According to a Deutsche Welle report, Turkmen authorities have followed up their drastic pensions reductions by cutting off gas supply to rural residential settlements. The action was carried out immediately after President Saparmurat Niyazov’s visit to Moscow. Delivery to gas consumers in the cities has also been affected, which has led to speculation that the interruption may constitute part of a broader project to economise on fuel reserves. Deutsche Welle reports that this information is based on the testimony of inhabitants of a number of variously located areas across the country, with the exception of Ashgabat. Furthermore, sources close to the president revealed that Niyazov had ordered measures geared towards saving on internal fuel consumption before departing for Russia.