From: Ad 

http://en.rian.ru/world/20070214/60699700.html

"ASHGABAT, February 14 (RIA Novosti) - Acting Turkmen leader
Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov was sworn in as new president Wednesday at a
session of the country's highest legislative body.

The People's Council of Turkmenistan approved Berdymukhammedov as new head
of the Turkmen state immediately following the announcement of the central
election committee that he had won the presidential election with 89.7% of
the vote.

The Central Asian country bordering on Afghanistan held its first
alternative presidential election on Sunday to replace the late
authoritarian ruler Saparmurat Niyazov.

Six candidates ran for the presidency, but the interim leader has always
been considered the favorite in the presidential race.

Berdymukhammedov took the oath of office and officially assumed
responsibilities as president of Turkmenistan for the term of five years.

According to the Turkmen Constitution, the president of the country also
acts as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the prime minister.

Representatives of 17 states and international organizations, including
Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and U.S. Assistant Secretary of
State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher, attended the
inauguration of the new Turkmen president. "


89.7% of the vote.......

Gosh he must have been a stellar campaigner.

One wonders how fast he will remove most of niyazov's nuttiness.

Adam

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