Transcripts
Richard E. Hoagland: Interview with Gazeta.kz
December 24, 2008
Question#1 Author: Kuanysh
How will Kazakhstan and USA cooperate on education programs for our specialists in the United States, especially for construction engineers?
Ambassador Hoagland: The United States sponsors a number of excellent educational exchange programs, ranging from the Fulbright Scholarship for advanced academics to the FLEX program for high school students. For more information on these educational opportunities, please visit our web site at http://kazakhstan.usembassy.gov or contact us directly at info@usembassy.kz.
Question#2 Author: Anvar
Mr. Ambassador, could you please tell us about yourself: when and where you were born, what educational background you have, what your family is like, what kind of music you prefer, whether you used to be a hippie, whether you smoked weed, what kind of sport you are fond of. What are your religious and political views: are you a democrat or a republican? For example, I know that you smoke which is quite unusual for an American! What other typical or non-typical traits of character do you have?
Ambassador Hoagland: Thank you very much for your personal interest. I was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and I studied at the University of Virginia and the University of Grenoble, France. Before joining the Foreign Service, I taught English as a foreign language in Zaire (which is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and African literature at the University of Virginia's Carter-Woodson Institute of African and Afro-American Studies.
Before coming to Kazakhstan, I served previously as U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan 2003-2006, as Charge d'affaires to Turkmenistan July 2007-July 2008, and in the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan 1993-1995. And so, I know this region pretty well.
Was I ever a hippie and did I ever do the standard “hippie things”? Let’s just say, like almost all university students, I fully enjoyed life.
Music? My favorite music is chamber music from all historical periods, from before Johann Sebastian Bach to after Sergei Prokofiev. I also very much like traditional American folk music from the Appalachian Mountains, especially those recordings our Library of Congress made in the 1930s.
One other detail few people know – I am a passionate gardener. Finally, I love good food and very much enjoy shopping at “Green Bazaars” and cooking for myself and my friends.
Question# 3 Author: Alibek
Could you please explain terms for obtaining the Green Card? How is it issued? What are eligibility requirements? How can application be submitted?
Ambassador Hoagland: A Permanent Resident Card, or a “green card,” is given to someone who legally immigrates to the United States. This can be done in a number of ways, including being sponsored by a relative, being petitioned for by an employer, or winning the Diversity Visa lottery. For more U.S. visa information, please visit our web site at http://kazakhstan.usembassy.gov.
Question#4 Author: Nair Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
What is U.S. viewpoint on routes of oil and gas transportation to world markets from the Caspian region?
Ambassador Hoagland: The United States’ view of this issue is simple. We believe the more routes that oil and gas can take to get to world markets, the better. This includes routes through Russia, routes to China, and routes across the Caspian.
Question#5 Author: Nair Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
Could you please explain what happened to the Caspian Guard program which was widely discussed several years ago? The program meant to provide help to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan in establishing combat efficient military naval forces.
Ambassador Hoagland: There are many programs under which the United States, Kazakhstan, and other countries cooperate to build mutual security. The name Caspian Guard has not been used for many years. We continue, however, to cooperate with Kazakhstan and other countries of the Caspian Basin to ensure free access and commerce in accordance with international practice.
Question# 6 Author: Zhanar
Why have cases of racial hostility in the United States increased with the election of an African-American, Barack Obama, as President of the United States?
Ambassador Hoagland: There has not been any rise of racial hostility in America, as far as I know. In fact, while no nation is perfect, the election of Senator Obama shows how far the United States has come in race relations. Both Democrats and Republicans, black people and white people, as well as people of all other races, have praised Senator Obama’s election as an historic turning point in race relations in the United States. Regardless of one’s political party, seeing an African American take the oath of office as President of the United States on January 20th will make the great majority of Americans very proud of their country.
Question#7 Author: Anar
Your predecessor, Mr. John Ordway, predicted problems in interethnic relations for the next 20 years in Kazakhstan. Do you also support this point of view?
Ambassador Hoagland: Ethnic tensions can rise in any country in the world, including the United States. However, I know that President Nazarbayev takes ethnic and religious tolerance very seriously, and I believe that Kazakhstan has every opportunity to become one of the more ethnically harmonious nations in the world.
Question #8 Author: Zhanar
Is it true that elected U.S. presidents undergo a sanctification ceremony in one of the main synagogues?
Ambassador Hoagland: According to the First Amendment to our Constitution, there can be no establishment of a religion in the United States, and so, obviously, there is no religious rite or ceremony that new presidents are required to perform.
Question #10 Author: Andrey
You are a representative of a country upon whose action or inaction depend the destinies of the world. I hope that you will handle the responsibility placed on you with dignity during these hard times for your country and the world. God bless you.
Ambassador Hoagland: Thank you so much for your kind wishes. It is the greatest honor of my life to have been chosen by my government as U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan. I hope to see our relationship strengthen in the areas of political and economic progress, security cooperation, and energy resource development during my tenure. And I sincerely hope I will represent my country with dignity.
Question#11 Author: Andrey
Is it possible to arrange non-visa entry for Kazakhstani citizens to the United States, like the one for Russians citizens to Israel, for example? Or as we have now for entry to Russia? I think it would serve only to strengthen trust and respect between the two countries.
Ambassador Hoagland: The United States has legal requirements that countries must meet before they qualify for what we describe as “visa waiver status.” As can be seen from the recent accession to visa waiver status of some Central European countries, these requirements are constantly being reviewed for different countries. In theory, this could become possible for Kazakhstan sometime in the future.
Question #12 Author: Zhanbolat Mamyshev, Astana
Will budget and non-budget expenses on various U.S.-sponsored programs be decreased due to the crisis and the beginning of a recession in many major world economies?
Ambassador Hoagland: Like all Americans, I am waiting to see what the new Administration will decide to do with the budget. However, I think the financial crisis will probably have more impact on domestic policy budget choices, while foreign policy will largely remain the same.
Question# 13 Author: Oleg
Mr. Ambassador! I have a question: Is it true that comedian Michael Zadornov is denied entry into the US due to his mocking of the American life style and literacy of ordinary Americans? (I hope I expressed myself correctly) How do you evaluate system of higher education and Unified National Test/Exam in Kazakhstan from the point of view of education system in former USSR?
Ambassador Hoagland: While I am not personally familiar with the details of this particular case, I can tell you firmly that the United States does not deny visas based on an applicant’s personal views or on his exercise of freedom of speech – unless, of course, he advocates terrorism or other forms of violence.
To answer your second question, the Soviet Union bequeathed an excellent education system to its successor nations, and so far I am very impressed with the educational level of Kazakhstanis.
Question# 14 Author: Asset
What kinds of investments were made to Kazakhstan by USA in 2008? What industries will the US investments cover in 2009?
Ambassador Hoagland: The United States is a free-market nation and, as such, its government does not invest in industries in other countries. However, American businesses are the number-one investors in Kazakhstan, in industries as varied as building railroad locomotives to helping Kazakhstan profit from its vast mineral and hydrocarbon resources. While the global financial crisis might delay some new investments, I have no doubt that in the long term, American businesses will continue to invest in Kazakhstan – not only in the energy sector, but across the whole economy.
Question # 15 Author: Gukas, Erevan
Mr. Ambassador, after recent events when you were not appointed as a US Ambassador to Armenia due to denial of Armenian genocide in the beginning of 20th century have you changed your opinion concerning the given issue?
Ambassador Hoagland: Thank you very much for this question, because it allows me to set the record straight. I never, ever “denied the Armenian genocide.” That view was falsely attributed to me by some political extremists who wanted to make a political statement. What I did, as any diplomat loyal to his own government must do, was support my government’s policy. Our view is not “to legislate history.” Rather, let both Yerevan and Ankara fully open their historical archives, seriously study together the documented history of the period, and mutually reach a common position based on the objective historical record.
Question#16 Author: Marat
Why does U.S. not acknowledge the exile government of the Chechen Republic in London?
Ambassador Hoagland: The United States supports the territorial sovereignty of Russia in the same way that it supports the territorial sovereignty of Georgia.
Question #17 Author: Russian
Mr. Ambassador, what is the United States’ acknowledgment of Kosovo and non-acknowledgment of South Ossetia and Abkhazia associated with? Is a policy of double standards still effective?
Ambassador Hoagland: I disagree with the premise of your question. The two situations are completely different. Unlike the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia collapsed over a period of time in war and ethnic violence. Today, Kosovo is the seventh country to emerge out of the former Yugoslavia. If you recall, in 1999 the international community had to intervene in Kosovo because of the extreme ethnic violence and ethnic cleansing that took place there.
The international community has spent a lot of time and a lot of effort working on this problem. The United Nations has been integrally involved, and Martti Ahtisaari, former UN diplomat, former president of Finland, and winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, came to the conclusion that the only possible way forward for Kosovo was to have internationally-recognized independence. The United States recognized Kosovo because we thought that it was the right thing to do, and because, as with other cases in the former Yugoslavia, we sought an outcome that protects the rights of people to live in peace, security, and stability. It seems to us that this is the best possible outcome, with full protection for the rights of minorities, including the Serbian minority that will continue to live in Kosovo.
On the other hand, Russia's recognition of the supposed independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia contradicts the longstanding support of the international community (including Russia) for Georgia’s territorial integrity, and risks destabilizing the broader region. No country in the world so far, with the single exception of Nicaragua, has joined Russia in recognizing Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Some might even go so far as to ask if Abkhazia and South Ossetia should be independent, should not Chechnya and Dagestan be independent, too? I want to emphasize this is not my view, nor the view of my government, but I know that some ask this question.
Question #18 Author: Symbat
Will U.S. policy towards Near East countries change and in general, will the policy of the omnipresent justice and democracy axe in world politics change with the new U.S. president taking over the office?
Ambassador Hoagland: U.S. foreign policy has remained through many years generally consistent under both Democratic and Republican presidential administrations, though each administration has its own priorities. Under President Obama, the tone and nuances of U.S. foreign policy might change – for example, I expect U.S. foreign policy to become increasingly pragmatic – but long-term U.S. national interests are consistent.
In our relationship with Kazakhstan, I believe we need to be grounded in reality. We need mutually and thoroughly to understand the historical, cultural, and political realities in both our countries – and we need to respect them. Where they are congruent, we will easily prosper together. Where they are not fully congruent – and friends can disagree and still remain friends – we will work to understand each other’s reality with respect. Where we will find points of agreement, we will pursue common goals. Where we will sometimes disagree, we will do so with respect and without recrimination.
Question #19 Author: Bek
We would like to cooperate more with the United States, since it is a warrant of world safety. It’s commonly known that in many ways we are squeezed between two large countries, one of them being a superpower country and the other an ideological claw. All of the above creates certain difficulties and internal uneasiness. Is it possible to envision the United States as a warrant of our national independence and safety in the region?
Ambassador Hoagland: As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said during her October 5 visit to Astana, we do not believe that there is some kind of competition for the affections of Kazakhstan among its neighbors. I believe the government of Kazakhstan is successfully building strong relationships with nations from every region of the world.
The United States strongly believes that no country is entitled to some kind of special “sphere of influence” in Central Asia that aims to exclude other countries. That would be a violation of Kazakhstan’s sovereignty and its fundamental right to choose its own partners. The United States will continue to promote openness in the region.
Question #20 Author: Mikhail
Mr. Ambassador, how do you assess civil society development in Kazakhstan and what kind of support might the United States provide for its further growth? Thank you.
Ambassador Hoagland: A vibrant civil society is the cornerstone of democracy. Kazakhstan’s civil society is developing, with NGOs becoming more and more expert on how to articulate and promote the interests of the citizens of Kazakhstan, which range from human rights and media freedom to prison reform, pensioner support, and environmental protection.
The U.S. Embassy provides support to civil society through the work of USAID, small grants to help NGOs implement worthy projects, and exchange programs, such as the International Visitor Leadership Program and Community Connections, that allow Kazakhstanis to share ideas and experiences with their colleagues in the United States. We also bring experts from the United States to work with civil society leaders in Kazakhstan. The United States is committed to working with our Kazakhstani partners to build a solid civil society in Kazakhstan.
Question #21 Author: Damir 010
Will the United States invest money into Kazakhstan’s economy?
Ambassador Hoagland: The Government of Kazakhstan has already laid out an aggressive program for dealing with the economic crisis that many believe will be effective. The United States will continue to cooperate with Kazakhstan on issues of mutual interest, including programs in the areas of security, healthcare, civil society, and many others. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) works closely with its Kazakhstani partners to fund projects important to Kazakhstan’s further development. Our trade representative in Almaty continually works to attract new U.S. investment to Kazakhstan.
Question #22 Author: Viktor
Mr. Ambassador, I have a pragmatic question. Nowadays, the automobile industry of the United States is undergoing huge problems which are difficult to solve even with the government support. At the same time, it’s known that the importation of used vehicles from the United States to Kazakhstan has been developed. Do you think it would be reasonable to import used and new vehicles to Kazakhstan at a lower price in order to revive sales in the United States?
Ambassador Hoagland: While it’s difficult for me to comment on any specific business, the United States strongly supports increased trade with Kazakhstan. We commend the government of Kazakhstan’s desire to expand its non-energy sector economy.
In its goal to become one of the 50 most competitive countries in the world, Kazakhstan should consider reducing the bureaucratic barriers that make international trade more difficult than it has to be. The United States is always prepared to work with Kazakhstan to improve its business and investment climate.
Question #23 Author: Murat
Recently the EU announced the program “Eastern Partnership.” Unfortunately, Kazakhstan was not on the list of partner countries. Mr. Ambassador, is the convergence of the RK and the EU possible and to what extent, in your opinion? Is it possible for Kazakhstan to become an associated member of the EU? Do you envisage membership of the RK in NATO? Thank you.
Question# 9 Author: Tima
We would like to join NATO. Is it possible?
Ambassador Hoagland: As the American Ambassador, I cannot comment on the European Union’s policy and plans. NATO has always said the door is always open for new members. However, in reality, while Kazakhstan cooperates fruitfully with NATO through its Individual Partnership Action Plan (IPAP), the government of Kazakhstan has never expressed an interest in joining NATO as a full member. Under President Nazarbayev’s multi-vector foreign policy, Kazakhstan has developed excellent relationships with Russia, China, the United States, and the European Union and those relationships have served Kazakhstan very well.
