On 29 January the Russian daily Vremya Novostey published the article titled “USA offered Turkmenistan an audit”. The text was written by Arkady Dubnov, one of the best reporters when it comes to Turkmenistan. The article described the results of the recent visit of Admiral William Fallon, head of U.S. Central Command and senator Richard Lugar to Ashgabat.

The course and results of the visit were kept secret. However, Dubnov refers to his sources in the Turkmen authorities and claims that the White House envoys have made a number of interesting offers to President Berdymukhammedov. These offers supposedly concerned Turkmenistan’s possible benefits, should it get involved in the construction of a Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline, supported by Washington.

From Astana Richard Lugar (…) brought Kazakhstan’s pledge to supply 20 billion m3 of gas a year until 2011-2012, provided that Turkmenistan agrees to transport this gas via its territory. (…). Lugar promised that USA will back the solution of a territorial dispute between Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan (there are 3 disputable oil deposits on the Caspian Sea) that would be in keeping with Ashgabat’s interests. Moreover, the Americans could support Turkmenistan in its dispute with Tehran, also concerning oil fields on the Caspian shelf.

Also, Washington allegedly offered the Turkmen authorities that American companies would carry out an audit of Turkmen gas deposits (recently, Berdymukhammedov has announced plans to perform such audit).

Dubnov states that these offers were welcomed by Berdymukhammedov, who immediately ordered to form a special committee concerning the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline.

The information mentioned above seems difficult to verify. Should it prove true, however, the Kazakhstan’s declaration to send gas via Turkmenistan would be quite sensational (earlier, Astana did not display interest in this project). Turkmenistan’s participation in the project is important though less sensational, as Berdymukhammedov earlier publicly supported the construction of this pipeline. Increasingly close cooperation between Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, that we are witnessing in the recent months, is aimed at strengthening the two states’ position vis a vis Russia. However, it can also be a sign of Astana’s real interest in participation in the Trans-Caspian Gas Pipeline project.