'Turkmenbashi' dies

December 21, 2006

President Niyazov's death of a heart attack was announced on state television. He was 66 and had been in power since 1985, predating the breakup of the Soviet Union. During his reign, Niyazov built a cult of personality in which he proclaimed himself "Turkmenbashi the Great" -- Father of all the Turkmen. Turkmenistan is Central Asia's fifth largest gas producer and Niyazov's death raises serious concerns about the transfer of power in the country.