Turkmen Officials Mark Freedom With Free Cars
From Times Wire Reports
Turkmenistan’s President-for-life Saparmurad A. Niyazov promised each of his ministers a gift of a Mercedes-Benz car to mark the 15th anniversary of his country’s independence from the Soviet Union.
Regional chiefs qualify for only a jeep, but they will be upgraded to a Mercedes if they bring in their cotton harvest early, Niyazov said on national television. “I have already ordered a Mercedes for each minister,” said Niyazov, whose personal car collection includes an armored Mercedes.
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