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Turkmen President Scraps Award Named After Predecessor's Mother


Turkmenistan's state media is reporting that the country's president has done away with an award named after the mother of his predecessor.

The pro-government website Turkmenistan.ru reported on February 11 that President Gurbanguly Berdymukhammedov signed a decree that scrapped the "Gurbansoltan the Mother" award, named after the mother of former President Saparmurat Niyazov.

The award was given to women for great achievements in science, culture, literature, or sport.

Berdymukhammedov signed a separate decree creating the "Zenan Kalby" (Woman's Soul) award that takes the place of the "Gurbansoltan the Mother" award.

Former President Niyazov, who died in 2006, had even renamed April to Gurbansoltan after his mother.

That decision was also overturned by Berdymukhammedov shortly after he became president.


Based on reporting by Turkmenistan.ru and AFP

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