24/01/2006 Last reports of Eurasian T.G.
January 24, 2006: First demonstrations in Turkmenistan after cutting-off pensions: ETG correspondents in Turkmenistan report that in many cities and villages pensioners went on the streets to demonstrate for their rights. In front of the local banks and social offices, where they used to receive their pensions, they shouted: "God has to punish Nijazov!" In fact, there are still no protests in Turkmenistan's capital Aschchabad, but in the other cities, more and more people go on the streets.
Our correspondents say that the demonstrations are not politically motivated. The people who work in the banks and social offices said to ETG, that they do not know what to do. "We have our orders from Aschchabad and we don't know what the people will do next when they won't have any more money to buy food".
"The first protests were not organised and mostly pensioners went on the streets. But in fact, we theyoung people will join them sooner or later, because most of our brothers and sisters depend on the pensions from our parents or other relatives. We have no money, we have no future" said a young Turkmen man, 23 years old. Hopefully, the demonstrations will be peaceful and the authorities will not show any violent acts.
January 23, 2006: ETG correspondents report that before flying to Moscow last Friday, President Nijazov was confronted with news that already hundreds of old people died because of his decision "reforming" the pension system in Turkmenistan. To avoid any possible protests, he presented a new decree (see our report below): Only pensioners will receive any financial support from the state, who is owner of an official certification. According to the President, the older people have to prove that they used to work for more than 38 years. If someone is not able to get such a certificate, he has to pay back the pensions for the last two years. Also the people who used to work in the hospitals that are closed by the wish of Nijazov (more than 80% of all Turkmen hospitals), won't get anything.
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