Country name:
conventional long form:
none
conventional short form:
Turkmenistan
local long form:
none
local short form:
Turkmenistan
former:
Turkmen Soviet Socialist Republic
Data code:
TX
Government type:
republic
Capital:
Ashgabat
Administrative divisions:
5 welayatlar (singular—welayat): Ahal Welayaty (Ashgabat), Balkan
Welayaty (Nebitdag), Dashhowuz Welayaty (formerly Tashauz), Lebap Welayaty
(Charjew), Mary Welayaty
note:
administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative
centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in
parentheses)
Independence:
27 October 1991 (from the Soviet Union)
National holiday:
Independence Day, 27 October (1991)
Constitution:
adopted 18 May 1992
Legal system:
based on civil law system
Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state:
President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV
(since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election
occurred); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
head of government:
President and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Saparmurat NIYAZOV
(since 27 October 1990, when the first direct presidential election
occurred); note—the president is both the chief of state and head of
government; Deputy Chairmen of the Cabinet of Ministers Mukhamed ABALAKOV
(since NA), Orazgeldy AYDOGDIYEV (since NA 1992), Hudaayguly HALYKOV (since
NA 1996), Rejep SAPAROV (since NA 1992), Boris SHIKHMURADOV (since NA
1993), Batyr SARJAYEV (since NA 1993), Ilaman SHIKHIYEV (since NA 1995),
Yolly GURBANMURADOV (since NA 1997), Saparmurat NURIYEV (since NA 1997)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
note:
NIYAZOV has been asked by various local groups, most recently on 21
December 1998 at the Second Congress of the Democratic Party, to be
"president for life," but he has declined, saying the status would require
an amendment to the constitution
elections:
president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held
21 June 1992 (next to be held NA 2002; note—extension of President
NIYAZOV's term for an additional five years overwhelmingly approved by
national referendum held 15 January 1994); deputy chairmen of the cabinet
of ministers are appointed by the president
election results:
Saparmurat NIYAZOV elected president without opposition; percent of vote—Saparmurat NIYAZOV 99.5%
Legislative branch:
under the 1992 constitution, there are two parliamentary bodies, a
unicameral People's Council or Halk Maslahaty (more than 100 seats, some of
which are elected by popular vote and some of which are appointed; meets
infrequently) and a unicameral Assembly or Majlis (50 seats; members are
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:
People's Council—NA; Assembly—last held 11 December 1994 (next to be
held NA December 1999)
election results:
Assembly—percent of vote by party—NA; seats by party—Democratic Party
45, other 5; note—all 50 preapproved by President NIYAZOV
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, judges are appointed by the president
Political parties and leaders:
Democratic Party of Turkmenistan or DPT [Saparmurat NIYAZOV]
note:
formal opposition parties are outlawed; unofficial, small opposition
movements exist underground or in foreign countries
International organization participation:
CCC, CIS, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDB, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), IOC, IOM (observer),
ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,
UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Halil UGUR
chancery:
2207 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 588-1500
FAX:
[1] (202) 588-0697
Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Steven R. MANN
embassy:
9 Pushkin Street, Ashgabat
mailing address:
use embassy street address
telephone:
[9] (9312) 35-00-45, 35-00-46, 35-00-42, 51-13-06, Tie Line [8] 962-0000
FAX:
[9] (9312) 51-13-05
Flag description:
green field with a vertical red stripe near the hoist side, containing five
carpet guls (designs used in producing rugs) stacked above two crossed
olive branches similar to the olive branches on the UN flag; a white
crescent moon and five white stars appear in the upper corner of the field
just to the fly side of the red stripe
