Turkmenistan, 1993

First of all, I should like to congratulate the

President on his assumption of his important post at the

forty-eighth session of the General Assembly.

I should also like to express my gratitude for making it

possible for me to comply with the instructions of the

President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Niyazov, and the entire

Turkmen population in speaking to the world community.

A unique situation prevails in the world today. There are no

longer two inimical camps, and we virtually have eliminated

the most pressing problem of global nuclear conflict.

Furthermore, ridding ourselves of the ideological yoke has

freed us from internal conflicts and contradictions. As

political scientists said after the end of the standoff between

the two blocs, we now have on the world agenda urgent

problems - new and bloody regional and internal conflicts,

which are no less dangerous to the world than a global

confrontation.

What are the reasons for this seemingly unfathomable

outbreak of aggressiveness and conflict? In our view, the

answer to this question can be found in the lack of political

pragmatism and in a failure to understand realities. One of

Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 25

the major reasons is the lack of a deep-seated political

culture and of restraint, and the desire to do everything at

once. But there are no miracles. We need political courage,

which has been demonstrated by the President of

Turkmenistan, in order to avoid the pitfalls of unrealistic

decisions, something which might, to put it mildly, lead to

social disappointment.

From the very first days of our independent existence,

Turkmenistan found itself faced with a whole series of

difficult and unique problems, which were determined by the

special characteristics of its attaining statehood. Proclaiming

its sovereignty and independence is only the starting-point

for a lengthy process which is to lead to the establishment

of an efficient political system, a strong national economy

and a workable social structure. For this, we need

essentially not just reforms but a full reorientation of the

political system and of the economy. I should like to

emphasize especially this aspect, since at the same time very

difficult reforms will be needed in other areas as well.

The natural economic and social development of our

people was interrupted for seven long decades. As a result,

people lost the notion of private property, and their ways of

thinking and social morals became out of touch. This is an

important aspect, and we should bear this mind in

establishing new States on a new legal basis.

At the present time, the most important possessions of

all the citizens of Turkmenistan are independence and the

opportunity to solve their problems independently. Perhaps

this would seem to be axiomatic, but as we see it, of the

entire system of priorities formulated by the Government of

our country, this is the most desirable in the current

circumstances prevailing in Turkmenistan and in the area.

In order to achieve large-scale reforms of the political

and economic system in Turkmenistan, a programme of "10

years of stability" has been adopted. What are the tasks of

that programme? First and foremost, to wean the economy

away from the notion of State property, in particular from a

foodstuff-dominated economy and production towards the

production of prepared products. The second is the

formation of the political, economic, social, spiritual and

cultural life of the State, without the infamous system -

inherited from the past - of roles played out in advance.

Thirdly is the formation and development of democratic

institutions, including a multi-party system. Against the

background of these processes, we see social psychology

transformed, away from political apathy and the lack of

responsibility.

In this regard, we are trying to pursue our policy in

such a way that we would strengthen our ability to avoid

social upheaval, breakdowns in all sectors of society and the

lack of social harmony. This is not easy. The people of

Turkmenistan need unity and solidarity. This gives us hope

for the future, however. Pragmatism will be a determinant

in overcoming our difficulties in establishing the major

criteria for Turkmenistan’s current foreign policy. In solving

these economic problems, we are offering to our foreign

partners businesslike cooperation without any ideological or

political passions, and we have found understanding

everywhere. The logical outcome of this development has

led us to the formulation of a foreign-policy concept of

positive neutrality, which is in keeping with the national

interests of our State and in the interest of maintaining peace

and stability in the region.

In solving military problems, we have been guided by

our neutral status, which stems from the principle of non-

interference in the internal affairs of States and the

recognition of territorial integrity and the inviolability of

their borders. It is well known that sometimes the concept

of non-interference can be questionable or even rejected.

But in our view, a new independent State in Europe and

Asia also needs conditions for the peaceful resolution of its

internal problems in order to achieve civil calm and in order

to find the necessary compromises. Obviously, based on

military force, we cannot achieve development and progress

in the broad sense of the word. And we need to move away

from internationalizing the internal problems of various

States through military force. At the same time, we support

the peace-keeping actions of the United Nations and other

international organizations.

These are the factors that determine our view of events

in Tajikistan. I can state that our position has found support

and understanding among other countries. We have reached

agreement with the leadership of Iran on a new agreement,

one of the most important conditions of which is the

transformation of the 1,500-kilometre border between Iran

and Turkmenistan into a border of peace and cooperation.

We are actively engaged in political dialogue with the

central Government of Afghanistan and also with the

authorities of the northern and north-western provinces.

Such a policy has brought positive results. Recently we

signed a three-party memorandum on the construction of a

railroad from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan.

In addition, Afghanistan will see the first major railroad in

its history. We will make it possible, therefore, to have an

outlet to the ports of the Indian Ocean through the States of

Central Asia and Europe.

26 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

Speaking of relations with our neighbours, we must

especially emphasize the role of Russia in the creation of an

independent Turkmenistan. We well understand that this

process began in Russia and was initiated by its leadership.

A high degree of understanding at the level of leadership

and the traditional mutual respect of our peoples has

established a lasting basis for the development of mutually

advantageous bilateral cooperation on new and equitable

bases. In speaking of this, I should like from this rostrum

to state that Turkmenistan supports the efforts of the

leadership of Russia to establish order and to establish

conditions for the active continuation of political reforms and

the full dismantling of the totalitarian system and its

replacement with a system chosen by the people.

Turkmenistan is actively developing relations with

Turkey, Austria, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Pakistan,

Malaysia, Germany, France, Argentina and Italy, and

constructive dialogue with the United States is under way.

President Niyazov’s recent visit to Belgium laid the

groundwork for new cooperation between Turkmenistan and

the countries of the European Community and between

Turkmenistan and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

We are also opening a number of Turkmenistan Embassies

abroad. In short, our country is actively involved in

international relations.

We support those agreements that will lead to an end

of confrontation and make possible peaceful and constructive

dialogue. Among those agreements, we note with

satisfaction the recent changes in the relationship between

Israel and the PLO.

Turkmenistan’s geopolitical situation - our country is a

member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in

Europe (CSCE) and is at the same time connected by deep

historical and cultural roots to the Middle and Far East -

enables us, in view of our country’s stability, to play a

constructive role in bridging the gap between two major

regions of the world.

I should like to say a few words on Turkmenistan’s

position vis-à-vis the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Turkmenistan is in favour of the Commonwealth, in favour

of the development of integrationist processes and, while it

opposed the establishment of any kind of rigid centralized

system in the past it is in favour of coordinating structures.

In our view, the coming forth today of super-national

formations has held back the process of independence and

has now led back to the former system of decision by force.

In States that have arisen since the dissolution of the Soviet

Union, we now see respect for national interests alone, and

we see only the bare beginnings of a process of inter-State

relations on new, qualitatively different bases. The

statehood of these countries is a difficult matter, and this

process must respect national specificities and social and

economic factors. If all these factors are borne in mind, any

kind of rigid coordinating structure is impossible. Attempts

artificially to impose positions and a unified model for

development on new independent States cannot but work

against sovereignty and national interests. In the final

analysis, such an approach would lead to the establishment

of a new centre.

From the very outset, Turkmenistan actively attempted

to develop relations with the countries of the Commonwealth

of Independent States on the basis of bilateral relations and

various types of agreements, in view of the fact that the

Commonwealth is primarily a consultative mechanism that

gives us the opportunity to exchange ideas and experience

and to lay down programmes of action. We feel that such

an approach is more flexible and therefore more effective.

Experience has shown that at this current stage - and I

emphasize, at this current stage - bilateral agreements are a

more reliable basis for solving problems as they arise.

We often see the example of the European Community,

and, supposedly, the same thing could happen in our region.

To my mind, anyone who tries to achieve what the European

Community has done over 40 years is not taking into

account some essential factors: the high-level starting-point

of the unification of Europe, the very different market basis

of its economies and what might be called the European

psychology. We have none of these factors.

It is important to establish the fact that if we cannot

count on our future relations, the Commonwealth of

Independent of States has no prospects. We in Turkmenistan

believe, and have always believed, that a solution should be

found within the framework of the Commonwealth, should

be adopted by consensus and should be very broad and

based primarily on economic feasibility and attractiveness.

This will be only the first step, and it needs to be followed

by others on a higher level of integration.

But for this, the Commonwealth of Independent States

and the countries of which it is composed need a period of

transition in order to work out acceptable approaches and

adequately evaluate the existing realities. Over two years of

independent development, we have done a great deal of

work in establishing a legal basis for the market. We have

already established the basis and guarantees that opened up

the Turkmen market to foreign investors and enterprises. In

Forty-eighth session - 5 October l993 27

Turkmenistan we have introduced private property,

including land, and we have established zones of free

economic development. Today we have a stable political

situation and social agreement. It is important that society

be psychologically prepared for new economic relations.

On 1 November this year, Turkmenistan will introduce

its own national monetary unit, the manat. We are in an

extremely unstable monetary zone, which would mean

certain limitations for Turkmenistan if we gave up our

sovereignty and formed our own policy regarding prices,

taxation, budgeting, credit and monetary policy. Hence, our

country has sometimes absorbed some losses because of

continuing inflation and the economic crisis.

All of this was conditioned by the need to introduce our

own currency. We believe that our own currency policy will

be closely linked to that of the United States dollar, and we

intend to ensure, from the time we introduce it, its

convertibility. According to prognoses of international

experts and our own evaluations, we have a real opportunity

of doing this. The manat will be a reliable currency for the

State reserves. The introduction of a national currency

policy will hasten structural changes in the economy and

bring us closer to the market.

With the International Monetary Fund we have worked

up a programme of structural economic changes, including

a step-by-step process. From 1 October we have begun a

broad liberalization of prices, including plans to enter the

world price system and this also includes energy prices.

With the introduction of the manat as our currency we are

beginning active privatization, which involves, first and

foremost, the sphere of services in the area of medium-sized

and large enterprises. This is to be done by selling

enterprises at auction and distributing shares among workers.

We hope to conclude the privatization process by the end of

1995.

I should like to point out that the privatization

programme has been carried out in close cooperation with

the World Bank. In addition, measures to free prices have

been undertaken by the Government in order to free up

trade. Licensing of exports will take place with a view to

observing norms ensured through national security and the

protection of our cultural and artistic heritage. We shall also

undertake other steps designed to promote maximum

stimulation of international trade and eliminate administrative

barriers and to increase access to the market. In a time of

transition to a market economy, we intend to make the

State’s role more streamlined and open and significantly

reduce its interference in economic activities.

We welcome the attention the United Nations

specialized agencies have paid us with regard to our

problems. Despite our difficulties and the problems yet to

be solved, the Republic has achieved considerable success.

Over the first six months of 1993, Turkmenistan’s national

income increased by 112 per cent. Such growth would not

have been achieved by many States in a similar situation.

Over that same period industrial output increased by 116.9

per cent, and agricultural production increased by

124 per cent.

The stronger our economy, the more reliable the fabric

of political and social life in our State. At the same time,

we believe that economic development is inconceivable

without our country’s steady development of a society in

which the individual and his interests are regarded as the

most important end. For Turkmenistan, which for 70 years

had a totalitarian system with backward social development,

development of the economy remains the keystone of our

State policy. In this context, along with other forthcoming

major international events, such as the International

Conference on Population and Development, the Fourth

World Conference on Women, with the three objectives,

equality, development and peace, and the International

Conference on Population and Development, which will deal

with problems of human beings and their need for shelter,

we welcome the preparations for the World Summit for

Social Development, to be held in Copenhagen in 1995,

which will deal, we think, in detail with social consequences

of economic reform and restructuring as applied to countries

in transition. In the context of social problems, I should like

to point out that in 1990 we had the World Summit for

Children, which established a new basis for improving living

conditions for children the world over.

The Government of Turkmenistan gives priority

attention to these endeavours. Turkmenistan joined in the

Convention on the Rights of the Child and intends very soon

to sign the Declaration that was adopted at that World

Summit. We also have serious work under way for national

programmes of action in order to achieve the goals outlined

in the Declaration.

28 General Assembly - Forty-eighth session

We share the view of the international community that

we must rebuild the Earth’s ecology. We support

international cooperation in United Nations efforts in this

timely endeavour. In our view, it is sustainable development

and balanced attention to the interests of all countries that

will ensure the successful solution of global, regional and

subregional problems; this should accord with the

conclusions of the 1992 United Nations Conference on

Environment and Development and of the Convention on

climate change.

I announce before the Assembly that Turkmenistan

intends to eliminate all its nuclear weapons and will continue

its support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of

Nuclear Weapons (NPT), for the chemical weapons

Convention, and for the bacteriological (biological) weapons

Convention.

I convey the gratitude of the President of Turkmenistan,

of our Government and of our people to the United Nations

for its support and its understanding.

I should also like to pay a tribute to the Secretary-

General of the United Nations, Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali,

for his tireless and innovative work.

Turkmenistan wishes to state without reserve that it will

honestly and openly cooperate with all States that share its

attachment to the principles of the Organization. Our

policies will be based on common sense and on protecting

our people’s interests. Turkmenistan, in creating a

democratic, secular State, is open to peaceful cooperation

and ready to engage in broadly-based, mutually beneficial

cooperation.