Annexed by Russia between 1865 and 1885, Turkmenistan became a Soviet republic in 1924. It achieved its independence upon the dissolution of the USSR in 1991. President Saparmurat 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 were to be expanded. The Turkmenistan Government is actively seeking to develop alternative petroleum transportation routes in order to break Russia’s pipeline monopoly.
Turkmenistan is described as “a secret state” – the most isolated and secretive state where dissent is not tolerated and suspicion reigns. It is second only to North Korea for being a Totalitarian Dictatorship. It was declared the “3rd Most Corrupt Country in the World” in 2011.
gopeople.ca 