#6
US Department of State
24 September 2002
Text: U.S. Intensifying Efforts in Central Asia, State's Pascoe Says
(Human rights, good governance essential for region's success) (4410)

The United States is "rethinking and intensifying" efforts to help the countries of Central Asia become "stable, prosperous, and fully integrated members of the world community and the global economy," the State Department's B. Lynn Pascoe told a conference at Yale University September 20.

This ambitious U.S. attempt to deal with the "fundamental problems" of Central Asia "will, of course, require them to carry out fundamental political, economic, and societal reforms. It will require a transformation of their thinking and actions from the Soviet mold that continues to dominate in much of the region," he said.

Pascoe, a deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, was addressing the International Conference on Central Asia and the Caucasus at the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization.

He outlined U.S. efforts to eliminate weapons of mass destruction from the region, to provide humanitarian aid in the aftermath of the Soviet Union's collapse, and the multiple pipeline strategy aimed at ensuring reliable flows of gas and oil to global markets. "A large portion of American assistance over the years has gone into building civil society in these former Soviet lands," Pascoe also noted.

"Georgia and Kyrgyzstan have vibrant civil societies, Turkmenistan still attempts to suppress most non-governmental activity, and the other countries lie somewhere in between," he added.

After the terrorist attacks on the United States last September, the countries of Central Asia "became front-line states in our global war against terrorism," Pascoe said. "Soon after September 11, all of the governments in the region offered generous assistance in prosecuting the war."

He emphasized that the United States has "no intention to build large, permanent U.S. bases in the region."

"We do, however, expect to use these facilities in Central Asia as long as conditions in Afghanistan require it," he added. "And we will want access for future contingencies and to be involved in training and joint exercises with the armed forces of these countries for the long-term."

Pascoe rejected as "flatly false" charges that the United States is downplaying human rights and democracy issues in order to ensure security cooperation in the region. On the contrary, he said, the United States believes that the countries of Central Asia "cannot make it to modern statehood without political reforms."

"We have pressed and will continue to press human rights and good governance issues hard precisely because they are essential for the region's success," he said.

The United States recognizes that Russia, China, Iran, Turkey and the countries of South Asia all have "natural interests" in the region, Pascoe said. "Our goal is to channel these interests, where possible, to benefit the entire region and to promote stability and prosperity in Central Asia."

He said he expects Turkey to play an "increasingly helpful role in the region," in the Caucasus as well as Central Asia.

Also, "we believe the European Union can become more active, increasing both its assistance and diplomatic influence," Pascoe suggested.

He also briefly critiqued the state of democratization, economic reform and human rights in each of the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Here is a sampling of his remarks: - Uzbekistan: The government has "made some movement in the right direction" on economic reform and has "taken modest steps toward reforming its human rights practices.... There is still far to go and we will continue to encourage progress." - Tajikistan: The government has established a multi-party parliament, is "extending its writ of authority throughout the country," and is committed to fighting narco-trafficking, seizing more drugs this year than the rest of the region combined. - Kyrgyz Republic: The country "has had its ups and down over the last ten years, but it clearly has the most vibrant civil society in all of Central Asia." - Kazakhstan: The country has "led the region in market reform and political openness. The economic picture remains bright." However, "recent democracy trends have been negative.... We have been quite firm in urging President Nazarbayev and his government to reverse this trend." - Turkmenistan: "We regret that the leadership of Turkmenistan has veered into what appears to be a dead-end. The people of Turkmenistan are suffering for it. But even there, we can see the beginnings of civil society where citizens are forming non-governmental organizations to tackle social, environmental, and other problems." - Georgia: "Apart from the corrosive corruption that permeates the country, Georgia faces significant security problems that threaten its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Pascoe said. He added that "We have worked - and will continue to work - intensively with Russia and Georgia to solve the very real security problems in this region and to deescalate the tensions between Moscow and Tbilisi." - Armenia and Azerbaijan: "The failure to establish peace keeps Armenia and Azerbaijan shackled and unable to realize their full potential... We continue to work with Russia and France in the Minsk Group and with the two governments concerned to help promote a solution." Additionally, "we have welcomed the recent development of trilateral ministerials involving Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan."

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