Turkenistan president sack association head

President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan has sacked Nurmurad Atayev from his post as the head of Turkmenmallary, Turkmenistan's cattle breeding association, according to the Interfax news agency. The Turkmen Prosecutor General told national television in mid-September that an inspection of Turkmenmallary had revealed 'grave violations' of the association's activities. In particular, the association had apparently set up an enterprise to sell livestock, wool and hides abroad, which was beyond its powers. Investigators are also said to have seized livestock and cars, and have started a criminal case.