Top US official to attend Turkmenistan swearing-in

ASHGABAT, Feb 13 (Reuters) A senior US State Department official will attend the inauguration of Turkmenistan's new president, the US embassy said today, a sign the United States is keen to strengthen relations with the gas-rich nation.

The United States criticised Turkmenistan's late leader Saparmurat Niyazov for human rights abuses during his 21-year rule which ended in December when he died of heart failure.

But Washington is keen to build a relationship with Turkmenistan's new leadership as it competes with Russia and China for influence in the strategic region. The ex-Soviet country borders Iran and Afghanistan.

A spokeswoman for the US embassy in Ashgabat said Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher, who attended Niyazov's funeral in December, will travel to Turkmenistan tomorrow to attend the inauguration of the nation's new leader following Sunday's presidential election.

Acting leader Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is widely expected tomorrow to be declared winner of the election, which was was criticised as flawed by international monitors. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov is also due to attend the ceremony.

During his time in power, Niyazov snubbed both Russia and the United States as he focused on developing his eccentric personality cult at home.

But to facilitate the military deployment that toppled the Taliban in 2003 in Afghanistan, Niyazov authorised Washington to use its airspace. Turkmenistan exports much of its gas through pipelines controlled by Russia.

REUTERS DKA RN1718