Embassy of the United States

Official Statements

George A. Krol
 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs

Roundtable
 
October 30, 2009
Astana, Kazakhstan

Ambassador Krol:  I came here with my colleague, Mr. Kurt Donnelly who works at the National Security Council in Washington, what I guess you would call in this area of the world the “Presidential Apparat.”  He is the Director for Central Asian Affairs at the National Security Council.  We were, as I have mentioned, in Kyrgyzstan at the beginning of this week and concluded here in Astana.

The reason for our visit to the region is to continue the engagement and dialogue that the administration of President Barack Obama has initiated with the countries of Central Asia.  As many of you probably have reported, in July of this year we had a major interagency delegation that came to most of the countries in Central Asia led by our Under Secretary of State, Ambassador William Burns.  So we are following up on that visit, although there have been visits since, as you know, such as our Deputy Secretary of Energy, Daniel Poneman, who was here in Kazakhstan last month.

I think this reflects the broad scope of our relationships that we are building upon in all areas - in the areas of economic and trade dimension, in what we would call the human dimension, the relations between our two countries, our peoples, and in the areas of international events that we work with, such as the OSCE that Kazakhstan will soon assume the chairmanship of, and in fact all questions that concern the region, the world, and our bilateral relations.

I would simply characterize our meetings here in Astana and in Kyrgyzstan as reflective of our relationship which is very open, very frank, and that we all look for constructive ways to advance on all areas of our relationships as partners.  That is the approach that we take and that I will continue to take in my further travels in the near future to other countries in the region of Central Asia.

That’s enough from me.  I’m open to your questions.

Question: You met with members of civil society in Almaty?  What did you discuss?

Ambassador Krol:  In Almaty I met with a group of representatives from a variety of non-governmental organizations who reflect their interests in a wide variety of activities in which they are involved in Kazakhstan, such as in the media, in institution building, and in issues of human rights.

I was interested in their views on developments in Kazakhstan and how they see their own operations of their organizations developing in Kazakhstan. So for me it was very interesting and informative to have these discussions, to hear and listen to them, their description and elaboration, and just have an exchange of views.

Question: But can you describe your impressions of that meeting?

Ambassador Krol:  I’d say my first impression, as someone who travels throughout Central Asia in each of these countries, is quite frankly the openness here in Kazakhstan - to hear opinions and also how varied and deep are the activities of these organizations in Kazakhstan.  It’s very impressive to see this.  They all have, like everywhere, different views and the like, but they can express them and they have no fear of expressing them.

Again, it wasn’t debating or criticizing or things of this nature; it was just to have a very informative discussion.  So that, I think, was my greatest impression that I have from the meeting as a whole, just the openness of it and the free exchange of views.  It was very impressive in the context of this region.

I would simply say that most of this meeting was my asking questions of my interlocutors, and also telling them, on behalf of the United States government, our interest in their welfare and in the issues in Kazakhstan.  That’s one of the reasons why I, as a representative of the United States government, wanted to meet with them, to show them that we are interested in these issues.

Question:  Can you comment on the situation in Afghanistan?  Many U.S. soldiers have been killed in that conflict, and we are seeing more and more terrorist attacks and casualties in that region.  What do you think about the mission and role of the United States in the Afghan conflict?
 

Ambassador Krol:  I’m not really in a position to speak directly about Afghanistan.  It’s not in my area of exact responsibility at the State Department.  The events that have been taking place in Afghanistan, since I’ve been traveling, I’ve been following as you are, from the press, so I do not have more detailed information.

I think the United States government, either our embassy in Kabul as well as in the State Department, may be able to give more direct response to that sort of question.  However, what I can say is that the issue of Afghanistan is something that I have discussed here in Kazakhstan with my interlocutors as well as in Kyrgyzstan.  It is an issue that is of great concern not only to the United States but to the countries of the region.
 
The United States, of course, is deeply involved in the attempt to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan, working with the government and people of Afghanistan in their struggle against those who do not wish to have peace and prosperity in Afghanistan.  It is clear that these explosions and terrorist actions in Afghanistan are an attempt by the enemies of peace, and frankly the enemies of the Afghan people, to change the situation and to try to dominate.  But as my President has said, and not just as the United States, but as the world community that stands together with the people of Afghanistan:  these terrorists will not prevail.  It’s not only President Obama, but it’s the world community of which the United States is a part.  It is an issue that unites the United States, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and all the countries in the region and around the world.  It is a subject of my discussions, and it is truly a union of views that we need to stand together with the people of Afghanistan as they endure this struggle.   And we, with the Afghan people, will succeed. 

Question: What is the position of the United States on the issue of human rights violations in Uzbekistan?  Recently, the European Union lifted an embargo on the export of arms to Uzbekistan.  Does this mean that the situation in Uzbekistan has improved, and particularly in the area of human rights?

Ambassador Krol:  The issue of how people in Uzbekistan are treated by their government - that they are under the laws of Uzbekistan but also under the international commitments to which the government of Uzbekistan has made itself a party to - is, and will remain, a major interest of the United States in our relationship with Uzbekistan as with any country.

We, the American government, like the international community, like the European community, follow these issues closely because they are important to the values of our countries.  And it’s not only because we are Americans or Europeans, we are people.  Regardless of the part of the planet on which we live, how we – you and I - as members of this world community live and treat (each other) is an important element for all of us.  Each of us are human beings on this planet that should live under conditions that allow us to live freely and prosper.

We, the United States government, want to work constructively with Uzbekistan and the authorities in Uzbekistan to address these issues as partners.  It’s an important element of our dialogue.

Question:  Today, a number of representatives of Kazakhstani non-government organizations state that Kazakhstan has not fulfilled its OSCE responsibilities and call for OSCE members to review their decision on Kazakhstan’s Chairmanship.  In your opinion, are there grounds for such a request, and what are your impressions from your trip?  Have you personally seen the type of problems these organizations mention in their statements?
 

Ambassador Krol:  We, the United States government, have said publicly and openly, and in our discussions with Kazakhstan, that we encourage the various responses that Kazakhstan has made in follow-up to the position that it took in Madrid, and its view to move in undertaking reforms in these areas that were mentioned by then Foreign Minister Tazhin in Madrid.  We understand the steps that have been taken, and we just encourage more of them, and the implementation of the steps that they have taken, to fulfill their intent and the intentions that have been made by Kazakhstan formally in Madrid.

Ambassador Hoagland:  Thank you very much.

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