Battle for power and energy looms in Turkmenistan

ASHGABAT (AFP) - The sudden death of Turkmenistan's president Saparmurat Niyazov has prompted predictions of a power struggle inside the ex-Soviet republic and a no less fierce contest among major world powers coveting the desert nation's natural gas deposits.


In a deceptive semblance of normality, portraits and statues of the autocratic Niyazov, who controlled every aspect of this mostly Muslim central Asian republic for 20 years, continued to look down from buildings throughout the capital Ashgabat.

State-run television broadcasted funeral music, as it had all day Thursday following the announcement that Niyazov had died of a heart attack. New Year's decorations were gone from the streets and black ribbons attached to flags.

But beneath the outward calm, there is a gaping power vacuum waiting to be filled, left by the death of a man who declared himself president for life and ruled like an absolutist king in a country that is of growing geopolitical interest to major powers such as China, Russia and the United States.

Turkmenistan not only has massive gas reserves of its own, but is positioned as a key link in the energy corridor the United States wants to build from Central Asia, across the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus and to Western markets -- bypassing Russia.

"His death has launched a vicious fight for power in Turkmenistan and, what is more important, a new stage of struggles between Russia, China, the
European Union and other interested parties for Turkmen gas," the respected Kommersant daily wrote in Moscow.

Ahead of Sunday's state funeral, residents here expressed shock about the loss of their leader, as well as jitters about what lies ahead.

"I feel kind of empty," said Batyr Ishankuliyev, 48, a civil servant. "You can hardly believe that our leader, who we saw as having been sent to us forever by the Almighty, suddenly died like an ordinary person."

"I am afraid for the future. The most important thing now is that no conflict arises," said Lyudmila 58, at one of the city's markets.

The most likely successor appeared to be the new interim president, deputy prime minister Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov, who promised to steer a steady course.

He was shown on television sitting in Niyazov's chair, declaring: "We have today lost a great man. Our country is orphaned."

"Turkmenistan will continue Turkmenbashi's policy. Turkmenistan's people will always be loyal to the lessons and plans of its leader, it will continue and complete what he began," Berdymukhammedov pledged.

But as an early sign of the political infighting that many analysts predict, Berdymukhammedov's nomination as interim leader coincided with news that the speaker of parliament -- who should have become interim leader according to the constitution -- faced a criminal investigation.

Berdymukhammedov said that an extraordinary session of the country's Popular Council, made up of more than 2,500 Turkmen officials, would take place Tuesday to set a date for a presidential election and introduce presidential candidates.

Under the constitution, an election is due to take place within two months.

The international community urged calm in Turkmenistan, but Washington also made clear its interest in boosting close relations with the key country, despite widespread accusations that the Turkmen authorities routinely violate human rights.

"We look forward to continuing to expand our relations with Turkmenistan, to a bright future for that country and to a government that provides justice and opportunity for its people," US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. "We convey our condolences to the family of President Niyazov and to the people of Turkmenistan."

The European Union urged Turkmenistan to manage the political transition "in accordance with international standards" following the long-time president's death.

"The presidency calls on the Turkmen authorities to make every effort to ensure that the succession to President Niyazov proceeds in accordance with international standards," the Finnish presidency of the bloc said in a brief statement.