map
Our Affiliates
Listen In 28 LanguagesRFE/RL Radio
In 28 Languages

'Berlin Wall's Lessons For Today'

In an op-ed for "USA Today," Jeffrey Gedmin discusses RFE and the role of free media in societies living under repressive regimes. More
More Articles

By Country / Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan Marks Neutrality Day With Military Parade

December 12, 2005

Independence Day parade in Ashgabat, October 2005 (file photo) (AFP)

12 December 2005 (RFE/RL) -- Turkmenistan today marked the 10th anniversary of one of its most important national holidays -- Neutrality Day -- with a military parade at Ashgabat's central stadium.

Colonel Kairam Bairamov congratulated the military cadets and officers participating in the event.
 
On 12 December 1995, the United Nations' General Assembly adopted a resolution supporting Turkmenistan's neutral status.
 
The parade included troops chanting "Nation," "Fatherland," and "Turkmenbashi the Great" -- the title given to President Saparmurat Niyazov.
 
However, Niyazov himself did not attend the event, which was broadcast on national television.
 
The festivities also featured horse riders parading the flags of the United Nations, the United States, China, Russia, and other countries.
 
(with Turkmen TV)
TEXT SIZE - +
 
RFE/RL Central Asia Report
 

SUBSCRIBE For regular news and analysis on all five Central Asian countries by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Central Asia Report."

Editors' Picks

Arresting Images

Photos Of The Week Photogallery

President Van Rompuy

'How's That Again?!' Audio

Karzai Inauguration

The Anticipation Of Change Video

Follow Us On Twitter

Keep up-to-date on all the latest news from RFE/RL's broadcast region by following us on Twitter:
~ You can find our instant news feed at @RFE_RLNEWS.
~ An obsessive Kremlin watcher? Follow our blog at @PowerVertical.
~ Human rights abuses chronicled at @RightsWatchdog.
~ News, comment, and the odd silly dictator story at @TransmissionRFE.

Products and services:

RSSMail SubscriptionMobile