Turkmenistan: Power vacuum after president´s death

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-22-2006 08:44

Turkmenistan Deputy Prime Minister Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov has become the acting head of state, after President Saparmurat Niyazov died on Thursday. Niyazov left no designated heir, and now some analysts fear a power vacuum.

Now the acting head of state, Berdymukhamedov, addressed a meeting of ministers, security chiefs and senior officials on Thursday.

It was the first since the death of 66-year-old Niyazov, who was endorsed 21 years ago as president-for-life.

As Niyazov left no preferred successor or mechanism for transition, his death has produced a political vacuum.

Russian State DUMA deputy Zatulin said: "In order to hold state power, some things from the old regime will be necessary in order to re-establish a leadership, but without Niyazov. This might also lead to the interference of external forces which might not be interested in the stability of Turkmenistan, considering it's huge role as an energy source and the supply of natural gas."

But some have brushed away the possibility of chaos.

"We don't want any bloodshed. When know what it means. We behave responsibly and in a fully constrained way. But we should have the situation under full control to avoid chaos." Expressed Saparmurat Yklymov, a former Turkmen deputy minister.

Niyazov's funeral is set for Sunday. On Tuesday, the state's highest representative body will meet to decide on a successor and name a date for elections.

Editor:Ji Xuewen