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Largely desert fringed by fertile land, this large country
has a small population, many of whom live in tribal areas. Imperial
Russia took over this whole area in the later 19th century and Turkmenistan became a Soviet
republic in 1925. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the
USSR in 1991. President NIYAZOV retains absolute control over the country
and opposition is not tolerated. Extensive hydrocarbon/natural gas reserves
could prove a boon to this underdeveloped country if extraction and
delivery projects can be worked out and gas in particular constitutes a
massive potential source of natural wealth. President NIYAZOV
maintains a spectacular cult of personality and awarded. himself the title of
Turkmenbashi - father of the Turks, somewhat to the amusement of the giant
Turkish Republic. |
