Turkmenbashi, Crazy Dictator of Absurdistan

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. First of all, Saparmurat Niyazov was not content to be referred to by his own name. Granted, he liked it enough that the press could refer to it in full in any and all articles about him, while they referred to other politicians by first initial and last name only. But anyway, he also liked to be called "Turkmenbashi". What is the meaning of "Turkmenbashi"? Leader of all ethnic Turkmen Turkmenistan's most humble servant The pride of Turkmenistan Just another average Turkmen citizen

2. So we've established that Saparmurat Niyazov liked to be called Turkmenbashi. He also just plain liked to hear it said. Which of the following other things did he rename "Turkmenbashi"? The month of January All of these The seaport city of Krasnovodsk A meteorite that landed during his reign

3. Actually, Saparmurat Niyazov was a bit of a momma's boy. In fact, he worshipped his mother, Gurbansoltanedzhe. In addition to renaming the month of April after her, what else did he name after her? Bread The seventh day of the week, Saturday The capital city of Ashkabat Every Turkmen girl's middle name

4. One of the ways that Saparmurat Niyazov built his power was through demanding all his citizens read and know well a book he had written. Knowledge of this book (up to and including reciting passages from memory) was required to get a driver's license or a state job, and this book was a required presence in all schools, churches, and bookstores. What was the name of this book that Niyazov demanded be considered equal to the Koran in Turkmen society? The Little Red Book The Ruhnama Turkmenbashi's Guide to Life The Rubaiyat

5. Saparmurat Niyazov's picture was on all the money. Photos and paintings hung on walls everywhere, including on all major buildings and city streets. A gold plated statue on top of the Neutrality Arch, one of Turkmenistan's greatest monuments, rotated so that Niyazov always faced the sun. When asked about his feelings about all this, what was Niyazov quoted as saying? They see my image and know, with utmost confidence, that they have a strong leader keeping them safe. How dare you question my authority over my own country! I'm personally against seeing my pictures and statues in the streets, but it's what the people want. Yes, pretty cool, isn't it?

6. Health care may have been a concern for Saparmurat Niyazov. Which of the following did he do regarding the health care situation in Turkmenistan? Fired 15,000 public health workers and replaced them with military conscripts Outlawed gold teeth and tooth caps and encouraged the chewing of bones to improve dental health Closed all hospitals outside of Ashkabat and ordered all sick people needing care to travel there All of these

7. Literacy and education were another concern of Saparmurat Niyazov's. In response to his belief that many rural Turkmen were not reading, which of the following did he do? Forced teachers to relocate to rural areas to teach Closed all libraries outside the capital city of Ashkabat Required many doctors and scientists to become teachers Demanded the state run television stations begin airing nothing but educational programming

8. Saparmurat Niyazov reportedly had about $3 billion under his control under foreign banks. Which of the following did he do to help avert the risk of a financial crisis within Turkmenistan? Withdrew $1 billion from foreign accounts and poured it into the state treasury Canceled the pensions of one-third of the country's elderly and ordered past payments be paid back Canceled construction of a palace that was being built in his honor Greatly increased tariffs on the export of oil and natural gas

9. Which of the following were illegal in Turkmenistan under Saparmurat Niyazov? News reporters wearing makeup Listening to recorded music Men wearing beards All of these

10. Saparmurat Niyazov was the head of the Turkmen Communist party from 1985-1992. In 1992, after Turkmenistan gained independence from the Soviet Union, he was elected president of Turkmenistan. In 1994, an election was held and his term was extended to 2002. What was the popular vote percentage that voted to extend his term to 2002? 47.1% 50.2% 99.9% 68.3%