation. In order to forestall the possibility that Turkmenistan will become a failed state, the USG must continue to support the development of civil society through such programs promoting freedom of religion and respect for human rights, educational and professional exchange and development programs (particularly those targeted at youth), and NGO advocacy and training. In FY 2005, USG-funded civil society development programs will continue, focusing on grassroots community movements and support to registered NGOs, by expanding technical and legal training and advice. The USG also plans to include Turkmenistan in a regional media program designed to deliver objective information to Turkmen citizens. Economic and Social-Sector Reform Turkmenistan remains the least responsive Central Asian country to economic reform and development. Yet, despite the adverse political and economic situation, the USG succeeded in contributing to Turkmenistan’s economic development. This was accomplished primarily through educational programs for private sector professionals, university students, and government employees rather than official cooperation with government agencies, where unpredictability and a general reluctance has made assistance difficult to deliver. Over 1,300 entrepreneurs participated in short-term business courses encompassing the basic tenets of a free market economy. In addition to business courses, 227 accountants were trained and tested in International Accounting Standards (IAS) with 18 achieving Certified Accountant Practitioner (CAP) status. With USG support, graduates of the IAS courses organized a professional association, which succeeded in registering under Turkmenistan’s new NGO law. An association development grant was provided to assist the association in strategic development. The association was able to join the International Council of Certified Accountants and Audits as an associate member. This membership status allows the Accountants of Turkmenistan to award the Certified Accounting Practitioners and Certified International Professional Accountants designations in Turkmenistan. Before its registration and acceptance into the international council, there was no certifying body in Turkmenistan and Turkmen CAPs were issued certificates from Kyrgyzstan. Additional association development grants were awarded to two farmers’ cooperatives. The USG also trained approximately 160 teachers and professors in micro and macroeconomics, business and commercial negotiation, financial management, marketing and critical thinking. Through a commercial law seminar series, the USG reached 370 participants interested in legal topics relevant to doing business in Turkmenistan. Additionally, 60 secondary school teachers throughout Turkmenistan were trained in business and economics teaching methodologies, which they now teach in 60 secondary schools in both the Russian and Turkmen languages. New teaching materials were adopted and translated into Turkmen. The materials were the first Turkmen language teaching materials on economics in Turkmenistan. Cooperation continued with the Central Bank of Turkmenistan. Although progress has been difficult, there is a desire among the employees within the Central Bank to understand modern banking practices and to implement reforms. Regional trade expansion has been successful in increasing the volume of trade over the past year. USAID-funded trade advisors compared to $24,000 last year facilitated over $500,000 in contracts. And new strategic advisory services were provided to private sector companies in Ashgabat. In FY 2005, USG programs will continue to focus on economics training and education, including the opening of Junior Achievement training centers in five welayets (regions). USG-funded efforts will continue to promote the development of business associations and provide hands-on strategic development assistance to local companies. Although USG assistance to Turkmenistan’s state-owned energy sector was limited in FY 2004 due to USG policy vis-à-vis assistance to the Turkmen Government. Over the past year support to the student chapter of the U.S. Society of Petroleum Engineers, which was established at the Turkmen Polytechnic Institute, continued. This modest level of support provides students with computer access to the vast resources of the U.S. Society of Petroleum Engineers. Because the society provides global reach through its internet connection, members of Turkmen Polytechnic Institute’s student chapter can now exchange experiences, participate in international oil and gas engineering conferences, and expand their knowledge of new technologies. In the water sector, one of the few areas where effective assistance currently can be provided to the Government of Turkmenistan is the National Hydromet Service. This agency is responsible for supplying information on weather and water data for the nation and estimating annual water flows into the country. Over the past two years, USAID has provided some equipment and trained staff so that they are better able to collect water and weather data, and transmit it to the central data collection center in Ashgabat for analysis and distribution. In FY 2005, a modest water user’s support program will come online to support rational water decision making by citizens at the local level giving them the tools to better manage their production and financial future. Although Turkmenistan’s health situation is poor, only 2.5 percent of the country’s budget is allocated to health. The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases has increased by sixty-one percent since 1995, while the mortality rate has nearly doubled in the last six years. The Turkmen Government’s cooperation with USG-funded health care reform programs has yielded some successes. This year Turkmenistan received essential and high quality medications from the Global Drug Facility. The free allotment of medications facilitated the expansion of USAID’s TB Direct Observed Treatment, Short-Course (DOTS) program, after a pilot program had shown that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) internationally recognized DOTS strategy improved the cure rate from 62.2 percent in 2001 to 71.6 percent in 2003. The Government of Turkmenistan continues to permit this program to function, but the recent move of the TB hospital 100 kilometers outside of the capital city has created transportation problems for hospital staff and patients. Limiting access to care and further increasing the stigmatization of TB patients will hinder progress in eradicating this dangerous infectious disease. Turkmenistan has the second highest infant (under one year old) mortality rate in Central Asia, with 74 deaths for every 1,000 live births, and the highest child (between one and five years of age) mortality rate, at 94.3 out of every 1,000 children. In 2004, the USG concluded a statistical survey to identify the main reasons for child mortality, and the results indicate about eighty percent of the deaths were avertable. Ongoing activities will work to help the Government provide an appropriate response to these findings. The USG launched a malaria prevention/training program in response to the Ministry of Health’s request after an outbreak of malaria in areas bordering Afghanistan. In addition, the Primary Care Training Center in Ashgabat continued to flourish, reaching one hundred percent of all family nurses and doctors with training in family medicine. At the end of FY 2004, a second phase began that will expand the knowledge of doctor/nurse teams in HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, domestic violence and other women’s health issues, and work on patient/medical practitioner communication. A second center is being opened in Ashgabat to train doctors and nurses from other areas of the country. To combat child illnesses, USAID, jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), sponsored health promotion campaigns for nurses and health care recipients in rural areas. In a recent monitoring survey, nearly one hundred percent of mothers were aware of the key messages of the campaign, compared to twenty-five percent of mothers prior to the campaign. Small grants to health NGOs will continue to be a key part of the program, supporting the efforts of civil society activists to promote issues that are important to their local communities. Although the new NGO law limits the breadth of support we are able to give, there are still useful and effective proposals being submitted. In FY 2004, 15 projects were funded for a total of $46,000. One grant recognized the need for training educational professionals to deal with handicapped children. In Ashgabat, 243 school and kindergarten workers were introduced to the special needs of handicapped children and how to deal with their special health situations. HIV prevalence in Turkmenistan remains an unknown; during the past year, the government indicated interest in applying for programming funds from The Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria. USAID will support the government in FY 2005 with technical assistance during the application phase for these two diseases, and encourage a grant on HIV/AIDS as well. With USG assistance, Turkmenistan achieved one hundred percent salt iodization, certified by world experts. Turkmenistan is the first country of the former Soviet Union and only the forth country in the world to gain this important step in fighting iodine deficient illnesses. The quality of education in Turkmenistan is deteriorating as a result of the Turkmen Government’s interference in all areas of the education process. According to interviews with Turkmen citizens, quality education is becoming increasingly inaccessible and inequitable. This is an issue of concern for the future generation of Turkmen. A USAID basic education program designed to strengthen the educational system through pilot programs continued in FY 2004. The Turkmen Ministry of Education still hampers administration of the program, but local educational officials have shown great interest in it. Currently, the program is working in four towns in Turkmenistan. In FY 2004, 207 teachers and administrators received training in interactive teaching methodologies aimed at building students’ analytical skills. In 2004, USAID estimates that nearly 25,000 students benefited from improved teaching resulting from program training. Teacher trainers have developed Turkmen language training for piloting in upcoming teacher training activities. USAID is also making efforts to include Turkmenistan participants in applicable education program activities in other countries with the hope that this will result in the identification of new program areas feasible in Turkmenistan. A Turkmen participant attended a regional conference in Tajikistan where participants shared community mobilization approaches, lessons-learned, and success stories. USAID also made contact with a group of teachers who traveled to Russia to visit a successful community schools program through another USAID initiative, and selected several of those who had this experience from the target communities to attend training in Kazakhstan for early childhood educators on how to work with parents of the growing number of children not attending pre-school. In one site, the local head of the education department and teachers who participated in the Kazakhstan pre-school training have started a Sunday school for children not attending pre-school to build the necessary skills to start school. USDA’s Cochran Fellowship Program for small farmers sent five practitioners to the US in FY 2004. Security, Regional Stability, and Law Enforcement Despite profound differences with the Government of Turkmenistan, the USG has been able to maintain and expand certain regional security assistance programs that are important to U.S. homeland security, anti-terrorism, and anti-narcotics efforts. Turkmenistan’s military lacks basic skills and equipment. In FY 2004, the U.S. Department of Defense had modest success in conducting International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs for a total of seven Turkmen participants. In FY 2004, Turkmenistan also received $690,000 in Foreign Military Financing (FMF), which the Turkmen Government is using to purchase a system of Motorola radios for Turkmenistan’s emergency response communication system. The USG-funded Export Control and Related Border Security (EXBS) Program overcame the Turkmen Government’s reluctance to participate in regional security programs and allowed regular visits to commercial border crossings to evaluate the needs of the customs and border services. EXBS projects included the provision of water trucks, night vision goggles, binoculars, radiation pagers, and a WMD training class. The Government of Turkmenistan hosted security training by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and U.S. Customs and sent security officers abroad to the International Law Enforcement Academy in Hungary and the U.S. Turkmen law enforcement officers attended security training in Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey and worked with the DOJ International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) to improve narcotics and WMD identification and interdiction. Humanitarian Assistance In FY2004, $250,000 in humanitarian commodities was provided to the most vulnerable population groups throughout Turkmenistan through the DOS humanitarian programs. Essential humanitarian commodities included clothing, food, and emergency shelter items. COUNTRY PERFORMANCE MEASURES Turkmenistan remains a totalitarian regime with a poor human rights record. FY 2004 saw continued human rights abuses, including politically motivated arrests, detainments and incidents of torture. Little progress was made in economic reform. The failure of the government to institute a unified rate for conversion of the national currency into hard currency further hampered economic development. Economic & Democratic Reforms, 1991-2004
Data are drawn from EBRD, Transition Report (November 2004) & Freedom House, Nations in Transit 2004 & Freedom in the World 2004. Ratings are based on a 1 to 5 scale with 5 representing the most advanced. Latest-year observation refers to 2004 economic reform data and 2003 democratic reform data; i.e., 2004 data for democratic reforms are not yet available.
Turkmenistan has seen very minimal private-sector development; an estimated 75 percent of the economy remains state-controlled. The quality of life has not improved from already very low levels. The very poor health sector receives scant attention from the central government, and the country’s education system continues to deteriorate. Economic Structure and Human Development, 1990-2004
World Bank, World Development Indicators 2004 (2004); UNICEF, Social Monitor 2004 (2004); EBRD, Transition Report (November 2004); and UNDP, Human Development Report (2004). SECTORAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES DEMOCRATIC REFORM Performance Indicator: USAID NGO Sustainability Index, (1 = highest 7 = lowest)
(*This is not the final, official NGOSI score, but rather a performance measure tracked solely by the missions.) FY 2004 Results: As in FY 2003, Turkmenistan’s NGOs remained poorly developed and under constant restriction, surveillance, and harassment by the Turkmen Government. Only a few new NGOs were allowed to register under the highly restrictive new NGO law. The Turkmen Government remained fearful that NGOs would become a force for political opposition. USG efforts to convince the Turkmen Government of the important place of NGOs in a healthy democratic society continued to fall on deaf ears. Performance Indicator: Civil Society Rating, Drawing from Freedom House, Nations in Transit 2004 as modified by, "Monitoring Country Progress in Eastern Europe and Eurasia" USAID/E&E/PO, #9 January 6, 2005. (1-lowest, 5-highest; data based on previous calendar year)
FY 2004 Results: The outlook for civil society in Turkmenistan remained bleak. While citizens have the constitutional right to form political parties and other social associations, anyone seeking to form an opposition political party continued to face strong government oppression. In FY 2004, one activist applied for permission for a policy demonstration. He was arrested and committed to a psychiatric hospital. Four minority religious groups were registered joining the Sunni Muslims and Russian Orthodox Christians as recognized religious groups. The Turkmen Government treated NGOs with hostility. Public education was reduced from 10 to 9 years in FY 2003, and unemployment remained high, resulting in an even bleaker future for young Turkmen. ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL REFORM Performance Indicator: Economic Reform Index, Drawing from Freedom House, Nations in Transit 2004 as modified by, "Monitoring Country Progress in Eastern Europe and Eurasia" USAID/E&E/PO, #9 January 6, 2005. (1-lowest, 5-highest; data based on previous calendar year)
FY 2004 Results: There was little will on the part of the Turkmen Government to implement broad-based market reforms, a circumstance unlikely to change under the current regime. However, small enterprises were being established, and the USG will continue to look for ways to support these business leaders. Business associations were also emerging as a potential voice for reform. The Union of Accountants, a truly independent group, was registered as a public association in FY 2004. Performance Indicator: Tuberculosis incidence, new cases per 100,000 population. (Source: UNICEF, Social Monitor 2003)
FY 2004 Results: USAID has been working with the Turkmen Government to pilot the DOTS treatment approach. Four pilot sites have been established over the past several years, with rather good results. Under DOTS, patients once out of work for up to a year during a treatment course are now able to return home to their family and begin working again after as little as two months. USAID’s pilot efforts demonstrated that the DOTS strategy improved the cure rate from 62.2 percent in 2001 to 71.6 percent in 2003. Under The Global Drug Facility, Turkmenistan was awarded five years of quality drugs to fight TB. Although the drugs are important, the process of defining a national strategy and the release of important health indicators to be considered for awarding of medications was essential to improve the health information situation in Turkmenistan. SECURITY, REGIONAL STABILITY, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Performance Indicator: Turkmen Government receptivity to training for security, military, and other law enforcement personnel (measured in terms of the number of participants).
FY 2004 Results: Though the number of participants in 2004 marginally was lower than in 2003, the Government of Turkmenistan continued to be receptive to training for security, military, and other law enforcement personnel. Overall Embassy considers the relevance of the attendees to have improved over the course of FY04. Performance Indicator: Turkmen Government receptivity to assistance to prevent WMD proliferation (measured in terms of the number of equipment deliveries and training sessions in the use of delivered equipment).
FY 2004 Results: The Turkmen Government hosted security-training events to improve WMD and narcotic interdiction and allowed officers to participate in regional security events. Security officials accepted donated equipment and significantly improved cooperation in all areas. TURKMENISTAN
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Area: approx. 303,292 sq. miles, slightly larger than California 
