Economist in Turkmenistan

The Economist visits Turkmenistan this week. The article outlines many of the education, health and political problems caused by the wacky declarations of President Niyazov, aka “Turkmenbashi” (“Father of Turkmen”) which have previously been covered by our friends at Registan. For those unfamiliar with the country and their nutcase leader I recommend the article. A few highlights below:

Ashgabat, the capital, is a surreal showpiece of grandiose, neo-Stalinist buildings of gleaming white marble, with giant portraits and gold statues of the Turkmenbashi everywhere””?including one, arms aloft, that constantly revolves through 360 degrees, so that it always faces the sun. … Such are the priorities of a regime that squanders money on prestige projects of dubious benefit, including an ice-rink, a huge half-finished artificial lake, vast mosques, gold-domed palaces and soon a new zoo, complete with penguins, in a country where the summer temperature tops 50°C.

All is not well, though, as protests have erupted in the town of Turkembashi and a “Niyazov statue in the city of Mary (once known as Merv) had its arm sawn off and a bucket of human faeces thrown over it.” Yet a Colour Revolution seems unlikely:

Despite widespread unhappiness with the regime, most Turkmen do not see a way out. Rebellion looks impossible, given the level of repression and fear; and state benefits (free gas and electricity and highly subsidised fuel, since plentiful gas and oil are Turkmenistan’s only blessing) take some of the edge off discontent. Besides, people are brainwashed by a relentless propaganda machine orchestrated by four state-television channels, two radio stations and several newspapers propounding the idea of a “golden age”Â?. Exiled opposition groups have little influence, and pressure from the outside, given Turkmenistan’s large mineral reserves, is shamefully muted.

Turkmenbashi, 66, is reportedly having heart problems and has a team of 8 German doctors on call. If there ever was an opportunity for asset recruitment, this is it.