12th Anniversary of Turkmenistan's neutrality

Mention is made in Ruhnama about Turkmenistan's UN-bestowed status as the world's only "officially neutral" country. This month celebrates the 12th Anniversary of the proclamation of this status.

The following link will be of interest to those studying Turkmen history:

SOURCES OF TURKMEN NEUTRALITY
From the past to the future
Reprinted from Turkmenistan magazine, 12-2007

Unfortunately the article's author failed to mention Ruhnama or Turkmenbashy, ironic since Turkmenistan's neutral status was obtained through Turkmenbashy's efforts, however I want my readers to note the cover photo (via the above link) of the magazine. This is a photograph of the top of "Neutrality Arch", the tallest structure in Ashgabat, and it features a golden statue of Turkmenbashy. The statue sets atop a motorized platform and rotates so that Turkmenbashy is "always facing the sun" (or so most descriptions of the statue declare).

But some people have a different understanding. In fact, I have been told that the true meaning is that, rather than Turkmenbashy always facing the sun, he is instead "guiding the sun on its journey across the sky."

It's an interesting interpretation which I likewise believe was the intended symbolism.