Turkmenistan to continue dead leader's policies

ASHGABAT, Dec 21 (Reuters) Turkmenistan will continue with the policies of President-for-Life Saparmurat Niyazov whose death was announced today, the government said.

''The internal and external policies proclaimed earlier will be continued further,'' the government said in a statement read on state television. It said the Central Asian state would respect its international obligations and bilateral treaties.

''The nation must stay united and unshaken,'' it said.

Turkmenistan, run by Niyazov since 1985, is one of the world's most secretive countries and is criticised by western human rights groups for widespread violations of basic freedoms, including use of torture.

REUTERS DKA RK1340