No reason was given for the move, but since Niyazov's death in December 2006, President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov has worked to dismantle some of Niyazov's personality cult.
Niyazov's portrait was taken off the masthead of state newspapers in February, and some of the many statues of Niyazov, erected from 1991 to 2006, have been quietly removed in cities around the country.
(AFP)
Central Asia In Focus
Central Asia In Focus
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