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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Turkmen assembly meets to decide future |
| 2006-12-26 |
| A Soviet-style People's Assembly meets in Turkmenistan on Tuesday to set out the Central Asian nation's path for replacing authoritarian President Saparmurat Niyazov who died suddenly last week. President-for-life Niyazov, who died on Thursday after ruling the country for 21 years, left no heir apparent and his demise fuelled fears of a dangerous power vacuum in the country, whose rich gas reserves are important for Europe. Deputy Prime Minister Kurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, 49, has stepped forward as acting president with the backing of the security leaders close to Niyazov who formed a new Security Council after his death. The Tuesday's meeting of the Halk Maslakhaty -- 2,500 delegates including members of parliament, government and local officials, village elders and others picked by Niyazov -- is expected to set a date for fresh presidential elections. The assembly, modelled on the Soviet Union's Congress of People's Deputies, is Turkmenistan's highest legislative body. It was not clear whether anything apart from an election date might emerge from the meeting which starts at 2 p.m. (0900 GMT), although there were signs Berdymukhamedov, could be named as the main candidate for the presidency in a sign of orderly transition. "You would imagine that he would be the main candidate," a diplomat said. "The signs are of a stable transition, which looks promising for the immediate stability of the country." Another big question is whether there would be a single leader wielding unfettered power. Exiled opposition leaders have suggested Tuesday's meeting could throw light on the true balance of forces. "Names mentioned at the moment are temporary," Khudaiberdy Orazov, leader of the Watan opposition movement said. "Tomorrow, the real people who will rule everything will appear." |
| Posted by:Fred |