From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Thu Feb 17 2005 - 10:21:54 EST
RFE/RL: REPORT SAYS TURKMEN PRESIDENT ORDERS CLOSURE OF HOSPITALS, LIBRARIES
A number of Turkmen opposition sites on 15 February posted a report attributed to PRIMA-News and dated 11 February claiming that Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov has ordered the closure of libraries and hospitals. The president's remarks came at a meeting with employees of provincial and regional administrations, according to the report. He said that libraries should be closed, with the exception of the Central Library and libraries at educational institutions. He also said that each provincial center should have a diagnostic center, but people should travel to the capital for treatment and all other hospitals should be closed. Moreover, Niyazov said that nature reserves should be opened to the public so that "people can graze their livestock there." DK
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