Desert Gold: Niyazov’s Conflicted Approach To Turkmenistan’s Water Woes

In early April, Turkmenistan celebrated its annual water holiday with President Saparmurat Niyazov proclaiming that water resources should be treated as a "national treasure." Yet, while vast sums are spent on high-profile projects that glorify Niyazov’s regime – notably the $9-billion construction of Lake Turkmen – insufficient amounts are spent on Turkmenistan’s aging water infrastructure, and on providing its approximately 5 million residents with access to clean drinking water. Water has always been associated with power in the Central Asia. In traditional Turkmen society, local chieftains made their homes at the water source. Niyazov has effectively followed this tradition. Fountains are common in the capital, Ashgabat, flowing down the front of the entrance to the president’s palace and cascading over golden statues of his likeness. Plans for a gigantic water park in the center of Ashgabat are in the works. During his holiday address April 4, Niyazov spoke in grandiose terms about the need for environmental protection. "We must safeguard our Amu Darya River and the Caspian Sea, our reservoirs . . . other rivers, water ponds, wells and underground sources," he said. But the president did not outline any concrete protection measures in his speech. Instead, he focused on grand projects such as the Friendship Dam, located on the border with Iran, and the plans for Lake Turkmen—a giant artificial lake in the Kara Kum Desert. In addition, Niyazov recently announced an intention to create an artificial river in Ashgabat to ensure that the Turkmen capital does not "lag behind" leading world capitals. The Lake Turkmen project, which would cover over 1,000 square miles (approximately 2,000 square km), has drawn criticism from abroad, dampening Niyazov’s claims that the lake is "designed to change the destiny of Turkmen people for generations to come." Citing the dangers of robbing water from the already overused Amu Darya River, experts at Stratfor, a leading private international intelligence firm, characterize the project as a Soviet-style environmental disaster waiting to happen.