Central Asia watchers will remember that when the Taliban took Kabul, they decreed that all government employees in Afghanistan must grow a beard within six weeks. Pretty reasonable, I hear you say. Six weeks is plenty of time to get a good beard going for most civil servants.
No doubt inspired by the innovative national facial hair policies of his Afghan neighbours, Turkmenistan President Saparmurat Niyazov has taken the smig debate up a notch—by passing a law banning beards of all shapes and sizes. Niyazov—not bearded himself—was, rightly you must say, alarmed at the number of goatees sprouting up in the capital Ashgabat.
Niyazov's incisive move ensures the shaving debate will continue to rage west of the Caspian. For good measure and with more than a tip of the hat to the former rulers of Kabul, the main Turkman also decided to pull the plug on ballet and opera, which are unnecessary.
The Economist: Fashion Police (scroll down)
BBC News: Young Turkmen Face Beard Ban
And some classic 18th century satire online: A Modest Proposal, Candide
This is the same guy who commissioned 12-meter-high gold plated statue of himself which revolves once per day and follows the sun.
Posted by: Dick O'Brien at March 10, 2004 5:24 PM | Permalink to CommentYou can't buy class. It must be like having Paul Calf run your country.
Posted by: Setsunai at March 10, 2004 6:14 PM | Permalink to CommentI love it!
"You cant buy class!" always a classic in any mans language..........
Posted by: MickMcD at March 10, 2004 7:58 PM | Permalink to Comment