Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has said he disagrees with reports by foreign media alleging that the country infringes upon the rights of ethnic minorities. \"Some newspapers say that the Russians are being oppressed here, but we know well that not a single Russian is oppressed in Turkmenistan. Envy stands behind all this,\" Niyazov said at a meeting with the chiefs of law enforcement and military agencies, excerpts of which were broadcast by Turkmen television on Monday evening. \"We need to develop the Turkmen language, and we just cannot speak Russian, since 95% of those living in the country are Turkmens,\" Niyazov said. \"It was in the past that - despite the fact that there were 80% of us - we had to speak in Russian. In those times, we were barred from entering a university or school or from being employed if we did not know the Russian language. This is when history was distorted. The time will come, and everybody will get used to the new realities,\" Niyazov said. The president pointed out that there is a law stipulating that Turkmen, Russian, and English languages must be taught in the country\'s schools. Niyazov also stressed that everybody is equal before the law in Turkmenistan, and \"those who fled the country after committing crimes and now say their rights were infringed upon are just criminals.\" (Interfax)