2001 Press Releases

Charge of U.S. Mission Eric T. Schultz Delivers New Year’s Message

Jan. 3, 2001

New Year’s message by Charge of the U.S. Mission to Turkmenistan Eric T. Schultz was broadcast on the Jakhan Yany TV program on December 28, 2000. The following is the text of this speech.

On behalf of the United States and the American people, I would like to extend New Year’s greetings to President Saparmurat Turkmenbashi Niyazov and to the people of Turkmenistan. The end of the old year and the start of a new year is a time for celebration and reflection. It is also a time for new resolutions and new beginnings.

After nine years of independence, Turkmenistan has much to celebrate. It is an island of stability in an unstable region, at peace both internally and externally. As a new millennium dawns, the Turkmen people are again masters of their own fate and their own state.

On this occasion, as Turkmenistan reflects on the extraordinary events of the last decade, it will also look to its future. This is a land of enormous potential. The many resources of Turkmenistan can give it a very bright future.

However, Turkmenistan’s most important resource is its people. To realize that bright future, Turkmenistan can invest not only in its cities and industries, but in the knowledge and skills of people.

My wife and I arrived in Turkmenistan only three months ago, but in that short time we have come to appreciate the beauty of the country and especially the spirit of the people of Turkmenistan. We have found all Turkmen citizens, whatever their religion and whatever their ethnicity, to be open, hospitable, warm and generous. But we have been particularly struck by the intelligence and the energy of young Turkmen.

Therefore, allow me to express my wishes to the health and happiness of the President and all of the people of Turkmenistan, and most especially to the future of Turkmenistan, its next generations, its children and its youth.