President Saparmurat Niyazov (file photo) (RFE/RL)
8 November 2005 -- Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has reiterated his moral guidelines for government officials after recently firing several of them for alleged abuse of office and misappropriation of funds.
Niyazov made his remarks in the official daily newspaper "Neutralnii Turkmenistan." He says that officials need to be, among other things, "honest, truthful, wise, generous, witty, humble, simple, cheerful, careful and charismatic."
The reminder comes after the recent firing of several top energy officials, including two oil and gas ministers and officials at the state gas exporting company.
Niyazov has made his "Rukhnama," a book of moral guidance, mandatory reading for all Turkmen civil servants and in Turkmen schools.
(AP)