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Wednesday, 4th July 2007 (4444 views)

The president of Turkmenistan has treated himself to a large gold pendant in honour of his 50th birthday, it has been revealed.

Gurbanguli Berdymukhamedov, ruler of the central Asian country adorned himself with the Motherland Order, a gold pendant featuring diamonds on a gold chain, for services to the country, the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper said on Saturday.

According the Neutral Turkmenistan newspaper, the leader also received $20,000 (£10,000) as well as a 30 per cent salary and pension increase.

"All my efforts are aimed at ensuring that Turkmens lead a decent life, that people don't need anything, that they are happy," Mr Berdymukhamedov was reported by the Associated Press as saying.

The president also commissioned a special edition of 200 gold commemorative coins featuring Berdymukhamedov's effigy.

Berdymukhamedov's predecessor, Saparmurat Niyazov, also received such golden rewards, including a gold statue which resides on top of Asgabat's largest building, the Neutrality Arch, and rotates so that it will always face into the sun and shine light onto the capital city.

 

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