Mr. Niyazov attended a Government session March 29, instituting Turkmenistan's individual partnership program (within the framework of NATO's Partnership for Peace program) for the 2004-2005 period by his resolution.
Commenting on this event, the presidential press service noted that this decision was dictated by specific interests of cooperation to enhance security, and to maintain regional peace and stability.
Mr. Niyazov also demanded that republican law enforcement agencies check the officers of Armed Forces and secret service operatives going to study at various NATO organizations; their background must be analyzed completely, as these measures would apparently prevent any possible high treason on their part. Meanwhile those in charge of specific agencies shall assume responsibility for any possible incidents.
In 1995 Turkmenistan became the first Central Asian country to sign a framework agreement stipulating its participation in the Partnership for Peace program. President Niyazov has repeatedly stated that he wanted Turkmenistan to become involved in that program's humanitarian aspects alone because a neutral country's defensive doctrine made it impossible to join any military alliances and structures envisaging rigid subordination.
