Turkmenistan: Russia casts steely eye on country and it's gas.

How much do you want to bet now that that insane nut job who called himself "Turkmenbashi" (Father of the Turkmens) is dead, How much do you want to bet that Vladimir Putin is taking a very good look at Turkmenistan and it's gas industry? I suppose you can say the same thing about Bush and his oil pals. Turkmenistan is going to be hotly contested in terms of influence with the new regime. Both sides are going to want a leader that is going to bend to their own will and the bids are starting.

Getting back to the guy who died, the "Turkmenbashi" who's real name was Saparmurat Niyazov. This man made Kim Jong Il look like a boy scout. He had changed the month names changed, banned car radios, banned hospitals, and put up some of the most gaudiest tackiest monuments to himself all over that country. While this was happening, his own people's living standards dropped as did their education system suffered. The kids only went to school to read Niyazov's books and chant slogans. It is hard to say who will take over the reigns but Turkmenistan is at a crossroads.


http://24hour.startribune.com/24hour/world/story/3452884p-12655224c.html


John