2002 Press Releases

Turkmen Minister of Foreign Affairs greets Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle at the airport.

Congressional Delegation Thanks Turkmenistan for Humanitarian Aid Efforts

Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle talks with National Security Advisor Nazarov.

Jan. 18, 2002

Six members of the U.S. Congress, including five Senators and one member of the House of Representatives, visited Turkmenistan January 18, 2002, to discuss a range of bilateral issues with the Government of Turkmenistan, including the important role Turkmenistan has played in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan. This was among several stops on the delegation's regional tour, which also included Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

The delegation, headed by the Senate Majority Leader Thomas Daschle of South Dakota, met today with National Security Advisor and Advisor to the President on Humanitarian Assistance Mukhammet Nazarov as well as Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov. On behalf of the American people, the members of Congress thanked the Turkmen Government for its vital contribution to the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. Currently, 36% of all World Food program wheat delivered to Afghanistan is processed and bagged in Turkmenistan. This makes Turkmenistan second only to Pakistan in volume of aid transited to Afghanistan.

Other members of the delegation were Senator Robert Smith of New Hampshire, Senator Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois, Senator Mark Dayton of Minnesota, and Representative Ellen Tauscher of California.

The U.S. Government and people remain committed to providing the Afghan people with necessary food and other humanitarian aid. The U.S. Government consistently donates 80% of all aid for the World Food Program. From October to December 2001, the U.S. Government spent over $246 million on assistance to Afghanistan. In addition, American schoolchildren collected nearly $2 million for America's Fund for Afghan Children, which has been spent on hats, socks, coats, tents, school supplies and other critical humanitarian items.