The United States said on Sunday it wanted to start a new era in ties with Turkmenistan following the death of Turkmen leader Saparmurat Niyazov, Reuters reported. The United States criticised Niyazov for human rights abuses during his 21-year autocratic rule. But Niyazov's death on Thursday could herald fresh beginnings for Washington as it vies with Russia for influence in the gas-rich country. Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Richard Boucher, in Turkmenistan to attended Niyazov's funeral, said he met acting president Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov earlier in the day. "I came from the United States, from Washington in order to express our condolences to the people of Turkmenistan and express our hope for a new beginning in our relationship," he told reporters. "Whatever one thinks of President Niyazov, the people of Turkmenistan are going through a period of uncertainty ... I thought it important to convey at this time that we were open to the possibility of a new beginning."
