View source for Turkmen Union of Democratic Forces

'''Turkmen Union of Democratic Forces''' is a [[Turkmenistan|Turkmen]] [[political party]] that organized in [[Vienna]], [[Austria]] on 23 November 2003 (the original agreement was reached on 29 September<!-- https://eurasianet.org/turkmenistans-embattled-opposition-forges-a-united-front -->). Former foreign minister [[Awdy Kulyýew]], former ambassador to Turkey [[Nurmuhammet Hanamow]], former central bank chief [[Hudaýberdi Orazow]] and former deputy agriculture minister [[Saparmyrat Yklymow]] are founding members.<ref name=FORMATION>[https://web.archive.org/web/20031207070742/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/EL06Ag02.html Turkmenistan: A study in democracy denial] Asia Times Online</ref>

Turkmenbashi [[Saparmurat Niyazov]], commenting on the formation of the party, said on television, "It's a pity that many states that pretend to be democratic give them the floor. But shouldn't these states extradite criminals and terrorists?" He described the TUDF as "cowards and traitors who stole that much money that it did not fit their pockets. All of them are thieves, terrorists and fugitives, but if they are not guilty, we will not persecute them. Let them face the court here and then open their parties in Turkmenistan."<ref name=FORMATION/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Turkmenistani political parties}}
[[Category:Banned political parties]]
[[Category:2003 establishments in Turkmenistan]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2003]]
[[Category:Political parties in Turkmenistan]]
{{Turkmenistan-party-stub}}