VOL. XLIV

No. 06

5-February-2001

CASPIAN

New Energy Minister Appointed InTurkmenistan

On 17 January President SaparmuratNiyazov of Turkmenistan appointed Kurbannazar Nazarov, the former director ofthe Institute of Oil and Gas at the energy ministry, as Minister of Oil, Gasand Mineral Resources for a six-month trial period. The post has been vacantsince September 2000.