Saparmurat Niyazov

FILE -- Turkmenistan's authoritarian president Saparmurat Niyazov is seen listening to Ukrainian national anthem during his visit to Kiev on this file photo taken in Ukraine's capital May 14, 2001. Niyazov was poised to further entrench his grasp on power Thursday, August 8, 2002, after a hand-picked assembly of top officials called for him to be named president for life. Photo by Dmitry Gavrish / UNIAN