This post is about dictators and radio.
It came to my attention last night, via the web stream of Voice of Russia, (who has oversight from an increasigly obvious dictator, yes Vlady, you) that Turkmenistans bizarre leader Saparmurat Niyazov died of a heart attack on December 22nd. Strange that this went seemingly unnoticed by Western media, at least to my knowledge. Nothing on CNN World News, or ABC World News. I've even watched BBC World News a few times since the 22nd, but I saw nothing about it. Granted, it may not be headline worthy as Mr. Niyazov has little relevance on a global scale, per se, but perhaps this will open Turkmenistan?
On a related note: I suspect I may have picked up Radio Turkmenistan! I can't be too sure, as it was in a language similar sounding to Russian, enough that my amateur ears could recognize that, but different enough that I could not understand a word of it. Except for Niyazov, Niyazov, Niyazov, and more Niyazov. Who knows?
Same region, different asshole: Radio Tashkent International was one of the first stations I heard and one of my favorites. I knew on a daily what time, and what frequency I would hear them on, but then without notice, it was gone. After seeing Passport left their address out of their 2007 annual, it became obvious it was no longer in operation. It seems as though Uzbekistans president Islom Karimov deemed Radio Tashkent International useless, and treasonous, and needed to be shut down. Bummer.
Finally, I got a surprise in the mail yesterday afternoon. Radio Habana Cuba sent me a New Years greeting card. "Feliz Nuevo Ano!", is what the inside read. I guess they really do think of me as family. How nice.
Thank you, Fidel?