Turkmenbashi’s former personal doctor Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov (R) was the closest to his patron’s body, which allowed him to occupy his chair before anyone else.
Photo: AP
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Friend After Death
// Even Turkmenbashi’s enemies will pay him the last tribute like friends
Turkmenistan’s President Saparmurat Niyazov will be buried tomorrow. Odious Turkmenian dictator gained the reputation of the most unsociable leader on the post-Soviet space. However, many of his counterparts consider him a friend. Presidents of “colored democracies” and leaders of authoritarian regimes in the CIS will gather at his funeral. Vladimir Putin decided not to go, sending Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov instead.
“Father of All Turkmens”, who ruled the country for 21 years, will be buried in his native village Kipchak by the walls of the mosque of Turkmenbashi’s Spirituality. A large company of presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers will gather by his coffin tomorrow.
Niyazov gained the reputation of the most unsociable president in the CIS. He disliked Commonwealth summits, and even announced his intention to leave the CIS in 2005. Those who knew the late dictator say that he had strained relations not only with other CIS presidents, but even with his son, wife, and daughter.
Apparently, Turkmenbashi’s personal doctor, his bodyguard, and his treasurer were the closest people for him. Thus, they are now dividing his power and legacy. Speaker of Turkmenistan’s parliament Ovezgeldy Ataev was deprived of the constitutional opportunity to become acting president, and the position was taken over by Niyazov’s former personal doctor Gurbanguly Berdymuhammedov.
Deputy chief of the president’s staff’s affairs Alexander Zhadan disappeared from Ashkhabad. Zhadan was Niyazov’s personal treasurer and managed his impressive bank accounts abroad. Together with Zhadan, important state documents have disappeared.
Former Turkmenian state officials believe that head of the late president’s personal guard Akmurad Redjepov might be directing the repartition of power, remaining a “shadow player”.
For the entire day yesterday, new Turkmenian officials were intent on showing that they are keeping the situation in the country under their control.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Dec. 23, 2006
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