Transcripts
Ambassador Richard Hoagland's Inteview with Peace Corps Newsletter, "Vesti"
April 7, 2009
When you first arrived in Kazakhstan, what were your impressions?
I have been visiting Kazakhstan since 2001, and have worked off and on in Central Asia since 1993. I was Ambassador in Tajikistan for three years and, briefly, in Turkmenistan. And so when I arrived in September 2008 as Ambassador to Kazakhstan, it seemed totally “normalno,” very pleasant and familiar. I felt that this was my home away from home.
How is Kazakhstan different from other former Soviet countries in which you have worked?
Kazakhstan is extremely different from the other countries of Central Asia! It’s Eurasia, not Central Asia. It’s much more developed in many, many ways. The degree of its “human capacity” is truly impressive. It’s a regional leader and an emerging world player.
How is Kazakhstan, as well as Central Asia in general, reacting to the current financial crisis? Are there any unique problems or issues which Kazakhstan faces concerning the crisis?
By diplomatic tradition, I should not comment about the other countries, but Kazakhstan, whose banking and financial systems are already embedded in the global economy, is doing as well as can be expected. My staff and I speak to the senior economic officials of the country, to representatives of the International Financial Institutions, and to international private bankers. All, without exception, agree that Kazakhstan is reacting responsibly and flexibly to a very difficult situation. In fact, a senior European banker very recently told me that of all the former Soviet countries, Kazakhstan is doing the best in the crisis – and you need to understand that includes Russia.
Peace Corps volunteers all know how Almaty and Astana are developing and growing at astounding rates. How much potential do you see for economic and civil development in regions outside these two cities? For example, educational and infrastructural development in rural communities?
As in all countries, the big cities develop first and fastest. Everywhere in the world, the best and brightest tend to leave their villages and small towns to seek their fortunes in the big cities. Think of the differences between New York City or Chicago or San Francisco and the rural, small towns in West Virginia or Arkansas or North Dakota or Indiana (my home state!). I recently read a report about life in a small town in Kazakhstan, and it sounded very much as if it were still the Soviet Union of 30 years ago. But that is not especially surprising. I think this country is committed to national development to international standards in all spheres and sectors – but it will take time, as it does anywhere. And, as anywhere, the degree of development will be uneven.
What are the most significant challenges this region faces for future economic development? How about educational and civil development?
Again, I should speak only about Kazakhstan. The most important thing is that Kazakhstan should continue to reform its legislation – and, equally if not more important, how it is implemented! – to create an investment climate so that foreign corporations can say, “Yes, that is a place where we can invest and be confident that that rule of law will generally prevail so that we will be able to make a reasonable profit for our shareholders. I honestly think civil development is happening. Across this vast land, people are realizing they can take responsibility to demand that the government acts responsibly. This might surprise some, but I think the government-approved “public associations” are playing a real role in building the fundamentals of democracy. They not only allow but also promote public debate – and that is one of the fundamentals of democracy. Educational reform will probably come more slowly; but it, too, will eventually happen.
As of now, Peace Corps works in two programs in Kazakhstan, English education and organizational and community assistance (OCAP). Education volunteers work in a variety of settings with students and teachers in village elementary and secondary schools, technical training colleges and city universities. OCAP volunteers work in a number of varying organizations; for example, women and youth organizations, schools and organizations for people with disabilities, ecotourism organizations. Are there any other areas of development in which Peace Corps could expand into?
I don’t want to presume to make any specific recommendations. As guests in this country, as respectful partners of Kazakhstan, we always want to consult with them. If in these consultations Kazakhstan comes up with new ideas, then I would certainly want to consider them seriously.
Many Peace Corps volunteers are familiar with American Corners. What other type of "outreach" activities or programs is the embassy coordinating or sponsoring with local organizations? And how can Peace Corps volunteers get involved to help?
American Corners are a terrific resource, but they can’t be everywhere. I’ll tell you honestly that with falling public diplomacy budgets over the past ten years, we now face a real challenge how to communicate effectively with the public in Kazakhstan, especially since Russia has a monopoly on the electronic media. Here’s what you can do: I know Internet connections are not optimal in many places, but I’d really like to make sure that YOU all make sure that everyone you know is aware of our Embassy web site, http://kazakhstan.usembassy.gov. There you will find links to Russian-language information. The same is true on http://www.america.gov where you will also find Russian-language links. But if any of you have new ideas how to do our job better, I would very much like to hear what you have to say.
What are the major issues concerning US-Kazakhstani relations?
Most broadly speaking, our bilateral interests are based on political progress, security cooperation (and this includes military relations, counter-narcotics, non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, border security, and trafficking-in-persons), and economic and commercial partnerships, including – but not limited to! – the oil and gas sectors.
How is your Russian? And your Kazakh?
My social Russian is fine. But I long ago learned from my best mentors, if you want to communicate most precisely and accurately as a diplomat, always use a highly skilled interpreter to ensure you are getting across your message with exact precision. I would dearly, and ideally, love to be fluent in Kazakh, but I have not had the time or opportunity to do so.
What do you think of the Kazakh national dish, Beshbarmak?
Delicious!
No matter where I am in the world, I deeply enjoy learning new cuisines, new customs. This was not new to me, but on my second night in Kazakhastan as ambassador, a most senior official very close to President Nazarbayev invited me to a private one-on-one restaurant dinner. To show traditional hospitality, he ordered a sheep’s head; and when it arrived, he carved out an eye and offered it to me. I ate it – not because it was the most delicious thing in the world (I didn’t even ask for katsup!), but because I understood the honor he was offering me.
Is there anything else you would like to tell Peace Corps volunteers?
One very important thing. I think what you are doing it terrific! Immediately after college in the United States, I was a volunteer (not Peace Corps) English teacher in an isolated village in central Africa. I have always said that was my first real step toward real adulthood and – frankly – toward the career I now have. I still greatly value that experience and have absolutely indelible memories of that time. Also, my sister was a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines in the late 1970s and managed an agricultural project to develop a mango plantation for a remote village, for small-scale economic development. She is now the most senior air-traffic controller for the Southwest United States. And yet, she always tells me the most important job she ever had was on the isolated island of Bohol in the Philippines, setting up a mango plantation as an economic development project – which the corrupt mayor expropriated, once it became successful. Nu I shto – such is life! Peace Corps is one of the great U.S. people-to-people achievements of the 20th century, now continuing into the 21st century. As the advertisement says, “It’s the most difficult job you’ll ever love!” And it’s one of the most important things we as a nation do all over the world.
Anytime anyone of you happens to be in Astana, please call the Embassy and ask to see me. My door is always open to you. I sincerely want to hear about your personal experiences.
Thanks so much for your service to your country!
