Young people in Turkmenistan told RFE/RL's Turkmen Service that they hope the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama will strengthen U.S.-Turkmen relations and focus more on the human rights situation in the country.
A young man named Ahmed said the administration of President George W. Bush had lowered its emphasis on rights abuses in authoritarian states after it became involved in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He added that "Turkmenistan's energy resources also hinder Western pressure against human rights violations in the country."
A young woman said she hopes the Obama administration will take a tougher line on human rights abuses.
A young man named Ahmed said the administration of President George W. Bush had lowered its emphasis on rights abuses in authoritarian states after it became involved in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He added that "Turkmenistan's energy resources also hinder Western pressure against human rights violations in the country."
A young woman said she hopes the Obama administration will take a tougher line on human rights abuses.