State News Agency TURKMEN PRESS

TURKMENISTAN NEWS WEEKLY

 

August 21, 2000

 

TURKMENDOVLETHABARLARY WEEKLY COMMENTARY

 

Good will - is an imperative of new times

 

OFFICIAL NEWS

 

OIL and GAS

 

Discussion of the gas-chemical complex potential project by the bidders of the international tender

 

News from Turkmenbashi refinery

 

COTTON- 2000

 

Commencement of "the white harvest campaign"

 

UNDER TURKMENMILLIHASABAT

 

Special Purpose State Funds Move Ahead Investment Growth Rates

 

MADE IN TURKMENISTAN

 

Turkmen wine-makers are winning the market

 

HERITAGE

 

Bairam Han - a two nations' son

 

NEWS OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

 

French chemical preparation ensures high germination of seeds

 

Turkmen wheat-growers will get new machinery

 

TURKMENISTAN-UZBEKISTAN

 

Solution is found of the problem of arrears repayment for use of water facilities

 

ECOLOGY

 

Clean sea will give us joy of life

 

EXCHANGE NEWS

 

VELAYAT NEWS

 

THROUGH TURKMEN PRESS PAGES

 

CULTURAL NEWS

 

Hemra Shir plus 156

 

SPORTS COURIER

 

Turkmen footballers - third in Central Asia

 

Turkmenistan-2000 Cup Football Tournament Started

 

Iranian tour of "Nebitchi"

 

 

 

TURKMENDOVLETHABARLARY WEEKLY COMMENTARY

 

Good will - is an imperative of new times

 

Published on Friday Saparmurat Turkmenbashi's article, of which the name itself sounds policy- and program-oriented, "Turkmens, Turkmenistan, world: millenniums and the 20th century - connection of times and civilizations", has become a primary event of the year rather than the last week. The article, justifying an absolutely new view on world order and the future of mankind on the eve of the millennium summit of the United Nations, is, at the same time, a transparent state-of-the-progress report of the country's advancements over the years of independence, a philosophic concept of the nation's spiritual revival. A salient feature of the article, it doesn't fit into generally accepted

section-divided article. The idea of the Turkmen cheerleader's outstanding work is to show that policy cannot be foreign or home. Policy is a national notion. And when the states learn to recognize others' right for it, we can say confidently about fair world order. Whatever it is, we are to comprehend this science. It's important, says Saparmurat Turkmenbashi, that "the club of selected" states understands the idea because dictatorship-driven policy, they sometimes resort to under various (very often far fetched) grounds, is backed by a discriminative ideology of primary inequality, superiority, expansion of selfish interests. Such system is unacceptable in one way or other. Moreover, the conception is thrice unacceptable under globalization process in social, ecological and geopolitical policies, as it impedes consolidation of decision-making

forces.

 

That conclusion resulted from a profound analysis of the civilization history, its achievements and errors. Figuring out the deadlocks of socioeconomic evolution, Saparmurat Turkmenbashi sets them off against far-from-being-exhausted opportunities of traditional forms of settling critical situations and fundamentally new ways of coordination of efforts in the name of common prosperity and progress. Such notions

as kindness, generosity and honesty, the author reckons, may be abstracted. But deeply wrong are those who accept a possibility of adjusting different ethnic groups, cultures, national priorities to a single political pattern. Such efforts can cause confrontation and denial of imposed, although by international organizations, stereotypes.

 

World order is all the more interesting and valuable for its diversity. Incompatibility of cultures and religions is a slogan of nationalists and obscurantists. Cultures add to and develop each other. The more their number is, the higher "genetic" potential of the civilization, the better it is protected against chaos of entropy, the more powerful is its intellectual charge. To make the planet a reserve zone of generosity, wisdom and

optimism is a task of the mankind in the third millennium. The Turkmen leader gives examples of how the conception is approached to in the young and independent Turkmenistan. Over the last nine years the country has succeeded in realization of the ideals of inter-ethnic and religious concord, social justice and unity. The state ensures legal and social security guarantees to its citizens backed with unprecedented for

international practice measures. We were warned against radical humanization of criminal law and legislative systems. But just thanks to this, crimes rate has sharply declined in the country. Medicare reforms, environmental and social programs have enhanced life expectancy and improved quality of life. Maternity and childhood, as well as the youth and elder people, are particular concerns of the government.

Turkmenistan makes no secret of the fact, moreover it explicitly states, that it owes much to close cooperation with international organizations, including the UN, its successes. Turkmenistan's economy is socially oriented as well. Its powerful potential is serving to the people and to maximally satisfy their needs. Development process of the sectors, streamlining of industrial infrastructure are underway with due regard to demographic forecasts. By 2010 the employment rate in the country will raise by 1.5 million jobs, sufficient to practically ensure comprehensive engagement of population.

 

We are proud of the neutrality status unanimously delegated to Turkmenistan by the world community. Turkmens' love for peace, openness, hospitality, respect for other peoples are recognized and appreciated by the world. Why neutrality is so important for us? Neutrality means trust, a "first-step" policy tool. It is a possibility to act as a mediator and peace-maker. It's not by chance that Turkmenistan has gained a reputation of a guarantor of peace and stability in the region. It is no coincidence, that Turkmenistan, being an initiator of new foreign political innovations over recent years, is more than ever used to be chosen a venue for international symposia, conferences, diplomatic and business assemblies. Good will is the only imperative of our policy. Thinking over rapprochement of European and Asian economies, over bringing technological capacities to global balance Saparmurat Turkmenbashi writes, "in these are the objective goals of the efforts made by Turkmenistan to bring energy resources to foreign markets. Construction of trans-regional pipelines is the most effective way to overcome

energy crisis, disproportional distribution and consumption of resources which may generate peoples' global feeling of fatal doom, which in turn pregnant with the danger of social explosion." So, these are not considerations of profit that push the Turkmen leader, if it is nothing but a profit for the sake of inter-national advantage. The global pipelines construction environment, says the author, is the area of stable peace and prosperity. By the way, on the UN's request Turkmenistan has undertaken the development of an outline of International Convention about treatment and guarantees of international pipelines employment. The most important requirement of the document is to completely exclude an opportunity of using energy pipelines as tools for political pressure, blackmail and dictatorship.

 

There is no need in other testimonies of that Turkmenistan is building up its own model of statehood order on the principles of good-neighborhood, cooperation and mutual interests. We do not thrust our statehood order model on anybody to be copied, but the country's positive experience in settling contradictions, widening the geography of cooperation, without doubt, deserves consideration at the Summit of Millennium. This is what foreign mass media focus on, discussing Saparmurat Turkmenbasi's speech. In the comments of the world's biggest news agencies, an indisputable constructivism of the declared position, a high level of theoretical arguments are emphasized. The leader's

article, highlighted reporters, is full of a convincing strength, optimism and belief in mankind's sound sense in creating a common home. Such belief is merely necessary today when the mankind suffers acute needs for new goals and challenges of progress.

 

Turkmenistan's countrymen have accepted the President's speech with a unanimous approval. They know each word of the cheerleader is supported by real deeds and great achievements. They are looking into the future with pride and confidence. Every day provides new witnesses to the Serdar's unlimited care about countrymen. The last session in the Ashgabat municipality presided over by Saparmurat Turkmemnbashi is very remarkable in this connection. The head of the state has severely criticized the city's authorities unable to fully provide comfortable accommodations, services and goods for the citizens. Well-known is the President's irreconcilability to the officials who fraudulently misuse their official posts damaging the people's interests and forgetting about honor and consciousness. Turkmenbashi is doing his utmost to root out embezzlements and misappropriations. The misdeed-convicted leaders are not only fired but deprived of the right to work on responsible posts in the future. Whatever it is, the number of such people is becoming glowingly low. Otherwise, how the country could

attain surprisingly good successes and cover an age-long way over a few years. Look, how beautiful Ashgabat is! Recently, President has endorsed one more city's building project. In the foreseeable horizon, one more majestic architectural ensemble, the Ministry of Energy and Industry, will decorate the Turkmenbashi square. The whole Turkmen land has started a new life. Recent success of wheat growers has not

yet been forgotten, and a rich cotton harvest is already ripening on the fields. Soon, President will traditionally bless the beginning of the cotton harvest campaign.

 

To close the comments we would like to cite a letter sent to the head of the state on the occasion of the Karakum artificial lake construction project by the chief editor of "The Economic Newspaper", Alexander Chekalin, "That decision is really worth of the today's historical Rubicon when the mankind is about to enter a new century and a new millennium." The author of the letter, impressed by this grandiose idea, offers to join the efforts with Russian scientists to implement the project. It is nothing but a sign of new times that Saparmurat Turkmenbashi is talking about so passionately in his article.

 

 

OFFICIAL NEWS

 

*On 15 Aug. President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Niyazov visited the Turkmenbashi square to see the place of location of potential high-rise building of the Ministry of Energy and Industry. On approval of the project, the head of the state has blessed the Launching of the project and gave particular instructions regarding the post-construction improvement of adjacent territories.

 

*That same day Saparmurat Turkmenbashi held a special session at the municipality of Ashgabat that the leaders of the Ahal velayat, of some ministries and agencies were invited to. At issue was the city's massive rebuilding fast-moving program and provision of comfortable accommodations, services and goods for the citizens.

 

Review of decrees and resolutions

 

*Due to unsatisfactory implementation of office duties and failure to manage citywide efficiencies and improvements and to ensure sanitation condition of the city, President of Turkmenistan has signed a Ukase which sanctioned withholding on this year August-month salary of the Ashgabat Khyakim Cherkezov A.N., the first Deputy Khyakim Redjepov A.N., deputies Khyakim Dadayev A.S., Muradova M.M., Khyakim

of the President S.A.Niyazov etrap, Tashliev H.A., Khyakim of the Azatlyk etrap Velliataev O.A., deputy Khyakim of the Kopetdag etrap Razmahov A.K., and the chief architect of the Ashgabat Municipality, Saparov G.A., in favor of the State Budget of Turkmenistan.

 

                                                                               

OIL and GAS

 

Discussion of the gas-chemical complex potential project by the bidders of the international tender

 

The priority in the oil and gas complex development in Turkmenistan is given to gas-processing industry development It is one of the core ideas of the Strategy for Socio-Economic Reforms in Turkmenistan in the Period Until 2010, aimed at both regional and continental market-driven economy progress. The early 21st century biggest project of the Turkmen gas chemistry will be a plant producing polyethylene out of natural

and associated gas. The first phase of the tender was won by Samsung-Mensel, Marubeni-JGC, Linda (Germany) and Mitsui (Japan).

 

In early August representatives of the bidders were invited to Turkmenistan to take part in the discussion of alternatives of the plant dislocation. Foreign specialists visited the Seidi Oil refinery and the deposits in the Gazachak fields, most acceptable facilities for the project. The designed capacity of the plant is 200 thousand tons of the output. After the field trips, they submit their reports to the tender commission allowing to make a final decision about location of the construction-site for the project. Foreign companies will adjust their offers consistent with this decision. After that the tender will enter its last phase.

 

As bidders put it, an enterprise in the range will be definitely profitable for Turkmenistan and can be paid back within 3-4 years. Quotations for ethylene are 10 times of the exported natural gas costs. Besides, growing demands for polyethylene products in the world market poses also a serious pros-argument for the soonest implementation of the project.

 

News from Turkmenbashi refinery

 

After modernization, an oil primary refining unit has been put into operation at the Turkmenbashi refinery(TNPZ). After upgrading its capacity

rose up sharply to as high as 20%, ensuring refining of 3 million tons of oil per year.

 

***

The staff of the TNPZ is ahead of the 7-month plan. 1450 tons of kerosine, 2345 tons of bitumen, 4000 tons of gasoline have been additionally

produced. The amount of synthetic detergents has reached 684 tons - 3 times up on the last year.

 

***

A new catalytic reforming unit has been tested at the TNPZ. According to specialists of UOPi and Chioda participating in the project, the tests

were a success - the octane content has reached the highest mark, 100.

 

 

COTTON- 2000

 

Commencement of "the white harvest campaign"

 

The country's wheat growers' intensive efforts have ended in a comprehensive cotton harvesting campaign. Cotton boll-opening phase started in the south of Turkmenistan. Traditionally, next week President of Turkmenistan will visit a number of etraps in the Ahal velayat to bless the new harvest campaign launching.

 

This year is a peculiar one for the wheat growers due to a number of reasons. The national leader has called it decisive in creating a firm basis for furthering the domestic cotton-growing industry and bringing the strategic sector up to a new, much higher level. No less than 1300-thousand-ton harvest of raw cotton is expected to be gathered this year. So, already this agricultural season the farmers will create a reliable foundation for the 2.5-million-ton output projected for 2005.

 

Cotton-growers did their best for the harvest-2000 to be rich. Already by April 20, over 237 thousand peasants, who'd entered into contract with The Turkmenpagta about production of "the white gold", have finished sowing. Rainless winter forced the villagers to make serious corrections in the irrigation schedule. Watering of the ground was conducted simultaneously with mineral and organic feeding of the fields. This all had a favorable impact on the agricultural condition of fields. Under specialists, this year there are all possibilities to gather 35-40 centners per hectare on average, and even more in some areas.

 

It should be mentioned that three cotton varieties, long-staple "Ioloyan-5", medium -staple"Ahal-1" and "Iolotan-7", will first-ever be used in industrial production. Being tested for 7 years on special fields, they are characterized by high harvest level and big percentage of yarn yield. The "new comers" have other important features. For instance, natural defoliation capacity of the Iolotan-5 allows to save over 250 thousand manats per hectare. The Ahal-1 is highly resistant to dangerous agricultural pests, such as whitefly.

 

The task of organized implementation of this year cotton harvest campaign on a short notice and without losses has been discussed at the recent sessions of the Cabinet of Ministers. At stake will be both manual and mechanized methods of harvesting. Over 1700 agricultural machines, including combines of leading American companies "Deere and K." and "Case", are scheduled to be involved into the campaign this year. Purchase of 760 combines in Uzbekistan will enable to largely increase the number of harvest vehicles fleet. All the machines will be fully used on virgin lands, lacking manforce. Cotton growers' partners, purveyors, are ready for the harvest campaign too. In few days they will start receiving the new harvest. By the beginning of the campaign, the Turkmenpagta state concern has created 150 cotton-receiving points. The entire harvest will undergo an initial processing at 35 cotton-processing factories. The purveyors will receive cotton from he tenants and wheat-growers just on field. Payment is no problem too. The Turkmenpagta state concern has enough funds on its accounts to promptly pay to the farmers for daily sales of cotton. Final payments for cotton production are scheduled by November.

 

                                                                            

UNDER TURKMENMILLIHASABAT

 

Special Purpose State Funds Move Ahead Investment Growth Rates

 

For seven months of the year 2000, 4200 billion manats has been invested in

Turkmenistan's economy, or 3% more compared with last year. These figures are reported by the National Institute of State Statistics and Information of Turkmenistan in the January-July 2000 state-of-the-economy report. Thus, investment growth rates keep getting higher.

 

Since early this year, the investment structure has had some changes. State Fund share has remarkably enhanced, by 5 percent points, reaching 18 percent of total funds invested in the economy, amounting to 742 billion manats in pecuniary terms. Particularly, the biggest amount has been invested in the priority investment projects from the Governmental Exchange Fund, 319 billiion manats. The Oil and Gas Industry Fund has channeled 303 billion manats to finance implementation of key sectoral construction projects. The Transport and Communications Fund has allocated 64 billion mants for sectorial projects. 56 billion manats has been extended from the Ashgabat Development Fund. The share of budget funds in total investments volume has made up 3%. 11% is the share of foreign investments (similar to the last year). A certain decrease in loans - from 32 to 28%, has been observed. Investments of enterprises and institutions fell 3% short of

the last year level, constituting 34%.

 

Nevertheless, funds of domestic enterprises in the investment structure still constitute the highest rate, 1440 billion manats. Loans invested in the national economy net a total of 1179 billion manats, including 950 billion of foreign investments. The 7-month direct investments in Turkmenistan's economy are estimated at 450 billion manats. Foreign investors are intensively participating in construction projects in Turkmenistan. As of July 2000, 137 facilities are under construction accounting for US$3,7 billion contractual cost. Since the beginning of the construction $1.9 billion has been actually used, making up 52% of the contractual cost. $1.8 billion has been paid.

 

Industrial construction projects constitute up to 90% of all investments under the contracts - 2% up on last year.

 

For January-June 2000, agriculture has employed US$6.5 million, largely to purchase agricultural machinery. Since early this year, 180 sowing tools and 140 cultivators have been delivered from Great Britain, Belarus tractors from the Minsk Tractor Factory, wheat and rice combines deliveries from the Case are underway. The total contractual price of all farmstead tools is US$57.2 million. Iranian Djahad continues the construction of 6 elevators (US $16.2 million).

 

As of July 1, 27 non-production construction projects (US$356.8 million) involve participation of foreign partners. A sufficient portion, over 63%, falls on municipal services, health care and civic construction. For the first half of 2000, 19 facilities (US$464.9 million) have been put into operation with participation of foreign companies. About half of them has been raised and commissioned by Turkish companies.

 

 

MADE IN TURKMENISTAN

 

Turkmen wine-makers are winning the market

 

The wine-making season has started in the specialized farms of Turkmenistan. This year domestic wine-makers plan to process 62 thousand tons of grape harvest, to produce over 4 million deciliters of wine products.

 

As the Food-Processing Association of Turkmenistan reported, for now, processing enterprises are under comprehensive upgrading. Existing factories are under modernization, new ones are under construction, with up-to-date technologies be promoted. Over the years of independence sectoral enterprises have mastered the production of about 100 new kinds of products, using basically local raw materials to

save exchange funds.

 

Today Turkmenistan's wine-makers produce rose, white, table and aromatized wines, other high-quality drinks. The original taste and aroma characterizing many of them are brought about through utilization of local plants and herbs.

 

The design is also raised to a qualitatively new level - bright labels, original packing and bottles, remarkable names help present the product to the best advantage. And this is not an insignificant factor of a success on the market.

 

Turkmen specialists' efforts have deserved a high estimation. So, the "President" cognac, being the pride of Turkmen wine-makers, has won the Grand Prize in the Yalta wines and cognacs competition, while Turkmen wines have been conferred on three golden and seven silver medals. In Spain in November,1999 the "President" cognac and "Serdar" vodka won the International Platinum Star. Thus, Turkmenistan's wine-making industry products compete favorably with similar products abroad.

 

Wine-makers' successes are largely conditioned by management and production technologies improvement. Thus, corporatization of enterprises, including the unions of farmers, tenants and processing enterprises enabled to create a closed-circuited production cycle, from growing to production. It's important that the structure of corporations will afford to make agricultural producers interested in the final result

through the profits from production. Besides, assistance to leaseholders rendered by wine-making enterprises in the form of chemical and mineral fertilizers and machinery supplies will contribute to consolidation of mutually advantageous relationships.

 

Competitive world-standard production is one of the key challenges of the Development Program-2010 of Food Processing Association of Turkmenistan. Wine-making industry plans to pick up 2-3 times growth of production of wines, cognacs and other alcohol beverages to sufficiently raise their export potential. According to specialists' estimate, by 2010 export of these products will reach over US$ 100 million -

20 times up on the last year.

 

 

HERITAGE

 

Bairam Han - a two nations' son

 

On August 23, a team of workers of culture and arts will go to India for one week to participate in the Days of Turkmenistan, timed to the celebration of Bairam Han Turkmen's 500th anniversary.

 

The delegation of over 600 people involves outstanding domestic scholars, historians, representatives of mass media and creative intelligentsia, as well as country's best arts-creative groups, Djamal Saparova's folklore group, dancing group "Mengli" and symphonic orchestra of the Turkmen State Philharmonic Society. The program will be started with a big concert in Dehli, then Turkmen delegation will be divided into two

teams, one will perform in Bangalore, another - in Bombay.

 

Within the framework of the program of the Days numerous meetings, solemn events, conferences are scheduled to be held. Scholars of the two countries will exchange the results of the latest research studies devoted to Bairam Han's life and his public and creative activities. A big exhibition of Turkmen painters' works will be held, and of particular interest will be the two pictures by a famous painter, Chary Amangeldiev,

- the portraits of Bairam Han and his son, Abdurahim. This will all allow Indians to learn of a rich culture of the Turkmen people, its life style and traditions. Soon on return of the Turkmen delegation to the Motherland, an Indian delegation will come on a return visit to Turkmenistan to participate in the Days of India between 5 and 15 September. The intensive program of the Days will embrace the shows of Indian actors in Ashgabat, the Ahal and Mary velayats, exhibitions of applied arts. Turkmens will be able to acquaint themselves with the brought from the far-distant country unstudied manuscripts which can shed light on many pages of Turkmenistan's history and give new data of antique-old

Turkmen-Indians relations.

 

It should be noted that Bairam Han occupies an exclusively important niche in the history of these relations. The great statesman, scientist, soldier and poet of the East belongs equally to the both fraternal nations. Turkmen in birth, Bairam Han dedicated his whole life to India, that became his second motherland. His bright mind, courage, outstanding talent of organization largely contributed to creation and prosperity of the Great Mongols' Empire, one of the strongest powers of those times. He is remembered with gratitude in many countries. For instance, a conference devoted to Bairam Han's anniversary has been recently held in Pakistan.

 

Yet in 1997, during an official visit to India, the head of the Turkmen state signed with India's Premier a Memorandum of joint celebration of Bairam Han's 500th anniversary. A bit later, a national committee and a working team have been established in Ashgabat to study the poet's literary heritage. Over this period of time various conferences, round tables were held, books of verses, researches and articles were published devoted to Bairam Han's life and activity. So, the exchange of delegations followed a long and profound preparation work. This preconditions a success of the days of culture as age-old traditions of sincere friendship between Turkmenistan and India, the countries which are proud of their great son who left an unforgettable trace in the history of the world civilization.

 

 

NEWS OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

 

French chemical preparation ensures high germination of seeds

 

A big US$1567 thousand batch of chemical "Promes-20P" has been delivered from France under the contract made by Swiss Lasarre Trading Limited, a dealer of the France-based Roon Poulen with the Turkmengallaonumleri State Association.

 

The Minister of Agriculture informed, the chemical treatment of seeds will allow to significantly decrease seeds sowing rates per hectare, given the preparation ensures fast and high germination of seeds. Besides, the tests conducted in all wheat growing areas of the country showed that the French preparation prevents the plants from diseases in the period of vegetation. Special teams of agro-chemists from the Turkmenobahyzmat Association will undertake seed-processing procedures right in the farms. The government will half finance the purchases of the preparation.

 

Turkmen wheat-growers will get new machinery

 

First 80 (of 700 farmstead tools contracted with the Tashkent factory " Tashselmash") cotton-gathering ancillary facilities have reached the Ahal velayat repair-services departments from Uzbekistan. They will be installed on MTZ-80 tractors. At the same time, the supplies of tractors from Belarus are underway. Since the beginning of the year, Minsk tractor-builders have delivered to Turkmenistan around 1.5 thousand machines.

 

The Turkmenobahyzmat Association informed, 2.5 thousand MTZ-80 tractors of the latest modification are engaged in the country in addition to the last year supplies. Their number is constantly growing. That's why the Turkmen side addressed its request to Minsk tractor-builders to establish in Turkmenistan a joint repair-services venture to maintain Belarus machines.

 

 

TURKMENISTAN-UZBEKISTAN

 

Solution is found of the problem of arrears repayment for use of water facilities

 

The two-day Turkmen-Uzbek negotiations took place in Ashgabat. The delegation of Uzbekistan was headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilham Negmatov.

 

As the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Uzbekistan, Abdulrashit Kadyrov, said to TDH, on the agenda was repayment of arrears of the Uzbek enterprises performing their activity on the located in Turkmenistan Amudarya water collectors. The talks with the leaders of the Ministry of Economics and Finance and Tax Inspectorate of Turkmenistan have fully solved the problem.

 

Answering the question of the TDH about the pace of preparation of a Turkmen-Uzbek Border Delimitation Treaty, launched in accordance with an arrangement gained between the two neighboring states' leaders, the Ambassador said, in the time being a joint topographic group is pinpointing its coordinates right on the borderline. It's assumed that the treaty will be signed by the leaders in the course of the upcoming visit of Islam Karimov to Turkmenistan. Under a preliminary arrangement, said the Uzbek Ambassador, the visit is scheduled for this September.

 

 

ECOLOGY

 

Clean sea will give us joy of life

 

An unusual ecological cleanup action - "And clean sea will give us joy of life" - was held in one of the popular Turkmen health resorts - in the Avaza beaches, not far from Turkmenbashi. The main heroes of the action were the children who were spending their summer vacations in sanatoriums and health resorts of the coast. The swimming season being in full swing, the children decided to come out for the ecology protection of this unique corner of the nature and to involve the city's inhabitants and guests in the action.

 

The children's initiative has been supported by the heads of the city's department of culture, health center "Tolkun", municipal housing department and the UNDP-Turkmenistan joint project "Turkmenbashi's urban municipal economy development".

 

The members of the teenagers' clubs "Adalat", "Shatlyk", "Golden Age", "Merdzhen", "Krutoye pike" and health centers named after Ashirov, "Arzuv", "Tolkun", city's boarding school participated in cleaning of the territory of the beach. The guests and those who had a rest in "wild" beaches joined them. The one-day ecology action was widely promulgated through the loudspeakers of traffic police vehicles.

 

When the action was completed, most active participants were presented with gifts and present from the lord of seas, Neptune. The most important thing was that the teenagers understood well their responsibility for healthy environment, which surrounds us and which we are pitilessly killing. Today's girls and boys with their own hands contributed to turning the beaches into healthy and ecology-friendly places. We can say confidently that they will never be indifferent to environmental cleanup problems and apply their efforts to curb environmental abuses.

 

 

EXCHANGE NEWS

 

Last week 168 exchange dealings (32 - export, 136 - import) have been registered in the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan. As always, in great demand are the products of domestic industry. The businessmen from Afghanistan preferred to buy avia-kerosene TS-1 (produce of the Turkmenbashi refinery), United Arab Emirates - stove fuel, Iran, Panama and Switzerland - diesel fuel L-62 and motor gasoline A-76 (produce of the Turkmenbashi refinery), Chine - cocoon industry wastes, the U.S. - ulyuk fibrous 2nd type 1st variety, Russia - "Suprem" knitting fabric of light type. The contracts have been made for exporting water pumps, technical salt, cotton fiber of the "Genetic" type, cotton seed oil. The majority of the contracts are made in the national currency.

 

Total amount of the export contracts is 29 billion 797 million manats and US$3 million 995 thousand, import contracts - 24 billion 426 million 665 thousand manats, US$8 million 895 thousand and DM46,992.In the nearest future technological equipment, computer and household hardware, spare parts for cars, construction materials, medications and food stuff will be imported to Turkmenistan.

 

 

VELAYAT NEWS

 

Lebap

 

Seed-Producing & Selection Inspectorate at the specialized trade-and-production enterprise has been established in the Lebap velayat responsible for 15 grain seed-producing and 11 cotton seed-producing farms. The scope of the specialists' activity is in conducting studies, analyses and checking of the seed fund condition, and also investigation of the seed selection and seed quality improvement issues.

 

Balkan

 

For now the intake of the students is under way to the agricultural business school at the Turkmen Agricultural University named after S.A.Niyazov. This academic year the institution, established two years ago, will train the specialists of various profiles - cattle-breeders, machine-operators, operators for agri-processing industry, accountants and economists. This year the enrolment will be increased on account of intake of the students not only from Serdar but from other towns and etraps of the Balkan velayat as well. First ever there will be organized a group of land farmers. Young farmers will be trained to the fundamentals of farming technologies. Theoretical knowledge of grain-, cotton -vegetables- and gourds-farming will be backed by on-the-job practice in the land plots allocated to the school by the private firm "Kepele".

 

Dashoguz

 

A new market has been put into service in the eastern part of the entrap center Tahta - a modern complex of capital buildings will accommodate kiosks, trade pavilions and shops intended for food and commodity stuff. At the market there are also the trade rows for selling greenery, melons and water melons, semi-finished products. Two spacious yards are intended for selling cattle, sheep and goats.

 

The construction of the new daikhan market (2,5 hectares) was financed by the internal funds of the local businessman, Ilaman Yolliyev. Trade places in the market the owner will first give in rent under preferential terms: first two months - gratuitously, and up to the new year- half of the payment.

 

Mary

 

A curious competition of urban and rural postmen has been held in the Bairamali postal communication center. The contest brought together about half hundred of the participants under 30. The rivals were to answer some cunning questions related to post delivery and handling of various types of correspondence, to demonstrate the skills of using post service-related appliances, knowledge of the town or settlement and the talent to perform songs and poems.

 

Lyudmila Izumrudova won the title of the best postman of the city. Now she received the right to participate in the velayat-level contest of postmen.

 

 

THROUGH TURKMEN PRESS PAGES

 

*The origin of political education system of Turkmens - in the famous Seldzhuk empire - is traced in the article published in weekly "Esger" (Warrior). Seldzhuk-bek, who gave his name to the Great Seldzhuk Empire, was born in the family of Dukak-bek, Oguz Turkmen by birth, approximately in 900th year. Seldzhuk's father died when he was 17-18 years old. The young boy showed unusual public managerial abilities and skills. Having gained the title of military head, he became person of attendance to the ruler of the state, Yabgun. The ruler's envious servicemen incited the ruler's wife against lucky Seldzhuk. Talented and willful youth with his family and faithful warriors was enforced to live in exile. He settled in the town of Dzhend in the Syrdarya river bank where he adopted Mohamedanism. Seldzhuk-bek then organized a powerful army and started the fight for independence. His deed was then continued by his grandchildren, Togrul-bek and Chagry-bek, who perished in the Mikaiyla battle. Having failed to stop the offensive of Karahanids and Gaznavids, they were forced to retreat to Horezm whose Shah Harun gave a considerable support to Seldzhuks. Gaznavids, when knew about it, killed Masut Harun. That was the reason Seldzhuks changed their place of settlement, the article says.

 

*The information about sultan Deli Iltutmush Turkmen is given in the material published in weekly "Galkynysh". The enemies stolen Iltutmush and sold him in servitude. In one of the Gazny markets he was bought by Aibek, the founder of the Deli sultanate. Iltutmush faithfully servedto his benefactor, succeeded in achieving high titles, then married Aibek's daughter. Coming to the throne after Aibek's death, Iltutmush Turkmen broadened the limits of the state, conquered the fortress-town Radzhastan situated on the huge 500-meter-high rock. The majority of the population were migrants from Central Asia, Iran, Afghanistan who wanted to escape the Mongol invasion. In the period of Iltutmush Turkmen rule many new buildings and mosques had been built. He finalized the construction of the 72,5-meter-high Kutub minaret, which became the symbol of Deli. The article also gives interesting findings about the son of the ruler, Soltan Gary. He was the first fellow-fighter of his father. Unfortunately, he died early. Being on his death-bed, he announced his daughter Razia his heiress. The girl appeared to be a talented ruler and military leader. Up to now, the tombs of Iltutmush Turkmen and his son Soltan Gary strike imagination by their beauty and durability.

 

CULTURAL NEWS

 

Hemra Shir plus 156

 

Hemra Shir, an Ashgabat poet, became a participant of a rather peculiar project implemented by the organizers of the "Expo-2000" International Exhibition in Hanover. They published a book containing only one poem translated into 157 languages. The poem is a famous "Beautiful Anna" - a masterpiece of the German poet Kurt Schwiters, the most funny poetic work in the history of the 20th century - dadaism (from French "dada" - a wooden horse, babble). The proponents of dadism (16th-22nd years) using senseless selection of sounds subjects expressed, as they considered, the protest against the World War One. And Kurt Schwiters was famous among them.

 

"Beautiful Anna" is written strictly following the dadaism rules, that means the poem is deprived of any sense or content. However, the poet is worth of credit. Even under the strict poetic rules he managed to create something that worries you with its peculiar rhythm. The puzzle of the phenomenon attracted the initiators of the idea - is it possible to interpret the "atonal" music of the poem in the adequate sounds of other languages? As you've already understood 157 different-language enthusiasts managed successfully the task. Some versions have been proposed by the Turkmen poets. Hemra Shir's version was recognized the most successful. So, the name of our poet decorated the original publication, the fact is valuable due to the poet's contribution to making closer the far-distant single-minded people. Their souls were singing in unison by the same notes, and perhaps one may even believe in the existence of some telepathic links between the poets.

 

Whatever it is, the book became one of the exhibits of the Hanover Expo-2000 in the motto of which there are such words ":creation of a new world". The world, we are sure, of harmony and friendship.

 

 

SPORTS COURIER

 

Turkmen footballers - third in Central Asia

 

To date Turkmenistan takes the third place among the teams of the CIS Central Asian countries. The fact is reported about in the FIFA regular ranking list published in the headquarters of the International Federation of Football Associations in Zurich (Switzerland). Since publication of the previous July ranking list the Turkmen football players jumped three steps up and now, having 317 points, they keep the 120th place, leaving behind the national teams of Tadzhikistan (266 points, 134th place), Kyrgyz Republic (140 points, 172nd place), but making way for the teams of Uzbekistan (501 points, 64th place) and Kazakhstan (331 points, 117th place).

 

 

 

Turkmenistan-2000 Cup Football Tournament Started

 

The Turkmenistan-2000 Cup Football Tournament started in the football fields of the country. In the first phase of the tournament - 1/8 final - participated 11 clubs of national and 5 - amateur leagues.

 

The country's champion, the Ashgabat "Nisa" easily won the victory over the "Geoktepe" team - 5:0. The capital's vice-champion "Kopetdag" beat the team of the Turkmen-Turkish University with the score 15:0.

 

In three matches a similar score was registered - 3:1: Balkanabat "Nebitchi" defeated "Melik" in Ashgabat, the Interior sports club team "Galkan" defeated the Tedzhen "Linkveyu". The last year Cup semi-finalist "SMM plus" (Karadamak) defeated "Shagadam" (Turkmenbashi). "Merv" (Mary) supported by the 5-thousand spectator audience won over the capital's "Serhetchi" - 3:0. "Dzheihun" (Turkmenabat) won over

"Ahal" - 2:1. Only in the games in Dashaguz between the local "Turan" and Ashgabat "Dagdan" the title of the winner was to be revealed in the series of post-match penalties. The basic time of the match ended in a draw - 1:1. In the series of 11-meter penalty kick more successful were Dashoguz players - 5"4.

 

Pusuant to the Turkmenistan-2000 Cup Football Tournament schedule in the ? final will play: "Nisa"-"Galkan", "Turan" - "SMM plus", "Nebitchi"-"Merv" and "Dzheihun"-"Kopetdag". The first two semi-finalists will be determined on August 23 after the return matches between "SMMplus"-"Turan" and "Kopetdag"-"Dzheihun". Two more semi-finalists will be known on August 30 after return matches between "Galkan"-"Nisa" and "Merv"-"Nebitchi".

 

Iranian tour of "Nebitchi"

 

Four control matches in Iran were played by the footballers of the Balkanabat "Nebitchi" within the scope of praparation arrangements to the 11th Cup tournament of the Cup possessors of Asian countries. The first two matches were played a draw (1:1) with the adults and juniors team "Nassaji" from Gaemsha, and then "Nebitchi" was defeated by "Shakiri" club (1:2) and "Kesht Sanat" (0:2) from the city of Sari.

 

Those matches were played by the finalist of the two Turkmenistan Cup Tournaments under the guidance of the new chief coach, Valery Fursov, the former coach of the Turkmenabat "Dzheihun".

 

We'd like to remind you that the rival of "Nebitchi" in the first stage (1/16 final) of the Cup tournament of the Cup possessors of Asian countries will be "Samarkand-Dinamo" team, the finalist of the Uzbekistan-2000 Cup Tournament. The first match of those teams will be held on August 25 in Balkanabat. The return match - on September 8 in Samarkand. For the footballers of "Nebitchi" it will be a debut in the Asian

Clubs' tournaments.