Ananova:

Turkmenistan's president has threatened to sack his entire government unless ministers become fluent in English within six months.

President Saparmurat Niyazov Turkmenbashi's previous decrees include banning recorded music and men with long hair, and he's recently ordered a desert zoo to house penguins.

Now, President Turkmenbashi has given his government six months to become fluent in English so they can lead trade talks with foreign companies and governments.

He said: "In the next six months you have to be able to speak English without the help of an interpreter.

"I don't care whether you pay for a teacher or you learn it on your own, but you have to talk English in six months. Anyone not fulfilling my decree will be sacked."