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==Presidential decrees==
==Presidential decrees==
{{Disputeabout|The factual accuracy of some of the below statements is disputed, as is the reporting by certain new sources thereof}}
{{Disputeabout|The factual accuracy of some of the below statements is disputed, as is the 'accuracy of reporting' by certain new sources used therein}}


As President-for-Life of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov issued many controversial and unusual [[decree]]s:
As President-for-Life of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov issued many controversial and unusual [[decree]]s:

Revision as of 18:02, 2 August 2008

Saparmyrat Ataýewiç Nyýazow
1st President of Turkmenistan
In office
October 27 1990 – December 21 2006
Succeeded byGurbanguly Berdimuhammedow
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR
In office
1985–1990
Preceded byMuhammetnazar Gapurow
Personal details
Born(1940-02-19)February 19, 1940
Gypjak, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union
Died21 December 2006(2006-12-21) (aged 66)
Turkmenistan
Political partyDemocratic Party of Turkmenistan
Spouse(s)Muza Sokolova
Russian: Муза Соколова[1]

Saparmyrat Ataýewiç Nyýazow (IPA: [θɑːpɑːrmɯːrɑːt niːjɑːðɒv]) (19 February, 1940, Gypjak, Turkmen SSR, Soviet Union– 21 December, 2006), also commonly known by the romanization Saparmurat Atayevich Niyazov of the Russian spelling Сапармурат Атаевич Ниязов of his Turkmen name, served as the head of state of Turkmenistan from 1985 until his death in 2006. He served as the First Secretary of the Turkmen Communist Party from 1985 until 1991 and the first President of Turkmenistan from 2 November 1990 until his death.

Turkmen media referred to him using the title "His Excellency Saparmurat Niyazov Türkmenbaşy, President of Turkmenistan and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers". His title Türkmenbaşy, or Turkmenbashi (IPA: [tyrkmɛnbaʃɯ]), meaning Leader of Turkmens, referred to his position as the founder and president of the Association of Turkmens of the World.[2]

Foreign media criticized him as one of the world's most totalitarian and repressive dictators, highlighting his reputation of imposing his personal eccentricities upon the country, which extended to renaming months after members of his family.[3] He was also known for an all-pervasive cult of personality which, in many ways, exceeded that of Joseph Stalin. Global Witness, a London-based human rights organization, reported that money under Niyazov's control and held overseas may be in excess of US$3 billion, of which $2 billion is supposedly situated in the Foreign Exchange Reserve Fund at Deutsche Bank in Germany.

Background

Politics of Turkmenistan

Niyazov's father died in World War II fighting against Nazi Germany. The other members of his family were killed in a massive earthquake that leveled Ashgabat in 1948. He grew up in a Soviet orphanage before the state put him in the custody of a distant relative.

In 1962 Niyazov joined the Communist Party. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming first secretary of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR in 1985. He gained this post after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev removed his predecessor, Muhammetnazar Gapurow, following a cotton-related scandal. Under Niyazov, the Turkmen Communist Party was one of the most hardline and unreformed party organizations in the Soviet Union. On January 13, 1990; Niyazov became Chairman of the Supreme Soviet, the supreme legislative body in the republic. The post was equivalent to that of president.

Niyazov supported the Soviet coup attempt of 1991, but after it collapsed, he fell into line and set about separating Turkmenistan from the dying Soviet Union. The Supreme Soviet declared Turkmenistan independent and elected Niyazov as the country's first president on October 27. On June 21, 1992, Niyazov was elected as the country's first popularly elected president; he was the only candidate. A year later, he declared himself "Türkmenbaşy," or "Leader of all Turkmen."

In 1994 a plebiscite extended Niyazov's term to 2002 so he could oversee a 10-year development plan. The official results showed that 99.9% of voters approved this proposal--a figure that was typical of Soviet-era elections. On December 28, 1999, Parliament declared Niyazov President for Life; parliamentary elections had been held a few weeks earlier in which all candidates were hand-picked by the president.

Niyazov and his Russian-Jewish wife, Muza, had a son and a daughter, Myrat and Irina, respectively.

Domestic policy

Economy

Turkmenistan has the second largest reserves in the gas-rich former Soviet Union, generating high revenue for the state. The government has used central planning, such as state control of production and procurement, direct bank credits with low interest rates, exchange rate restrictions, and price controls, since it existed as a Republic within the U.S.S.R.[4]

In 1991 Niyazov's government put forth a decree granting "the free use of water, gas and electricity by the people of Turkmenistan."[2] In reality, the population receives the lowest possible minimum wage and then the state distributes free water, gas and electricity.[4]

Culture

File:Nyyazow monument.JPG
The Neutrality Arch, atop the monument is a gold-plated statue of Niyazov which rotates 360 degrees every 24 hours so as to always face the sun.

Niyazov put the revival of Turkmen culture as one of the top priorities in Turkmenistan's development. He introduced a new Turkmen alphabet based on the Latin alphabet to replace Cyrillic. The Turkmen language is the state language. All names of months in Turkmenistan were changed from Roman to Turkmen representing famous Turkmen heroes, poets and state leaders.

Security

After an alleged assassination attempt on November 25 2002, the Turkmen government arrested suspected conspirators and members of their families. Critics claim the government staged the attempt in order to crack down on mounting domestic and foreign political opposition.[5]

The summer of 2004 saw a leaflet campaign in the capital, Aşgabat, calling for the overthrow and trial of Niyazov. The authorities were unable to stop the campaign and the President responded by firing his Interior Minister and director of the police academy on national television.[6] He accused the minister of incompetence and declared: "I cannot say that you had any great merits or did much to combat crime."

In May 2000, the government revoked all Internet licenses except for the state-owned Turkmen Telecom and in June 2001 shut down all Internet cafés.[7]

By 2005 there were 36,000 Internet users, representing 0.7% of the population.[8]

Foreign policy

Niyazov promoted a policy of strict neutrality in foreign affairs, refraining from seeking membership in NATO or GUUAM and almost ignoring the CSTO. Turkmenistan has not participated in any United Nations peacekeeping missions.

He met with former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to discuss an oil contract in Turkmenistan for a Canadian corporation in late 2004. In March 2005 news of this meeting caused uproar amongst opposition circles in Canada, who claimed the affair could damage Chrétien's legacy.

He announced in 2005 that Turkmenistan would downgrade its links with the Commonwealth of Independent States. He furthermore promised free and fair elections by 2010 in a move that surprised many Western observers.

In 2006 the European Commission and the international trade committee of the European Parliament voted to grant Turkmenistan "most favoured nation" trading status with the European Union, widely seen as motivated by interest in natural gas, after Niyazov announced he would enter a "human rights dialogue" with the EU.[9]

Presidential decrees

As President-for-Life of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov issued many controversial and unusual decrees:

  • In April 2001, ballet and opera were banned after Niyazov felt they were "unnecessary ... not a part of Turkmen culture".[10]
  • In 2004, the state forbade young men from growing long hair or beards.[10]
  • In March 2004, 15,000 public health workers were dismissed including nurses, midwives, school health visitors and orderlies.[11]
  • In 2004 all licensed drivers were required to pass a morality test.[12]
  • In February 2005 all hospitals outside Aşgabat were ordered shut, with the reasoning that the sick should come to the capital for treatment. All rural libraries were ordered closed as well, citing ordinary Turkmen do not read books.[citation needed]
  • In November 2005 physicians were ordered to swear an oath to the President, replacing the Hippocratic Oath.[13]
  • In December 2005 video games were banned as being too violent for young Turkmen to play.[citation needed]
  • In January 2006 one-third of the country's elderly had their pensions discontinued, while another 200,000 had theirs reduced. Pensions received during the prior two years were ordered paid back to the state.[14] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan strongly denied allegations that the cut in pensions resulted in the deaths of many elderly Turkmen, accusing foreign media outlets of spreading "deliberately perverted" information on the issue.[15]
    • On March 19, 2007 Turkmenistan's new president Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow reversed his predecessor's decision by restoring pensions to more than 100,000 elderly citizens.[16]
  • In September 2006 Turkmen teachers who failed to publish praise of the Turkmen leader would remain at a lower payscale or be sacked.[17]
  • In October 2006 Turkmenistan set free 10,056 prisoners, including 253 foreign nationals from 11 countries on the Night of Omnipotence. Niyazov said, "Let this humane act on the part of the state serve strengthening truly moral values of the Turkmen society. Let the entire world know that there has never been a place for evil and violence on the blessed Turkmen soil."[18]
  • The Turkmen words for bread and the month of April were changed to the name of his late mother, Gurbansoltanedzhe. [19]
  • Car radios, lip-synching, and recorded music are all prohibited.[20]
  • Dogs are banned in the capital city[21] due to unappealing odour.[citation needed]

Representation in Western Media

Due to the excentric nature of some of his decrees (most of which never became law in any sense), and his 'cult of personality' Turkmenbashi became a whipping boy for western newspapers and other media when seeking a funny story. Typical stories included [22]

  • Banning of beards and long hair
  • Banning of gold teeth
  • Ban of chewing tobacco
  • The construction of an 'ice palace' (which turned out to be an ice skting rink)
  • Ban on newsreaders wearing make up
  • Ban on spandex

A ban on smoking in public places was also ridiculed, despite being in effect in many western countries. The situation reflects the popular culture view of central asian countries as being populated by crazy ex-communist dictators, whilst taking no interest whatsoever in an real aspect of central asian life. eg Borat: a character portrayed by an English comedian.

New names for months and days

All the new names Niyazov introduced refer to the president, national heroes or important historical incidents. These names were later abolished by his successor Berdimuhammedow in April 2008.[23]

Month New Name Meaning
January Türkmenbaşy named in honour of the Türkmenbaşy; also, this month is the beginning (Turkmen baş) of the year
February Baýdak named in honour of the flag of Turkmenistan, as in this month it was created for the independent Turkmenistan
March Nowruz named after the New Year's Day festival (Nowruz), which is celebrated in March
April Gurbansoltan named in honour of Niyazov's mother, as the month in which everything grows and blooms should be dedicated to the mothers
May Magtymguly named in honour of the Turkmen People's Writer, who is honoured on 18th and 19th of May
June Oguz according to Turkmen tradition, all Turkmens are descended from the legendary Oguz Khan
July Gorkut Gorkut, apart from Oguz Khan, is the second great historical person of the Turkmens
August Alp Arslan Alp Arslan is remembered as a Turkmen national hero. In August of 1071 he defeated the army of the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Manzikert and introduced the Turkmen language
September Ruhnama named in honour of the book written by Niyazov, which he finished writing on 19 September, 2001
October Garaşsyzlyk named in honour of independence (Turkmen Garaşsyzlyk), which Turkmenistan obtained on 27 October, 1991
November Sanjar Sultan Sanjar continued the work of Alp Arslan, and led the Seljuqs to their last full flowering
December Bitaraplyk named in honour of neutrality (Turkmen Bitaraplyk), which was announced to the United Nations General Assembly on 12 December, 1995

The days of the week are composed of the word Gün (Eng. day) plus the word of the respective meaning. Friday remained unchanged, having previously been called Anna.

Day New Name Meaning
Monday Baş Gün the Day of the Beginning, beginning of the week
Tuesday Ýaş Gün the Young Day
Wednesday Hoş Gün the Good Day
Thursday Sogap Gün the Blessed Day
Friday Anna Mother
Saturday Ruh Gün the Day of the Mind; at this day people should read the Ruhnama
Sunday Dynç Gün the Day of Recovery

Death

On December 21 2006, Turkmen state television announced that President Niyazov had died of sudden cardiac arrest.[24][25] Niyazov had been taking medication for an unidentified cardiac condition. The Turkmen Embassy in Moscow later confirmed this report.

According to the Constitution of Turkmenistan, Öwezgeldi Ataýew, Chairman of the Parliament, would assume the presidency. Deputy Prime Minister Gurbanguly Berdimuhammedow was named as head of the commission organizing the state funeral. Due to the imprisonment of Öwezgeldi Ataýew who, under the Constitution is first in line to succeed the presidency, Berdimuhammedow was named as acting president. Berdimuhammedow and the Halk Maslahaty announced on December 26 that the next presidential elections would be held on February 11, 2007.[26]

The New York Times reported that Niyazov's son, Murat, has been in contention for the presidency after the constitution was amended to allow Turkmen of mixed ethnic backgrounds to qualify for the post.[27]

The circumstances of Niyazov's passing has been surrounded by some media speculation, including that Niyazov had been the victim of poisoning.[28] Some Turkmen opposition sources also claim that Niyazov died several days before the officially announced date of December 21.[29]

Burial

Niyazov was buried on December 24 at his home village of Gypjak approximately 10 kilometres from the capital. Prior to being moved to the village, Niyazov's body lay in state in an open coffin in the presidential palace. Many mourners, including foreign delegations, passed by the coffin in a three hour period.[30] Tang Jiaxuan, the Chinese State Councilor and special envoy of President Hu Jintao to Turkmenistan[31], Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Richard Boucher,[32] Iranian Vice President Parviz Davoudi, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, Tajik President Emomali Rahmonov, Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Georgian Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli, Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Ukrainian Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych, and Armenian Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan attended the funeral.[33]

Miscellaneous

  • In October 2005, 100,000 copies of Mahribanlarym, a new book by Niyazov, were printed. The book included his lyrical poetry and short stories.[34]
  • Niyazov ordered the building of a new university to be named after Ruhnama. The university was scheduled to be built in 2010.[35]

See also

References and notes

  1. ^ "Наследником Туркменбаши может стать следователь московской прокуратуры" (in Russian). Komsomolskaya Pravda. 2006-12-22. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  2. ^ a b "Turkmenistan Fact Sheet, Government & Politics-President". Embassy of Turkmenistan. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  3. ^ BBC News, " Turkmen go back to old calendar", 24 April 2008.
  4. ^ a b Badykova, Najia (2004-06-18). "The Turkmen Economy: Challenges and Opportunities". St Antony's College, University of Oxford. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  5. ^ "Assassination Attempt A Response To Niyazov's Authoritarian Policies". EurasiaNet. 2002-11-25. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  6. ^ Short resume maintained by Reporters Sans Frontières
  7. ^ Clarke, Michael (2003-01-24). "Turkmenistan. Struggling For News In Turkmenistan". Glenn Hauser's World of Radio. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  8. ^ The World Factbook entry for Turkmenistan information retrieved on August 30 2006
  9. ^ "Double Standard for Dictators". WashingtonPost.com. 2004-04-14. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  10. ^ a b Whitlock, Monica (2004-02-25). "Young Turkmen face beard ban". BBC News. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  11. ^ Whitlock, Monica (2004-03-01). "Troops to replace Turkmen medics". BBC News. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  12. ^ Romanoff, Lance Jonn (2005-08-18). "Absolute Power Makes You Absolutely Crazy". Ljonn.com. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  13. ^ "Turkmen Doctors Pledge Allegiance To Niyazov". Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty (RFERL). 2005-11-15. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  14. ^ "Туркменбаши решил истребить всех стариков" (in Russian). NEWSru.com. 2006-02-03. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  15. ^ "...Russian media outlets disseminate "deliberately perverted" information on republic's pension maintenance". Turkmenistan.ru. 2006-04-02. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  16. ^ "Turkmen leader restores pensions". bbc.co.uk. 2007-03-19. Retrieved 2007-03-19.
  17. ^ "Praise Turkmen leader or else, teachers are told". Telegraph (UK). Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  18. ^ "Turkmenistan to set free 10056 prisoners". Turkmenistan.ru. 2006-10-17. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  19. ^ ""Tensions Rising as Turkmenistan Stops Pension Payments"". Taipei Times. 2006-02-05. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  20. ^ "Turkmenistan bans recorded music". BBC News. 2005-08-23. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  21. ^ "In the realm of fantasy". The Sunday Times Online. 2006-12-17. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  22. ^ A dictator's guide to the universe
  23. ^ "Turkmen go back to old calendar". BBC News. 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-04-24.
  24. ^ "Turkmenistan's 'iron ruler' dies". BBC News. 2006-12-21. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  25. ^ "President of Turkmenistan dies at 66". BreakingNews.ie. 2005-12-21. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |http://www.breakingnews.ie/world/?jp= ignored (help)
  26. ^ "Two candidates named for Turkmen presidency". ITAR TASS. 2006-12-26. Retrieved 2006-12-26.
  27. ^ Chivers, C. J. (2006-12-22). "Intrigue Follows Death of a President for Life". New York Times. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  28. ^ "Saparmurat Niyazov 's werelds gekste dictator" (in Dutch). Het Nieuwsblad. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  29. ^ "Turkmenbashi died several days ago" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 2006-12-21. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
  30. ^ "Turkmen leader's funeral begins". CNN. 2006-12-24. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  31. ^ "Chinese envoy attends funeral of Turkmenistan's late president". China Economic. 2006-12-25. Retrieved 2006-12-25.
  32. ^ "Late President of Turkmenistan laid to rest". Calcutta News. 2006-12-25. Retrieved 2006-12-25.
  33. ^ "First VP leaves Turkmenistan". IRNA. 2006-12-25. Retrieved 2006-12-25.
  34. ^ "Turkmenistan Project Weekly news brief, October 14-20, 2005". EurasiaNet.org. Retrieved 2007-01-12.
  35. ^ "New Turkmen University Named After Leader's Book". RFE/RL. 2005-12-13. Retrieved 2007-01-12.

Further reading

  • Theroux, Paul. "The Golden Man: Saparmurat Niyazov's Reign of Insanity". The New Yorker, 28 May 2007, pp. 54-65.

Monuments to Niyazov

Preceded by General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Turkmen SSR
December 21 1985– June 21 1991 		Succeeded by
None (Position Dissolved)
Preceded by
new office
 President of Turkmenistan
January 19 1990– December 21 2006 		Succeeded by

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