Concern About Arrests in Turkmenistan

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to take the opportunity to express our concern over recent developments in Turkmenistan. We are concerned about the series of arrests we understand have taken place following the November 25 assassination attempt on President Niyazov.

The United States deplores the violence committed during the reported assassination attempt. While we understand the Government of Turkmenistan's desire to investigate thoroughly the attack and bring those guilty to justice, we are also concerned by the manner in which the investigation is being conducted.

People should be arrested on the basis of evidence of involvement in the assassination attempt itself and not because of alleged ties to opposition organizations or personalities. Reports that family members of suspects have also been arrested, and some property confiscated, provide us with further reason for concern.

In addition, in this instance, the U.S. Embassy neither received immediate notification of, nor was not permitted timely consular access to, an arrested American citizen. This is a clear violation of Turkmenistan's obligations under international law to provide immediate notification of the arrest of, and consular access to, detained foreign citizens.

Turkmenistan has freely undertaken its OSCE and other international commitments concerning the rule of law. We therefore call on the Government of Turkmenistan to conduct a full, fair, and transparent investigation in a manner consistent with its obligations under the Turkmen constitution and international law. This should include the treatment it metes out to people detained or charged in connection with the assassination attempt.

We understand that one of those detained is a former colleague of ours -- former Turkmen Ambassador to the OSCE and former Turkmen Foreign Minister Batyr Berdiev. In accordance with Turkmenistan's OSCE commitments under the Vienna 1989 and Moscow 1991 documents, we request information concerning the whereabouts and charges against Mr. Berdiev and all others in custody in connection with the assassination attempt. We expect to receive this information, in accordance with the Moscow Mechanism, in writing, within 10 days. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.