President Saparmurat Niyazov has signed a decree removing Saparmamed Valiev from his ministerial post as head of Turkmenneft, the state oil company, turkmenistan.ru reported on 13 August. The report stated that Valiev was removed for \"serious deficiencies in his work and abuse of office.\" The president charged that a preliminary investigation has revealed evidence of Valiev\'s involvement in corrupt practices and ordered law-enforcement officials to complete a full investigation in 20 days. Niyazov appointed Karyagdy Tashliev, first deputy director of Turkmenneft, acting director and oil minister. Valiev, who had headed Turkmenneft since 1997, asked Niyazov to forgive him but the president declined, Reuters reported. \"I won\'t forgive you anything,\" Niyazov reportedly said. \"Go and work as a manual laborer.\" (RFE/RL)