Tukmenistan’s ‘iron ruler’ dies

ASHGABAT – Civil servant Alty Garayev summed up the mood best yesterday in Ashgabad as the people of Turkmenistan learned that their ‘president for life’, Saparmurat Niyazov, was dead.

“Suddenly there’s a kind of vacuum, a feeling of dread,” said Garayev, 50. “What happens next? Who will replace him? He left no successor.”As authorities ordered the cancellation of public New Year’s festivities, state-controlled newspapers suspended publishing and national television played sombre music, residents of Ashgabat outwardly appeared to be going about their routine business.But no one questioned by AFP could disguise the emotion that jolted the people of this mainly Muslim Central Asian state as they learned of the passing at age of 66 of the man who had ruled their country for the past two decades.Some could barely remember a time when Niyazov, known as Turkmenbashi (leader of the Turkmen), had not been in charge – Niyazov became head of the Soviet-era Communist party here in 1985.Murad, a 27-year-old businessman, said the country had suffered a terrible blow.”I felt awful when I heard on the television.We have suffered a loss.We feel we ourselves have been orphaned,” he said, alluding to Niyazov’s own orphaning in early childhood – much mythologised in his poetic texts.”I’m in shock,” said civil servant Annagul Byashimova as she visited Ashgabat’s Russian bazaar, where stall-holders followed the news of the death on state radio and television.State television in Turkmenistan is always distinguished by a golden profile of Niyazov displayed in a corner of the screen, but yesterday an extra black border had been added, framing the images of news readers clad in black and funereal music played by black-clad performers.But there was also apprehension about how this authoritarian country will cope with the unchartered waters of a power-change – a gathering of the top governing body, the People’s Council, has been called for Tuesday to deliberate on the issue.Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has been named interim president, a statement distributed by the state news agency TDH said.Nampa-AFP”What happens next? Who will replace him? He left no successor.”As authorities ordered the cancellation of public New Year’s festivities, state-controlled newspapers suspended publishing and national television played sombre music, residents of Ashgabat outwardly appeared to be going about their routine business.But no one questioned by AFP could disguise the emotion that jolted the people of this mainly Muslim Central Asian state as they learned of the passing at age of 66 of the man who had ruled their country for the past two decades.Some could barely remember a time when Niyazov, known as Turkmenbashi (leader of the Turkmen), had not been in charge – Niyazov became head of the Soviet-era Communist party here in 1985.Murad, a 27-year-old businessman, said the country had suffered a terrible blow.”I felt awful when I heard on the television.We have suffered a loss.We feel we ourselves have been orphaned,” he said, alluding to Niyazov’s own orphaning in early childhood – much mythologised in his poetic texts.”I’m in shock,” said civil servant Annagul Byashimova as she visited Ashgabat’s Russian bazaar, where stall-holders followed the news of the death on state radio and television.State television in Turkmenistan is always distinguished by a golden profile of Niyazov displayed in a corner of the screen, but yesterday an extra black border had been added, framing the images of news readers clad in black and funereal music played by black-clad performers.But there was also apprehension about how this authoritarian country will cope with the unchartered waters of a power-change – a gathering of the top governing body, the People’s Council, has been called for Tuesday to deliberate on the issue.Turkmen Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has been named interim president, a statement distributed by the state news agency TDH said.Nampa-AFP