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Turkmenistan TV erases face of former leader
The image of Turkmenistan's late autocratic leader, long shown on television screens during most programmes, disappeared from broadcasts yesterday, the latest of his successor's steps to diminish Saparmurat Niyazov's personality cult. The gold-coloured profile of former president Niyazov, who died in December after two decades of iron-fisted rule in the natural gas-rich Central Asian country, had been a symbol of Turkmenistan's four government television channels. It appeared in the right-hand corner of the screen during virtually all broadcasts. The authorities did not comment on its removal yesterday. Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov, Niyazov's successor, has scrapped some of his least-popular policies and moved toward greater transparency. However, he has given no sign that he will scrap one-party rule. In recent months, the new president has removed his predecessor's name from a patriotic oath and some of his once-ubiquitous portraits from streets and newspapers. Although Mr Berdymukhamedov has told ministers that he should no longer be met by singing schoolchildren, dancers and oaths of loyalty, some of his portraits have replaced those of Niyazov in government buildings. The new leader has awarded himself a massive gold and diamond pendant and issued silver and gold coins with his portrait on his 50th birthday, in what analysts said were efforts to begin a new personality cult. Posted by: Steve White 2007-07-09 |
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